September signals the transition from summer, with earlier sunsets and festivals winding down. However, London still offers a host of exciting events. The London Design Festival returns, a new rooftop book club launches, and Open House invites exploration of the city's fascinating architecture. Though the Proms conclude, the Southbank Centre ushers in the 2024/25 classical music season. Plus, a range of art exhibitions will precede the Freize art fair in October. Here’s our selection of top activities in London this September.

Classical Music Opening Weekend Southbank Centre

#FLODown: The Classical Music Autumn/Winter Programme for 2024/25 at the Southbank Centre will commence in September, featuring its six Resident Orchestras: Aurora Orchestra, Chineke! Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, London Sinfonietta, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, and Philharmonia Orchestra. The Opening Weekend taking place between 25 - 29 September is set to be their biggest yet and will include concerts by the London Philharmonic Orchestra with Joyce DiDonato, the Philharmonia Orchestra’s Nordic Soundscapes series under Santtu-Matias Rouvali, and performances by Igor Levit, The Multi-Story Orchestra, and Lawrence Power. 

Date: 25 - 29 September 2024. Location: Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX. Click here for all you need to know about the Southbank Centre’s Opening Weekend. 

Click here for our pick of 12 Classical music concerts to see at the Southbank Centre this season. 

CelebrASIA festival at Battersea Power Station 

#FLODown: CelebrASIA festival will take place in September at Battersea Power Station, offering a vibrant celebration of South East Asian culture. The festival will feature an array of traditional cuisine from renowned chefs and street food vendors, alongside unique collaborations and drinks from Singaporean specialists. Attendees can explore an Artisan Market, participate in arts and crafts workshops, and enjoy family-friendly activities like face painting and puppet making. The event will also include live music, traditional performances, the ASEAN Games, and a special film screening at The Cinema in the Power Station.

Date: 13 - 15 September 2024. Location: Battersea Power Station, Circus Rd W, Nine Elms, London SW11 8DD. batterseapowerstation.co.uk.

Rooftop Book Club

#FLODown: Bussey Rooftop Bar is hosting its first Rooftop Book Club with author Beth McColl, featuring a discussion of Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl. The event includes a screening of the movie adaptation, a drink, and a goodie bag, all for £32. It's a great chance for book enthusiasts to connect with others and enjoy a film under the stars. Tickets are first-come-first-served.

Date: 4 September 2024, Location: Bussey Building, Copeland Park 133 Copeland Road Peckham London SE15 3SN. Price: from £32. Book now.

Qudus Onikeku’s Re:INCARNATION

#FLODown: Nigeria's acclaimed QDance Company makes a powerful UK debut with a vibrant performance celebrating Nigerian music and culture. Featuring ten young dancers and two musicians, the show captures the energy of life in Lagos, blending dance, music, fashion, and visual art. The performance is a tribute to Nigerian culture, integrating Yoruba philosophy and modern youth influences, set to the dynamic rhythms of Afrobeats—a mix of jazz, soul, funk, and traditional African music. Led by artistic director Qudus Onikeku, QDance Company brings an international perspective to contemporary dance. Following the performance, audiences can enjoy a live DJ set featuring sounds from across Africa and its diaspora.

Date: 18 - 19 September 2024. Time: 7.30pm. Location: Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX. Price: from £20. Book now.

London Design Festival 2024

#FLODown: The 22nd edition of the London Design Festival will take place from 14 -22 September 2024, highlighting key industry issues like sustainability, AI, and inclusivity. A notable trend this year is the concept of play, which is explored for its broader implications across various aspects of life.Key projects include Vert, a sustainable structure designed by Diez Office and AHEC at Chelsea College of Arts, which aims to enhance urban biodiversity, and Duo, a suspended installation by Melek Zeynep at the Old Royal Naval College, exploring duality and interaction.

Date: 14 - 22 September 2024. Location: Throughout London. Click here for our top 20 picks of things to do and see at the London Design Festival 2024.

Totally Thames 2024

#FLODown: Totally Thames is a month-long celebration of London's river, featuring artwork, outdoor concerts, cultural events, and free exhibitions and walking tours exploring the Thames's history. The September 2024 festival includes highlights such as "Hulked" with storytelling and folk music on the sailing barge Edith May, "Sing for Water" and "Kids' Choir" at The Scoop, and various mudlarking exhibitions with historical artifacts. New initiatives include the Clean Thames Challenge for river clean-ups. Other key events are the St Katharine Docks Classic Boat Festival, Thames Tideway Tunnel Boat Tour, Great River Race, and Thames Day with family-friendly activities and performances.

Date: 1 – 30 September 2024. See Totally Thames full programme of events at thamesfestivaltrust.org.

Open House London

#FLODown: Open House London is a festival where many of the city's iconic buildings, typically closed to the public, open their doors for free. This event allows visitors to explore architectural gems, private homes, museums, public buildings, churches, and more. Open House London is back this September with an extended run beyond the usual weekend. From 14 -22 September 2024, the festival will feature 700 open days and events across all 33 London boroughs.

Date: 14 - 22 September 2024. Location: Throughout London. Click here for more on locations to visit during Open House.

Art exhibitions opening in September

#FLODown: London will host a variety of art exhibitions in September. Highlights include a major Van Gogh exhibition at the National Gallery, featuring beloved works like Sunflowers and Starry Night Over the Rhône, a retrospective on Michael Craig-Martin at the Royal Academy of Arts, and an exploration of the Silk Roads at the British Museum.

Click here to discover our pick of must-see art exhibition openings in London this September.

The Marriage of Figaro

#FLODown: Mozart’s beloved opera, The Marriage of Figaro, kicks off the season at the Royal Opera House with a mix of humour and humanity. Directed by David McVicar, this production features Ying Fang in her UK debut as Susanna, alongside a stellar cast including Luca Micheletti, Huw Montague Rendall, and Jacquelyn Stucker. With Julia Jones at the conductor’s podium, this performance promises a delightful and unforgettable evening.

Date: 2 September – 15 September 2024. Location: Main Stage, Royal Opera House, Bow Street, London WC2E 9DD. Price: From £51 - £245. Book now.

Click here for our September guide to opera and ballet in London.

Voyages Extraordinaires at Gothic Bar

#FLODown: Luxury cognac brand Camus is partnering with Gothic Bar at St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel in King’s Cross for a three-month pop-up starting 9 September. The collaboration features a cocktail menu by bar manager Jack Porter, inspired by Jules Verne’s novels and showcasing Camus cognacs. The menu includes Five Weeks in a Balloon, a peanut and ginger cocktail with a scented smoke balloon; Journey to the Centre of the Earth, an earthy drink with a unique ice cube; and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, a maritime-themed cocktail with Camus Ile de Ré. The pop-up will also feature events during London Cocktail Week and a bar takeover in November.

Date: 9 September - 30 November 2024. Location: Gothic Bar, St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel, Euston Rd, London, NW1 2AR. Bookings can be made at gothicbar.london.

 Waterworks Festival 

#FLODown: Waterworks returns to West London's Gunnersbury Park on 14 September for its fourth edition. The one-day event will feature over 70 artists across seven stages, with the 360-degree Water Tower as the centrepiece. The line-up includes a mix of prominent London artists and international talent, highlighting key figures in the local music scene. Notable performers include Kode9, Amaliah, Tim Reaper, and many others, with special collaborative and live sets planned. The festival celebrates London's rich radio culture, which supports and promotes local artists.

Click here for our review of Waterworks Festival 2023.

Date: 14 September 2024. Time: 12 - 10.30pm.  Location: Gunnersbury Park, Popes Ln, London W3 8LQ.  Price: from £50. Book now.

The Last Night of the Proms 2024

#FLODown: The BBC Proms, the world’s largest classical music festival, continues through September. Established in 1895, this annual eight-week series of orchestral concerts is primarily held at the Royal Albert Hall, with additional performances at Cadogan Hall and other venues. It includes ballet, opera for children, and events exploring genres beyond classical music. The final night of the Proms on 14 September will feature renowned artists like soprano Angel Blue and pianist Sir Stephen Hough, with live broadcasts on BBC Two, BBC One, and iPlayer.

Date: 14 September 2024. Location: Royal Albert Hall. Click here to discover the remaining Proms programme.

Unlimited Southbank Centre 

#FLODown: Opening at the Southbank Centre this September, Unlimited Festival is the UK’s largest celebration of disabled and D/deaf artists. It features new commissions, unique events, and existing works across various art forms, including performance, dance, literature, comedy, music, and visual art. The festival offers both free and participatory events, showcasing ambitious and thought-provoking work from UK and international artists.

Date:  4 ⁠–⁠  8 September 2024. Location: Southbank Centre. Click here for the full festival programme.

London Mural Festival 2024 

#FLODown: The London Mural Festival, organised by Global Street Art, is returning this September with over 100 murals across the city. Themed around ‘connection’, the festival will feature contributions from top street artists worldwide, bringing together artists, communities, and visitors to celebrate London's diversity.

Date: 5  - 29 September 2024. Location: Throughout London. londonmuralfestival.com.