Looking for something fun to do today? Something eye-opening to watch tonight? Something delicious to eat tomorrow? Our guide on things to do this week in London is personally curated, ensuring there's always a diverse range of events for you to choose from. Get stuck in!
All week
AND I LOOKED AT THE SKY: "Betty and John have spent a lifetime making art, telling stories and making each other laugh. On Betty's 86th birthday, an old promise comes due." Clapham's Omnibus Theatre is currently staging And I Looked at the Sky, a funny and tender play about a couple who've made a pact about choosing their own ending. Until 3 October 2026
STANDARD OF LIVING: Rory Kinnear and Royal Ballet principal Natalia Osipova star in The Standard of Living, a new play by James Graham (writer of Dear England, and Punch). Telling the astonishing story of rebel economist and member of the Bloomsbury Group, John Maynard Keynes, it gets its world premiere at Theatre Royal Haymarket. 21 September-12 December 2026
VIRGINIA WOOLF: Play Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? opens at Soho Place, about a couple whose 20-year marriage has its flaws exposed by a younger couple they befriend. 21 September-19 December 2026
BURBERRY TRENCH: The V&A South Kensington traces the Burberry trench coat from practical outerwear and military attire to a globally recognised fashion icon The Burberry Trench: Crafting an Icon. The free display includes trench coats, a Hardy Amies car coat and a knitted duck hat. FREE, from 21 September 2026
FRINGE FIX: A curated selection of shows from the Edinburgh Festival Fringe come to London, at Underbelly Boulevard Soho. Featured names on the bill for this final week include Abandoman, Alfie Brown, and the Jolly Fisherman. A discount is available if you book for more than one show. Until 26 September 2026
TWELFTH NIGHT: A disco-tinged production of Shakespeare's comedy Twelfth Night comes to a close at the Drayton Arms Theatre this weekend. The show stages Viola's disguise as Cesario, Orsino and Olivia's tangled romances, and a subplot involving Malvolio, with music, fashion and dancing. Until 26 September 2026
JAPANESE WOMEN PHOTOGRAPHERS: The Photographers' Gallery's summer exhibition displays the work of 27 Japanese women photographers, from the 1950s to the present. More than 200 photographs, videos, installations and rare photobooks are on show, in a bid to rebalance a history too often told through a single, male-dominated lens. Until 27 September 2026
I'M EVERY WOMAN: A stage telling of Chaka Khan’s life and songs, I'm Every Woman is at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre until this weekend, starring Alexandra Burke as the woman behind the music. Songs include I Feel for You, Ain't Nobody, and Through The Fire. Until 27 September 2026
TOTALLY THAMES: We're into the final full week of this year's Totally Thames, a festival celebrating the river and London's other waterways. Highlights this week include live performances of Shakespeare's The Tempest on board the Golden Hinde, and a contemporary dance performance inside the Brunel Museum's tunnel shaft. Until 30 September 2026
OKTOBERFEST: German beer beano Oktoberfest has made its way to London, with several Oktoberfest parties and menus to get stuck into over the coming weeks. Steins, oompah bands and pretzels galore in our Oktoberfest events guide — don't forget your lederhosen!
PUB OF THE WEEK: The former Peasant pub in Clerkenwell has just regenerated into the George & Dragon. Downstairs, enjoy a pint and elevated pub snacks in the company of gorgeous old tiling (including a panel of George putting paid to that pesky dragon). Upstairs, surf and turf restaurant Island serves up lamb belly and clam skewers, and steak and lobster pie.
HISTORICALLY THEMED CROWDFUNDER OF THE WEEK: The Historic Towns Trust make beautiful and meticulously researched maps of London and other cities in days gone by. Their next big project is a detailed map of the City just before the Great Fire destroyed most of it. In the meantime, they're hoping to publish a richly illustrated map of Samuel Pepys's London, building on the data acquired for the Great Fire map. If you'd like to help them meet their funding goal (and thereby bag a copy of the map), then check out their Zeffy page.
Sponsor message
A landmark you've seen, but never truly explored
The Houses of Parliament are world-famous, instantly recognisable from outside… but what about inside? A guided or audio tour offers the chance to experience the iconic building's extraordinary interiors in depth.
Visit spaces including the House of Commons and House of Lords chambers. Dive into 900 years of history spanning royalty and notable figures. Then learn how Parliament works today.
Book an audio tour and explore the Houses of Parliament through multimedia storytelling at your own pace, pausing and rewinding as you please. Alternatively, a guided tour is a fantastic chance to have an expert guide bring the history around you to life. Got a question for them? Don't be shy!
Palace of Westminster audio and guided tours are available on selected weekdays in September and October.
Today's events: Monday 21 September
LIFE DRAWING: Work through timed poses in a life drawing class at Europe’s oldest surviving operating theatre, the Old Operating Theatre Museum in Southwark. Led and modelled by artist May Prothero, the relaxed session welcomes all experience levels, with some materials provided and the museum open for exploration after hours. 6pm-8pm
SCARIEST STORIES: Myth and folklore podcast Three Ravens visits The Last Tuesday Society in Hackney for a live recording focused on English ghost lore. Hosts Eleanor Conlon and Martin Vaux will perform a story from their new book, Three Ravens Ghost Tales, followed by a Q&A and book signing in the venue's macabre Absinthe Parlour. 6.30pm-8.30pm
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL: Discover the origins of a global human rights movement at the British Library as curators and experts explore the personal archive of Amnesty International founder Peter Benenson. View rare items bequeathed by Benenson's daughter, including original letters, photographs, and the carbon copy of his initial idea for the organisation. 7pm-8.15pm
BETRAYAL: Senior international correspondent Luke Harding visits the Frontline Club in Paddington to discuss his latest book, Betrayal: Trump, Putin and the New Age of Conquest. In conversation with investigative journalist Carole Cadwalladr, Harding explores the collapse of the post-1945 international system, drawing on his reporting from frontline villages in Ukraine and meetings with Volodymyr Zelenskyy. 7pm-8.30pm
MULTI STORY ORCHESTRA: Ambition and self-doubt take centre stage at Fairfield Halls as the Multi Story Orchestra presents Dreamer, a vibrant musical exploration of chasing one's goals. The production features interactive performances, culminating in a spectacular orchestral finale, blending original songs with high-energy musicianship to celebrate the sparks that drive us forward. 7pm
CHARITY COMEDY: Dara Ó Briain, Ed Byrne, Sara Pascoe, Sarah Keyworth, Janine Harouni and Laura Lexx join host Leslie Gold for Laughter To The Rafters, a charity comedy night at Hackney Empire. The fundraiser supports The Passage's work with people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness across London. 7.30pm
Today's events: Tuesday 22 September
FLOWER FESTIVAL: St Mary le Strand church on Aldwych is transformed by large-scale, immersive floral installations created by London florists, inspired by the church's magnolia trees and decorative plasterwork. The three-day festival includes special events and a Flower Festival Finale with light refreshments and the chance to take home flowers. 22-24 September 2026
STING: Legendary musician Sting performs in a new production of his musical, The Last Ship, at Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Watch the moving story of a community of shipbuilders faced with the closure of their shipyard, rooted in Sting's own childhood, and soundtracked with some of his songs. 22 September-12 October 2026
HAY FEVER: Noël Coward’s comedy play Hay Fever returns to the West End, with the story of an eccentric wealthy family and their various weekend guests playing out at Wyndham's Theatre. 22 September-12 December 2026
DRAFT LONDON PLAN: City Hall in Newham opens its doors for a public look at the Draft London Plan consultation, which outlines the capital's development strategy for the next 25 years. Hear a presentation from the planning team and ask questions about proposed changes to housing, transport, and the environment before the feedback window closes in October. FREE (registration required), 10am-1pm
CHURCHILL'S PIRATES: Author Will Iredale talks about his new book, Churchill's Pirates, and the Royal Naval Patrol Service on board HMS Belfast. He draws on veterans' testimonies, archive material and original papers to tell how these crews cleared mines, escorted convoys and rescued troops. 6pm-8pm
CREATIVITY AND AI: What is the future of creativity in a world where anyone can make art or prose with a handful of AI prompts? Professor Daniel Susskind explores this profound topic at Gresham College. FREE, 6pm
LA MORTELLA: The Garden Museum in Lambeth welcomes Alessandra Vinciguerra, Director of Ischia's renowned La Mortella garden, for a talk about the garden's history and horticulture. Created by composer William Walton and Susana Walton in the 1950s and shaped by landscape architect Russell Page, it is known for rare plants and cascading water. Guitarist George Tarlton performs Walton's Five Bagatelles to accompany the lecture, which you can watch in person at the museum, or online. 6.30pm-7.30pm
MARLON JAMES: Booker Prize-winning author Marlon James visits St James's Piccadilly to discuss his latest novel, The Disappearers. In conversation with writer Jason Okundaye, James explores the themes of his new work in an event hosted by Foyles. 7pm
HARLAN COBEN: Author Harlan Coben discusses his new book Plot Twist — part memoir, part writing masterclass — with actor Bill Nighy at Conway Hall in Holborn. Hear how self-doubt, contradiction, passion and dedication shape the writing process, with an audience Q&A also included. 7pm-8.30pm
MAX HASTINGS: Journalist and historian Max Hastings visits the Royal Geographical Society in Kensington to discuss the final weeks of the Second World War. In conversation with Mark Urban, Hastings explores the closing act of the European conflict, from the liberation of Belsen to the final major SAS operations of the war. 7.30pm-8.45pm
Today's events: Wednesday 23 September
AMAR KANWAR: Serpentine North boasts a solo exhibition by New Delhi-based artist and filmmaker Amar Kanwar, in the form of a site-specific installation. Immerse yourself in lyrical films and multi-video installations that move between documentary, travelogue and visual essay. They reveal the enduring legacies of decolonisation and the 1947 Partition, which led to the creation of India, Pakistan and eventually Bangladesh. FREE, 23 September-31 January 2027
GUILDHALL JAZZ ENSEMBLES: New students from Guildhall School of Music & Drama's Jazz department mark the end of induction week with a vibrant showcase, kicking off the new academic year with energy and creativity. 7pm
COSMIC INFLATION: Join The Sky at Night's Prof Chris Lintott for a discussion about the early expansion of the Universe following the Big Bang. FREE, 7pm
LORD OF THE RINGS QUIZ: Journey to Middle-earth via Walthamstow as Signature Brew Blackhorse Road hosts a dedicated trivia night for fans of Tolkien's epic. Gather a fellowship of up to eight people to tackle questions on the books and films while enjoying fresh beer in the brewery's industrial taproom. 7pm
DERMOT O'LEARY: The London Irish Centre is the venue for an intimate one-night concert hosted by Dermot O'Leary, bringing together a hand-picked line-up of Irish artists, musicians and storytellers. 7pm
HAUNTINGS: Three supernatural tales by ghost-story writers E.F. Benson and M.R. James unfold at OSO Arts Centre in Barnes, with Olivier Award-nominated actor Gerard Logan performing under the direction of Gareth Armstrong. 7.30pm
WAREHOUSE CLUB: The Cinema Museum screens W: A Return to Oz, an exploration of The Warehouse, a rave venue in Plymouth that is now a derelict shell. Combining archive material with stories from people connected to the club, the film traces its rise and fall, followed by a Q&A. 7.30pm
FLEETWOOD MAC: Tribute group Fleetwood Mac UK brings the band's best-known songs to Greenwich Theatre, including Landslide, Songbird, Go Your Own Way, Dreams and The Chain. Expect live musicianship, harmonies and authentic costumes. 7.30pm
Today's events: Thursday 24 September
BRITISH ART FAIR: The British Art Fair takes place at Chelsea's Saatchi Gallery, showcasing modern and contemporary British art, with 70+ exhibitors selling. In previous years, works by artists including David Hockney, Bridget Riley, Barbara Hepworth, Henry Moore, Tracey Emin and Banksy have been available to buy. 24-27 September 2026
THE LAMBETH FRINGE: Now in its 11th year, the Lambeth Fringe (previously known as Clapham Fringe) has announced an impressive 200 shows for its 2026 programme, spread across 28 venues. Among an overwhelming selection of shows, you can see NHS doctors perform in the comedic GP Receptionist Appreciation Society, and take part in interactive '70s game show parody, Cornershop Showdown. 24 September-25 October 2026
CALL THE MIDWIFE: Explore Poplar’s East End history on a London Museum guided walk tracing sites connected to Jennifer Worth's memoir Call the Midwife, about her work as a midwife in 1950s London. Stops include Poplar High Street, Chrisp Street Market, All Saints Church and the building that inspired Nonnatus House. It's an outdoor, adults-only tour. 10.30am-12.30pm
ULTIMATE SEVENS: Brand new rugby championship Ultimate Sevens has held its inaugural edition this month. Following matches in Spain, Wales and France — featuring elite men’s and women’s players in a fast, knockout format across six clubs — the winners are crowned in London, at Brentford Stadium, tonight. K/O 5.30pm
CARBON: Today's Gresham lecture sees Prof Helen Czerski look at the carbon cycle; what it is, how we’re affecting it, and the proposed strategies for deliberately manipulating carbon reservoirs in the future. FREE, 6pm
PICTURE THIS: The ICA screens Picture This, a portrait of refugee and migrant women in Edinburgh, Farnham and London who receive photography training to reinterpret their experiences of exile. The film is followed by a Q&A with its directors and participants. 6.15pm
FRONT ROW FASHION: Spinal cord injury charity Back Up hosts a fashion show fundraising event at Battersea Arts Centre. Front Row specifically showcases adaptive fashion brands including Unhidden, Intotum, May Marigold and Recondition, alongside fundraising games and other entertainment. 6.30pm
FRANCIS ROSSI: Status Quo founder Francis Rossi brings his new solo tour, Songbook: Quo – Past, Present, Future, to the Fairfield Ashcroft Theatre in Croydon. The evening features a career-spanning selection of evergreen classics and deep cuts, interspersed with personal commentary and insights from the influential musician. 7pm
FRIENDSHIP EFFECT: Wellcome Collection in Euston explores friendship through live music, workshops, talks and pop-up performances at a late-night opening. Make friendship bracelets, join conversations about care and connection, watch performances by BLINK Dance Theatre, and hear short talks on everything from friendship's health benefits to whether we can be friends with machines. FREE, 7pm-10pm
SWING DANCE: Try an open-level swing dance class with instructor Lesta Woo at Jamboree in King's Cross. No previous experience is required, and the session combines partnered and solo dancing with touches of dancehall and hip-hop before The Cable Street Rag Band's weekly set. 7pm-8pm
JEFF DARKO: Psychedelic gospel musician Jeff Darko launches his new album, Heavy Water Blues, at Colours Hoxton tonight. We've had a little listen and it sounds groovy as heck. 7.30pm
CONSERVATORY CONCERT: Smooth swing arrives at The Nash Conservatory in Kew Gardens, where live music show The Nash Sessions: Jazz Cats Quartet celebrates Sinatra, the Rat Pack and the Great American Songbook. 7.30pm
PIRATE DAY: Set sail for The Fighting Cocks in Kingston, where live music, sea shanties and pirate-themed mischief await. Red Rum, Cutlass and The Anchors provide the folk-metal, thrash and melodic soundtrack before DJs take over at Bacchus. 7.30pm
Today's events: Friday 25 September
MEN AT WORK: Writer Glenn Kurtz revisits Lewis Hine's iconic photographs of the Empire State Building at Dulwich Picture Gallery, uncovering the real identities and personal stories of the workers captured during its construction. The talk explores labour, risk and resilience, and forms part of the gallery's Portrait of a City: A Century of American Photography programme. 12.30pm-1.30pm
BUILDING TOUR: Uncover the secrets of William Waldorf Astor's extraordinary neo-Tudor building on a guided tour of Two Temple Place. The one-hour visit includes time for questions. 1pm-2pm
LONDON NIGHT HIKE: Do a good deed and raise money for Maggie's Cancer Charity, in the form of the London Night Hike. Sign up to walk an eight- or 15-mile route alongside the Thames overnight, passing London landmarks as you go. Both routes start at Maggie's Hammersmith Centre and end at the Barts Centre near St Paul's. 5.30pm
SOANE LATE: Explore the sunlit corridors and eclectic treasures of Sir John Soane's Museum after hours as the popular evening series returns from its summer break. Expert guides lead spotlight talks on their favourite artefacts throughout the studio and galleries, which house significant works by Hogarth, Turner, and Canaletto. 6pm-8pm
CROCHET AT THE MUSEUM: The Natural History Museum invites craft enthusiasts to take part in an evening of creative stitchwork beneath the suspended skeletons of ocean giants. The Crochet at the Museum workshop focuses on crafting an exclusive Grey Whale model using pure wool yarn. The session is open to all skill levels, with expert guides on hand to assist beginners with basic techniques while you work surrounded by displays ranging from mammoths to pygmy shrews. 6.30pm-9.30pm
MARIE ANTOINETTE OPERA: Part opera, part play, Antonia at Fenton House (Hampstead) looks at Marie Antoinette's musical world through an original script and period music by Gluck, Piccinni, Sacchini, Dussek and Joseph Bologne (the Chevalier de Saint‑Georges) — just some of the composers she supported. Olivia Doutney plays Marie Antoinette in the salon-style show. 7.30pm-9.30pm
SILENT DISCO: Dance beneath the intricate ceilings of Greenwich's Old Royal Naval College as the Painted Hall becomes a luminous dance floor combining art, music and atmosphere in a silent disco. The bar serves alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks throughout the evening. Soft-soled shoes must be worn for dancing, and stiletto heels are not permitted. 7.30pm-11pm
GRACE PETRIE: Islington's Union Chapel welcomes one of the UK's most urgent and passionate songwriters for a career-retrospective performance. Grace Petrie, known for her razor-sharp lyricism and LGBTQ anthem Black Tie, performs a show in two halves, featuring both an intimate solo set and a full band retrospective. 8pm
STREETWISE OPERA: Streetwise Opera presents a fundraising concert at St John’s Waterloo featuring guest soloists Sophie Bevan MBE (with pianist Sebastian Wybrew), Jennifer Johnston, Matthew McKinney (with Roelof Temmingh), Elizabeth Watts and performers from Streetwise Opera. The programme mixes opera, song and a new piece by Roelof Temmingh, with proceeds supporting the company's work with people affected by homelessness. 8pm-10pm
CIRCUS SCRATCH NIGHT: BrainFools brings a works-in-progress showcase to Woolwich Works, where circus artists test new material in front of an audience and receive live feedback. The interactive evening welcomes all ages at parents' or carers' discretion. 8pm-9pm
Today's events: Saturday 26 September
CLASSIC CAR BOOT SALE: Vintage vehicles park up at King's Cross for the autumn edition of the Classic Car Boot Sale. Ogle the wheels, while buying vintage fashion from their boots. Other entertainment includes clothing repair workshops, live DJs and motorcycle and scooter ride-ins. 26-27 September 2026
CAMDEN INSPIRE: Community festival Camden Inspire doubles up as the Camden Climate Festival, with a theme of Gathering for the Future. Enjoy a low-carbon community feast, take part in gardening and fermenting sessions, pick up ideas at panel discussions and round tables, and get stuck into evening entertainment including a climate-themed pub quiz. 26-27 September 2026
HALAL FOOD FESTIVAL: The World Halal Food Festival brings dozens of food stalls to the London Stadium in Stratford, offering you a chance to sample halal food from around the world, from burgers and hot dogs to cakes and pastries. Watch celebrity chefs whip up their own dishes and, if you like what you see, stock up on ingredients before you leave. 26-27 September 2026
GATHERING OF ANGELS: After returning last year, Twin Peaks-themed festival A Gathering Of The Angels is back at Whitechapel's Genesis Cinema this weekend, offering panels and Q&As with Twin Peaks stars including Ian Buchanan (aka Dick Tremayne) and Harry Goaz (aka Deputy Andy Brennan) among other entertainment. 26-27 September 2026
RENT THE MUSICAL: Legendary musical RENT dances its way back into the West End, taking up residency at Duke of York's Theatre from today. Inspired by Puccini's La Bohème, it's the story of a group of young artists trying to make their way in New York City. From 26 September 2026
TYPOGRAPHIA: Libreria and Second Home Spitalfields host Typographia, a new one-day celebration of books, magazines and the enduring pleasures of print. Over 60 publishers — including Fitzcarraldo Editions, Rizzoli, Akoya and W.W. Norton — are represented, plus there are talks and conversations throughout the day. 10am-10pm
MUDLARKING AND WORLD TRADE: London Museum Docklands welcomes mudlark Dr Alessio Checconi for a talk about international trade through objects found on the Thames foreshore. Discover what German stoneware, Venetian glass, Chinese porcelain and Southeast Asian shells reveal about centuries of global exchange, followed by a Q&A and a chance to view historic artefacts up close. 2pm-3pm
BEYOND 30: Old Street night club XOYO turns up the 1990s and 2000s club classics for Beyond 30, a daytime clubbing session for over-30s. Judge Jules headlines with trance, house and dance anthems, alongside resident DJs, light shows, immersive visuals and giveaways. 4pm-9pm
MURDER MYSTERY: Enjoy a murder mystery evening at Apsley House (Hyde Park Corner) where the 1st Duke of Wellington's social gathering turns deadly. Work together to gather clues and unmask the culprit, with a welcome drink included and Regency dress encouraged. 6pm/8.30pm
Today's events: Sunday 27 September
SHEEP DRIVE: One of London's wackiest annual events is the London Bridge Sheep Drive and Livery Fair. Each year, a chosen celebrity has the honour of herding sheep over Southwark Bridge while the public watch, followed by a livery fair at the north end of the bridge — keep an eye on the website for this year's celeb announcement. FREE, 10am-4pm
MAKER'S MARKET: Browse painting, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, homewares and food from local makers and special guests at Dulwich Picture Gallery. There’ll also be flowers and plants from Yolly, food from the gallery café and Mother Flipper, and a chance to meet the people behind the work. 10am-3pm
MORRIS MINOR CLUB: Whitewebbs Museum of Transport in Enfield welcomes the Morris Minor Owners Club and BMC 1100 Club for a gathering of iconic British classics. Expect a lively display of these much-loved cars alongside the museum’s transport exhibits. 10am-4pm
THE BUBBLE SHOW: Soap bubbles take centre stage at Stanley Hall in South Norwood, as Mr Bubbles combines magic, storytelling and science in an interactive family show. Expect a bubble volcano, a spiralling fire tornado and plenty of bubbles in unusual shapes and sizes. Suitable for ages three+. 11am-12pm
OLD OAK TO WHITE CITY: These rapidly changing west London areas are rarely touched by tour guides but, today, Iya London Walks explores their housing history. You’ll see "an extraordinary range of homes from an early LCC Arts and Crafts cottage estate, to Peabody flats channelling Hampton Court, to a hexagonal
modernist block inspired by the Giants’ Causeway". 11am-1.15pm
HARVEST FESTIVAL: The free, family-friendly harvest festival at Brixton Windmill celebrates the wheat harvest with milling demonstrations inside the windmill, craft workshops, children’s baking sessions and live music from SELFolk, Funkoda and Brit Pop Folk Orchestra. Morris dancing is performed by Brixton Tatterjacks and there are drop-in activities including corn dolly making, hand quern demonstrations and children’s arts and crafts. FREE, 1pm-5pm
MARC JENNINGS: Described as "one of the most versatile, multifaceted and strongest all-round stand-ups working out of Scotland", Marc Jennings takes his sell-out Edinburgh show If & When to the Bill Murray tonight. 5.30pm-6.30pm
60 YEARS OF SALSA: Camden’s Jazz Cafe celebrates the evolution of Latin rhythm with a high-energy performance by the 13-piece La Londonise Orchestra. The live show, 60 Years of Salsa, journeys from the golden era of Havana and New York to modern global dancefloors, reimagining hits by Willie Colón and the Fania All Stars. Expect a dynamic set that spans Cuban son and infectious big-band grooves. 6pm-9.30pm
