All weekend
SHEDINBURGH: A makeshift 'shed' has been built inside the Young Vic's Maria Theatre, showcasing some of the best acts from this year's Edinburgh contingent. This weekend at Shedinburgh, catch the likes of comedian Jordan Brookes, and Marjolein Robertson, performing a Shetland Nordic Saga. Until 10 October
CLASSIC CAR BOOT SALE: Vintage vehicles park up at King's Cross this weekend 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 the Duke of York's Theatre from Saturday. 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
BURBERRY TRENCH: The V&A South Kensington traces the history of the Burberry trench coat from practical outerwear and military attire, to a globally-recognised fashion icon, in The Burberry Trench: Crafting an Icon. The new free display includes a car coat that belonged to designer Hardy Amies, and a knitted duck hat. FREE, from 21 September 2026
AMAR KANWAR: Serpentine North stages 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 — telling 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
BRITISH ART FAIR: The British Art Fair takes place at Chelsea's Saatchi Gallery throughout this weekend, 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
JAPANESE WOMEN PHOTOGRAPHERS: The Photographers' Gallery's summer exhibition displays the work of 27 Japanese women photographers, from the 1950s to the present, and comes to a close this weekend. 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 Sunday, 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
Saturday 26 September
WEST LONDON FLEA: Bargain hunters: head to the Hammersmith Apollo for the Giant West London Flea, a one‑day market bringing together independent stallholders selling vintage, second‑hand and reclaimed goods alongside local traders. 10am-5pm
ART DECO: Arts Society lecturer Pamela Campbell-Johnston leads a day-long conference on art deco at Highgate Literary and Scientific Institution. The programme covers familiar British buildings, iconic examples from around the world — and textile artist Marion Dorn's influence on the movement. 10.30am-3.30pm
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
MIXTAPE POETRY FESTIVAL: Open-mic and spoken-word communities gather at Woolwich Works in Royal Arsenal for The MixTape Poetry Festival. Alongside poetry, expect music, dance, workshops, food, independent presses, creative stalls and resident DJ Mike Funk. All ages are welcome. 2pm-10.30pm
SMASH IT OUT: Cosmic Carnage brings a day of noise punk, industrial metal, hardcore, grindcore and heavy alt-rock to The Windmill in Brixton. The line-up includes Sophrosyne, Black Shape, Skintern, Pleasure, Grandad, Woodworm and Day of the Naysayer. 2.30pm
SUMMER CLOSING PARTY: Alto by San Carlo brings Ibiza's Cotton Beach Club to the Selfridges rooftop for a Summer Closing Party. Expect a limited-edition menu of contemporary Italian and Cotton Beach dishes, resident DJs with live saxophone and percussion, plsu Riviera-inspired cocktails. 4.15pm-9pm
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
ICE HOCKEY: Support the local team as Haringey Huskies take on Slough Spitfires in an ice hockey fixture at Alexandra Palace's rink. The fast-paced evening is suitable for all ages, with an hour-long ice disco straight after the game. New to ice hockey, or need a refresher? Here's everything you need to know. Doors 5pm
MURDER MYSTERY: Get stuck into 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
BACK TO FLAMENCO: Mexican-born, Seville-based dancer Mario Ruiz brings a night of flamenco to Jamboree in King's Cross, with a social dance class, live performance by the experts, and late-night jam. No experience/flamenco shoes are required for the class. The show features London musicians Mónica García, Adrián Solá and Agoney Hernández. Dance class from 6pm, performance from 8.15pm
ELTON JOHN VS THE SUN: Henry Naylor performs Monstering the Rocketman at Stanley Arts in South Norwood, dramatising Elton John's battle with the Sun newspaper after a libellous accusation. Based on Britain's biggest-ever libel suit, the play was previously performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where it won a Fringe First Award. Suitable for ages 14+. 7.30pm-8.45pm
HISTORIC MISTAKES: Historian and comedian Paul Coulter brings his storytelling show to Artsdepot. The author of the bestselling book 10 Mistakes That Changed History mixes comedy and history to explore five errors that reshaped events. 7.30pm
BOLLYWOOD BRATPACK: Following a sold-out UK tour, Chirag Rao brings The Bollywood Bratpack to Harrow Arts Centre. Backed by a live band, the concert reworks songs associated with Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar, Mohammed Rafi, Mukesh and Udit Narayan through jazz, soul and funk, alongside music by Michael Jackson, Bruno Mars and James Brown. 7.30pm
Sunday 27 September
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
BABY BROADWAY: Well-known musical numbers from favourite shows and films are performed by West End singers at the Chickenshed in Southgate. Expect piano accompaniment, bubbles, puppetry, dance moves and plenty of audience interaction in this 45-minute show for ages 0-6. 10am/11.15am
MORRIS MINOR CLUB: Whitewebbs Museum of Transport in Enfield welcomes the Morris Minor Owners Club and BMC 1100 Club for a gathering of British classics. Expect a lively display of these much-loved cars alongside the museum's fascinating transport exhibits. 10am-4pm
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
THE BUBBLE SHOW: Soap bubbles take centre stage at Stanley Arts in South Norwood, as Mr Bubbles combines magic, storytelling and science in an interactive family show. Expect a volcano, a spiralling fire tornado and plenty of bubbles in unusual shapes and sizes. Suitable for ages three+. 11am-12pm
HARVEST FESTIVAL: A free, family-friendly festival at Brixton Windmill celebrates the wheat harvest with milling demonstrations inside the windmill, craft workshops, children's baking sessions — plus 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
STORYTELLING SUNDAY: Hosted by Vanessa and George of London Dreamtime at Love Shack in Cambridge Heath, Sunday Storytelling is a relaxed (yet eerie) afternoon of spooky tales, live music and folklore with guest storytellers. There's room to sketch or colour as you listen too. 2pm-4pm
SIP & STITCH: Create an embroidered hoop piece at Sip & Stitch London at London Art Bar in Holborn, with fabric, embroidery threads, beads and other supplies provided. A professional artist offers step-by-step guidance, while clothes can be brought along for upcycling. Drinks are available from the bar. 4pm-6.30pm
PIATTI QUARTET: Conway Hall in Holborn welcomes the Piatti Quartet, pianist Simon Callaghan and clarinettist Peter Cigleris for a Sunday concert pairing a world premiere by Joseph Cabon with music by Howells and Tchaikovsky. The programme begins with a pre-concert talk by Royal Academy of Music lecturer Dr Jonathan Clinch. 5.30pm-8.30pm
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 dance floors, reimagining hits by Willie Colón and the Fania All Stars. Expect a dynamic set that spans Cuban song and infectious big-band grooves. 6pm-9.30pm
DINE N DUETS: Live vocals, a live band and live instruments provide the soundtrack to Dine N Duets at Soul Mama Islington. The evening combines heartfelt duets and crowd favourites with Caribbean-inspired soul food on the menu. 7pm-11pm
COLLYWOBBLERS COMEDY: Russell Hicks headlines a Collywobblers Comedy bill with Micah Hall, Victoria Howden, Johnny CT, Trevor Crook and Harriet Oughton, hosted by Sion James at the Railway, Streatham Common. 7.30pm-10.15pm
