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47 things to do in London in September 2024

London comes alive in September with citywide celebrations, family fun and exciting festivals, as the city basks in the last weeks of summer.
Written by Visit London Editors Edited by Jack Strong 04 September 2024
A woman walks along a path passing autumnal trees with clear skies and the London Eye in the background.
The London Eye. © visitlondon.com/Jon Reid

Make the most of the last few weeks of summer in September, when the weather is normally still warm and there's a whole range of unmissable events in London.

As the summer school holidays come to an end, the city welcomes an exciting lineup of things to do in London in September including outdoor activities, exhibitions and music festivals. If you're looking for those action-packed family days out at the weekends, there’s still plenty of fun things to do with kids during September in London.

Activities and things to do in London in September

one woman sat on a chair, one in action playing ping pong smiling and the back figure of a man holding a drink watching the ping pong game 

Discover what's on in London this month, from thrilling experiences to fun-filled activities you can enjoy with family and friends. Try something new and discover incredible things to do in September – get competitive with an adventure activity, enjoy a scenic tour as part of a foodie experience or soak up some September sun at one of London’s outdoor attractions.

  1. With the summer holidays over, it's a great time to visit London's top attractions without the crowds: Make memories at your favourite attractions this autumn. Visit the likes of The London Eye, Buckingham Palace, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour and more.
  2. Or see many attractions in one go with a sightseeing pass: Discover multiple hotspots with The London Pass.
  3. Get your sightseeing fix with London's top tours: Learn about London's history, seek out hidden gems or see the capital's iconic sights.
  4. Discover somewhere new within reach of the capital on a day trip from London: Explore exciting historic locations including Windsor, Stonehenge, Oxford, Paris and more.
  5. Embrace London's rich history with one of its many sights: Visit the likes of Westminster Abbey, St Paul's Cathedral, Hampton Court Palace and Tower Bridge. 
  6. Get together with friends to enjoy London's top activities and experiences: Try your hand at ping pong, discover the city's grisly tales at The London Dungeon and go on an aerial adventure at Gripped.
  7. Explore London's world-famous sporting venues with a stadium tour: With the football season in full swing, why not go behind the scenes of your favourite team's ground?
  8. Get up close and personal with your favourite celebrity wax figures at Madame Tussauds: See uncanny renditions of the stars at this iconic London attraction. 
  9. Soak up some September sun in the picturesque Kew Gardens. Or spot the leaves turning to autumnal hues in London's top parks and gardens.
  10. Explore the city at your own pace with a Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour: Or, take to the river Thames to jump between destinations on the Uber Boat.
  11. Take the family for a day out to a top UK theme park: Thrill-seekers can get their fix at Thorpe Park, or make memories with the little ones at LEGOLAND Windsor. 
  12. Go on a scenic walking tour of London with an expert guide: Follow in the footsteps of the beloved Paddington Bear, or discover The Beatles' old stomping grounds.
  13. Join a London foodie experience: Enjoy fine dining aboard the Bustronome bus tour, soak up the sights on a panoramic afternoon tea tour, or enjoy a lunch cruise on the Thames.
  14. Take in some culture as many museums and galleries launch new exhibitions this month: Explore cultural attractions after dark with fun-filled lates events or take a guided tour.
  15. Enjoy alfresco movie watching at London's trendy outdoor cinemas: Grab some popcorn and catch a film under the stars on a warm September evening across the capital.
  16. See London from above on the IFS Cloud Cable Car: Take in the sights from hundreds of feet up at this exhilarating attraction.
  17. Take to the seas at the SEA LIFE London Aquarium: Discover thousands of aquatic species and come face to face with sharks and more. 
  18. Head to Battersea Power Station for its celebrASIA festival: Discover and celebrate the rich heritage of South East Asian culture with this immersive experience. 13-15 Sep 
  19. Celebrate London as the design capital of the world at the London Design Festival: Based in Bankside, this festival features an exciting range of free and paid events celebrating all things design. 14-22 Sep
  20. Visit the London Mural Festival: See over 100 different murals planned across the city and marvel at their artistic quality. 5-29 Sep
  21. Dine delightfully at the Future of Food Festival on Regent Street: Celebrate London's culinary scene with a number of foodie events and more. 16-22 Sep
  22. Check out the Southbank Centre's Unlimited festival: Celebrate the artistic vision and creative of disabled artists from across the globe. 4-8 Sep
  23. Celebrate 3000 years of tradition with Chinatown's Mid-Autumn Festival: Discover an array of celebratory dishes included the famed Moon Cakes. 17 Sep 

Musicals, plays and theatre shows in London in September

Scottish nanny mrs doubtfire stands on stage holding two pot lids with a smoking bosom.

Be captivated by long-running musicals, classic comedy shows and innovative plays in London’s West End this month. Check out the hottest theatre shows in London in September and be transported by the magic of the stage – whether you opt for an evening of glamour at one of the capital’s best shows or catch a must-see new performance during a daytime showing.

  1. Book your seat for London's top musicals: Be entertained by long-running musicals such as Lion King and Wicked and hit comedies like the Book of Mormon.
  2. See the spectacular Matilda The Musical at the Cambridge Theatre: See the beloved Roald Dahl book come to life on stage. 
  3. Marvel at Six The Musical at the Vaudeville Theatre: Meet six Tudor queens who have overcome historical heartbreak at the hands of Henry VIII.
  4. Watch Back to the Future: The Musical at the Adelphi Theatre: Join Marty McFly on his epic adventure to save his own existence.
  5. See the world's most hilarious nanny in Mrs Doubtfire The Musical: The beloved film starring the late Robin Williams makes its way to the London West End.
  6. Sing along to your favourite pop hits at ABBA Voyage at the ABBA Arena: The world-famous band are brought to life at this spectacular show in London.
  7. Discover the story of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Palace Theatre: Discover all the magic and mystery 19 years on from the films' conclusion. 
  8. Take a trip back to the 1930s with Cabaret: Journey back to Berlin in this immersive theatre experience.
  9. Say "thank you for the music" at Mamma Mia!: Experience the ABBA-inspired smash hit for yourself at the Novello Theatre.
  10. Experience the haunted love story of The Phantom of the Opera at His Majesty's Theatre: Join the 160 million people who have already seen this show-stopping production. 
  11. Witness one of the most award-winning musicals in history with Hamilton at the Victoria Palace Theatre: See this show-stopping tale of resilience and belief in person. 
  12. Be transported to the legendary Moulin Rouge! Parisian nightclub at the Piccadilly Theatre: See this magnificent display of glitz and glamour for yourself.
  13. Catch Hello, Dolly! before it's gone: Travel to the streets of 1930s New York with the award-winning Imelda Staunton at the helm. Until Sep 14

Art exhibitions in London in September

Dark gallery room with digital art on walls and people crowded round DJ booth.

Get your culture fix with the wide range of art exhibitions in London in September. Take your pick from multisensory immersive exhibitions, thought-provoking fine art and creative digital exhibitions. With an exciting lineup of exhibits popping up all around London this month, there’s plenty of choice for the curious art lover.

  1. Immerse yourself in the works of some of the world's most celebrated artists at Frameless: See paintings by Van Gogh, Dalí, Klimt and more at this unique London exhibition.
  2. Discover a once-in-a-century exhibit, Van Gogh: Poets and Lovers, at The National Gallery: Explore this spectacular collection of the artist's most beloved works including the iconic Sunflowers and Starry Night Over the Rhône. 14 Sep-19 Jan
  3. Don't miss Monet and London: Views of the Thames at the Courtauld Gallery: Encounter some of the artist's most impressive impressionist paintings created in London. 27 Sep-19 Jan
  4. Explore In the Eye of the Storm at the Royal Academy of Arts: A confronting exhibition that showcases the modernist movement in Ukraine between 1900 and the 1930s. Until 13 Oct
  5. Be inspired at Patric Prince: Digital Art Visionary at the Victoria and Albert Museum: See Prince's unique collection of digital art through 14 pieces that span from the 1960s to the early 2000s. Until 15 Sep
  6. Uncover the colourful career of Michael Craig-Martin at the Royal Academy of Arts: His highly influential collection of works includes sculpture, installation, painting, drawing and print. 21 Sep-10 Dec
  7. Encounter inspiring pieces at Women Artists in Britain 1520-1920 at Tate Britain: From the Tudor times to the First World War, follow women on their journeys to becoming professional artists. Until 13 Oct
  8. Experience The British Museum's new groundbreaking exhibition Silk Roads: Meet the figures whose stories and entwined with the famed Silk Roads route. 26 Sep-23 Feb
  9. See the archives from everyone's favorite caped crusader at Batman Unmasked: Explore a collection of original costumes and props at this limited event. 6 Sep-Nov 3
  10. Explore the wonders of modern art at the Moco Museum: Teeming with interactive art and unique exhibitions, this latest gallery is set to wow visitors.
  11. See Donna Huddleston's Company exhibition at the White Cube: Visit the London-based artist's debut exhibition. Until 28 Sep

For more things to do in September in London, download the Visit London app.

Find heaps of seasonal special events and activities with our ultimate guide to autumn in London. Alternatively, take a look at the handy events calendar and guide to what's on in London, including the best London theatre shows. 

What is the weather like in London in September?

London weather in September is usually still warm following summer, making it the ideal time to visit London. Temperatures may start to drop towards the end of the month so extra layers may be needed for colder days and evenings. In September, there are still plenty of daylight hours meaning more time for city exploring!

For average seasonal temperatures and rainfall, see this London weather page.

Is September a good time to visit London?

September is a great time to be in the capital, with mild weather and fewer crowds making it ideal for discovering the city. September also hosts a jam-packed calendar of fun and exciting events, from exciting festivals to citywide celebrations as the capital makes the most of the last weeks of summer.

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