London events in September

What is it? Grab some candles and start blowing up those balloons. Time Out is turning 50 and to mark our half century we're throwing a huge birthday bash.
Why go? Join us for a one-night birthday bonanza celebrating the very best of London, across food, drink, performance, comedy and music. 

What is it? London’s first ever cinema on the Thames. 
Why go? To watch one of your favourite movies under the stars on the top deck of a boat, after a cruise along the Thames. The dream. 

What is it? The capital is getting its first brunch festival packed with those tasty green fruits and more Bloody Mary's than you can shake a flat white at.
Why go? To get a little more of your favourite meal of the day. 

What is it? This fest on south east London's expanse of common ground returns, once again bringing together the worlds of music and food for some end-of-the-season festival action.
Why go? On the music front, there'll be Squeeze, Paloma Faith, Billy Bragg, Corinne Bailey Rae and De La Soul playing. 

What is it? The widely praised musical adaption of Alison Bechdel's graphic novel.
Why go? It's gorgeous, funny and incredibly moving. 

What is it? Timeless images of displacement from two amazing photographers. 
Why go? There are repeated unlearned lessons here, 75 years apart. 

What is it? London’s most famous house opens for tours with an accompanying exhibition.
Why go? To have a nosey through the Queen's State Rooms. 

What is it? The historic Tower of London is turning into a hotspot for London foodies, gathering together artisan producers, top-notch chefs, culinary experts, fun entertainment and live music. 
Why go? See demonstrations from Michel Roux Jr or join a Gin and Cocktail Masterclass.

What is it? The biggest and fastest city line in the world, beginning 35m above the ground – the height of nine double-decker buses.
Why go? Because zooming mid air at 31mph is bloody exhilarating. 

What is it? A mammoth staging of Robert Harris's Rome-set bestsellers.
Why go? For a witty look at Ancient politics and populism. 

What is it? A vibrant south London mix of street food and live music. 
Why go? If you're pining for the Lambeth Country Show. 

What is it? Brent Cross attempts to liven up its giant shopping centre by plonking down 25 fairground rides, people flogging candyfloss and a big old ‘urban beach’, filled with the golden stuff.
Why go? To stroll along the city seaside with sand between your toes. 

What is it? London's annual river marathon sees over 300 international crews compete to become the UK's Traditional Boat Champions.
Why go? It's a spectator's dream watching the motley crew of boats charge down the river, there's gigs, skiffs, Chinese dragon boats, Hawaiian war canoes, Viking longboats, Irish curraghs, shallops, wherries and whalers. 

What is it? The first solo exhibition Tate Modern has ever held for the Spanish master, focusing entirely on 1932, a pivotal and prolific year for Pablo.
Why go? It’s a slow burn of show, but there are some truly beautiful artworks on display and Picasso blindsides with his inventiveness. 

What is it? Christo and his late wife Jeanne-Claude’s first real attempt at their ‘Mastaba’ – a pink and purple mass of 7,506 barrels striking into the sky. 
Why go? To see what it would look like if Bauhaus designed the Loch Ness Monster. 

What is it? A cockney shindig Dick van Dyke would give his right arm to muscle in on.
Why go? The annual event features maypole dancing, Morris dancers and a marching band – be prepared to declare your London pride by shouting along to ‘Maybe It's Because I'm a Londoner’. 

What is it? The Natural History Museum's butterfly house returns to a specially constructed tropical enclosure on the Museum's east lawn.
Why go? Come face-to-face with tropical butterflies and learn more about the sensory world of the fluttering creatures. 

What is it? Have some (legal) fun in a former carpark at Skylight, a rooftop playground in Tobacco Dock, which is back for some summer fun.
Why go? For three floors of bars, street food, croquet and pétanque with some unparalleled panoramas of the city skyline to boot.

What is it? Videogames will encompass both the design and culture of its namesake since the mid-2000s.
Why go? To look at exceptional artwork and animation, player communities and political conversations that define this era of gaming.

What is it? Shop a curated edit of designer collections from over 150 brands, go front row for a show and listen to talks from industry experts so you can get a head start on next season's trends. 
Why go? If you've got a passion for extremely beautiful (and pricey) fashion. 

What is it? The annual Open House London weekend gives Londoners the chance to explore behind the closed doors of some of the capital's biggest, most renowned and most secret venues for free.
Why go? To give in to your curious side.

What is it? The Totally Thames festival is an annual celebration of the River Thames, which graces the banks of our much-loved waterway in September.
Why go? Dive into a month-long party full of arts festivals, community events, regattas, river races, foreshore archaeology and environmental activities.

What is it? The Gardening Society on John Lewis's Oxford Street store's rooftop is turning into a live music venue.
Why go? Rock up for garden gigs, immersive studio spaces, DJ sets and fried chicken from 'Butchies', all a world away from the hustle and bustle below. 

What is it? A quirky cocktail takeover at the Brunel Museum's rooftop garden.
Why go? To sip botanical cocktails, pile round campfires, toast marshmallows, tuck into Greek street food and venture into the Brunel tunnel. 

What is it? A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get up close to the ceiling of the Greenwich’s Painted Hall in this series of ceiling tours taking place while conservators restore 40,000 sqft of the ceiling’s painted surface.
Why go? To see ‘the Sistine Chapel of the UK’. 

What is it? The London Design Festival spans dozens of locations, features tons of events, includes hundreds of exhibits.
Why go? It has one clear mission: to prove that our city is the capital of design. 

What is it? For her 2018 Tate Britain Commission, Anthea Hamilton has created a squash-human hybrid, performed each day by an individual dressed in one of seven outfits inspired by various strains of curcubita. She then picked a collection of nine sculptures from the Tate’s existing collection for them to prance around.
Why go? Hamilton’s creation is a shot of tequila in the white wine spritzer world of Tate.

What is it? Art inspired by the King of Pop.
Why go? it's about so much more than just MJ, and it's brilliantly put together.

What is it? Marking 70 years since the Empire Windrush carried hundreds of migrants from the Caribbean to London, this exhibition explores why people came to the UK, what they left behind and how they have shaped Britain.
Why go? Listen to jazz and calypso, hear personal reflections from some of the first Caribbean nurses to join the NHS and see manuscripts of Benjamin Zephaniah's poem ‘What Stephen Lawrence Has Taught Us’. 

What is it? An exhibition telling the story of London’s forgotten buildings.
Why go? To check out long-gone landmarks, vanished streets and neighbourhoods that are no more. 

What is it? The V&A’s new exhibition of over 200 Frida-related items goes some way to explaining the allure underpinning Frida fandom.
Why go? The displays feel intensely personal and explain the power of Kahlo as an artist and woman. 

What is it? This show covers more than 100 years of photographers exploring the nighttime capital.
Why go? To see London's nocturnal alter ego in all its glory.