The summer is flying by! Make the most of the last few weeks of warm (ish) British weather in London as the capital comes alive with festivals this month! Experience the very best the city has to offer, from world-class design exhibitions, to the long awaited return of Chelsea Flower Show, London Fashion Week’s physical-digital events, and much more!
Saturday, 4th September, 2021 – Sunday, 5th September, 2021
Step inside London’s hidden treasures during Open House weekend. The festival takes place in various locations across the city, granting free access to over 800 buildings that are not normally open to the public, including No. 10 Downing Street, HM Treasury, City Hall, and many of the city’s architectural wonders. There will be a free programme of activities, workshops, online events and family architectural trails, centered around the three themes: Local London, Global London and Architecture and Wellbeing.
Tuesday, 21st September, 2021 – Sunday, 26th September, 2021
A very special Chelsea Flower Show will be taking place this month at the Royal Hospital, Chelsea. Originally due to take place in May, the prestigious event had to be postponed for the first time in its 108-year history due to the coronavirus pandemic. The show will run for a total of six days for the first time ever with reduced visitor numbers compared to pre-COVID shows (140,000 visitors at the show over six days, compared to 168,500 over five days in 2019). Following the virtual event in Spring, the September show is expected to be very different to previous years, celebrating the best of autumn horticulture.
Friday, 17th September, 2021 – Tuesday 21st September, 2021
LFW September 2021 marks a long awaited cultural reopening for London, following the digital-first events which have been taking place over the past few seasons due to coronavirus. This month, London Fashion Week will return as a physical-digital hybrid event, incorporating a mix of catwalk shows, presentations, appointments and events throughout London in addition to digital content shared on the London Fashion Week site. The industry’s top designers will reveal their Spring Summer 2022 collections to the public and the British Fashion Council will also celebrate the reopening of London by launching a celebration programme across the capital.
Saturday, 18th September, 2021 – Sunday, 26th September, 2021
Year after year, the capital is transformed by more than 400 installations and exhibitions during the London Design Festival, uniting the world’s best designers, artists and architects. At the centre stage of the 19th edition of the festival this month will be a new installation titled ‘Medusa’. Situated on the V&A’s Raphael Court in South Kensington, the installation is created by Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto in collaboration with mixed reality studio and technology developer Tin Drum. Also in the spotlight is an installation by Nebbia Works titled ‘Between Forests and Skies’, a low-carbon-aluminium pavilion that will be installed in the pool of the John Madejski Garden in the V&A’s courtyard. Other highlights include ‘Placeholders’ by Juliet Haysom and Aude-Line Duliere: historic stone pieces that were salvaged from V&A rebuilding works during 2017.
Wednesday, 1st September, 2021 – Thursday, 30th September, 2021
The annual Totally Thames Festival celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. Over 100 events are held along the River Thames throughout this month, including art exhibitions, installations, live music and performances, celebrating the culture, history and heritage of the river. Amongst the many events this year, there will be celebrations to mark the completion of Leo Villareal’s Illuminated River project. The world’s longest public art installation sees the bridges of Lambeth, Westminster, Golden Jubilee, Waterloo, Blackfriars, Millennium, Southwark, Cannon Street and London lit up from sunset until 2am during a three-day celebration from 23rd to 25th September.
Friday, 17th September, 2021 – Sunday, 19th September, 2021
The world’s most celebrated historic racing event returns to Goodwood Estate in West Sussex this September. Goodwood Revival is the only racing event to be set in period-theme, recreating all the glamour and romance of the famous Motor Circuit’s ‘golden era’, between 1948 and 1966. Costume is encouraged and is usually carried out to exceptionally high standards at this nostalgic event, kids are also welcomed for free to the family-friendly atmosphere. Enjoy track-side views of the classic car race, aircraft displays, retro food stalls and plenty of champagne!
Friday, 30th July, 2021 – Saturday, 11th September, 2021
Get ready for the grand finale of Britain’s largest classical music event this September. The two-month music festival has taken place every year since 1941, at the Royal Albert Hall, opposite Hyde Park. With 52 concerts, featuring 30 orchestras and ensembles, and more than 2,000 musicians, the event brings London together again through the power of music. Every Prom will also be broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 and BBC Sounds with 20 Proms on TV and iPlayer.
