- Words Notion Staff
Summer has officially been extended as September is set to offer a spectacular programme of activities and events.
It’s the least we deserve after an unusually unsummery summer. Time to make the most of the next few weeks – autumn isn’t here just yet!
Jump into our definitive guide to the best things to do in London this September – from dance festivals to free networking and learning events and even London Fashion Week, it’s all here.
Defected at The Drumsheds
Last year Defected was a leading force in the online world with their Virtual Festival and We Dance As One live stream series bringing in over 60 million views across lockdown, raising $1.2 million for the WHO’s COVID-19 response fund and £89,930 for Mind.
Now, following the more recent success of their award-winning Croatia festival earlier this month, Defected are excited to announce their first show back in the UK since the pandemic. This year’s line-up will deliver an array of all-stars, including platinum selling producer Purple Disco Machine, DJ icon Honey Dijon, and disco legend Dave Lee. Tasty cocktails are also available from BULLDOG Gin‘s VIP bar.
The event takes place at The Drumsheds on 25th – 26th September and will follow a 4-day launch of Defected’s new east-London HQ. The new location which will serve as a workspace and creative/networking hub, welcoming fans and industry creatives to enjoy special DJ sets, panel discussions with key industry figures, screenings and much more.
Museum of the Moon
Museum of the Moon is a touring artwork by UK artist Luke Jerram. The installation is a stunning fusion of NASA lunar imagery, moonlight and surround sound composition created by BAFTA and Ivor Novello award-winning composer Dan Jones.
Over its lifetime, the Museum of the Moon will be presented in a number of different ways both indoors and outdoors, thus altering the experience and interpretation of the artwork. As it travels from place to place, it gathers new musical compositions and an ongoing collection of personal responses, stories and mythologies, as well as highlighting the latest moon science.
The moon will be at Durham Cathedral from 13 September – 11 November.
A New Culinary Destination Opens in East London
Just when we thought Hackney couldn’t be any more of a foodie hotspot, a new indoor dining hall is set to throw open its doors.
From Friday 24th September, Hackney Bridge will be serving local craft beers, wines and cocktails, home to five new street food traders, dishing up everything from Japanese to West Indian plates – as well as old favourites Made in Puglia and Filigrillz, who took up residency in Hackney Bridge’s alfresco courtyard this summer.
To celebrate the opening, Hackney Bridge Kitchens will be hosting a special weekend of free events and activities from 24-26 September, including workshops, classes and impressive DJ lineups.
Strawberries & Creem Festival
There’s still a few final release tickets left for the Cambridge-based weekend festival. From 18-19 September, Burna Boy, Skepta, Little Simz, Giggs, Koffee, Pa Salieu, Tiffany Calver, Honey Dijon, Wilkinson, and many more are all slated to play.
Dedicated to Afrobeats, Hip-Hop, R&B, House and Drum & Bass, Notting Hill Carnival – which was once again cancelled this year due to ongoing Covid concerns – will feature at the festival. It’s the carnival’s first festival partnership and promises vibrant costumes, steel drums, and a Soca artist.
Snap up your tickets here.
Underbelly Festival Cavendish Square
With street food and outdoor bars nestled under the twinkling fairy-lit trees of Cavendish Square, it’s a great place to meet friends and family before seeing a show at this year’s Underbelly Festival.
Cabaret highlights include the legendary The Cocoa Butter Club presenting their newest extravaganza The Queer Burlesque Revue on 17th and 18th September and the smash-hit show PopLab from cabaret comedy icons Frisky & Mannish finally making its awaited London transfer (24th – 26th September). If it’s razzle dazzle and decadence you’re after, 3rd September sees a one night only special with Miss Kiddy and the Cads – Vintage Takeover! as they perform their sell-out show.
Top comedy comes to the festival in the form of major talent Marcus Brigstocke and his work-in-progress show on 23rd September. An evening of laughter is on the cards on 7th September with the Evening Standard’s Big Comedy Night, showcasing emerging and diverse comedy talent, whilst it’s new songs, new jokes and new catsuits for The Scummy Mummies Show (1st September).
17th September sees a live recording of the chart-topping podcast Drunk Women Solving Crime and James Barr and Dan Hudson present the UK’s funniest LGBTQ+ podcast A Gay and A NonGay’s Big Gay Show! live on 10th September, with iconic special guests.
World record-breaking beatboxer SK Shlomo makes mad music with his mouth and his show for little ones Shlomo’s Beatbox Adventure for Kids comes to Cavendish Square on 19th September.
Negroni Week: Experience Gin Seven Ways
In celebration of Negroni Week 2021, from 13th – 19th September, Seven Hills has partnered with seven venues in central London to launch a series of bespoke, limited-edition Seven Hills Negroni cocktails.
Paying homage to Italy’s most famed aperitif, each venue has created bespoke Negroni recipes offering a unique range of takes on the classic Italian Cocktail. The special Negroni menus will be available throughout the week at Mr Fogg’s Residence, Corinthia London, The Goring, Quaglino’s, Henson’s Bar, City Social London and Nightjar. Cocktail lovers – you’re welcome.
London Fashion Week 2021
Be inspired by the latest trends and top designers over London Fashion Week. Beyond the days of an invite only occasion, the open to public scheduling allows many others to experience runway action and showrooms this year as top designers share their Spring Summer 2022 collections.
Learn more about established and emerging designers online via the DiscoveryLAB videos, go to in-person events and shows, including presentations by Toga and Noon by Noor, and enjoy evening catwalk shows from the likes of AADNEVIK.
Find out more and apply for London Fashion Week events here.
Creative Con
Calling all creatives! There’s a new all-day festival taking place at Peckham Levels on 4th September. Hosted by Style & Sounds, the music, art and tech event promises to bring together the hottest and newest London creatives working in the aforementioned industries.
Runway shows, creative talks, musical performances, and fashion brands exhibiting their latest collections – it’s all set to happen at Creative Con.
During the Creative Talks Andy Davis and Janvier Wete will be discussing how to turn an app idea into a business. Alex Ampofo, Kieron Boothe and Ayaz Hussain chat about growing your career in music, whilst Tobi Kyere, Richie Mafwa and Jada Bruney speak on growing careers in the Art and design industry.
Head down to the free event if this learning and networking opportunity sounds up your street. Register here.
London Design Festival
London Design Festival makes a return this year, celebrating and promoting London as the design capital of the world.
The festival will showcase a broad mix of outdoor installations, design exhibitions and hands-on workshops. Promised to bring remarkable design both old and new to a vast London audience, the festival will take place across multiple districts: Brompton, Clerkenwell, Design District at Greenwich Peninsula, Islington, Kings Cross, Mayfair, Park Royal, Shoreditch Design Triangle, Southwark South, and William Morris Design Line.
Landmark projects include Medusa by Sou Fujimoto and Tin Drum. Architect Sou Fujimoto and production studio and technology developer Tin Drum are set to create a mixed reality project examining structure, nature, and visualisation at V&A Museum. The natural and architectural features will slowly morph and evolve based on the movement of audiences in the space.
London Design Festival 2021 will take place from 18-26 September 2021.
RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2021
Relax and unwind with stunning horticultural displays at the prestigious RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Usually held in May, this year’s event has been moved to September (for obvious reasons).
Highlights will include an NHS Tribute Garden from Naomi Ferrett-Cohen called ‘Finding Our Way’. Discover Robert Myers’ show garden ‘The Florence Nightingale Garden – A Celebration of Modern-Day Nursing’. Or enjoy the tranquillity and Alpine nature of Lilly Gomm’s ‘The Swiss Sanctuary Garden’.
Attendees will also be able to get some inspiration for balcony gardens, gather top tips on growing houseplants, and discover container gardens overflowing with foliage, as part of new dedicated features at the show.
For more information a ticket prices, visit the RHS Chelsea Flower Show website here.
London Podcast Festival
Everyone’s got a podcast these days, and if not, then they love to listen to one. So, what better way to fully embrace all things chatty than attending the sixth edition of the London Podcast Festival.
Taking place at Kings Place in front of a real audience, the London Podcast Festival offers listeners the chance to the shows that have got them through these past difficult months.
Featuring live episodes with The Allusionist, Fingers on Buzzers, Bad People and more, plus the world premiere of Highlife Romance, a new romcom by Dem Times’s Jacob Roberts-Mensah, it’s time to meet some of the biggest faces behind your favourite pods.
The festival runs from 2 – 12 September with a programme that celebrates the best in UK and international podcasting. The first batch of events have gone on sale for the annual festival here.
Open House Festival
Open House London gives guests the chance to have a nosey round some architectural wonders that are not normally open to the public. This year’s free programme of activities, workshops, online events, and family architectural trails, revolves around three themes: Local London, Global London, and Architecture and Wellbeing.
The festival will also explore the intersection of architecture and food as well as architecture and education by celebrating the reopening of the hospitality industry and the importance of London’s educational sites that have been missed during the pandemic
The 2021 Open House Festival London will take place from 4 – 12 September across all 33 London boroughs. Find out more information here.