Totally Thames
The Totally Thames Festival is an annual celebration of the River Thames in London with a creative and diverse programme of events and talks. Across the month-long festival, over 100 events will take place on, beneath and along the River Thames, from Richmond to Barking and Dagenham. This year, Totally Thames is also investing in the battle to combat climate change, putting on a unique evening of song and contemplation. For more information about the festival activities and schedule visit the Thames Festival Website.
Date: 1st September – 30th September
Price: Free
London Design Festival
London Design Festival (LDF) returns this September for its 20th edition, hoping to showcase the city’s creative industry at a time of increasing pressure.
Every year, LDF brings a series of installations to the capital for the public to interact with. At South Kensington’s Cromwell Place, Sony Design is presenting a “life-sized media platform” entitled Into Sight. Through an immersive interplay of audio and visual effects, visitors will be able to discover new insights regarding the coexistence of physical and meta realities.
Rotterdam-based designer Sabine Marcelis is staging an architecture-inspired installation, which aims to celebrate the Brutalist structure Centre Point (also one of London’s first skyscrapers).
Architectural practice Stanton Williams and engineers Webb Yates are teaming up with LSI Stone on an installation named Henge, which will be located at Greenwich Peninsula. Described as a “participatory sculptural form”, the installation is set to create a gathering space for visitors with additional music and sound design. The pavilion itself will be made from an eclectic mix of materials, including 150-million-year-old Jurassic limestone and marble.
For more information about the events, exhibitions and installations visit LDF’s website.
Date: 17th September – 25th September
Price: Free
Open House London
As the festival celebrates its 30th anniversary, 100 of the city’s most architecturally impressive private homes and countless more fascinating buildings will open to the public for two weeks from Thursday until September 21.
Whether you’re keen for some interior inspiration or just fancy seeing some of the world’s best architecture up close, there are myriad houses to keep you entertained for weeks across London.
Buildings that will be part of Open House London 2022
– Sign up for a guided tour of Meta’s brand-new King’s Cross offices, home to a number of large-scale art installations.
– Get an expert’s view when you join an architect-led tour of locations such as the refurbished Marine Engine House at Walthamstow Wetlands, or the environmentally friendly Gap House, a family home in Bayswater with a minimal carbon footprint.
– Discover the sleek art deco lines of the National Audit Office, opened in 1939 as an air terminal.
– See the legacy of the 2012 Olympic Games in the Lower Lea Valley on the Olympic Legacy walking tour which explores how the permanent sports venues and parklands have been part of the transformation of local communities.
– Travel back to the 16th century on the Secret Victoria walk to uncover five hundred years of stories and secrets.
– Admire the Victorian Gothic architecture of the Union Chapel in Islington which is both a working church and a live entertainment venue. There’s a lot more religious architecture to explore including the Landmark Arts Centre, originally a church of cathedral proportions and now a community arts centre, and the London Buddhist Centre.
– Explore a treasure trove of material on the National Theatre archive tour.
Check each listing carefully on the Open House website before you set off, as some require advanced booking.
Date: 8th September – 21st September
Price: Free
Chelsea History Festival
The Chelsea History Festival is returning next month for the fourth year running with a programme of events and talks from renowned speakers and authors.
The festival, which runs from 17 to 25 September, is hosted by the National Army Museum, the Royal Hospital Chelsea, and the area’s Physic Garden, with talks held in a number of venues throughout west London.
Although primarily a history festival, this year’s programme sees a number of topical events, including a talk by journalist and author Anna Reid on the history of Ukraine.
The festival is also offering several interactive events, including ‘History Street’, an immersive experience in Burton Court where the city of London’s past will be brought to life. For more information about the events and exhibitions visit Chelsea History Festival Website
Date: 17th September – 25th September
Price: Free
The Mayfair Maison
Grosvenor is aiming to showcase the best of British fashion design with the opening of a luxury pop-up called The Mayfair Maison in London’s West End.
Situated in one of the last remaining Georgian townhouses in Grosvenor Square, the store will stock hundreds of fashion finds from a range of British-based brands including Huishan Zhang, Jenny Packham, J&M Davidson, Malone Souliers, Roksanda and Stephen Webster.
Curated by Grosvenor, the store will open for three days from 23 September and will offer discounts of up to 60%.
Collections will be showcased across the Grade II listed townhouse and shoppers will be invited to browse and try on the luxury designs.
Date: 23rd September – 25th September
Waterworks Music Festival
Waterworks is a multi-stage event that celebrates cutting-edge UK based and influenced electronic music with a strong emphasis on supporting emerging talent.
The festival will take place on Gunnersbury Park in a remote area, shrouded by woodland and with glimpses of industrial London over the treeline. Among the artists performing are Ben UFO, Midland, Palms Trax, Craig Richards and Skee Mask.
For more information about dates and tickets visit Waterworks Festival.
Date: 17th September
Price: £50-£180
The Weekend Warmup – Rooftop DJ Party at The View from The Shard
Experience a party like no other – and without the late night too! Saturdays are unlocked with the Weekend Warmup rooftop day party, hosted on the highest roof terrace in the city.
Take in spectacular panoramic views over London at this exclusive party – from Level 68, you can see for up to 40 miles on a clear day! Stay as long as you like once the party is over: relax on the Level 69 observation deck, or head up to the open-air sky deck on Level 72 to spot London’s famous landmarks and take in the atmosphere and sounds of the city below.
For more information about dates and tickets visit Weekend Warmup-The View from The Shard.
Date: 16th September
Price: Tickets from £19.00 – £299.00