11 Things to Do in London in September

London in September is a blast, but in a different way. Summer is winding down, but it’s still warm enough to enjoy outdoor activities, and there aren’t as many tourists in the city this month, so you can explore at a more leisurely pace.

Want to know everything you can do in London in September? Keep reading!

If you love theater, one of the most fun things you can do is visit Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre —or “The Globe,” as everyone in the city calls it. It’s a modern replica of the building that William Shakespeare’s theater company built in the 16th century to perform the plays of this literary genius.

Just like the original theater in its day, it only stages plays between May and October, so if you’re traveling to London in September, don’t miss the chance to experience such an iconic London landmark—whether by attending a performance or joining a guided tour inside The Globe to discover what theater was like in the Elizabethan era.

Where is The Globe?

Located near the Millennium Bridge and the Tate Modern, with its white color and rounded shape, you’ll immediately notice that it stands out among the surrounding buildings and that it’s not just any theater like the ones you might find in the West End.

Summer in London goes out with a bang with the Totally Thames festival, a major event held in September that features many activities taking place across central London, with the famous river running through the city as the star of the show.

An extensive program of cultural activities has been put together around the Thames, where you’ll find everything from street art and food and craft markets to family workshops, concerts, and fireworks.

Since admission to the Totally Thames festival is free, this event is the perfect complement to a walk along the Thames during your trip to London. You’ll learn about one of the city’s icons in a fun way! And, of course, I’d pair this activity with a Thames cruise to fully enjoy the river and the lovely London weather that still holds in September.

Since the weather in London in September is still nice and not too cold, if you’re staying in the city for at least a week, one of the must-do activities during your stay is a trip to Stonehenge and Bath—two destinations very different from the British capital that will round out your trip.

Given how close both sites are to London, the best way to explore them is to book a full-day organized bus tour to Stonehenge and Bath. In my opinion, this is the most convenient option, since you won’t have to worry about planning all the logistics of the trip yourself. Everything will be taken care of for you, and all you’ll have to do is sit back, relax, and enjoy the tour.

These types of day trips are fantastic for making the most of your trip to London, as they allow you to explore other important places in the country in a short amount of time and add new experiences to your vacation.

The West End is the western part of London. It’s a place where, in addition to being home to some of the city’s elite and housing Westminster Abbey and the Palace of Westminster, it’s considered the European mecca of musicals. Basically, if Americans have Broadway, the British have the West End. And September is, in fact, the month when musicals start to come back to life after the summer break.

If you love this genre, you can’t miss visiting the area’s most legendary theaters, such as Her Majesty’s Theatre, the Lyceum Theatre, or the Apollo Theatre, to enjoy the spectacular musicals taking place inside. The Phantom of the Opera, The Book of Mormon, The Lion King, and Moulin Rouge are just a few of the incredible shows you’ll find.

During the Middle Ages, shepherds used to cross London Bridge with their flocks of sheep to reach the city and sell them at the market. This practice continued for several centuries until, at some point—no one knows exactly when—modernity left no room for this custom, and it eventually died out.

However, in recent years, the tradition of crossing London Bridge with a flock of sheep has been revived, and it’s one of the most curious things you’ll see in London in September if you’re strolling through the area.

However, if you want to experience the spectacle in full, you’ll need to purchase tickets on the organization’s website. If you don’t get one, you can still cross the bridge and admire its beautiful structure. You can even get a ticket for Tower Bridge to access the glass walkway and view the River Thames from 42 meters high.

Located on the banks of the Thames between the Royal Festival Hall and the London Eye, the Underbelly Festival is one of the most anticipated cultural events of the year.

If you’re not a big fan of traditional theater, this festival is for you. Its stages host a multitude of live shows, including cabaret, circus, and music, but there are also plenty of food stalls where you can enjoy all kinds of delicious snacks while soaking up the atmosphere.

Plus, there are shows for kids, making it a great place to spend a relaxing time with the family. You’ll have a fantastic time!

Since temperatures in September are still warm enough to spend time outdoors, one of the most fun things to do during your stay is to visit the city’s first floating cinema at Paddington Basin.

Before the screening begins, you’ll have time to hop on a boat to cruise through the waters of Little Venice and explore the area a bit. After mooring the boat at the dock, you can choose to watch the movie from the water or from one of the lounge chairs on the banks of the venue.

There’s no plan more romantic than eating popcorn while watching a movie in such a unique setting. Are you up for the Openaire Float-In Cinema?

If you love diving into flea markets to find unique items and bargains, you can’t miss Walthamstow Flea Market. What better way to spend a September afternoon than getting lost among the stalls of this vintage flea market?

Organized by Trumans' Social Club, the UK’s largest brewery, for just £1 you’ll have the chance to have a great time browsing the market’s offerings, including antique furniture, retro clothing and jewelry, decorative items, and other curiosities.

And what would an event like this be without music, beer, and street food? At Walthamstow Flea Market, you can dance the night away and sample a little bit of everything. You’ll leave with your bags and your belly full!

London is one of the world’s fashion capitals, and in September it celebrates its popular Fashion Week, where established designers and new talents come together to showcase their collections.

If you love this scene, don’t forget to make room in your schedule to attend one of the public events organized during London Fashion Week. There, you can check out the latest trends, attend runway shows, and enjoy plenty of events while mingling with the coolest people in the British capital.

Like the idea? Then I recommend checking out the London Fashion Week website to stay updated on all the latest news for this edition and make the most of it.

Traveling to London in September is an excellent opportunity to participate in the Open House Festival, an event where several buildings in the British capital that are normally closed to tourists open their doors to the public for visits.

Such is the case with 10 Downing Street, City Hall, and St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, among other places.

On the festival’s website, you’ll find the complete list of buildings participating in the initiative, and if you’d like to discover more interesting spots in the city, check out the post “10 Secret Places in London.” Get your camera ready—you won’t be disappointed!

One of my favorite spots—and a must-visit in London in September while the weather is still nice—is Hyde Park, one of the capital’s Royal Parks.

If you’d like to escape the hustle and bustle of London’s streets for a moment, make the most of a sunny day during your vacation to explore the largest park in the city center.

In the last days of September, when the leaves on the trees begin to change color, it’s the perfect time to take a photo tour of the park, capturing all the beauty of the foliage and its hues with your camera.

During the month of September, maximum temperatures hover around 20°C and minimum temperatures around 13°C.

Summer is an ideal time to travel to London because the days are longer and there are more hours of daylight for outdoor activities.

Additionally, it is the season with the least rainfall, so it is unlikely that rain will spoil your plans.

The peak tourist season in London is in the summer, which means the city is packed with tourists, hotels are fully booked, and prices skyrocket.

However, compared to June, July, and August, September is quieter as the new school year begins and many visitors return home.

You won’t find as many people in the tourist areas, so it’s a good time to visit London if you want your trip to coincide with summer.

During the summer, hotel occupancy in London is practically at full capacity and prices are quite high.

The situation changes in September because, as the season winds down, most visitors leave and hotels lower their prices, making it easier to find accommodation for less money in the city center.

Although summer comes to an end in September, temperatures remain pleasant during the day, so I recommend packing light clothing for those sunny days when it’s a bit warm.

However, the days are gradually getting shorter and the cold is starting to set in, so you’ll also need to include some warm clothes in your luggage, especially for wearing at night.