30 Cool Things To Do In London This Weekend: 11-13 September

September has finally arrived, and while it might not be pumpkin spice weather just yet, we're excited to see what autumn brings to London.

But what to do in London this weekend? There's a hidden jazz club in Hoxton, as well as a brand new Oasis documentary musical to see. If you're looking for the weekend's family-friendly things to do, then the Disney Pixar experience at Wembley Park is for you.

Check back each week to uncover the best things to do in London this weekend and book on DesignMyNight, from free things to do in London this weekend to the most luxurious and unusual.

What Are The Best Things Happening In London This Weekend?

2. Attend The London Podcast Festival

• When: 3rd-13th September 2026
• Location: Kings Place, 90 York Way, N1 9AG
• Price: varies
• We recommend for: podcast fans

Back for its 11th year, London Podcast Festival invites podcast fans to come together at Kings Place and online. Expect unique live shows, meet-and-greets, and workshops with some of the world’s greatest podcasters.

They've got a fantastic lineup this year, including Wrong Turns with Jameela Jamil, The Empire Film Podcast, Life After Prison, No Such Thing As A Fish and more. You can learn a lot from these fascinating and entertaining sessions, with prices varying per event.

This year's lineup includes Jameela Jamil's podcast.

3. See The Best Of The Fringe At Fringe Fix

• When: throughout September 2026
• Location: Underbelly Boulevard Soho, 6 Walker's Court, Soho, W1F 0BT
  
• Price: varies by event
• We recommend for: seeing shows from the Edinburgh Fringe in London

We all know and love the Edinburgh Fringe, but if you can't quite make it up to Scotland? Fringe Fix are bringing you a selection of some of the best Fringe shows, performed at Underbelly Boulevard in Soho.

Expect to see everything from comedy to cabaret, theatre, improv and musicals, taking place throughout the month. There'll be plenty of laughs, as well as captivating acts aplenty.

There's so much to see at Fringe Fix.

4. Discover Beyond Beauty Festival

• When: 4th-13th September 2026
• Location: Covent Garden
• Price: varies by event
• We recommend for: all things beauty

Beyond Beauty is a 10-day festival that spans across the Covent Garden neighbourhood this September, presenting the very best in skincare, fragrance, makeup and wellness. There'll be 80 leading beauty and wellness brands in attendance, so you're bound to find some new favourites.

Expect exclusive pop-ups, masterclasses, new launches and offers, as well as the return of The Fragrance Garden and a new Backstage Beauty Pass trail. They're working in collaboration with charity Beauty Banks, who provide everyday essentials for those in need - including shampoo, soap, toothpaste and deodorant.

Read More About Beyond Beauty Here. 

Beyond Beauty showcases the best of makeup, skincare, wellness and more.

5. Check Out This Brand New Thelma & Louise Musical

• When: 3rd September - 24th October 2026
• Location: Young Vic Theatre
• Price: from £28 per person
• We recommend for: seeing a new musical

One of the most iconic films of all time, Thelma & Louise has now been turned into a brand new musical. Directed by Trip Cullman, it features music and lyrics by Grammy-nominated artist Neko Case.

Follow the story of best friends Thelma and Louise as their life is forever altered on a spontaneous weekend getaway. It's wild, hilarious and full of drama.

Get Your Tickets To The Musical Here.

6. Drink And Dine At One Of These Amazing Bottomless Brunches

• When: usually held on Saturdays and Sundays
• Location: locations across London
• Price: prices vary depending on the brunch
• We recommend for: tasty cocktails and delicious dishes

Name something you'd rather do on the weekend than a bottomless brunch...we'll wait. Unlimited drinks are now a weekend staple, and mean you can keep track of your pennies without overspending. 

There's a whole host of bottomless brunches available across the city, with everything from ABBA-themed affairs in Covent Garden to multi-award-winning brunches entirely centred around Eastenders star, Pat Butcher. Whatever you're looking for, there's something for everyone.

Book A Bottomless Brunch Here.

London has everything from Taylor Swift bottomless brunches to ABBA.

7. Experience A Spellbinding Trip To Hexmoor: Wizarding Prison

• When: all weekend
• Location: 127 Hackney Road, Unit 11, Hackney, E2 8GY
  
• Price: tickets from £49.50
  
• We recommend for: immersive experiences and quirky cocktails

The world's first wizarding prison bar is opening its doors this weekend. From the creators of Alcotraz, Moonshine Saloon and Avora, this brand-new immersive experience will see you conversing with dark arts wizards and prison guards from the wizarding world. 

Hexmoor is an immersive theatrical experience combining film-like set designs, three amazing cocktails and magical special effects that are set to blow you away. And you even get your own prison jumpsuit to fully get into character. 

Book Tickets To Hexmoor: Wizarding Prison Here.

Step inside the magical world of Hexmoor prison for the ultimate immersive cocktail experience.

8. Whisk Up A Storm At Big Bakes

• When: various dates
• Location: 38 Tooting High Street, SW17 0RG and Lee Street, E84ED
  
• Price: from £32.40 per person
• We recommend for: double dates, group activities, and baking fans 

Channel your inner pastry chef at The Big London Bake, South and East London's award-winning answer to the ultimate baking challenge. Perfect for those with a competitive streak and a love for sweets, this 90-minute extravaganza pairs you with a baking bench buddy to whip up, decorate, and present a masterpiece based on a monthly rotating theme.

With all pre-measured ingredients, professional instructions, and a Head Baker on hand to guide your station, the experience is designed to be entirely stress-free - right down to the fact that they even handle the washing up. 

Book Big Bakes In London Here.

Get your bake on in South and East London.

9. Head To CelebrASIA At Battersea Power Station

• When: 11th-13th September 2026
  
• Location: 44 Electric Boulevard, Battersea Power Station, SW11 8BJ
• Price: free entry
• We recommend for: cultural celebrations

Returning to Battersea Power Station, CelebrASIA is a summer festival that celebrates South East Asian culture. Expect an array of artisan markets, food stalls, live performances and street food to enjoy on the day.

There are optional extras that you'll need tickets for, including arts and cultural panels, craft masterclasses and talks. There'll also be live music, comedy and even an interactive trail that you can walk around.

Discover More Here.

Celebrate South East Asian culture at this festival.

10. Throw Shapes At A Bottomless Hoedown Brunch

• When: Saturdays
• Location: Tequila Mockingbird Covent Garden, 42 William IV Street, WC2N 4DD
• Price: from £52.92 per person
  
• We recommend for: a fun time dancing, brunch enthusiasts, a weekend with friends

Dust off your cowboy boots and get ready for a Saturday like no other, as Tequila Mockingbird transforms your weekend into a high-octane Bottomless Hoedown Brunch. You can look forward to a two-hour celebration of boot-scootin’ burlesque and dazzling drag performances, complete with country classic sing-alongs and a competitive round of Hoedown Bingo.

Indulge in 90 minutes of bottomless service, featuring everything from margaritas and pornstar martinis to ice-cold beers and bubbly, while teetotalers are well-catered for with signature mocktails like the Spring Fling and Prom Queen. There'll be plenty of pizza, too. 

Grab Your Tickets To Tequila Mockingbird's Bottomless Hoedown Brunch Here. 

Saddle up for this brunch.

11. Enjoy Some Music At Sky Garden

• When: various dates
• Location: 1 Sky Garden Walk, City of London, EC3M 8AF
  
• Price: from £15.95 (includes a drink)
• We recommend for: date nights and brilliant views 

Elevate your weekend plans with Sky Garden’s Music Nights, an exclusive rooftop residency that pairs 360-degree skyline views with a curated soundtrack of live DJs and ALR Music performances.

Whether you’re looking for a high-energy night out with friends or a sophisticated date spot, the experience offers everything from standing access tickets, which include a welcome drink and panoramic vistas, to the ultra-premium VIP viewing platform for those seeking private service and an upgraded menu.

Book Your Tickets To Music Nights At Sky Garden Here. 

Pair epic vistas with live music. 

12. Visit An Unusual Museum

• When: various dates and times, depending on the museum
• Location: museums across the capital
• Price: depends on the museum
• We recommend for: quirky art displays and history

It's no secret that London is home to some of the best museums in the world, but if you're bored of all the usual suspects (though we know you really can't go wrong with the Natural History)? We've got just the thing. 

These seven weird and wonderful museums are a great way to spend your Saturday or Sunday (especially if you're looking for free events in London this weekend). Whether you fancy checking out the Freud Museum in Hampstead or heading to Bethnal Green to discover a collection of curiosities throughout history, this list will sort you out. - Kiera Chapman

Explore More Unusual Museums Here.

Experience the wacky and wild collections that London has to offer.

13. Do Aqua Aerobics or Yoga With Skyline Views

• When: various dates
• Where: 1 Electric Blvd, Nine Elms, SW11 8BJ
• Price: from £27.50 per person
• Perfect for: unique exercise ideas and stunning vistas 

Designed by the visionary Jaime Hayon, art'otel London Battersea Power Station offers a cultural escape. This March, the hotel’s rooftop becomes a hub for wellness and leisure, kicking off with aqua aerobics sessions, followed by skyline yoga and breakfast for those looking to find zen above the city.

For a more melodic weekend treat, the hotel hosts afternoon tea with live music, providing the perfect blend of sophisticated dining and artistic atmosphere. Whether you're diving into the rooftop pool or enjoying the curated events, art'otel stands as one of the city’s hippest vantage points for food, fitness, and the arts.

Book art'otel London Battersea Power Station Here.

Head up to the roof for some yoga.

14. Check Out Waterworks Extended

• When: 12th and 13th September 2026
  
• Location: 60 Dock Road, North Woolwich, E16 1YZ
  
• Price: varies, from £17.30 per person
• We recommend for: live music fans

Waterworks Festival is renowned for its electronic dance music, and they're hosting an extended session at The Cause in East London this weekend. There's an incredible lineup to watch, and you can dip into different sessions or come for it all.

Expect artists like Alex Kassian, Bradley Zero & Erol Alkan, DJ Storm, Tia Cousins and many more - promising 36 hours of non-stop music across seven spaces.

See countless electronic dance artists at Waterworks Extended.

15. Discover Strawberry Hill House Flower Festival

• When: 10th to 13th September 2026
  
• Location: 268 Waldegrave Road, Twickenham, TW1 4ST
  
• Price: £30 for adults, £18 for under 14s
• We recommend for: stunning floral displays

A magical weekend escape, Strawberry Hill House Flower Festival is the UK's most sustainable flower festival. It takes place in a beautiful Gothic castle in Twickenham, dating back to 1747, even more gorgeous when it's filled with flowers.

There'll be more than 50 UK florists creating amazing displays, made entirely from flowers grown in Britain. There are no single-use plastics or floral foam involved either. While you're here, enjoy afternoon tea in the garden, alongside live talks, workshops and demonstrations - and you can even go on a tour of the castle after dark.

Find Out More Here. 

Discover sustainable floral displays at Strawberry Hill House.

16. Watch Love's Labour's Lost At The Globe

• When: until 13th September 2026
• Location: The Globe
• Price: from £5 per person
• We recommend for: Shakespeare lovers

Coming to The Globe this summer, Love's Labour's Lost is a classic Shakespeare comedy that has been reimagined in this performance. Expect a flamenco-inspired production full of rhythm and romantic tension, displaying the joy, longing and melancholy of the play.

Indiana Lown-Collins makes her Globe Theatre directing debut, telling the story of four women who arrive in Navarre on a diplomatic mission. Nab tickets for as little as £5 if you're standing.

Head to The Globe this summer.

18. Check Out Peaky Blinders Underworld

• When: until 3rd January 2027
• Location: Arches London Bridge, 8 Bermondsey Street, SE1 2ER
• Price: £19.95 per person
• We recommend for: fans of the TV show

Love Peaky Blinders? Then be sure to check out Peaky Blinders Underworld, the immersive experience that will transport you into the world of 1920s Birmingham. Begin in the Garrison Tavern, where you'll grab a drink before heading into the underworld below.

You'll meet the characters from the Shelby world, with puzzles and challenges to get stuck into. You can even place a bet at the family's secret betting den, and there's on-theme food to eat too.

Find Out More About The Event Here.

Immerse yourself in the world of Peaky Blinders.

19. Devour A Sunday Roast

• When: Sundays
  
• Location: across London
• Price: varies
  
• We recommend for: a wholesome Sunday outing
  

After a long, hot summer, there's finally starting to be an autumnal chill in the air. And what better way to enter the cosy season than by checking out some of the city's best Sunday roasts?

We've rounded up the very best spots to enjoy a roast dinner all over the city, tried and tested by the DesignMyNight team. From dry-aged beef rump at Hawksmoor to veggie filo rolls with all the trimmings at The Talbot, there's all sorts to check out here.

Discover Our Favourite Sunday Roasts Here.

Tuck into this quintessential British feast.

20. Check Out London's Best Parks

• When: anytime
• Location: London's most famous green spaces
• Price: from free
• We recommend for: free things to do and wholesome experiences

When the weather's looking good for the weekend ahead, there's nothing better than chilling in a beautiful green space, and it's one of the many free things to do. This city has plenty of parks (and is actually made up of 40% public spaces), which is why it's only natural that we've put together a guide to the very best parks across the capital.

We've got all areas covered, from Hampstead Heath to Clapham Common or Greenwich Park - perfect for picnics, alfresco drinks and soaking up the sun among Grade II-listed buildings or picturesque Japanese gardens. - Kiera Chapman

Explore More Parks Here.

Free-roaming deer inhabit Richmond Park.

21. Explore The Newest Restaurant Openings

• When: various opening times
• Location: varying locations across the city
  
• Price: prices of food will vary
  
• We recommend for: incredible food and dining out
  

• When: until 15th September 2026
• Location: BFI IMAX
• Price: from £24
• We recommend for: Oasis fans

Documenting the monumental return of Oasis in 2025, Oasis: Don’t Look Back in Anger is the official documentary film that tells the band's story, also documenting their sought-after reunion tour.

Discover the story behind the brothers' rekindled relationship, and the excitement of their first shows together in years. It's being shown at the BFI IMAX cinema for a limited run only, so don't miss out.

Grab Tickets Here.

Discover more about Oasis' return.

23. Check Out The Capital's Best Cocktail Bars

• When: open now
• Location: 30 Grosvenor Square, Mayfair, W1K 6AN
• Price: prices of food and drinks vary
  
• We recommend for: American-Italian dining and date night

Looking for the perfect spot to sip something special this weekend? London’s cocktail scene is overflowing with stylish bars serving up expertly crafted drinks in unforgettable settings. Whether you're into smoky old fashioneds, tropical tiki creations, or something totally experimental, there’s a bar for every taste.

Head to Swift for sleek sophistication, SOMA for minimalist Japanese-inspired mixes, or Nightjar for vintage vibes and live jazz. If you’re after something quirky, try Callooh Callay for playful menus and bold flavours. It’s the ideal way to elevate your weekend plans - one cocktail at a time.

Explore More Of London's Best Cocktail Bars Here.

London is home to some of the best cocktail bars in the UK.

24. Check Out Some Of London's Top Sunday Markets

• When: varies (some take place every day) 
• Location: all around London
• Price: from free
• We recommend for: food, drink, trinkets, and wholesome things to do

Sunday in London is defined by its markets, offering the ultimate weekend excuse to browse with a coffee in hand. 

Foodies can choose between the historic, bustling arches of Borough Market or the quieter, insider-favourite Maltby Street Market in Bermondsey for world-class artisan produce. Further afield, the stunning, historic settings of Greenwich Market and Camden Market provide the perfect backdrop for crafts, curios, and scenic canal or riverside strolls, while Notting Hill's Portobello Road pivots on Sundays to a gentler, vintage-focused fashion hub.

Discover Sunday Markets Here. 

Pick up some flowers from a market on Sunday. 

25. Visit These Stunning Rooftops

• When: throughout spring, summer and autumn
• Location: across London
• Price: food and drink prices vary
• We recommend for: summer date ideas

As the days get longer and warmer, there's nothing better than slinking up to one of London's fabulous rooftop bars across Covent Garden, Soho, Shoreditch, and beyond, and enjoying a cocktail around golden hour, or as the sun sets. 

Some of our favourites include 1864 Rooftop Bar, located on the 6th floor of John Lewis, featuring gorgeous foliage, private booths, and a menu full of tempting light bites. It's a go-to after a day of shopping around Oxford Street. Looking for something a little more lively? How about London Bridge Rooftop - these guys know a thing or two about a fabulous bottomless brunch, and you'll find bargain Aperol spritzes to enjoy with views of the Shard. And for those keen to stay in the city, Sabine Rooftop Bar is a wonderful shout. With St Paul's Cathedral as your backdrop, you can delight in espresso martinis galore. Want more? Found on The Royal Opera House's fifth floor and one of London's true hidden gems, Cicoria promises unbeatable views over Covent Garden.

Check Out These Rooftops Here. 

Enjoy a cocktail at these rooftop bars.

26. Visit The Wallace & Gromit And Friends Exhibition

• When: until 15th November 2026
• Location: Cambridge Heath Road, Bethnal Green, E2 9PA
• Price: from £12.50 per person
  
• We recommend for: families

Young V&A in Bethnal Green are opening their Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit And Friends exhibition this weekend. This explores the world of animator Aardman, and how he created these iconic characters, with lots of behind-the-scenes insight.

From Wallace & Gromit to Shaun the Sheep and Morph, you'll get to see all your favourites come to life here. Plus, they've even got a family design challenge you can get involved in.

Book Tickets To The Exhibition Here.

See your favourite characters come to life.

Buckingham Palace opens its State Rooms for a few weeks every summer.

28. Mundo Pixar Experience

• When: until November 2026
• Location: Wembley Park, Fulton Road, Wembley, HA9 0TF
• Price: £29 per person (£20 for children)
• We recommend for: family-friendly fun

The world’s largest immersive Pixar exhibition, the Mundo Pixar Experience, can now be found in Wembley, following successful runs in Madrid, Barcelona and Brussels. Here, you can explore all your favourite films brought to life through interactive exhibits and amazing photo opportunities.

Lose yourself in life-sized scenes like Andy's bedroom in Toy Story and Carl's floating house from UP, across 3,500 square metres of space. What's more, they've even unveiled a brand-new room, created exclusively for London.

Immerse yourself in Pixar films.

Need more inspiration? Check out the best things to do in London for more ideas.