What to do this weekend in London (27 to 28 September 2025)
We’ve compiled a shortlist of the hottest happenings in London this weekend, from landmark exhibitions to restaurant launches and seasonal takeovers at top attractions. Standouts include era-defining artworks at the British Art Fair and the launch of a new Mediterranean restaurant in the exact townhouse where Queen Elizabeth II was born.
Be sure to check out our guide to what’s on in London this month for more ideas and download the Visit London app for exclusive offers and on-the-go ideas.
Explore the new David Bowie Centre at V&A East Storehouse
The David Bowie Centre at V&A East Storehouse officially opened its doors to the public on 13 September, showcasing an archive of more than 90,000 Bowie-related items at the Stratford venue. The permanent exhibition space, designed by the London-based architecture firm IDK, presents letters, handwritten lyrics, costumes and instruments. Highlights include Bowie’s red Burretti jacket with the Aladdin Sane lightning bolt worn in his Life on Mars music video, and the famous Alexander McQueen Union Jack coat pictured on the cover of his Earthling album. Visitors can also book private appointments to view additional items in dedicated study rooms.
Get the lowdown on the V&A East Storehouse with our guide, which covers collection highlights and how to request access to items from the archives.
Don’t miss the chance to tour Buckingham Palace
This weekend is the last chance to step inside Buckingham Palace and explore 19 of its historic State Rooms (until 28 September). The self-guided tour includes access to the Throne Room – often used as the backdrop of royal photographs – and the Grand Staircase adorned with world-renowned artworks from the likes of Rubens, Van Dyck and Rembrandt. The tour takes around two to three hours and includes access to the palace gardens.
Tickets start from £20.50 and include access to The King’s Tour Artists exhibition, featuring more than 70 works from His Majesty’s private collection. Don’t miss out, book your tickets today!
Book your seats for the Olivier Award-winning play The Weir
Conor Mcpherson’s gripping production The Weir has returned to London’s West End at the Harold Pinter Theatre for a strictly limited 12-week run. Brendan Gleeson (In Bruges, The Banshees of Inisherin) leads the cast as Jack, alongside a star-studded cast including Owen McDonnell (Killing Eve), Katie Phillips (Peaky Blinders), Tom Vaughan-Lawlor (Avengers) and Sean McGinley (That They May Face the Rising Sun). Set against the atmospheric backdrop of a rural Irish pub, the story follows a group of friends who are captivated by the chilling tales of an unexpected guest.
Book your tickets for the eagerly anticipated show and choose the best seats directly with Visit London.
Embrace the arrival of autumn in London’s parks
Experience the beauty of London’s parks and green spaces in their autumnal glory this weekend. Stroll through the tree-lined paths of Hyde Park and watch swimmers paddling in the Serpentine Lido before exploring the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain. Catch sunsets at viewpoints across London including Richmond Park, Hampstead Heath and Primrose Hill, each offering a respite from the bustle of central London. St James’s Park is an ideal spot to recharge between visits to nearby attractions such as Buckingham Palace and Horse Guard’s Parade.
Bookmark the best neighbourhood green spaces and gardens for more inspiration.
Get into the spooky spirit at Warner. Bros Studio Tour London’s Dark Arts
The film studios where the hit Harry Potter franchise was produced have been transformed for Halloween, with original sets, costumes and props set against backdrops of pumpkins, illuminations and flickering candles. Step inside the Great Hall and see more than 100 hand-carved pumpkins floating above the feast, as seen in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Keep an eye out for the Death Eaters as you wander down Diagon Alley and be sure to visit the studio shop to pick up everything from house-branded robes to replica wands.
Explore the highlights of Dark Arts at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London and book your tickets today. Until 9 November
Discover striking art at London Sculpture Week
London Sculpture Week has returned to the capital for its fourth edition (20 to 29 September), transforming the city into an open-air gallery featuring world-class works in historic locations. On Leadenhall Street, Daniel Silver’s piece Untitled2014 showcases a semi-figurative interpretation of the human form, with two pieces of marble delicately melded together. Meanwhile, a striking gold-leaf sculpture at the buzzy crossroads of Bishopsgate and Wormwood Street depicts a paper bag, symbolising the City’s roots in currency and trade.
Uncover the week-long programme and events happening this weekend in London.
Check out Kew Gardens’ new exhibition Material World
A new exhibition opened at Kew Gardens last weekend, bringing together leading artists, award-winning designers and expert horticulturists at the Unesco-protected biodiversity hub. As part of the exhibition, Kew’s iconic Temperate House has been transformed into a bold exploration of plants, fungi and fashion, highlighting art and design and inspiring positive change in the fashion industry. A standout piece includes Jessie Von Curry and Vega Hertel’s Woven Kinships, a colourful trousers weave made from Scottish seaweed. Another highlight is a regenerative knitwear collection created from pineapple fibres, nettles and Mediterranean grasses by Silva Acién.
Buy tickets for Kew Gardens and explore themed gardens, glasshouses, the treetop walkway and the Material World exhibition. Until 2 November
Catch the National Theatre’s production of The Importance of Being Earnest
Following the success of its sold-out season at the National Theatre earlier this year, the glorious reimagining of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest has returned to London’s Noël Coward Theatre this autumn. Olly Alexander (Channel 4’s It’s a Sin) leads the cast in the role of Algernon Moncrieff, joined by Nathan Stewart-Jarrett (Misfits) as Jack Worthing, Hugh Dennis (Outnumbered) as Reverend Canon Chasuble and Stephen Fry (Blackadder) as Lady Bracknell. Until 10 January 2026
Explore the best seats and book tickets for this celebrated show directly with Visit London.
Watch your favourite film at Rooftop Film Club
Head to an open-air cinema this weekend and enjoy screenings of cult classics against London’s glittering skyline. In Peckham, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, Wicked, and Notting Hill are showing, while over in Stratford, Twilight, The Princess Diaries, and 10 Things I Hate About You promise a feel-good evening. Choose between individual deckchairs or double love seats for a cosy date night and stay warm with fireside heaters. Arrive hungry and enjoy pizzas, cocktails and loaded fries, or opt for popcorn and a lineup of mouthwatering desserts such as gelato and tiramisu.
Check out what’s showing at Rooftop Film Club and book your tickets.
Head to The Classic Car Boot Sale in King’s Cross
The Classic Car Boot Sale in King’s Cross is celebrating its 10th anniversary in Granary Square this weekend, showcasing a vibrant collection of vintage fashion, rare antiques and classic cars. The event features more than 100 collectors and designers displaying beautiful vintage and restored cars from the 1920s to the 1990s, with their boots packed full of hidden treasures. Expect a feel-good vibe with live music, street food and a curated selection of stalls sandwiched between the boutiques of Coal Drop’s Yard.
Find more details on what to expect and secure your tickets.
Party during the weekend at ABBA Voyage
Experience the magic of ABBA Voyage, where the cherished Swedish pop group is reunited on stage for the first time in 40 years. Step inside the custom-built ABBA Arena in Stratford and dance to fan favourites including “Money, Money, Money”, “Take a Chance on Me” and “Super Trouper”, as cutting-edge digital effects deliver a groundbreaking concert. Plus, hear new releases including “I Still Have Faith in You” and “Don’t Shut Me Down”.
The 90-minute show offers seats in the auditorium, but we’d recommend booking standing tickets to be in the heart of the action.
Dine at Mayfair’s hottest new restaurant Lilibet’s
A new restaurant opened last week in the exact townhouse where Britain’s longest-reigning monarch Queen Elizabeth II was born. Lilibet’s – thoughtfully named after the late Queen’s family nickname – hails from restaurateur Ross Shonhan (previously Nobu, Zuma), who is serving up Mediterranean-inspired plates in a seriously chic setting. Interiors have a fittingly regal finish, with bold textures softened by pastel colours such as marble countertops, pink bar stools and plenty of pleated lampshades. Expect seafood platters, an oyster bar and a fireside grill cooking up snappers, swordfish and salmon, as well a martini cocktail bar and a cosy outdoor terrace.
Explore the full menu and book your reservation for Lilibet’s in Mayfair.
Dive into cutting-edge art and design at British Art Fair
The British Art Fair is considered a flagship event on London’s cultural calendar, presenting era-defining artworks including paintings, drawings, sculpture, photography and ceramics. British art columnist Colin Gleadell has curated a feature exhibition for the 2025 event, showcasing lesser-celebrated modernists such as Antony Eyton and William Johnstone. Visitors can shop for pieces by various artists including Banksy, Tracey Emin, Barbara Hepworth, Damien Hirst and David Hockney. Elsewhere, a solo contemporary section will champion ten of the most exciting contemporary gallerists, each representing a single artist.
The British Art Fair takes place at Saatchi Gallery on the King’s Road in Chelsea. Discover full details of the 2025 fair and all exhibitors. 25 to 28 September
Savour a traditional afternoon tea on a London bus tour
Embark on a delightful 90-minute tour through London, passing striking landmarks on a vintage double-decker bus. Indulge in a traditional afternoon tea including finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and tasty cakes, while you pass renowned sights such as Big Ben, the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace and St Paul’s Cathedral.
Book this family-friendly experience and opt for upper-deck seating for unparalleled views across the city.
Experience the thrilling new adaptation of Dracula at the Lyric Hammersmith
Morgan Lloyd Malcolm’s haunting new production of Bram Stoker’s horror-classic has opened at the Lyric Hammersmith for a limited four-week run. The show highlights the untold female voices at the heart of the tale, with Umi Myers (Dope Girls, The Mirror and the Light) leading the cast as Mina Harker. Follow Harker as she pieces together the story of Count Dracula’s spine-chilling journey to England through her husband’s journal and old letters, with the help of her beloved friend Lucy (Mei Mac).
Browse the best seats at the Lyric and book your tickets for this classic horror-classic today. Until 11 October
Get involved in the 10th edition of Lambeth Fringe
The month-long south London festival is celebrating a landmark milestone this autumn, with more than 200 events marking its first decade (25 September to 25 October). For 2025, the festival is supported by Arts Council England, allowing the event to expand to more venues in the city including Vauxhall City Farm and Arch 555. Choose from theatre, comedy, cabaret, music and family-friendly events in the borough.
To kick off its first weekend, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Educating Rita, and Myths, Maps & Monsters: Zeus’ Birthday Bash will be staged across various venues.
Browse the full 2025 lineup and book tickets.
Uncover incredible space photography at the National Maritime Museum’s astronomy exhibition
Experience breathtaking space photography at the ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year exhibition at the National Maritime Museum. Marvel at more than 100 photographs by a global mix of photographers including eye-popping galaxies, dramatic skyscapes, aurorae and the Sun and Moon. The 2025 winners of the competition see a mesmerising image of the Andromeda Galaxy captured by Weitang Liang, Qi Yang and Chuhong Yu, revealing a glowing sky filled with stars, gas and dust.
The exhibition is open daily until August 2026. Adult tickets are just £12, while child tickets are £6.
See Picasso in a new light at Tate Modern’s new exhibition
Tate Modern recently opened a major new exhibition charting Pablo Picasso’s performance art, marking the centenary of his famous painting The Three Dancers (1925). Contemporary artist Wu Tsang and author-curator Enrique Fuenteblanca have transformed the exhibition space into a theatre, featuring 45 pieces from the Tate’s collection and European loans including paintings, sculptures, and textiles – some of which have never been seen in the UK before. Explore works depicting dancers, entertainers, and bullfighters and uncover the Spanish artist’s work from a new perspective. Until 12 April 2026
Soak up the atmosphere of the Women’s Rugby World Cup at Battersea Power Station
Celebrate the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 at Battersea Power Station’s official London Fan Zone. Enjoy the free, inclusive festival of sport and culture with live match screenings, DJ sets, open coaching and community rugby. Dive into the energy, explore the riverside and be part of something unforgettable. Hungry? Head to nearby restaurants Dishoom, which is offering one flavour-packed free dish to mark its 15th birthday.
Find out more about the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 Fan Zone at Battersea Power Station.
Marvel at the Design Museum’s new exhibition Blitz: the club that shaped the ‘80s
A major new exhibition has opened at the Design Museum, spotlighting the legendary Blitz nightclub and its impact on London’s fashion and culture in the 1980s. Located on Covent Garden’s Great Queen Street, the club is known to have inspired cabaret culture, cinema and the punk and soul scenes. Over the years, young Spandau Ballet, Boy George and Visage, along with various artists, filmmakers and writers including Game of Thrones costume designer Michele Clapton and BBC broadcaster Robert Elms, were known to frequent the hotspot. The exhibition highlights more than 250 items such as clothing, magazines, vinyl records, photography, sketches and even rare film footage. Until 29 March 2026
What's trending in London this weekend?
- Jump on the Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour to discover the city's top monuments and attractions from the comfort of your seat. Stop at your favourite spots and explore at your own pace.
- Head over to Covent Garden, a rich entertainment and shopping haven for artisanal and handcrafted gifts and designer brands. Check out Covent Garden Market.
- Experience the modern and contemporary art at the Moco Museum including artists such as Banksy, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Damien Hirst, KAWS, Jeff Koons, Yayoi Kusama, Andy Warhol and more.
- Explore the world’s most diverse collection of living plants at Kew Gardens and walk along the 18 metre high Treetop Walkway for a bird’s-eye view of the gardens.
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