25 Great Ways to Spend September
25 GREAT WAYS TO SPEND SEPTEMBER
FROM FESTIVALS AND THEATRE TO MUSIC AND ART, HERE’S HOW TO SPEND THE MONTH AHEAD…
Featured image: Royal Albert Hall, Last Night of the Proms.
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
Wimbledon BookFest Sunset Festival – Editor’s Pick
The summer’s closing literature festival on Wimbledon Common offers five days of talks, readings, discussions and workshops spanning literature, art, music and lifestyle from top writers, celebrities and artists, including TV presenter Anita Rani, poet John Cooper Clarke and journalist Robert Peston. Click here for more highlights!
15 – 19 September
GOODWOOD REVIVAL, SUSSEX
Step back in time at Goodwood with its vintage display of cars racing around its classic circuit. Staged entirely in period dress from the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s, this promises to be a feast of speed and style.
17 – 19 September
RAM QUARTER BEER FESTIVAL, WANDSWORTH
Head to the atmospheric and historic Ram Quarter for its family friendly beer festival on 4 September with live music, free ice cream, dray horses, and learn more about the area’s brewing past. Plus, there’s beer, of course!
4 September
CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW
From fabulous floral displays to horticultural advice and show gardens from expert garden designers, the RHS Chelsea Flower Show offers the perfect dose of colour, design and gardening.
21 – 26 September
Spend a weekend immersing yourself in all things literary across three venues in Barnes, with talks and screenings by some of Britain’s best writers. Delve into the minds of authors including Bill Bryson and Sebastian Faulks or discover the world through the eyes of journalists such as Alice Ross and Simon Heffer.
24 – 26 September
Described as a “Staycation Sensation” this free to enter festival in Earls Court offers a city beach location with outdoor bars, street food, rides, family activities, comedy, and live music to boot. Kick back or enjoy some heady fun – check out their events programme for weekly entertainment.
15 July – 26 September
FOOD & DRINK
DENBIES FANTASTIC FOOD FESTIVAL, DORKING
Head to Denbies vineyard for a weekend celebrating all things food. Browse stalls for homemade goodies, eat pizzas straight from the onsite woodfired pizza oven alongside a drink or two from an open-air bar, or take part in their programme of events including demos, celebrity talks and wine tastings.
4 – 5 September
SURREY GIN FEST, LOSELEY PARK, NEAR GUILDFORD
Set in the historical estate, this unique festival will showcase gins by British and international distillers, through demonstrations, talks and, of course, drinks. To add to the ambience there will be live entertainment on the main stage and local artisanal food to indulge in.
11 September
OUTDOORS
RICHMOND RUNFEST 10K, KEW GARDENS
Run London’s flattest 10K in Kew Gardens as part of the Richmond Runfest. The route weaves past famous monuments including The Palm House, Pagoda and Kew Palace, with free entry to the gardens for the rest of the day so you can soak up the greenery whilst resting your legs.
11 September
BACCHUS MARATHON, HALF MARATHON AND 10K, DENBIES VINEYARD, DORKING
The UK’s take on the Marathon du Medoc, this boozy run offers a selection of Denbies’ English wines that you can shot on-route, whether you are taking part in the fun run, 10K, or tackling the full marathon. Dressing up is actively encouraged.
12 September
Following the meandering trail of the river Thames, the route at its longest is 100km starting at Putney Bridge and finishing in Henley. With two shorter, and equally as admirable, routes of 50km and 25km there are many ways to take part. Whether by walking, jogging or running, you can take this at your own pace, with marshals on route and 8 rest stops offering free food and drink, massage and a medal, t shirt and glass of fizz awaiting you at the finish.
11 – 12 September
COMEDY
ED BYRNE ‘IF I’M HONEST’, EPSOM PLAYHOUSE
Join comedian Ed Byrne on his extended ‘If I’m Honest’ tour as he takes a self-deprecating look at himself and wonders whether he has any redeeming traits that are worth passing on to
his children.
12 September
THE CAMBRIDGE FOOTLIGHTS, OSO ARTS CENTRE
After a year of online performances, the graduating Cambridge Footlights of 2021 showcase some of the best student sketch and stand up around.
17 – 18 September
FAMILY
RED, POLKA THEATRE, WIMBLEDON
Who’s afraid of the big bad wolf? RED certainly isn’t – but RED can’t be found, and Queen Sakotai needs your help to find RED and reclaim her lands from the wolves. Take part in this interactive visual and physical play, as part of The Polka Theatre’s grand re-opening and embark on an adventure through swamps and forests.
25 September – 31 October
FAMILY FUN DAY, ST. SAVIOUR’S CHURCH, RAYNES PARK
Take part in a day of family fun at St. Saviours Church, with town fete games including a tug of war, tombola, teens cake baking competition, drama, dance, and BBQ.
11 September
MUSIC
LAST NIGHT OF THE PROMS
Enter the Albert Hall for the The Proms finale, showcasing the best of classical music talent at this sublime venue. Expect a dynamic performance from tenor Stuart Skelton and British staples including Jerusalem and Auld Lang Syne.
11 September
WIDE AWAKE FESTIVAL, BROCKWELL PARK
If you are looking for alternative music not represented at more mainstream festivals, Wide Awake is just the ticket. Covering Indie, Post Punk, Jazz, Techno and more, the festival is also hosting a Climate Café with a day of talks, debates and workshops alongside ethically sourced food and drinks where you can connect and learn more about climate activism.
3 September
He’s never going to give you up or let you down – the 80’s pop icon Rick Astley comes to Lingfield for a night of music after the races. Get ready for an evening of nostalgia with his classic quiff and hip swaying.
11 September
BEN HOWARD, O2 ACADEMY BRIXTON
Following his top album released earlier this year Collections From The Whiteout, alternative singer-songwriter Ben Howard returns to Brixton on his tour, showcasing favourites from his new album alongside well-known hits from Every Kingdom and I Forget Where We Were.
24 September
ART
LONDON DESIGN FESTIVAL, V&A & VARIOUS LOCATIONS
London Design Festival returns to the capital for its 19th instalment, transforming museums, neighbourhoods, and landmarks through design. Visit the mixed reality installation by Tin Drum and Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto at the V&A and discover London’s Design Districts, each design reflecting the personality of the local community.
18 – 26 September
ART IN THE PARK, CANNIZARO PARK, WIMBLEDON
Enjoy a day of creativity… encourage younger ones to express themselves at Children’s workshops, take part in the construction of a community sculpture or browse artwork by local artists at the Merton Arts Festival Art Fair.
19 September
THE DECORATIVE ANTIQUES & TEXTILES FAIR, BATTERSEA PARK
The leading interiors and arts event for design cognoscenti returns to Battersea Park with over 150 exhibitors across two floors. The event features specialist dealers offering a wide variety of objects, furniture, art and accessories dating from the 17th century to the 1970s.
28 September to 3 October
THEATRE
WAITRESS, NEW WIMBLEDON THEATRE
The smash hit musical comedy Waitress comes to New Wimbledon Theatre, telling the story of Jenna, a waitress and expert pie maker who overcomes challenges to find love, friendship and happiness when a hot doctor (played by Matt Willis of Busted) turns up in her life.
4 – 11 September
The best of the best in the drag world are coming together for a thrilling circus production show.
10 September
LEOPARDS, ROSE THEATRE, KINGSTON
In this Rose Original Production, Niala arranges to meet celebrated charity leader, Ben, in the bar of a London hotel for career advice, but their evening unfolds into something far less professional, and raises the question of what it means to be ‘good’.
