There’s an art to exploring London. From masterpieces hanging in world-famous galleries to colourful installations popping up in unexpected corners of the city, London has a habit of turning almost anywhere into a canvas. And with September marking the start of a new cultural season, there’s plenty to discover.
Home to iconic museums, contemporary galleries, independent creative spaces and some of the best art exhibitions in London, the capital’s ever-evolving art scene offers something for everyone. Whether you know your Monet from your Matisse, are looking for current exhibitions in London or simply fancy doing something a little different at the weekend, there’s always a reason to explore.
If you’re looking for things to do in Pimlico and beyond, Dolphin Square puts some of the capital’s leading cultural attractions within easy reach, making it a great starting point for exploring what London has to offer.
At Dolphin Square, we’re fortunate to be surrounded by some of London’s most inspiring cultural destinations, while also celebrating creativity closer to home. From thoughtfully designed spaces to the artwork and creative influences found throughout the estate, culture plays an important role in shaping our community and enhancing everyday life.
So, where should you start? We’ve rounded up 10 art events and exhibitions taking place across London this September that are worth adding to your calendar.
Totally Thames Festival
1-30 September 2026 | Along the River Thames
London’s most famous river becomes a stage for art, culture and creativity throughout September. Totally Thames returns with a month-long programme of installations, performances, exhibitions and experiences taking place on, beneath and alongside the River Thames.
Highlights for 2026 span everything from photography and contemporary dance to live music and site-specific art, including Turner Prize-nominated artist Catherine Yass’ Turning the Tide, projected onto the disused Blackfriars Railway Bridge columns. With events stretching along the river, the festival offers a chance to experience the Thames from a completely different perspective – and discover just how much creativity flows through the capital.
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The Bayeux Tapestry at the British Museum
10 September 2026-11 July 2027 | The British Museum
Nearly 1,000 years of history is coming to London. This September, the world-famous 70-metre-long Bayeux Tapestry will go on display at the British Museum, marking the first time it has been shown in the UK since it was made almost a millennium ago.
Telling the story of the Norman Conquest of England and the events surrounding the Battle of Hastings in 1066, the extraordinary medieval artwork offers a fascinating window into one of the most defining moments in British history. A rare opportunity to see an iconic piece of history without crossing the Channel, this is certainly one for the September calendar.
London Design Festival
12-20 September 2026 | Across London
For nine days this September, London becomes a playground for all things design. Returning for its 24th edition, London Design Festival brings together some of the brightest creative minds from the UK and beyond, with exhibitions, installations, talks and special projects popping up across the capital.
From established names to emerging talent, the festival explores everything from architecture and interiors to art, craft and technology, with plenty to discover across London’s Design Districts. Whether you’re a dedicated design enthusiast or simply looking for creative things to do in London this September, it’s a great excuse to explore somewhere new.
Open House Festival
12-20 September 2026 | Across London
Ever wondered what’s behind some of London’s most intriguing doors? Open House Festival returns this September, inviting visitors to step inside and discover the architecture, spaces and stories that shape the capital.
Taking place across all 33 London boroughs, the free festival opens an incredible collection of homes, historic buildings, landscapes and normally hard-to-access spaces, alongside guided walks, talks and tours. From architectural landmarks to lesser-known neighbourhood gems, it’s a chance to experience London from a completely different perspective. For anyone curious about design, history or simply what lies behind a closed door, this one is well worth exploring.
Shoreditch Design Week
15-20 September 2026 | Shoreditch
Creativity takes over the streets of East London this September as Shoreditch Design Week makes its debut. Evolving from the long-running Shoreditch Design Triangle, the new festival brings together more than 100 showrooms, exhibitions, installations and events across one of London’s most creative neighbourhoods.
Expect everything from product launches and emerging talent to experimental installations, workshops and talks, with spaces across Shoreditch opening their doors throughout the week. As the largest official design district of London Design Festival, it’s an opportunity to discover new ideas, meet the people shaping contemporary design and experience Shoreditch at its creative best.
Frieze Sculpture, Regent’s Park
16 September-1 November 2026 | The Regent’s Park
Who says you need four walls to visit an art gallery? Frieze Sculpture returns to The Regent’s Park this autumn, transforming its English Gardens into a free outdoor exhibition featuring work by 11 international artists.
Curated by Fatoş Üstek, the 14th edition brings contemporary sculpture into one of London’s best-known green spaces, with works by artists including Conrad Shawcross, Angel Otero, Tarini Sethi and Ivana Bašić. Whether you’re visiting specifically for the art, looking for a free art exhibition in London or simply taking an autumn stroll through the park, it’s an accessible way to encounter contemporary sculpture away from the traditional gallery setting – and it won’t cost you a penny.
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Anish Kapoor at Hayward Gallery
Until 18 October 2026 | Hayward Gallery, Southbank Centre
Prepare to question what you’re seeing. Anish Kapoor has returned to the Hayward Gallery almost 30 years after his first major UK survey there, filling the gallery and its outdoor terraces with sculptures and paintings designed to play with perception, space and the senses.
Spanning new and seminal works, the exhibition includes immersive installations alongside Kapoor’s striking mirrored sculptures and more recent pieces. Known for creating art that can be as disorientating as it is captivating, Kapoor invites visitors to look beyond the surface and reconsider the spaces around them. A thought-provoking stop for anyone spending a cultural afternoon on London’s South Bank.
Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art
Until 8 November 2026 | V&A South Kensington
When does fashion become art? The V&A explores exactly that question with the UK’s first exhibition dedicated to the extraordinary world of Elsa Schiaparelli.
Spanning the 1920s to the present day, Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art explores the designer’s groundbreaking approach to fashion and the house’s evolution under current creative director Daniel Roseberry. Expect iconic garments alongside artworks and objects that reveal Schiaparelli’s longstanding relationship with Surrealism and the wider art world, including connections with figures such as Salvador Dalí and Jean Cocteau. Bold, imaginative and occasionally unexpected, this is one for art and fashion lovers alike.
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Frida: The Making of an Icon
Until 3 January 2027 | Tate Modern
Few artists are as instantly recognisable as Frida Kahlo, but how did she become the global icon we know today? This major Frida Kahlo exhibition in London sees Tate Modern explore the life, work and extraordinary legacy of the Mexican artist in Frida: The Making of an Icon.
Bringing together more than 130 works, the exhibition goes beyond Kahlo’s famous self-portraits to explore the many sides of her identity, alongside photographs, personal documents and memorabilia from her archives. It also considers her lasting influence on generations of artists and popular culture. A fascinating opportunity to discover the woman behind one of art’s most recognisable faces.
Max Mendez: Dolphin Square’s 100 Years, 100 Stories
On display at Dolphin Square | Pimlico
You don’t have to venture far to discover something creative this September. Closer to home, a collection of 10 illustrations by artist Max Mendez, founder of Squidinki, is currently on display in the Dolphin Square lobby and the Juice Bar area and is free to view.
Originally commissioned as part of Dolphin Square’s 100 Years, 100 Stories campaign, the collection brings moments from the estate’s history to life through illustration, offering a playful interpretation of the people, stories and character that have shaped Dolphin Square over the years.
And if a particular illustration catches your eye, you can take a little piece of Dolphin Square home with you. A selection of merchandise featuring Max’s illustrations is also available, from puzzles to tea towels.
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Discover London from Dolphin Square
From world-renowned art exhibitions to creative experiences closer to home, there’s plenty to discover across London this September. Located in the heart of Pimlico, Dolphin Square puts some of the capital’s leading cultural destinations within easy reach, making it a great starting point for exploring what London has to offer.
