FeaturedGet ready to explore the City of London’s rich array of ancient and modern buildings for free during Open House Festival 2026.
12.09.2026
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20.09.2026
The peak summer months may be over, but we’re continuing that summer spirit into September with a huge host of events taking place, from having a nosy around spaces normally closed to the public, to sheep on a bridge and a Pepys-themed day out.
Of course, you’ll also find the usual offerings of world-class culture, fascinating talks, engaging live events and so much more!
1. Take a peek into closed-off spaces, or discover a new secret in the City with Open House Festival (12–20 September)
Open House Festival is an annual free celebration of London, its buildings, architecture and neighbourhoods. It also gives a rare opportunity to have a peek around buildings which are otherwise usually closed to the public.
There’s a huge range of highlights this year, from themed walking tours to open days and guided tours of special spaces, so we’ve rounded up some of our top recommendations across the Square Mile.
- Guildhall: Explore the Guildhall Great Hall on a self-guided tour, a rare chance to have a look around this historic space dating back hundreds of years.
- Mansion House: Have a nose around the official residence of the Lady Mayor and join a guided tour of Mansion House.
- Guildhall Art Gallery: Take part in a family day at the Guildhall Art Gallery and jump into a bunch of free family activities across historic sites in the City.
- Billingsgate Roman House and Baths: Join a drop-in guided tour of the ancient Billingsgate Roman House and Baths on both Saturdays of Open House.
- The Livery Halls: Get a glimpse into livery life in one of the many livery halls opening their doors to visitors across the festival.
Make sure to read our full page on Open House to see all the festivities taking place in the Square Mile.
Guildhall Great Hall.
2. Get up close and personal with Roman objects at the Mudlarkers exhibition (5 & 6 September)
For a limited time only, this Mudlarking exhibition is coming to London’s Roman Amphitheatre, exploring the plethora of Roman artefacts that the wandering mudlarks have discovered on the Thames foreshore.
This comes as part of the Totally Thames festival, and is accompanied by a programme of talks across the two days, so don’t miss out!
Mudlarking exhibition in London's Roman Amphitheatre.
3. Try not to fall asleep while counting sheep on the annual City sheep drive (27 September)
Nope, it’s not a mistake, yes there are hundreds of sheep which will be walking across Southwark Bridge into the City. Because why not! This long-established tradition stems from the Freeman of the City’s right to drive sheep into the City, and to celebrate, modern Freeman of the City of London continue to exercise this right with a spectacular event.
The Sheep Drive and Livery Fair showcases the important contribution of London’s livery companies, from the formation of the City of London in years gone by through to modern times. This is one you do not want to miss!
Sheep Drive and Livery Fair in the City of London hosted by the Worshipful Company of Woolmen.
4. Give the little ones a treat as they return to school
They've had six weeks off, and now they're right back into the swing of the school term, so why not take them out and break the routine? This month has some great offerings in store for the little ones of all ages.
- The Barbican Family Film Club, every Saturday (film dependent)- The film club introduces the little ones to the glorious world of cinema with relaxed screenings and family-suitable films on Saturday mornings.
- Rhyme time, every Thursday (0–5 year olds)- Rhyme time gets the little ones singing, dancing and rhyming across the City’s libraries.
- Second Saturday at Guildhall Art Gallery, 12 September (3–13 year olds)- Joining forces with Open House Festival, these second Saturday activities are set to take you across the City’s historic highlights.
- Monster Art Club, every Saturday (all ages)- Unleash their creativity with this free all-age art club.
- Join the Children’s Trail from the City Information Centre (all ages)- Explore the City with Draco the Dragon and investigate the famous sites around the Square Mile. Get started at the City Information Centre to grab your map and head off.
- Family Activities at Tower Bridge, 11 September (7+)- Tower Bridge is a fantastic place to explore with the little ones, and their family activities every month give you an even better reason to grab a ticket!
The Victorian Engines at Tower Bridge.
5. Take part in a free talk on London’s history at the home of the built environment (every Friday)
The London Centre is home to two jaw-dropping scale models of both London, and the City of London. The surrounding exhibitions offer insights and expertise into the history of London and today's built environment and provide a fantastic setting to take in our city from a new perspective.
On top of the stunning models, The London Centre offers free weekly guided tours of the model, walking you through the history of London and how the City came to take the shape we know and love today.
Free lunchtime talks take place every Friday at the London Centre
6. Experience a Turner-nominated artist lighting up Blackfriars Bridge (17–20 September)
Turner Prize-nominated artist Catherine Yass is bringing a site-specific film installation to Blackfriars Railway Bridge between 17–20 September. The free public artwork has been created with disabled-led theatre company Graeae to celebrate young disabled actors, and is set to use this iconic river spot to light up the Square Mile.
Turning the Tide
7. Indulge in world-famous culture at one of the City’s renowned institutions
The City is known for many things, and we shouldn’t overlook the world-class cultural institutions dotted just outside your office door, so make use of your lunch break and give them a shot this September.
- Hypha Gallery- Not 1, not 2, but 3 Hypha galleries are situated inside the iconic No.1 Poultry, giving you a great choice when you’re looking for some high-quality contemporary art.
- London Archives- Explore the history of law and order across London at The London Archives from 1 September, spanning from medieval times to modern day.
- Guildhall Art Gallery- Jump at the opportunity to explore Underground (and Surface) by Jock McFadyen and Jem Finer, an immersive journey into the world of London’s tube through audio and sight.
- Guildhall Library- Catch the salacious London gossip across the broadsides at Guildhall Library, as their ‘Speaking to the People’ exhibition takes you through the history of London’s public broadside collection.
- Bishopsgate Institute- Join a guided tour of the UK’s largest LGBTQ+ archive and get up close and personal with history firsthand.
Hypha Galleries at No.1 Poultry
8. Catch the rare opening of the Temple Bar gates (4 September)
Temple Bar historically was an entrance point to the City of London, allowing those in charge to control the flow of people. Now kept as a key piece of history and architecture, the Temple Bar Trust only opens the gates a few times a year in a ceremony of great pomp.
On 4 September, one of these instances is taking place to mark Pepys Day. At 11am you can expect pikemen, guards and old outfits for what’s set to be a fascinating morning.
Temple Bar
9. Experience live music with Sofar Sounds
How about some live music? We can one-up that; how about live music in a breathtaking location? Tick! Sofar Sounds is coming back to Barts North Wing, bringing the vibes into the UK’s oldest hospital. Think walls adorned with paintings, mood lighting and top-class talent. We’re in!
St Barts North Wing
10. Experience thousands of years’ history first-hand at Billingsgate Roman House and Bath (every Saturday)
Join a walk through thousands of years of history at the Billingsgate Roman House and Bath, having survived years of fire, bombing and building. The City guides will take you through the basement of an office building, to unveil another world of archaeology and exploration, stepping back nearly 2,000 years, all right in the heart of the City.
The stone remains of Billingsgate Roman House and Bath
11. Go for brunch, or treat yourself after a long hot summer
It's September, the weather starts to turn and the rain falls, so it's also a perfect change to treat yourself... You have our permission.
- Lucky Cat- Indulge in a special Lucky Cat Brunch pairing skyline views of London with exquisite dining, two things we love!
- Afternoon tea at Pan Pacific- If brunch isn’t your thing, maybe afternoon tea suits you more? Pan Pacific is the height of luxury when it comes to an afternoon tea. It’s a treat well worth splashing out for.
- Go for a gin at the Square Mile Distillery- Did you know there’s gin being made in the heart of the City? Well now you do, and you can go and try it for yourself at the Square Mile Distillery.
- Humble Grape wine tastings- Fancy a trip to South Africa or California? Humble Grape are offering winemaker specialty tastings across the City with the people who grew the grapes themselves! You can take part with or without a paired dinner, so consider this one a real treat.
Wine tastings with Humble Grape.
12. Join in with Sculpture Week with Sculpture in the City (20–28 September)
Did you know there’s a trail of sculptures dotted around the City forming a project called Sculpture in the City? 20 September marks the start of London Sculpture Week, so why not use it as an excuse to wander the trail and take in the public art on your doorstep? You can see more on the sculptures and get a map on the Sculpture in the City website.
In Loving Memory 2020, Sculpture in the City, Copyright Oliver Bragg. Photo: © Nick Turpin
13. Walk through the history of London’s most famous diarist on Pepys Day (4–6 September)
The Great Fire of London was extinguished on 6 September, which is now marked as Samuel Pepys Day. This year, on 4 September the City Guides will be hosting walking tours to mark the occasion, pairing it with the opening of the Temple Bar Gates to commemorate the same day. Dive through the life and times of London’s famous diarist and wander the embers of the Great Fire of London.
St Olave’s Church, also known as Pepys’ own church, is also hosting a Faith and Fire Discovery Day where you’ll be able to learn more about Pepys and the Great Fire that changed the City we know today.
A walking tour by the City of London Guides. Credit: Patrick Honey
14. Climb through St Paul’s dome and get an insider view of the famous London landmark (Sundays)
You can now experience London’s original skyline views on a Sunday with the new weekend opening of the dome of St Paul’s Cathedral. You can climb through the three dome galleries of the famous landmark while the Cathedral is closed to general sightseeing.
Photo credit: St Paul's Cathedral
15. Visit the City’s home of live music, cocktails and good times
How about live music every night? Well, Eastcheap Records is the place to go! The beloved City institution offers live events every night of the week, from retro bands to vinyl nights and karaoke; you’ll find something on the programme that takes your fancy.
Eastcheap Records
16. Jump on a free tour of the Guildhall Art Gallery (Tuesday to Sunday)
Guildhall Art Gallery is one of the best galleries in the Square Mile, if not the whole of London, but did you know they offer free guided tours too? Sometimes the hundreds of paintings adorning a gallery can be overwhelming, but these tours offer an introduction to the space and its work, giving you an extra insight into the artists and paintings that make the gallery internationally renowned.
La Ghirlandata at Guildhall Art Gallery
17. Spend a chilled Sunday at Dr Johnson’s House (27 September)
Dr Johnson’s House are introducing Sunday programming this month, and we’re excited! They’re kicking off with a craft afternoon on 27 September, inviting visitors to take a moment for themselves and get creative.
You can drop in between 12–4pm and try your hand at collage using vintage papers and dried flowers. It’s time to get artsy and take a moment for yourself.
Dr Johnson's House
18. Experience Leadenhall Market like never before (18 & 19 September)
Explore a market, within a market. On 18 and 19 September you’ll be able to discover secret stalls and pop-up performances where you’ll be invited to playful exchanges by international artists, exchanging a story for a token, a taste for a memory.
The immersive marketplace will turn one of London’s most recognised spaces into moments of connection, where stories are swapped, and memories are shared. Encounter will become your currency this weekend. Venture in and check it out; you never know what you’ll walk out with.
Trading Stories at Leadenhall Market
19. Celebrate Oktoberfest’s arrival at Munich Cricket Club (17 September – 31 October)
It’s that time of year… Oktoberfest is inbound. And no, it’s not in October! The festival traditionally marks the coming of October, and starts in mid-September, normally ending at the start of October.
You can celebrate the occasion at the Munich Cricket Club, a place that knows how to throw an Oktoberfest party; in fact, you can even order a 50L keg if you fancy! Festivities start on 17 September, and you best believe we’ll be one of the first down there.
Find more things to see and do in The City of London
Discover self-guided and guided walking trails and tours
Explore the City Visitor Trail
10 hidden gems in The City of London for you to explore
