What’s on: Things to do in London this weekend

As we approach the beginning of autumn and wave goodbye to the last of summer, there is a whole new season of events to enjoy across the capital.

Here are five of our favourite events happening in London this weekend, from September 17 to 19, we think you should check out.

London Design Festival

Various Locations, 18 to 26 September

London’s Design Festival returns to the capital this Saturday with 200 events spread over nine days in various locations across the city.

Festival highlights include Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto’s Medusa at the V&A, which has been described as a groundbreaking eminent visualisation of architecture in a Mixed Reality medium and British-Nigerian artist Yinka Ilori’s Bring London Together public art project which will unleash colour onto pedestrian crossings on Tottenham Court Road and in the City of London.

Fulham Feel Good Vegan Festival

Normand Park, W14 9PB, 18 September

Come and eat your fill of delicious vegan food at Fulham’s free vegan festival in West London. For those looking for some practical guidance on how to adapt to a plant-based lifestyle, there are a series of talks and demonstrations including how to make plant milk and energy balls and advice on seasonal foraging.

Over 20 stalls are serving up their signature vegan wares, among them My Veggie Plate, Greedy Vegan Van and Gebeta Ethiopian. The festival will also feature live music from vegan chart-band Peace on Your Plate and yoga.

Queen’s Park Book Festival

Queen’s Park, NW6 6SG,

18 to 19 September, £18 Day Pass, £34 Weekend Pass

Calling all book lovers. Come and listen to literary talks and lectures on contemporary issues from renowned authors and public figures including Turkish novelist Elif Shafak, DJ and author Annie Mac and author and doctor Rachael Clark in the beautiful surroundings of Queen’s Park.

You can also pay a visit to the festival’s Queen’s Park Community Tent, home to a diverse range of local writers, including refugees, elderly residents, young poets and emerging authors.

Twelfth Night

Shakespeare’s Globe, 16 September to 30 October

Get your hands on some £5 standing tickets for Shakepeare’s comedy of mistaken identity in the iconic open-air Globe theatre. 

This version of Twelfth Night is directed by Globe Associate Artistic Director Sean Holmes and is infused with the mesmeric nostalgia and soulful music of the world of Americana.

Korean Dance Festival

The Place, WC1H 9PY, 17 to 24 September

Following a hiatus in 2020, due to the pandemic, the Korean Dance Festival returns to the Place this autumn for its fourth edition. Celebrating the rich and diverse Korean dance scene, the festival gives you the chance to see high-energy and captivating performances and engage in insightful talks.

This year’s programme features the world premiere of London-based choreographer and performer Sung Im Her’s show W.A.Y, and an exhilarating double bill from South Korean-based emerging dance group Company SIGA.