London becomes a unique canvas during this weeklong design takeover. With Shoreditch and Clerkenwell as core hubs, expect installations, pop-ups, open studios and design talks covering everything from fashion to future tech during this year’s London Design Festival. In 2024, it attracted over 600,000 visitors, so this event will be back bigger than ever.

Why Go? Get inspired, network with the global design community, and discover unexpected treasures right on your doorstep.

Explore the city behind closed doors at the Open House Festival. This festival grants visitors access to buildings that are usually off-limits – from modernist homes and heritage sites to artist studios and much more. Check out Clerkenwell and Shoreditch spots within walking distance.

Why Go? Architecture, hidden spaces, and a unique peek into how creativity lives and works in London.

An eclectic blend of visual art, literature, theatre, film, music, and performance. Expect literary salons, artist talks, lively debates and exhilarating performances in one of London’s most iconic creative quarters.

Why Go? For a cross-genre celebration, that speaks to both the eyes and the ears.

Barnes BookFest

Running since 2021, Barnes BookFest remains an intimate riverside literary festival with author panels, fresh new voices and themed talks across politics, music, fashion, history, and art.

Why Go? For a quieter, bookish weekend brimming with books and ideas, with all proceeds going to literacy and community causes.

Commemorating 100 years of The Three Dancers, this striking exhibition pairs performance with Picasso’s emotionally charged paintings, textiles and sculptures, including works never seen before in the UK.

Why Go? A bold, theatrical dive into modernist energy and emotion.

Part of The Genesis Exhibition at Tate Modern, Korean-born, London-based artist Do Ho Suh reimagines domestic spaces through dreamlike installations and drawings that explore the duality between identity and memory.

Why Go? A dreamlike spatial experience, unlike anything else in London.

Set to span over 10 days, the London Literature Festival is perfect for literary and word lovers alike. Panels, performances, readings and more, all at the UK’s largest arts centre. Topics range from poetry and climate to politics and pop culture.

Why Go? Literary energy on the Thames — perfect for writers, readers and culture enthusiasts.

Discover dazzling portraits and glamorous fashion photography from illustrator and costume designer, Cecil Beaton. Explore Oscar-winning works, and discover his groundbreaking work was underpinned by an extraordinary life, filled with highs, lows and infamous style and storytelling.

Why Go? Expect bold, timeless visual inspiration for your next shoot or moodboard.

A deep dive into the legacy of Indian sculptor Mrinalini Mukherjee and the broader South Asian art scene. Expect textiles, sculpture, and multi-generational influences.

Why Go? Celebrating contemporary South Asian art history through a richly woven tapestry of material and meaning.

Two rivals. One landscape. This anniversary exhibition pairs two of Britain’s greatest painters to explore their relationship to nature and their rivalry with one another.

Why Go? The Turner and Constable exhibition is perfect for grey London afternoons, where you can discover a masterclass in British romanticism.

With 300+ films and industry panels, the annual London International Animation Festival celebrates the creative spectrum of animation, from hand-drawn shorts to cutting-edge digital storytelling. Discover director Q&As, touring programmes, screenings and events that cover a range of genres, techniques and styles.

Why Go? The UK’s longest running animation festival, the event is a creative outlet for animators, designers, and visual storytellers. Beyond the festival, Barbican hosts regular architecture tours, a beautiful conservatory, boundary-pushing visual art shows, and an excellent design-focused shop.

Guildhall Art Gallery: Explore exhibitions like The Bloomsbury Group, just a short walk away.

Frameless: Huge-scale, sensory digital art gallery like no other in Marble Arch.

Outernet London: A new media playground with enormous wraparound screens. Catch digital installations and audiovisual shows in a sleek multilevel space.

London Mithraeum: Founded over one of London’s lost rivers, the Walbrook and an ancient temple dedicated to the god Mithras. An excavation in 1954 led to one of the most significant events in British archaeological history.

Lightroom: Home to several artist led shows and film series. Catch Coldplay: A Film for the Future for its limited run from 21^st August – 8^th September.

Moco Museum London: Established at Marble Arch in 2024, Moco Museum has become a firm favourite for lovers of Banksy, KAWS and Basquiat.

Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration: Opening in 2026, it’s a future must-visit for illustrators and is within walking distance of The Old Street WorkRooms. Ideal for creatives working in editorial, writing or graphic design.

There’s never been a better time to explore the rich artistic, literary, and design offerings just beyond your doorstep. Stepping into a towering immersive installation, wander through hidden architectural marvels or soak up literary wisdom – there are so many events for curious minds. Remember to book ahead where possible, especially for major exhibitions and shows, and don’t be afraid to mix the popular with the unexpected.

Keep your curiosity sharp, your calendar open and invite a coworker or friend along, as some of these experiences are best followed by a drink and a good conversation! London this season is full of inspiration — it’s up to you to explore!