Listeners, welcome to Things to Do in London with Oly Bennet—globetrotter, sports nut, and your guide to the offbeat energy of the world’s quirkiest city. It’s Sunday, September 21st, 2025, and the capital is alive with that “anything can happen” autumn buzz. A gentle breeze carries the scent of adventure (and a hint of street food), the forecast is mild with patchy clouds, and London’s mood? Absolutely electric as festival season kicks off in style.

Now, get your trainers laced and curiosity unleashed because today the city is throwing everything it’s got at you—yes, even the kitchen sink, probably as part of an art installation.

First up, culture vultures and curious minds—soar straight into the Chelsea Arts Festival. Today’s lineup is bursting with brilliance: lyrical masterminds Malala, Kate Mosse, and Sheila Hancock headline a Women’s Prize for Fiction celebration, while earlier, storytelling icons like Elizabeth Day and Marian Keyes take the stage at Cadogan Hall. If you’re craving creativity in every form—music, theatre, dance, comedy, podcasting—Chelsea is your playground according to the festival’s organizers.

Next, the design-obsessed have hit the jackpot with the London Design Festival wrapping up its citywide celebration. The Design Museum is buzzing with events like Bethan Laura Wood’s creative workshop, workshops exploring design for the green transition, and the retro-glam Blitz club night exhibit, a flashback to London’s most stylish era. Don’t miss the Royal College of Art’s “Slow Moments” show or the outdoor birdhouse garden for a quirky stroll among architectural wonders from a bird’s-eye view.

Architectural adventurers, this one’s for you—Open House Festival flings open the doors to some of London’s most iconic and hidden spaces, from glassy skyscrapers to secret underground chambers. Many sites are free but check booking details, and don’t forget your camera—you never know when you’ll stumble onto a rooftop ping-pong match or a subterranean jazz trio.

Families and fun-seekers: The Southbank Centre is bursting with hands-on activities. Splash with the Appearing Rooms water installations, dance it up with “Dance Your Way Home” public art, or join the LEGO dance workshops (yes, you can get your groove on with bricks!). If you fancy yourself a real-world Steve from Minecraft, Corner Corner hosts the Minecraft Villager Rescue experience—adventure, crafting, and creeper-dodging for all ages.

For the theatre crowd, the West End’s curtain is up for classics and newcomers alike—think Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Hercules, and Mamma Mia!—because in London, the drama is always live.

Hungry? Word on the street is Soho just welcomed Tokyo Nights, a flashy new izakaya rumored to serve sashimi so fresh it might sprint off your plate with the next marathon runner. And you transit warriors, mind the new schedule tweaks on the Elizabeth Line—TfL has updated Sunday evening frequencies, so double-check before you dash.

Here’s a quirky London tip: locals love the little-known Richmond Hill viewpoint. On clear evenings, it delivers one of the city’s only protected panoramas—Turner painted it, couples love it, and today, with the glowing sunset, it’s pure magic.

Before I dash off to sign up for the next cheese-rolling down Primrose Hill, don’t miss tomorrow when the city keeps the party going: Open House Festival’s final day, fresh acts hitting Southbank, and plenty more design events before autumn sets in proper. Tune in for all the scoop—London never sleeps, and neither should your curiosity.

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