Say goodbye to summer!
Find out what's happening along the river this month as we wave goodbye to the sunshine!
Thames Day: Thames Lens Exhibition
Running until 30 September – Thames Festival Trust’s annual Thames Lens photography competition celebrates the vibrant and diverse character of the River Thames. This outdoor exhibition features stunning images from last year’s winners and runners-up, offering a unique perspective on London’s iconic river.
Nearest pier: Tower
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St Katharine Docks Classic Boat Festival
On 6 and 7 September, the 16th Historic Boat Festival brings war heroes, Dunkirk Little Ships, Thames Sailing Barges, and more to the Docks’ historic centre basin. Enjoy live music, boat-building workshops, talks, and family activities. A great day out for all ages!
Nearest pier: Tower Millennium Pier
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River of Hope Exhibition
River of Hope, running until 26 September, is an arts-based learning project where young people explore environmental themes through creative arts. Guided by artists Shona Watt and Fiona Grady, and supported by river visits with Thames Explorer Trust and Cody Dock, pupils have created original artworks inspired by their local rivers. Secondary school participants also worked with poet Dauda Ladejobi to produce spoken word pieces.
Nearest pier: Blackfriars
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SKYE ZONE Burial & angels' mumble: Dance Performance
On 27 September, artist and choreographer Samara Langham presents two works in the atmospheric Brunel Museum Tunnel Shaft. SKYE ZONE (Burial) is murky and grounded, with dancers as dreamlike, feral creatures confronting the shadow. angels’ mumble (of the air) burns with life, as dancers move through a heightened, sensitive purgatory. Created with Darius Paymai, it features a live score blending acoustic and electronic music.
Nearest pier: Rotherhithe
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Above & Below
Above & Below by Ros Burgin 1–30 September – Ten passenger boats will fly flags featuring drawings of Arctic sea ice from 2015 to today, showing its changing shape between March and September each year. This installation along the tidal Thames highlights the fragile North Pole habitat, raising awareness of ocean conservation and bringing the “out of sight, out of mind” issue into view.
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On the Saturday 20 September, witness a spectacular boat race up the River Thames, which attracts over 300 crews from all around the world. The Great River Race appeals to every level of competitor, from dedicated athletes, to those who enjoy laughter, fancy dress and charity stunts. It’s a great fun day out for both competitors and spectators!
With 21.6 miles to cover, from Millwall in the East to Richmond in the West, you will be able to watch from a variety of locations along the Thames. Please be aware that there will be pier closures on the north bank of the river to facilitate the race. This will have an impact on our services. More details will be shared in our Service Alerts page as they become available.
Nearest pier: Various
Emerge East
Emerge East returns for its third year on 6 September at Barking Riverside. This free festival is a vibrant celebration of community, creativity, and nature, offering a fantastic opportunity to explore one of East London’s newest neighbourhoods. Don’t miss out on this exciting day!
Nearest pier: Barking Riverside
celebrASIA at Battersea Power Station
From 5 - 7 September, celebrASIA returns with South East Asian street food, live performances, family activities, and a new riverside Feasting Table. Browse 30+ makers at the Artisan Market and enjoy arts and crafts for all ages.
Battersea Power Station also has plenty more events coming up, from markets to workshops — a riverside spot worth exploring.
Nearest pier: Battersea Power Station
Greenwich Comedy Festival
Runs 17–21 September – London’s biggest stand-up comedy festival takes over the iconic Old Royal Naval College Big Top with a stellar line-up. Expect headline sets from Ed Gamble, Frankie Boyle, Lucy Beaumont, Sam Campbell, Fern Brady, Phil Wang, Sara Pascoe, Nina Conti and Nish Kumar, plus great bars and street food. Don’t miss the capital’s most acclaimed comedy festival!
Nearest pier: Greenwich
Exhibitions along the Thames
Herbert Smith Freehills Portrait Award
Running until 12 October – The Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Portrait Award 2025 at the National Portrait Gallery showcases 46 striking works from artists worldwide. From classical styles to contemporary approaches, the exhibition highlights the creativity and skill that make this one of today’s leading platforms for portraiture.
Nearest pier: Embankment
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Tai Shani: The Spell or The Dream
Running until 14 September – Turner Prize-winner Tai Shani presents The Spell or The Dream at Somerset House, a free commission blending sculpture, sound, radio and live events. At its centre in the Edmond J Safra Fountain Court is The Spell, a luminous blue sculpture with an original soundscape by Maxwell Sterling, inviting reflection on both catastrophe and renewal.
Nearest pier: Embankment
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Theatre Picasso
From 17 September - At Tate Modern, experience Picasso in a new light with an exhibition staged by contemporary artist Wu Tsang and curator Enrique Fuenteblanca. Marking 100 years of The Three Dancers, the show transforms the gallery into a theatre presenting over 45 works from Tate’s collection and key European loans – including paintings, sculpture, textiles and works on paper, some never seen in the UK before.
Nearest pier: Bankside
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Radical Harmony
The National Gallery presents its first exhibition devoted to Neo-Impressionism, Radical Harmony: Helene Kröller-Müller’s Neo-Impressionists, running from 13 September 2025 – 8 February 2026. Drawn from the renowned Kröller-Müller Museum in the Netherlands, the show features works by Seurat, Signac, Anna Boch, Jan Toorop and Théo van Rysselberghe, highlighting the radical vision of French, Belgian and Dutch artists from 1886 to the early 20th century.
Nearest pier: Embankment
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By yourself, with friends or with your family, spend the day making unlimited journeys aboard our services and enjoying travelling across London by boat. A Hop-on Hop-off gives you unlimited all-day travel and with a Family ticket children go free!
Don't miss out on these events
London Design Festival 2025
The London Design Festival returns for its 23rd edition from 13–21 September, celebrating and promoting London as the design capital of the world. With events taking place in multiple locations, it’s the perfect opportunity to explore the city and experience the best of contemporary design. You can reach a variety of shows and installations across the city directly from our piers.
Nearest pier: Various
Chelsea Arts Festival
From 18–21 September, Chelsea Arts Festival brings a three-day celebration of modern storytelling to the heart of London, showcasing the area’s literary heritage and cultural scene.
The programme spans music, theatre, dance, film, literature and visual arts, with events at Cadogan Hall, Saatchi Gallery and Royal Court Theatre, plus free outdoor performances across King’s Road, Duke of York Square, Sloane Street and Sloane Square.
Nearest pier: Cadogan or Battersea Power Station
Celebrate Film 100: Guinness World Records Attempt
On 27 September, the Old Royal Naval College and Elstree Studios are teaming up to celebrate 100 years of cinematic history with an official Guinness World Records™ attempt.
Join the fun by dressing as one of 45 iconic screen characters from 30 productions filmed at these legendary locations - from Star Wars to Bridgerton, Batman to The Crown. Bring your character to life with key costume and prop elements, and help set the record for the largest gathering of people in screen character dress!
Nearest pier: Greenwich
Greenwich+Docklands International Festival 2025
Don’t miss the final performances of the Greenwich+Docklands International Festival 2025, on until 6 September. This year’s programme features theatre, circus and dance that takes you Above and Beyond, with highlights including Go, Grandad, Go! in Woolwich, and The Weight of Water in Thamesmead and Newham on 5–6 September.
Nearest pier: Various