ListingsUpdated Sat 5 Sep
The City: what's on and things to do
What is on in the City: it empties at seven, which is exactly why the evenings here are worth it. Church concerts, Open House buildings, the Barbican, and pubs that have been open since before the Fire.
Saturday
5 September-
Food and drink Free
Leadenhall Market
Until 4 Sep
A Victorian covered market in cream and burgundy, free to walk through and open to the street. Busy with the City at lunch and almost empty at the weekend, which is when to photograph it.
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Free
St Dunstan in the East
Until 4 Sep
A Wren church bombed in 1941 and left as a ruin with a garden planted inside it. Free, open from eight, and quietest before the City arrives. The tower is still standing.
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Free
Sky Garden
Until 4 Sep
Three floors of planted terrace at the top of the Walkie Talkie, free but booked in advance and the slots go about three weeks out. Sunset slots go first. Photo identification on the door.
Sunday
6 September-
Exhibitions Free
Barbican Conservatory, Sunday opening
Two thousand species of plant under glass above the theatre, open only on selected Sundays. Free but you book a slot, and they go on the Wednesday before.
Monday
7 September-
Food and drink From £8
Lunchtime in Leadenhall Market
Until 4 Sep
The traders under the roof are mostly food at midday, and the pubs put their tables out under the ironwork. Weekdays only: most of it shuts by early evening and all of it at the weekend.
Thursday
10 September-
Theatre From £16
Wilton’s Music Hall: evening show
Until 20 Sep
The oldest surviving grand music hall in the world, down an alley behind Cable Street. Go for the room as much as the show, and get there early for the Mahogany Bar.
Saturday
12 September-
Pick Talks Free
Open House London: buildings open to the public
Until 20 Sep
Nine days, 621 listings and 143 places new this year: the Lloyd's Building for its fortieth birthday, the Zaha Hadid Foundation archive for the first time, the BT Tower, Broadcasting House
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Pick Talks Free
Open House: the Lloyd’s Building at forty
Until 20 Sep
Richard Rogers' inside-out building joins Open House for its fortieth birthday, and it is the ticket everyone wants. Booked slots only, released through the festival programme, and gone within hours of going up.
Saturday
24 October-
Seasonal Included with admission
Halloween at the Tower of London
Until 1 Nov
Daytime, not a scare event: costumed interpretation and family trails included in the normal ticket. Good for children who would hate the trails.
Saturday
14 November-
Seasonal Free
Lord Mayor’s Show
Eight hundred years old, three miles of procession through the City and free from the pavement. Fireworks off the river in the afternoon. Second Saturday in November.
Sunday
25 April-
Seasonal Free
Watching the marathon at Tower Bridge
Mile twelve, and the best half mile of the course to stand on. Get there by half nine: the bridge closes to traffic and the north side fills first.
