September & October 2010

London festivals continue into autumn with Mayor Boris's official Thames Festival and the Open House Weekend standing out in September, while the art world descends yet again on Regent's Park for the Frieze Art Fair in October at the same time as film buffs gather for the London Film Festival.

Fistful of Fandango 4

The 229 Venue, W1W 5PW
5th September 2010 - 8th September 2010

One venue, two stages, four nights, 24 bands: A Fistful of Fandango is back for a fourth year this September, bringing punters a mini-urban indie festival with what has been described as a "moderately disturbed distant cousin of the Camden Crawl". Club Fandango, which puts on Tuesday night indie gigs for emerging bands at Camden's infamous Dublin Castle, heads central for a six-acts-a-night extravaganza at The 229 Venue on Great Portland Street. This year's line-up has yet to be finalised but includes the upbeat Birmingham eight-piece Misty's Big Adventure, Maps and Good Books. In previous years the likes of Friendly Fires and British Sea Power have performed at this rambunctious occasion. Despite the dodgy connotations of the festival's name - surely a euphemism for something best kept behind locked doors - Fistful of Fandango promises to be "bigger and more berserk" than ever, underlying its credentials as "the undisputed daddy of London's indie showcase scene" (Time Out). For full details of event and an announcement regarding the line-up go to www.clubfandango.co.uk.

More info: Fistful of Fandango 4 Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Mayor's Thames Festival

Blackfriars Bridge, EC4V 3QR
11th September 2010 - 12th September 2010

The Mayor's Thames Festival takes place in mid-September each year celebrating the main waterway which winds its way through the heart of the city. There's a carnival atmosphere to the two-day festival with street entertainment, art installations, music and dancing all performed at various riverside locations between Westminster Bridge, Tower Bridge and beyond. All this fun entertainment is free and, for the grand finale, there's a colourful night procession featuring costumed performers with tambourines and whistles travelling along Victoria Embankment and via Blackfriars Bridge, culminating in a massive free fireworks display. So the festival ends with a spectacular bang as more than a ton of pyrotechnics explode over the River Thames in just ten minutes. Large crowds line up along the river for the fireworks display but with the stretch from the two barges between Blackfriars and Waterloo Bridge spanning almost half a kilometre there's plenty of opportunity to find a space.

More info: Mayor's Thames Festival Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

London Open House Weekend

Bank of England Museum, EC2R 8AH
18th September & 19th September 2010

So many of London's architectural landmarks are closely guarded secrets, off-limits to Joe Public. It's tantalising to imagine what goes on behind those closed doors. Well, thanks to the hugely popular London Open House Weekend, we need wonder no more. Almost 700 of the city's buildings - including the Bank of England - take part in this fantastic, free yearly event, now in its 17th year, by opening their doors to everyone. London Open House Weekend offers a wealth of historical landmarks to choose from including some of the most beautiful architectural achievements in the city. You can also get inside some of the grandest private homes in your own neighbourhood - it's a voyeur's dream come true. For the more serious students of contemporary design, this is a chance to visit spaces by famous modern architects. An inspired idea and a real treat whether you're a lover of architecture or just plain nosy. Entry to some of the houses is only permitted via pre-booked tickets acquired through the website www.londonopenhouse.org. You're advised to bring booking confirmation with you.

More info: London Open House Weekend Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

The London Design Festival

Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DS
18th September 2010 - 26th September 2010

The London Design Festival is an ambitious project. Hundreds of events, locations, shops, universities and design agencies are involved in the nine days of talks, exhibitions, competitions and activities. It's a true celebration of the capital's all-encompassing design industry, taking in sectors as diverse as fashion, architecture, retail, typography, photography, textiles, interior decoration and manufacturing. There's a huge amount to see but don't be put off by the volume: inclusion here is based on the quality of the design. Events come in all shapes and sizes from product launches in tiny boutiques to massive trade shows. Details are released in March but, judging by what we've seen in years gone by, the programme is likely to centre on hubs at the Southbank Centre, Earls Court Exhibition Centre, the V & A, and there's usually a showcase piece at Trafalgar Square too - last year a giant chess game filled the square. The scope is far-reaching and you'll be hard pressed to cover all of it but it's fun trying. Check the website www.londondesignfestival.com for full details.

More info: The London Design Festival Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

The Times BFI 54th London Film Festival

BFI Southbank, London, SE1 8XT
13th October 2010 - 28th October 2010

Every October the BFI Southbank and cinemas across London host the London Film Festival, now in its 54th year the festival attracts Hollywood players and Indie film-makers from around the globe. As well as a few blockbuster premieres, gala films and celebrity-studded ceremonies, there is a commendable amount of programme time given over to small independent films, foreign language cinema and documentary work. While details of this year's festival have yet to be announced for the past six year there has been an outdoor screening in Trafalgar Square with free viewings of short films. During the festival's 16 days the city is positively abuzz with talk of the silver screen and any film fan is sure to find several films and events to entice them in its rich and varied programme. Consecutive years of unprecedented success have made this a key event on the celluloid calendar.

More info: The Times BFI 54th London Film Festival Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Frieze Art Fair

Regent's Park, London, NW1 4NR
14th October 2010 - 17th October 2010

As the country's leading contemporary art fair, the Frieze Art Fair is far from conventional and there's always the possibility of stumbling across something extraordinary. And with Frieze the world's most influential art buyers arrive in Regent's Park. Specially commissioned art works are exhibited alongside curated exhibitions as well as the pieces for sale presented by 150 of the most highly respected contemporary art galleries in the world. Among the paintings and installations in Regent's Park there's an amazing jumble of the comical, the beautiful and the shocking. You can expect short films, talks and site-specific projects all presented in a slightly chaotic atmosphere. It's packed into a single temporary structure in the park with work by around 1,000 contemporary artists on display. There's an incredible wealth of art on display - and the incredibly wealthy come to buy it.

More info: Frieze Art Fair Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube