As summer begins to wind down, there is still plenty happening across South East London.
September and October bring everything from street festivals and community fairs to live music, art exhibitions, running clubs and family activities. Across Bermondsey, Rotherhithe, Canada Water, Surrey Quays, Deptford, New Cross and Peckham, the early autumn calendar is looking particularly busy.
At Alex & Matteo, we always think the best way to understand an area is to spend time in it. Local events give you a chance to meet the community, discover independent businesses and experience the character of a neighbourhood beyond the usual property search.
Here are some of the events already confirmed for September and October 2026.
Bermondsey Street Festival
One of the biggest local dates in the diary is the return of Bermondsey Street Festival on Saturday 19 September.
The free, volunteer-run festival is celebrating its 20th year in 2026, with Bermondsey Street once again closing to traffic and becoming a huge community space for the day.
Visitors can expect live music, food, independent stalls, street entertainers and a dedicated Family Fun Hub, alongside plenty of opportunities to discover the businesses and organisations that make Bermondsey such a distinctive part of London.
It is exactly the type of event that demonstrates why Bermondsey has retained such a strong neighbourhood feel despite being so close to central London.
Full details and programme updates are available from the official Bermondsey Street Festival website.
Surrey Docks Farm
For something a little more rural without leaving SE16, Surrey Docks Farm is holding its Harvest Festival on Saturday 12 September.
The working city farm on Rotherhithe Street will be hosting a farm and food-themed day with fairground-style games given an agricultural twist, Morris dancing, a barbecue, drinks, wood-fired pizzas and fresh fruit and vegetables grown at the farm.
The event is also part of the 2026 Totally Thames festival. The farm itself remains free to visit, making this an especially good option for families around Rotherhithe and Surrey Quays.
You can find the latest information on the Surrey Docks Farm events page.
Brunel Museum
Rotherhithe’s Brunel Museum has announced a substantial autumn programme, and one of its returning highlights is DEBUT’s Secret Concert Series.
Concerts are confirmed for Thursday 10 September and Thursday 15 October inside the museum’s historic Thames Tunnel Shaft.
Each evening brings together a changing selection of musicians for an intimate classical performance in one of South East London’s most unusual venues. The series is designed to make classical music approachable and welcoming, with emerging performers appearing alongside established musicians.
September will also see Underground Comedy at the museum on 23 September, while October includes an Underground Pub Quiz on 7 October and Halloween Tours on 31 October.
See the full programme through the Brunel Museum website.
Canada Water Running Club
Not every community event needs to be a one-off festival.
Corner Corner Run Club is taking place every Tuesday throughout September and October, beginning at 6.30pm.
The group meets at Corner Corner before heading out on a sociable 5km loop around Canada Water. It is deliberately designed to be a no-pressure run, welcoming everyone from experienced runners to people attending a running club for the first time.
Confirmed autumn dates include every Tuesday from 1 September through to 27 October, with the club continuing into November and December.
It is another example of the new community activities developing around Canada Water as the neighbourhood continues to evolve.
See dates and information on the official Canada Water event page.
Hatch Fest
New Cross residents also have a major community weekend coming up in September.
Hatch Fest runs from Friday 18 to Sunday 20 September and celebrates the communities of Hatcham and New Cross Gate.
Organised by local residents, charities and businesses, the three-day festival includes activities, exhibitions and events across the neighbourhood. At hARTslane, plans include a Hatcham Street Market on Saturday 19 September alongside the three-day (BE)LONGING/S mixed-media exhibition.
The wider festival involves organisations including local community gardens, businesses, places of worship, creative organisations and the Somerville Adventure Playground, making it one of the most genuinely community-led events on the autumn calendar.
More information is available from hARTslane’s Hatch Fest 2026 page.
Deptford X
Deptford’s long-established creative scene will be in the spotlight during the first weekend of October when Deptford X holds its 2026 Artist Weekender.
The programme launches on Friday 2 October, with exhibitions taking place on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 October at partner venues around Deptford.
This year’s theme is “Social”, with artists invited to explore everything from friends, family and community relationships to social commentary and socially engaged art. A programme of accompanying public events is also planned.
For anyone who wants to experience the artistic side of Deptford first-hand, it should be an excellent weekend to explore the neighbourhood.
Programme announcements will be published by Deptford X.
Jazz at the Albany
Another Deptford institution, The Albany, is bringing back its free Jazz Saturdays this autumn.
Musicians from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance will perform in The Albany café between 1pm and 2pm, with autumn dates including Saturday 5 September and Saturday 3 October.
There is no need to book, and the family-friendly performances are designed as informal drop-in sessions for the local community.
The Albany also has a busy wider autumn calendar, including outdoor gardening sessions, creative workshops and the family production Eshu at the Crossroads as part of Dance Umbrella Festival on Saturday 24 October.
See what else is coming up on The Albany’s events calendar.
Art Now Fair
Peckham’s creative calendar remains as busy as ever, with Exhibit Here’s Art Now Fair arriving at Unit/08 in Copeland
Park from Friday 18 to Sunday 20 September.
The event brings together contemporary artists in the huge warehouse venue, with a Friday evening opening followed by public sessions throughout Saturday and Sunday.
Copeland Park confirms the fair as part of its September programme, alongside its regular mix of markets, exhibitions, music and other cultural events.
For anyone exploring Peckham, Copeland Park and the neighbouring Bussey Building remain excellent examples of the area’s independent creative culture.
Keep an eye on the Copeland Park events programme for the latest information.
What stands out about September and October’s calendar is the sheer variety.
You can spend a Saturday at a major street festival in Bermondsey, visit a working farm in Surrey Quays, hear live classical music underground in Rotherhithe, join a running club in Canada Water or spend an autumn weekend exploring art in Deptford, New Cross and Peckham.
These events are also a reminder that choosing where to live is about much more than the property itself. Community spaces, independent organisations, local traditions and opportunities to meet people all play a huge part in making somewhere feel like home.
If you are thinking about buying, selling, renting or letting a property in Bermondsey, Rotherhithe, Canada Water, Surrey Quays, Deptford, New Cross or Peckham, speak to the Alex & Matteo team.
We live and work in the communities we serve and can help you understand not only the local property market, but what day-to-day life in each neighbourhood is really like.
Event dates and details were correct at the time of publication. We recommend checking with individual organisers before travelling, as programmes and timings can change.
