London's most exciting upcoming cultural festivals

Autumn is a great time to visit London and soak up some of its vibrant culture. September and October will see several notable events taking place; check out our guide to find out if any appeal to you for your next stay in the capital.

September

The Olympics might be over by this point, but the cultural celebrations surrounding the Games will continue into September. One particular event of note is the Southbank Centre's Unlimited Festival, which runs from August 31st to September 9th, coinciding with the Paralympics.

This will see works by disabled and deaf artists presented to the public, covering media ranging from music, theatre and dance to the various visual arts. Circus show Box of Frogs on September 2nd and 3rd will be just one of the highlights, along with Candoco Unlimited, a performance involving 12 dancers - both disabled and non-disabled - from Brazil, China and UK.

The Liberty Festival at Trafalgar Square on September 1st and 2nd follows a similar theme, showcasing the output of deaf and disabled artists from around the world in what will be the tenth edition of this free event. Specific performances are yet to be confirmed, but it's sure to be another great year for the festival.

If music is one of your passions, don't miss Proms in the Park on September 8th. The last night of the Proms will be celebrated in Hyde Park in true style through a headline show by Kylie Minogue and other performances by Il Divo, Alfie Boe, Bjorn Again, the BBC Big Band and many more acts.

For a more visual take on the capital's eclectic culture, check out the London Design Festival between September 14th and 23rd, which is held across multiple venues in the city. Now in its ninth year, the event is one of the biggest of its kind in the world, boasting more than 300 exhibitions, seminars, talks, parties and other points of interest for hundreds of thousands of visitors.

Look out for the Prism digital installation by Keiichi Matsuda at the Victoria & Albert (V&A) Museum, as well as the BE OPEN Sound Portal in Trafalgar Square and the Flowing Glass sculpture at Somerset House. Other highlights will include the Global Design Forum at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design on September 18th and an installation by Rolf Sachs at the Henry Cole Grand Staircase at the V&A.

October

Black History Month is celebrated throughout October with a series of events around London, ensuring there's something for everyone. While this year's programme is yet to be confirmed, you can expect musical performances, talks and screenings to form part of the proceedings. Recent years have seen the Museum of London host calypso concerts and the Royal College of Art hold an exhibition of works by its black artists.

Elsewhere, head to Spitalfields during October and November and you'll come across the International Photography Festival, which sees lots of exhibitions and other events - including lectures and seminars - held across art galleries and other locations in the east of the capital.

Finally, if you like the idea of browsing artworks from some of the world's most cutting edge galleries, the Frieze Art Fair between October 11th and 14th is the place to go. Regent's Park will come alive with a host of exhibitions, debates and lectures during this period, providing plenty for serious art lovers to see and do. 

Visit Hostelbookers to find cheap accommodation in London during September and October.