Have a historic week in London

Autumn may be on its way, but that doesn’t mean the fun’s over. There’s still plenty going on in London, from literary celebrations to world music and the messiest festival around.

It’s 200 years since the publication of Jane Austen’s novel Emma and celebrations are in order in the heart of Bloomsbury, London’s historic literary centre (10-13 September). Dock your Santander Cycle at the docking station on Brunswick Square and head into the garden for talks, period dancing, a screening of the 1996 film adaptation, and performances from the likes of the hysterically funny Austentatious improv group.

Tradition is the order of the day at the Royal Albert Hall this weekend too, where the BBC Proms is drawing to a triumphant close (12 September). Dock your bike at the Santander Cycle docking station at Kensington Gore and queue for a £5 ‘promming’ ticket to take in a mixed bill of top classical acts and sing along to Rule, Britannia!, Land of Hope and Glory and Jerusalem with an audience of 6,000.

Even more music lovers will be flocking to the Proms in the Park on the same day, meanwhile, to see The Jacksons, the cast of Memphis the Musical and the BBC Concert Orchestra. Dock at Green Street for the north end of the festival site, or Park Lane for the south end.

If you go in for a less refined variety of outdoor festivity, however, then the Holi Festival of Colours is the party for you this weekend (12 September). Inspired by the Hindu festival of Holi (which usually takes place in March), but with an entirely secular bent, this event sees revellers flock to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park for an afternoon of music and ‘colour throwing’. Wear clothes you don’t mind getting messed up, dock your Santander Cycle at Cadogan Close and pelt friends and strangers with coloured powder for all you’re worth. It’s tremendous fun.

Also taking its cue from the sub-continent is the Darbar Festival at the Southbank Centre (14-20 September). Dock your Santander Cycle at Jubilee Gardens for this celebration of Indian classical music in all its forms, featuring performances by some of the best percussionists, sitar players and singers from India, plus fun events like hatha yoga with live musical accompaniment.