5 unmissable experiences in September

Here are the best places on the planet to be this month.

By Starlight Williams
Published 1 Sept 2019, 08:03 BST
In Yichun, China, a village near Shanghai, locals light up prayer lanterns during the Chinese Moon ...
In Yichun, China, a village near Shanghai, locals light up prayer lanterns during the Chinese Moon Festival. The festival falls on September 13 and is celebrated all over China.
Photograph by Visual China Group, Getty Images

Snuggling into a warm sweater, dancing under multicoloured leaves, biting into a crisp apple—these moments signal autumn has arrived in the Northern Hemisphere. Whether you’re craving an autumn road trip through the endless forests of small-town America or looking to escape to where the weather’s still warm, here’s what to see and do in September.

Shanghai, China

Why go now: Chinese Moon Festival begins September 13

A vibrant megacity offering an endless range of daring architecture, trendy fashion, and delectable bites, Shanghai teems with adventure. It’s also one of the best places to celebrate the moon and unite with loved ones at the three-millennium-old Chinese Moon Festival, where dragons come alive in a fiery dance, red lanterns are lit, and moon cakes are shared with family and friends.

Dessau, Germany

Why go now: Bauhaus Museum opens September 8

Lush parks and vibrant landscapes surround the city made famous by renowned architect Walter Gropius, who brought the Bauhaus School to Dessau in 1926. Follow the Bauhaus Trail to explore a massive collection of textiles, furniture, and wallpaper on display at the new Bauhaus Museum Dessau, opening as part of a yearlong centennial celebration of the pivotal artists’ movement. (Fall in love with Germany’s historic heartland.)

One hundred years after the founding of the Bauhaus Design School, the new Bauhaus Museum in Dessau opens on September 8.
Photograph by Hendrik Schmidt, picture alliance via Getty Images

Bardstown, Kentucky

Why go now: Kentucky Bourbon Festival rolls out September 18-22

After exploring Louisville’s Museum Row on Main—which features highlights including the Muhammad Ali Center and the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory—drive under an hour to Bardstown, a neighbouring small town that packs a punch of spirited, Southern charm. In the autumn, bourbon connoisseurs gather on the Great Lawn to celebrate the Kentucky Bourbon Festival with tastings, free live music, and artisanal vendors. (Experience the ultimate southern adventure.)

Wellington, New Zealand

Why go now: World of WearableArt festival runs from September 26 to October 13

The world’s southernmost capital, Wellington, is a quirky, creative city hugged by breathtaking nature. In September, designers from around the world flock to the city to treat the human body as a canvas at the World of WearableArt (WOW) design competition. Audience members watch in awe as models strut the runway in a theatrical spectacle. (Discover New Zealand on this epic road trip.)

Avant-garde designers from around the globe gather in Wellington for the annual World of WearableArt fashion show.
Photograph by Hagen Hopkins, Getty Images for World of Wearable Art

Denver, Colorado

Why go now: Denver takes on Oktoberfest from September 20-22 and September 27-29

Denver is bursting with offbeat neighbourhoods, snow-capped peaks, and a treasure trove of hidden gems. After sampling the city’s foodie scene and biking around the Lower Downtown area, swing by Larimer Street for Oktoberfest, a bustling festival of keg bowling, stein hoisting, and—of course—a nearly endless flow of beer.

Starlight Williams is an editorial researcher and writer at National Geographic. Follow her on Twitter @star_lightw and Instagram @starlightwilliams
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