Culture Digest: The best things to do, hear, see or watch in Europe this week

While some might be sad to see the summer coming to an end, the joys of September can't be denied: crisper evenings, pumpkin spice lattes, and guilt-free hermit-ing with a cosy TV series.

There's also the opportunity to celebrate some big cultural anniversaries, with surrealism's centenary being marked at an exhibition in Hamburg, and Jane Austen's 250th birthday at a huge ten-day festival in Bath, UK.

The trailer for Emerald Fennel's already controversial Wuthering Heights adaptation might be causing a stir online, but we're more excited about Spanish filmmaker Oliver Laxe's Cannes Jury Prize winner, Sirāt. With the Venice Film Festival having ended over the weekend, we've fully entered awards season!

Until next time, here are this week's highlights.

Exhibitions and events

Rendezvous of Dreams 

Where: Hamburger Kunsthalle (Hamburg, Germany)

When: Until 12 October 2025

In celebration of 100 years of surrealism, this striking exhibition invites visitors into a world of distorted dreams and supernatural connections that explore and reevaluate the movement's connections to German Romanticism. From Salvador Dalí and René Magritte, to Caspar David Friedrich and Philipp Otto Runge, there are over 200 works by legendary artists and writers within surrealism and romanticism - some of which are being shown for the very first time. Together, they open up a fascinating dialogue on the intersections between two artistic movements that redefined how the 20th century visualised the world.

Jane Austen Festival

Where: Bath, UK

When: 12 to 21 September

We declare after all there is no enjoyment like a Jane Austen Festival! Hosted in the English city of Bath, where the Pride and Prejudice author lived and set two of her novels, the event has become an annual highlight for fans since its founding in 2001. This year is particularly special as it marks the 250th anniversary of Austen's birth, featuring everything from immersive regency balls to costume parades; educational talks and croquet lessons. There will also be walking tours, a high-speed theatrical performance of Pride and Prejudice, and so much more. How could that not bewitch you, body and soul? 

Bonus highlights: Paris Design Week is underway until 13 September, while the London Design Festival begins 13 -21 September. 

Movies

The Long Walk 

Where: European cinemas

When: 12 September in the UK, with a staggered release across Europe to follow

Based on the 1979 horror novel by Stephen King (under the pseudonym Richard Bachman), The Long Walk takes place in a dystopian version of the US where a twisted annual contest takes place. One hundred young men from disadvantaged backgrounds take part, required to walk for as long as they can stand - or be killed. Directed by Francis Lawrence, who has previously made three of The Hunger Games adaptations, it stars Cooper Hoffman (Licorice Pizza) and David Jonsson (Alien: Romulus). 

While this year has been a big one for King movies, with The Monkey, The Life of Chuck and Edgar Wright’s upcoming Running Man, The Long Walk holds a unique allure in its themes of purpose and endurance - and the existential terror it cultivates step-by-step.

Sirāt

Where: Select cinemas

When: 10 September in France, with a staggered release across the rest of Europe

A Jury Prize-winning stand-out at the 78th Cannes Film Festival, Sirât follows a father's search for his missing daughter and sister, who were last seen at a music festival in the Moroccan desert five months earlier. Travelling with his son, the pair wander through a scorched expanse, meeting various groups of people while becoming increasing detached from both safety and reality. Stay tuned for our full review on Friday.

Bonus highlight: Rob Reiner’s hapless heavy metal band return for Spinal Tap II: The End Continues. Ps: It’s as good a time as any to remind yourself of cinema’s greatest fictional bands. 

TV series

Only Murders in the Building

Where: Disney+

When: 9 September 

Autumn is on its way, so it’s about time we snuggled down and binged some cosy mystery shows. Having premiered in 2021, Only Murders in the Building stars Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez as three neighbours with a shared passion for solving true crime. Now entering its 5th season, it’s a perfect recipe for comfort: lighthearted comedy, intricate puzzles, and multi-generational friendships. This time, we'll be watching the trio investigate the death of their apartment's doorman, who was murdered in the finale of season 4. Have your hot chocolate (and evidence boards) at the ready. 

Bonus highlight: Psychological thriller The Girlfriend, starring Olivia Cooke and Robin Wright,  premieres on Amazon Prime 10 September. 

Music

Jade: That’s Showbiz Baby!

When: 12 September 

Having shot to fame after appearing on talent show The X Factor in 2011, British singer Jade Thirlwall became a member of the hugely popular girl group Little Mix. The band announced an indefinite hiatus in 2021 to pursue solo projects, with Jade finally releasing her debut this week. Utilising samples, harmonies and harmonisers, her singles so far are a playful pastiche to the pop music world Thirlwall grew up with and first found success from.

Bonus highlights: Iron & Wine’s Sam Beam and Band of Horse’s Ben Bridwell have collaborated on a covers EP, ‘Making Good Time’, which is released on 12 September.