BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND PLANS

The biggest weekend of the summer is here, have you got your plans sorted? Well, there is plenty to be filling up your time with. We’ve got unforgettable experiences where you can dance all day with your friends including Field Day and Notting Hill Carnival! And there’s lots more, check out what we recommend should be on your radar for the upcoming weekend! 

Notting Hill Carnival (Saturday 24th to Monday 26th August) It’s that time of year again, carnival weekend is here! Carnival is one of the longest running street parties in the world. Started by London’s Caribbean communities in 1966, it’s a celebration of freedom and Caribbean culture, with an iconic parade showcasing the best of mas, Soca, calypso, steel bands and sound systems. The celebrations will officially start at 10am on Sunday, August 25, and at 10.30am on Bank Holiday Monday, August 26. But before then, Saturday is all about steelpan bands. Panorama, the UK’s national Steelband competition, kicks off at Emslie Horniman’s Pleasance Park, from 4pm till midnight. Whether you go every year, or this is your first time, don’t miss out on the biggest bank holiday party out there. More information here!

Make Your Own Chocolate (Saturday 24th August) Dive into the sweet world of chocolate making in the vibrant heart of Notting Hill! Only a stone’s throw from the iconic Portobello Road, this experience offers you a unique peek behind the scenes. Watch world-class chocolatiers in action, ask all your burning questions, and see firsthand how your favourite treats are crafted. It’s the perfect blend of fun and chocolatey education. If you’re wanting to learn something new, and looking for something a bit different to do, then this is the perfect activity!  Get your tickets now!

Field Day Festival (Saturday 24th August) Field Day is making its return to its long-term home in Victoria Park once again for its 17th edition. Last year saw 50,000 electronic music fans assemble and this year will be no different. So who can you expect to see gracing Field Day’s stage? French electronic music duo Justice will be headlining the festival. This August will be the first time that Justice has played live in London since their last tour over six years ago. Alongside Justice, UK pop sensation PinkPantheress who has become a household name with her fun and playful productions. Finally, Belgian DJ and techno phenomenon Charlotte DeWitte who is a firm favourite in London will be there! Get your tickets now! 

Battersea Park in Concert (Saturday 24th to Monday 26th August) After an outstanding inaugural year Battersea Park in Concert returns this August Bank Holiday to deliver another wonderful weekend of live performances. Showcasing the best in classical, West End & jazz music. Unpack your picnic, pop the fizz and sit back and enjoy beautiful music in majestic surroundings. Battersea Park in Concert is all about good food, spine-tingling music and enjoying cherished magical moments with family and friends.  Book here!

All Points East (Friday 23rd and Sunday 25th) All Points East takes over Victoria Park once again this August. Over the last six years, All Points East has gained a reputation for building some of the most interesting festival line-ups in the UK. Its headliners are often indie or dance-focused big-hitters, while its undercards are packed with cult heroes and rising stars you can say you saw first. This weekend you’ll get the chance to see LCD Soundsystem, Death Cab for Cutie and The Decemberists over the two days! And if you’re an electronic music fan then head to Field Day on the Saturday which is part of the APE family! As well as the ticketed weekend events, look out for All Points East In the Neighbourhood, the festival’s free midweek programme of community activities including film screenings, live sports, theatre, family fun and more. Book tickets!

NAOMI In Fashion (Until 6th April 2025) NAOMI: In Fashion explores the unequalled 40-year career of fashion model and cultural icon Naomi Campbell. After being scouted in Covent Garden aged just 15, Campbell quickly rose to prominence in the industry, and made history a few years later when, at 18, she became the first black model to feature on the cover of Paris Vogue, in 1988. The first exhibition of its kind exploring the extraordinary career of the fashion model. Through the work of leading global designers and photographers, this exhibition celebrates her creative collaborations, activism and far-reaching cultural impact. Book here. 

Feel Good Friday: Yoga in the Painted Hall (Friday 30th August) Take part in a bespoke morning yoga class in the serene and spectacular surroundings of the Painted Hall at the Old Royal Naval College. Delivered by experts from Kindred Yoga Studio, these 45-minute Vinyasa Flow classes will allow you to move your body, clear your mind, and start the day with a sense of calm. No previous experience required, this class is open to all levels. Book here. 

Putt in the Park (Check website for availability) Since opening their first branch in the Summer of 2013, Putt in the Park has established itself around the parks of London to create the best miniature golf experience out there! Tee off your weekend with 15% off for all Knightox members, with three Courses across Wandsworth, Battersea, Acton Park in South London, and a course in Colchester, they have ensured each carefully designed hole equipped with tunnels, jumps and bridges will suit all ages and challenge even the most experienced golfer. Book now! 

Cavita x Seed Library (Launching 29th May) Join Seed Library as they start their collab with Mexican heritage restaurant, Cavita. Adriana Cavita grew up surrounded by food – on a farm outside of Mexico City. In 2022, she opened Cavita, encompassing food traditions from all over Mexico – including the capital, where Adriana was born. And now, Cavita’s coming to Seed Library! Launching on May 29th, their selection of Mexican snacks features eight dishes created by Adriana, available Wednesday – Sunday, from open ‘til 11pm. Excited is an understatement. Book your table here! 

Summer by the River (Until 1st September) Summer by the River is back at London Bridge City! Highlights include riverside movie screenings of Barbie, Wonka, and Back to the Future, choirs soundtracking summer evenings, and performances by up-and-coming artists from BBC Music Introducing. Fill up on street food, pick up refreshing cocktails from the pop-up bars, catch outdoor Wimbledon and Olympic Games screenings, and stick around for sunset DJ sets. Take a deep breath and relax in a riverside oasis for our Summer by the River, where cool courtyards and cooler drinks await. Starting on 30th May,  sit beneath the summer stars as music and laughter fill the air! More information here! 

Princess Diana Accredited Access Exhibition with Souvenir Guidebook (From 25th May) For the first time, world-famous royal photographers (Anwar Hussein and his two sons Zak and Samir) share their experiences with the iconic princess and her family. Princess Diana, by most accounts, is the most photographed human in history. One of the people who was there capturing the biggest and most important moments was Royal Photographer Anwar Hussein. This Princess Diana exhibit will be told from their perspective: what they heard, what they saw, and what they witnessed first-hand will all be shared. Get your tickets here! 

Fragile Beauty (Until January 2025) A new exhibition is arriving at the V&A this Saturday and it’s not to be missed! Dive into a diverse collection showcasing the work of renowned photographers from around the globe. Explore a wide range of subjects, from fashion and celebrity to reportage and studies of the male body. Each image offers a glimpse into modern and contemporary photography, highlighting iconic moments and diverse perspectives. Book tickets here! 

Romeo & Juliet (From Saturday 11th May) Tom Holland takes on the role of Romeo, bringing his magnetic presence to the stage alongside Francesca Amewudah-Rivers as Juliet in Jamie Lloyd’s exhilarating reimagination of Shakespeare’s iconic story of love and tragedy. Set to ignite the stages of London’s vibrant West End, ROMEO & JULIET promises to captivate audiences with its pulsating energy and fresh perspective. Don’t miss this unforgettable theatrical experience, coming to the heart of London for a strictly limited run starting in May 2024. Book tickets here! 

Between the Bridges (Reopening Thursday 2nd May) Between the Bridges kicks off this weekend with a huge season of events along the Southbank. From this Thursday there will be street food stalls, pop-up bars, and dynamic event spaces with breathtaking views of the Thames, just in time for the bank holiday weekend. Highlights include classic R&B, Hip Hop, and Garage sessions on Thursday evenings, followed by lively DJ sets on feel-good Fridays. Saturdays come alive with drag performances and lip sync challenges during brunch, accompanied by flowing prosecco; don’t miss Baga Chipz leading the brunch extravaganza on May 4th. Get ready for a summer of unforgettable memories at Between the Bridges! More information here. 

Rooftop Film Club – Peckham (From 25th April) As Spring is in full swing, the return of the outdoor cinema is upon us! And this weekend you can see all your classic favourites like La La Land and Clueless! Or even the latest blockbuster – Poor Things. Situated atop Peckham’s iconic Bussey Building — their flagship rooftop! —  is Rooftop Film Club, just across the road from Peckham Rye station. Make an evening of it and treat yourself to their delicious pizza from Share A Slice and drinks just across the film club at Bussey Rooftop Bar. And what’s even better is they screen all films come rain or shine, providing blankets and ponchos during bad weather so your plans won’t be ruined by the unpredictable British Summer! However, if you don’t fancy facing the weather, they do allow you to transfer your tickets to another screening for free – what more could you ask for! Book tickets here! 

Yoko Ono: Music of the Mind (Until 1st September) Yoko Ono is a trailblazer of early conceptual and participatory art, film and performance, a celebrated musician, and a formidable campaigner for world peace. Developing her practice in the United States, Japan and the UK, ideas are central to her art, often expressed in poetic, humorous, profound and radical ways. Spanning more than seven decades, YOKO ONO: MUSIC OF THE MIND is the UK’s largest exhibition celebrating key moments in Ono’s groundbreaking, influential and multidisciplinary career, from the mid-1950s to now – including her years in London where she met her future husband and longtime collaborator John Lennon. Book here! 

Stranger Things: The First Shadow (Opens 17th November) Written by Kate Trefry and original story by the Duffer Brothers, Stranger Things: The First Shadow is a gripping West End play that takes you back to the beginning, revealing Hawkins’ story before the world turned upside down. Experience theatrical storytelling and stagecraft to a whole new dimension in this Stranger Things prequel at Phoenix Theatre, located in the heart of the West End between Soho and Covent Garden. Get your tickets!

Make the most of a city of boundless opportunities, which caters to every taste and curiosity, providing a diverse array of thrilling and immersive encounters. Whether you’re an art lover,  music enthusiast, or looking for some culture there is plenty to discover.