Bank Holiday Weekend Scoop for London Families (Aug 23-27)

It’s the biggest party weekend of the year and there’s no excuse for not letting your hair down. Head west for Notting Hill Carnival, east for Bookstock on Leonard Street, south for an Alternative Village Fete or north east for Disco Loco’s rave-up in Clapton Park.

And there’s plenty of indoor family fun around London including a wonderful celebration of children’s literature at British Library. Have a good one!

Thu-Sun: Festival of Flowers at Southwark Cathedral, SE1 (London Bridge tube)
The theme is Transformation for this blooming lovely exhibition in an evocative setting. Enjoy stunning floral displays by Mig Kimpton, multiple gold award winner at RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Tickets in aid of the Leprosy Mission. 8.30am-6pm, adult £14/child under 15 FREE (booking ahead advised) (Aug 23-26)

Fri-Sun: Wonderlands Festival at British Library, 96 Euston Rd, WC1 (King’s Cross/St. Pancras station)
Michael Rosen, Valerie Bloom, Charlie Dark, Shaun Tan, Julia Donaldson and more brilliant writers for children from all over the globe take over the British Library for this 3-day celebration of kids’ literature including stories, drawings, songs and conversations. Enter the storytelling tent in the piazza (11.30am-4.30pm, Sat & Sun) to hear tales from around the world. Daily from 10.30am (times vary), £6/£4 concs., storytelling tent FREE (Aug 24-26)

Fri-Sun: Handa’s Surprise in Priceless London Wonderground at Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
It’s your last weekend to catch this enchanting, intimate production of the popular Eileen Browne tale. With puppetry and song by Little Angel Theatre, follow Handa’s journey to visit her friend Akeyo with a fruit basket that attracts a lot of attention along the way. For ages 2-5. 1pm, 2.15pm, 3.45pm, & 5pm (Fri-Sat) and 11am, 12.15pm, 1.45pm & 3pm (Sun), £7.50 (until Aug 26)

Sat: Paraiso School of Samba Party at Level 2 Foyers, Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, SE1 (Waterloo tube)
A bit late for the little ones, but a good warm-up for Carnival or if you don’t fancy the crowds on Sunday. Watch the amazing line-up of samba dancers and musicians, then party into the early night with DJ Rudolfo. 7.30-11.30pm, FREE (Aug 25)

Sun: Bookstock, 100 Leonard St, EC2 (Old St tube)
Hot on the heels of its smash Diamond Jubilee knees-up, the Book Club on Leonard Street throws a block party to celebrate the August Bank Holiday. Expect big tunes from the likes of Reverend Milo Speedwagon, Fleetmac Wood and Chupacabra, sizzling street grub, glo-in-the-dark ping pong, fancy dress, games and more outdoor fun. 12-8pm (extended hours for adults), FREE (priority wristbands for entry via The Book Club) (Aug 26)

Sun: Mauritian Open Air Festival, Down Lane Park, Park View Rd, N17 (Tottenham Hale tube)
Four years on, the UK’s largest celebration of Mauritian culture just gets bigger with more than 10,000 expected at this year’s turn-out. Live music, delicious food, huge funfair and more family entertainment are at the top of the bill. 12pm-late, adult £7/child under 10 FREE (buy tickets in advance) (Aug 26)

Sun-Mon: Alternative Village Fete at National Theatre, Inside Out (Watch this Space), SE1 (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
The popular, subversive AVF brings back its unique twist on a true Brit tradition with whacky games (office chair swivelling and more), thigh slapping tunes, (g)love puppets and other madcap entertainment. 1-7pm (Sun) and 12-5.30pm (Mon), FREE

Sun-Mon: Notting Hill Carnival, in and around Notting Hill, W11 (check TFL carnival route)
Europe’s largest street party kicks off on Sunday with Children’s Day, a kids’ costume competition and more mellow crowd. Monday is more for Adults, but the entire weekend will be a riot of floats, soca music, sound systems, street food and more. Get ready to jump and ‘wine. Find useful local info on Carnival. From 9am-7pm, FREE (Aug 26-27)

Sun-Mon: Notting Hill Carnival Village at the Tabernacle, 35 Powis Square, W11 (Westbourne Park tube, see TFL Carnival link above for transport planner)
Escape the hubbub on the streets and make the Tabernacle your base throughout the weekend. There’s a lively crowd, steel band, soca and calypso, tasty BBQ and clean toilets! 9am-10pm, £2 all-access wristband (Aug 26-27)

Mon: Disco Loco in the Park, Springfield Park, Clapton, E5 (Clapton/Hackney Central overground)
The popular disco for tots and their entourage hits the park for its first outdoor summer festival, billed as a rave for people with kids. Live acts D.E.N.A. and Hula Boy are joined by resident DJ The Lovely Emily, Reverend Milo Speedwagon and more plus good food, booze and more. 12-6pm, FREE (Aug 27)

We also like
Camden Sky Ride on Hampstead Heath, NW3 (Sun), Hackney WickED> at Red Market, Shoreditch, EC1 (Sun-Mon), The Wind in the Willows at Brockwell Park, Herne Hill, SE24 (until Mon), Kids Go Free at Syon House and Park, TW8 (ongoing until Sep 1)

Summer’s almost over! How many of our 30 Coolest Things to Do with Kids in London did you try? Have a wonderful Bank Holiday!