It’s Carnival time! Notting Hill Carnival takes over the capital this weekend, but there’s loads more happening over the Bank Holiday in London as we cruise into the last days of summer break.
Notting Hill Carnival, BookStock Street Party, Dinosaur Zoo, The Village Fair at Southbank Centre, Paw Pageant, Clapham Common Funfair, Islington Boat Club Family Fun Day…
Happy Bank Holiday, make it a good one!
Thu-Sun: The Man Who Planted Trees, Purcell Room, Southbank Centre, SE1 (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
A man and his dog set out to plant a forest to transform a barren landscape, in what’s described as a unique blend of comedy, puppetry and storytelling. Wonderful interactive elements engage the senses in a vibrant show, back after a smash-hit run in 2011. Recommended for ages 7+, younger ones welcome. 12pm & 3pm, £12/concs half-price (Aug 22-Sep 1)
Fri-Sun: Dinosaur Zoo at Open Air Theatre, Queen Mary’s Garden, Regent’s Park, NW1 (Baker St tube)
Regent’s Park transforms into a Jurassic park as Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo roars onto the scene, thrilling the crowds with cute baby dinos and tooth-gnashing giants. We caught a preview of these dinosaurs at the Imagine Festival earlier this year and can’t wait for the full show! 2.15pm (Mon-Wed), 11.30am & 2.15pm (Fri), 9.45am & 11.30am (Sat-Sun); £15-£20/family ticket £15 (Aug 9-Sep 8)
Sat-Sun: Secret Wild London Weekend, various locations
Escape the madness of Carnival, street parties et al and explore some of the capital’s best kept secret green spaces. London Wildlife Trust is hosting family-friendly activities at spots rarely open to the public, including Isleworth Ait in Hounslow and New Cross Gate Cutting in Brockley. From 11am daily, FREE (Aug 24-25)
Sat-Sun: The Village Fair at Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
A weekend of activities in celebration of the Festival of Neighbourhood theme, the Village Fair brings traditional stalls, hoopla and other games, helter skelter, Vauxhall City Farm, crafting clubs, community brass, vegetable sculpting, bake-off competition and live music from Tomorrow’s Warriors and the hoe-down happy Cut a Shine! From 11am daily, FREE (Aug 24-25)
Sat-Mon: Clapham Common Funfair, SW4 (Clapham Common tube)
It’s SW4 weekender for the clubbing massive, but for the minis Clapham Common is all about the funfair this Bank Holiday weekend. Set yourself a budget so you don’t blow it all on the dodgems and candy floss, and enjoy the rides! 1-9.30pm (Sat), 1-9pm (Sun); 1-10.30pm (Mon), 1 token=£1.20/12 tokens=£10 (Aug 24-26)
Sun: Bookstock Street Party on Leonard St, EC1 (Old St tube)
Following on from last year’s smash hit Jubilee knees-up, the Book Club is throwing another Bookstock street party with a nautical theme. Enjoy DJ sets, local food, film screenings, fancy dress up box, live acts, dancing and musical seaside bingo. 12-8pm, FREE with priority entry wristbands available closer to the date. (Aug 25)
Sun-Mon: Notting Hill Carnival, W11 area (see TFL.gov.uk for station openings and routes)
The party’s happening at Europe’s biggest street festival as Notting Hill Carnival brings millions of revellers to West London. Expect costumed dancers on floats, steel bands, sound systems, street food stalls and a super lively crowd. Sunday is Children’s Day, Monday is for the grown-ups. From 9am-7pm daily, FREE (Aug 25-26)
Mon: Paw Pageant, Old Spitalfields Market, 15 Horner Square, E1 (Liverpool St tube)
Hot to trot pups are on parade in this special ‘dogwalk’ show that’s raising money for Battersea Dogs and Cats Home. The coolest canines will hit the runway in threads by Lilly of LoveMyDog couture, accompanied by humans modelling creations by NW3, Mischa Barton, Albam, Jigsaw and Oliver Bonas. Free dog tagging and micro chipping for all pets in attendance. Dog pageant entry £5 adv/£8 door (all funds to charity); spectators FREE (Aug 26)
Mon: Strictly Summer Ballroom, at Clore Ballroom, Southbank Centre, SE1 (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
Whirl your partner around the Clore Ballroom at this popular, family-friendly dance where you can learn to foxtrot, tango and waltz to a live band. Hear music from the Ross Mitchell Combo Band and watch displays by the Southbank Centre Showcase Dancers. 12pm-6pm, FREE (Aug 25)
LOCAL PICK
Sat: Islington Boat Club Family Fun Day, 16-34 Graham St, N1 (Angel/Old St tube)
In the last of their summer sessions for families, Islington Boat Club throws open its doors for a day of fun for all ages. You can go on a short narrowboat trip, hire a pedalo, watch a comedy show, chow down on some tasty BBQ, hear live music and other waterside entertainment.
We also like
Follow the Barbie Mariposa Butterfly Trail at London Zoo (until Thu); welcome the arrival of the Rugby League World Cup to England and Wales at the Fan Zone roadshow in Trafalgar Square (Fri); free outdoor theatre continues at Watch this Space outside the National Theatre (Fri-Sat); there’s live music, silent cinema, village fete games and more at the Haydaze Weekender at Proud Camden (Sat-Mon); the Hampstead Heath Funfair is at Lower Heath over the Bank Holiday (Sat-Mon)
Wish I could have headed to NH Carnival so many awesome memories there. Can’t wait to read your experience there this year x