May Bank Holiday London Kids Weekend Scoop (May 1-4, 2015)

 

 

May Day! The year’s whipped by and the summer months are officially starting. Next week is all about festival fever as our Family Festivals guide will be out, along with a closer look at some of our favourites.

But first, dive into the May Bank Holiday London Kids Weekend Scoop. It’s action packed!

Have a great one x

Fri-Sat: Street Feast at Dalston Yard, Hartwell St, E8 3DU (Dalston Kingland/Dalston Junction overground)
Fist pump! The best night food market in town returns to Dalston Yard for a summer-long fiesta on your taste buds. Many of our favourites are there: Mama’s Jerk, RainBo, Yum Bun, Rola Wala, Smokestak plus a whole bunch of newbie street food traders rotating every week. There’s DJs, occasional live bands and more fun. All ages. 5pm-midnight (Fri-Sat), FREE entry before 7pm, £3 after 7pm (May 1-Sep 26)

Fri-Sun: Bugsy Malone at Lyric Hammersmith, Lyric Square, King St W6 0QL (Hammersmith tube)
This was one of my all-time favourite films as a child and I’m so excited about its big stage adaptation. Fat Sam’s Grand Slam hits Hammersmith’s Lyric Theatre in a spectacular production of Alan Parker’s musical. Join Bugsy, Blousey and Talullah on a familiar caper filled with fab tunes and splurge guns. For ages 6+. 2.30pm & 7.30pm, £15-£40 (until Aug 1)

Sat: May Day on the Docks at Museum of London Docklands, No 1 Warehouse, West India Quay, London E14 4AL (West India Quay DLR/Canary Wharf tube)
Come and make merry for May Day at the museum’s annual celebration. Family activities include Bollywood Punch & Judy, mythical mask making, comic strip creating, object handling, magical storytelling and a chance to discover the mysteries of the Thames. Recommended for 5+, younger ones welcome. 11-4pm, FREE (May 2)

Sat: Upswing Family Circus Workshop at The Albany Douglas Way, Deptford, SE8 4AG (Deptford/New Cross overground)
Leap, tumble and fly through the air in the safe arms of an instructor and in the company of your brood at this circus workshop for families. Upswing will show you how to push past your fears and enjoy an enriching bonding experience with your little ones. For parents and kids ages 3+. 12pm, 1.30pm & 3pm; adult + child £14 (May 2)

 

 
Sat-Sun: Breakin’ Convention ‘15 at Sadler’s Wells, Rosebery Avenue, EC1R 4TN (Angel tube)
It’s that time of year again when b-boys, fly ladies and freestylers from all over throw down at Sadler’s Wells. The international festival of hip hop culture hosted and curated by Jonzi D gets bigger and badder every year. Come along for incredible performances from the likes of Les Twins (as seen with Beyonce), plus a live improv jam and sessions in the foyer including DJs, workshops and spray can art. Under 5s welcome! Freestyle Funk Forum 4.30pm-5.30pm (Sat-Sun £5 or FREE with Breakin’ Convention pass); daytime workshops for all stages from 10.30am (Sat-Sun, £10 only); a Hip Hop Retrospective talks and short films 1.30-3.30pm (Sun, £5/FREE for ticket holders); doors open from 4pm, live shows from 6pm (Sat-Sun) & 6.30pm (Mon). £15 (standing/concs)-£20 (seated) (May 2-3)

Sat-Mon: Canalway Cavalcade, Little Venice, Paddington, W9 (Paddington tube/rail, Warwick Avenue tube)
Bank Holiday in London wouldn’t be the same without this annual waterways festival. Take the family for some canalside fun including Morris Dancing, kayaking and boating classes, Puppet Theatre Barge shows, floating classroom and more. For all ages there’s live music throughout, real ale bar, entertainments marquee and stalls. And don’t miss out on the illuminated procession of boats along the canal (9.30pm, Sun). 10am-6pm (Sat-Sun), 10am-5pm (Mon), FREE (May 2-4)

Sat-Mon: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, The Vaults, Launcelot Street, off Leake St, Waterloo,SE1 7AD (Waterloo tube/rail)
Go deep down into the rabbit hole of Waterloo’s secret Vaults tunnels in the one-of-a-kind adventure with Les Enfants Terribles featuring puppetry, projections and circus, storytelling and fantasy to create a Wonderland in honour of Alice’s 150th birthday. Be careful not to lose your head! For ages 5+. Shows from 11am on Sat Apr 11, shows last 1 hour, times vary (Tue-Sun); adult £18.50/child £12.50 (Apr 11-Aug 30)

Sun: Streetfest at Tobacco Docks, 50 Porters Walk, Wapping, E1W 2SF (Tower Hill tube/Shadwell overground & DLR/Wapping overground)
Don’t call it a comeback! It’s been here 8 years. The UK’s largest and proudest festival of urban culture comes out swinging for another hotly anticipated celebration of underground music, street sports, fashion, beatboxing, delicious food and much more. The line-up sounds incredible and with more and more families attending, they’ve introduced a new family day pass! 1-11pm, adult £20 adv/£25 door/family day pass (2 adults + 2 kids) £35/child under 12 FREE (May 3)

Sun: Comedy Club 4 Kids at the Udderbelly, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
The big purple cow at Southbank Centre hosts another session of riotous humour (but not too naughty) aimed at kids and their funny people. Sketch and stand-up acts MC Luke Toulson, Keith Farnan, Rayguns Look Real Enough take the stage, and attempt to impress audiences ages 6+. Tough crowd! 2.30pm, from £11 (May 3)

Mon: Breakin’ Convention Park Jam 2015 at Spa Fields Park, Northampton Rd, EC1R 0DF (Angel tube)
This has become one of the hottest free events on the calendar and one of our favourites. For the third year in a row, Breakin’ Convention founder and hip hop legend Jonzi D brings beats, culture and flavour to Spa Fields for fun loving, family friendly day out. There are tasty street food stalls, DJs, live music with surprise special guests and more. Arrive early to avoid disappointment as once the park reaches capacity, that’s it! 12-7pm, FREE (May 4)

We also like
Westminster Morris Day of Dance on Trafalgar Square (Sat); The Rescuers at Barbican Framed Film Club (Sat); Kentish Town City Farm May Day Festival (Sun); Star Wars May Fair & Dog Show in Lloyd Park in Walthamstow (May 4)

May the 4th be with you, friends!