The May Bank Holiday weekend is here, believe it or not, and there is so much happening in London. For a day cation, we recommend Eltham Palace and Gardens, truly a fabulous spot. Elsewhere in London, there’s a canal way festival, a puppet theatre show on a barge, a hip hop dance convention, and a family sleepover on the Golden Hinde. Whatever you get up to, have a good one!
12 Terrific Ideas for Families this May Bank Holiday Weekend
Fri-Sun: Breakin’ Convention (top image) at Sadler’s Wells, Rosebery Avenue, EC1R 4TN (Angel tube)
It’s back, baby. The largest hip hop dance theatre festival around the globe hits Sadler’s Wells with more dazzling displays of B-Boy and B-Girl skills. Crews from UK, USA, South Korea, France and other spots throw down on stage for a packed audience. There’s fun in the foyer with DJs, graffiti, live improv and more. Under 5s welcome! For ages 12 and above, there are daytime workshops for all abilities between 10.30am-3.30pm (Sat-Sun, £10 only). All ages. Doors open from 4pm, live shows at 8pm (Fri, Lilian Baylis Studio) or 6pm (Sat-Sun). Shows from £15 (standing), £18 concs), £25-£30 (seated), workshops £10 (May 3-5)
Also don’t miss the FREE Breakin’ Convention Park Jam in Spa Fields, Islington – 1pm-5.30pm on Bank Holiday Monday (Mon May 6)
Fri-Sun: Bedrooms of London at Foundling Museum, 40 Brunswick Square, WC1N 1AZ (Russell Square tube)
LAST CHANCE: Take a peek inside the bedrooms of some of London’s most vulnerable children, at this exhibition by photographer Katie Wilson. Her work highlights the conditions that children living in poverty have to endure, and the damaging consequences from a shortage of social housing. Photos are shown with first-hand narratives to create an affecting display, worth talking about with your own kids. Let them have a run, climb and play at nearby Coram’s Fields before or after your visit. Exhibition included with regular admission: 10am-5pm (Tue-Sun); adult from £10/ages 21 and under FREE (Feb 8-May 5)
Fri-Mon: Underbelly Festival: Family Fest and The Amazing Bubble Man, Southbank, Belvedere Road Coach Park, SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube, rail)
The Underbelly Festival hosts its first ever Family Fest, and over May Bank Holiday weekend, The Amazing Bubble Man is blowing up a storm (May 4-5 at 1pm, tickets from £10.25). Also please don’t sleep on the fantastic acrobatic troupe A Simple Space, it’s your LAST CHANCE to see them here (7.30pm weekdays, 3.30pm & 6pm weekends, from £23 – until May 5). On Bank Holiday Monday, you can see The Showstoppers Kids Show (Mon May 6, 3.30pm, from £14.50). This summer, look out for Monski Mouse’s Baby Disco Dance hall & brand-new Baby Cabaret, Shlomo’s Beatbox Adventure for Kids, Morgan & West’s Utterly Spiffing Spectacular Family Magic Show for Kids (and Childish Grownups), Trash Test Dummies, Arr We There Yet, The Noise Next Door, Elmer the Patchwork Elephant, Shark in the Park and Basil Brush! All ages welcome (some age restrictions apply for certain acts). Varying times, dates and prices from £8.50; book ahead (Apr 5-Sep 29)
Fri-Mon: Beasts of London at Museum of London, 150 London Wall, London EC2Y 5HN (St Paul’s/Barbican tube)
Rediscover London history in an immersive tour narrated by the beasts themselves. Listen for voices from Brian Blessed, Kate Moss, Pam Ferris, Nish Kumar, Stephen Mangan, Angellica Bell and Joe Pasquale. Digital installation with video projection mapping, created with Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Ages 7+ (younger ones welcome but be advised, some scary elements). 10am-6pm; adult £8/child £4 (Apr 5-Jan 5, 2020)
Sat: Geffrye Museum: Merrie May Day, 136 Kingsland Rd, E2 8EA (Hoxton overground)
This sounds like a lovely day out in the wonderful Geffrye Museum gardens, celebrating the birth of springtime. Come for traditional maypole dancing, Geffrye Explorers’ Garden Cart, spring plants and herbs from Rootcraft, vintage fabric furnishings from Leah Rose Designs, BBQ and cake sales and local-brew beers. All ages welcome. 11am-4pm, FREE (May 4)
Sat-Sun: The Golden Hinde Night Voyage (Family Sleepover), at The Golden Hinde, St Mary Overie Dock, Cathedral Strett, SE1 9DE (London Bridge tube)
Hunker down on the historic ship, on a night voyage back in time to the Elizabethan era. Find out what it was like to be a sailor back then, fighting off the Spaniards, before crashing in your naval quarters. In the morning, there’s a Tudor breakfast to wake you up before you return to 21st century life. For ages 6-11 (must have adult accompanying), bring own sleeping gear. 5pm (Sat)-9am (Sun); £45 per person, pre-booking essential (May 4-5)
Sat-Sun: A Child’s Garden of Verse at Puppet Theatre Barge, Little Venice, opposite 35 Blomfield Road, W9 2PF (Warwick Avenue tube)
Climb aboard the puppet theatre docked on a barge on Little Venice, for a fun May Bank Holiday fiesta with the family. Watch shadow puppets and marionettes create a delightful spectacle of stories, poetry and music. Ages 3+. 11am, 2pm & 4pm (Bank Holiday shows May 2-6), then 11am & 3pm (regular Sat-Sun); adult £13/child £9/concs £10 (May 4-Jul 7)
Sat-Mon: Wembley Park Colourscape, Play Park, near the London Designer Outlet, Wembley, HA9 0RJ (Wembley Park tube)
The labyrinth of colour and light, usually found on Clapham Common, takes up residence at Wembley over May Bank Holiday weekend. Put on a coloured cape and head inside the maze, to discover a dazzling multi-sensory world of colour, space and light. Music and dancers will pop up at various points too. 11am-4.30pm (sessions last around 30 minutes); FREE (May 4-6)
Sat-Mon: Canalway Cavalcade, Little Venice, Paddington, W9 (Paddington tube/rail, Warwick Avenue tube)
The annual waterways festival returns with its family friendly mix of canal side stalls, workshops, kayaking classes, Puppet Theatre Barge shows, Floating Classroom workshops, Morris Dancing and more. Don’t miss the Sunday night spectacular illuminated boat parade (from 9pm-10.30pm, Sun). All ages. 10am-6pm (Sat-Sun) + 9pm-10.30pm (Sun boat procession); 10am-5pm (Mon), FREE (May 4-6)
Sat-Mon: Star Wars Day at Hamleys, 188-196 Regent Street, W1B 5BT (Piccadilly Circus/Oxford Circus tube)
The flagship Regent Store celebrates Star Wars Day aka May 4th, with an entire May Bank Holiday weekend of fun, raising money for various charities. Junior Jedis can find out what side of the Force they’re destined for with intergalactic activities and photo ops. There’s also 20% off all Star Wars goodies all weekend. Keep an eye on their Facebook page for updates. All ages. From 10am daily, FREE (May 4-6)
Sun: Kentish Town City Farm May Day Festival, 1 Cressfield Close, off Grafton Road, NW5 4BN (Gospel Oak overground/Kentish Town tube)
Moo-ve, get out the way! It’s May Day at the farm and you can pig out with your brood at the BBQ, find out who’s the GOAT of baking at the May Day cake contest, follow the other sheep in a search for treasure and more farmyard action. Workshops, live music, games and maypole dancing for all ages. 12pm-4pm, adult £1/child 50p (May 5)
Sun: Royal Academy Family Illustration Workshop (Festival of Ideas), Clore Learning Centre, Burlington Gardens, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly, W1J 0BD (Piccadilly Circus tube)
Get into drawing at one of the RA’s popular family sessions. Take part in the Festival of Ideas with illustrator Julie Vermeille leading the workshop. You’ll be illustrating with collage, ink and text layout to create characters inspired by Charlie and Lola, Ruby Redfort and the Frank Show. Ages 7+ and carer. 12pm-1.30pm & 2.30pm-4pm; £15 per person (May 5)
London Kids Cinema
Did you catch Avengers: Endgame yet? Epic. If you need big screen inspiration, try these fun family flicks: Shazam!, Captain Marvel, Dumbo, Little and Missing Link.
You can also see weekend Kids Club movies for less than £5 at cinemas around town. Check out our LONDON FAMILY CINEMA page for details!
Booking Ahead
Big Fish Little Fish Ultimate Family Rave at Fabric, EC1 (May 12)
Streatham Kite Day, Streatham Common (May 12)
Covent Garden May Fayre & Puppet Festival (May 12)
May in a Day Family Folk Festival at Cecil Sharp House, Chalk Farm (May 12)
Open Air Theatre at Regent’s Park (May 16-Sep 21)
Urban Village Fete, Greenwich Peninsula (May 19)
Wake Up Gigs for Parents with Luke Marzec + TBA at Ace Hotel, Shoreditch (May 26)
How Does It Feel to Be Loved Kids Disco at The Phoenix, W1 (May 26)
Digital Kids Show at Battersea Evolution (May 26)
Polo in the Park at Hurlingham Park (Jun 7-9)
Zip Now London, central London (Jun 12-Sep 15)
Fork to Fork at Franklin Primary, NW6 (Jun 16)
Open House Families (architecture festival), multiple locations (Jun 22-23)
The Cally Festival, Caledonian Rd, N1 (Jun 23)
The Great Exhibition Road Festival, Imperial College London (Jun 28-30)
Gelato Festival at Canopy Market, King’s Cross (Jun 29-30)
London Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival (Jun 30)
**NB: Please note that all event timings and prices are subject to change/cancellation at short notice, so always check ahead with the venue before making a trip!**
Eltham Palace and Gardens: A Great Day Out in Greenwich
