The first May Bank Holiday weekend in London is upon us and we’ve everything crossed for sunshine. While the weather keeps blowing hot and cold, I’ve picked a SIZZLING range of family friendly activities to entertain your brood. Why not check out a brand new West End musical, a tulip festival, a historic escape room, a festival on the canal, a hip hop dance explosion, or a puppet who wants to be a boy? It’s all happening this weekend. Enjoy!
10 Family Fun Ideas for May Bank Holiday Weekend in London
Thu-Sat: Oklahoma at Young Vic, 66 The Cut, Waterloo, SE1 8LZ (Waterloo tube/rail)
The Tony winning adaptation of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic musical arrives in time for May Bank Holiday weekend in London. Daniel Fish’s bold interpretation retells the story of a community that comes together against an ‘intruder’. Expect theatre fog and gunshot effects. Recommended for ages 12+ (under 4s not permitted). 7.30pm (Mon-Sat) & 2.30pm (Wed & Sat); £10-£58 (Apr 26-Jun 25)
Thu-Sat: Sea Girl by Carbon Theatre (online)
LAST CHANCE to try this choose-your-own-adventure activity. Follow a sailing trip around the globe and assist Ellen, Naomi and their cat buddy Tarzoon in mapping out their journey. Inspired by Laura Dekker who, at 14, became the youngest person to travel the world alone in a sailing boat. Ages 5-8. Performance is accessible to those with disabilities and special educational needs. 9am-10.30pm; FREE (until Apr 30)
Thu-Mon: Tulip Festival at Hampton Court Palace, East Molesley KT8 9AU (Hampton Court rail)
The Tulip Festival is back at the historic grounds with more than 120,000 tulips filling the courtyards. Celebrate the onset of springtime this May Bank Holiday weekend in London. Wander through the spectacular displays, inspired by Mary II’s famous 17th century collection. Learn more about the history of tulips and let the kids run free in the Magic Garden before or after your trip. 10am-5.30pm (Thu-Sat) & 10am-5pm (Sun); adult ages 16+ from £26.10 (discounts for RHS members)/child £13/under 5s FREE. Booking ahead essential. (until May 2)
Fri-Sat: Escape from the Golden Hinde, St Mary Overie Dock, Cathedral Street, SE1 9DE (London Bridge tube/rail, Monument/Borough tube)
Get locked aboard the historic ship once sailed by Sir Francis Drake. Secret Studio (TripAdvisor’s No. 1 escape game in London) have joined forces with the Golden Hinde to create this interactive adventure aboard the 16th century galleon. You’ll have 60 minutes to solve the fiendish puzzles. Best suited for ages 10+, although younger ones can enjoy it. While the children’s version of the game is in the works, kids from ages 4-10 can play the grownups version for free. Under 4s not admitted to the escape room. Check full FAQS on the website. 5pm-9.40pm (Fri) & 10am-10.20pm (Sat); from £43 per person/under 10s FREE (Apr 29-30)
Fri-Sun: Pinocchio at Little Angel Theatre, 14 Dagmar Passage, N1 2DN (Highbury & Islington tube/rail, Angel tube)
Step inside Geppetto’s workshop to meet a puppet that wants to be a real boy and a puppet maker who wants to be a real dad. See Pinocchio carved on stage with paint brushes coming alive and characters and objects transforming before your eyes. Puppets, shadows, illusion and original music create a unique experience for ages 5-11. Hurry – limited tickets available this weekend: 4.45pm (Fri) & 2pm (Sat/Sun); from adult £13.50/child £11.50 (all tickets £8 on Fris 4.45pm) (Apr 29-Jun 26)
Fri-Mon: Breakin’ Convention International Festival of Hip Hop Dance Theatre at Sadler’s Wells Theatre & the Lilian Baylis Studio, Rosebery Avenue, EC1R 4TN (Angel tube)
It’s back, mamas and papas. The annual festival of hip hop dance is in its 19th year and fresher than ever. Come for daytime fun in the foyer (live DJs, graffiti sessions, improv warm-ups and more). Then watch with awe as the pros show their stuff on stage, with acts from all over the world. See the UK premiere of feature-length show Compagnie Niyq Gueules Noires (Fri Apr 29, from £12) and cross-cultural performance Between Tiny Cities (Sat 7.30pm & Sun 4.30pm, from £5). On Monday, look out for the FREE Park Jam in Spa Fields (1pm-5.30pm) where you can catch more live performances, enjoy soul food and feel the vibes for May Bank Holiday weekend in London. Multiple dates and times including Freestyle Funk Forum at 4.30pm (Sat); Breakin’ Convention live shows at 6pm (Sat & Sun); from £5-£15 (Apr 30-May 2)
Sat-Sun: Plastic Drastic Fantastic at Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon, SW19 1SB (South Wimbledon tube)
Is plastic friend or foe? Useful or rubbish? South Asian dance company Akademi explore our complex relationship with all things plastic: from the molecular to the planetary. Drawing on stories and ideas for kids and young people, it’s a thought-provoking and interactive show for our time. Adapted cushions (pulsating to the beat of the music) available for visitors with a hearing impairment (15 available per performance).Ages 7+. Various showings at 11.30am & 2.30pm; from £9 (Apr 6-May 8)
Sat-Sun: Young Barbican: The Takeover at Barbican Centre, Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS (Barbican tube)
Here’s one for your teens and young adults. Young Barbican are taking over Barbican Centre for a weekend of crafting and creative enterprise. Make jewellery, candles, zines, customise your own clothing and try out gelli printing or smartphone filmmaking. There’s also a skate rink on Level -1 (Skates & Beats) with DJs spinning Afrobeats, Amapiano, R&B and more. Young Barbican is for ages 14-25. 12pm-6pm (Sat) & 12pm-7p (Sun); £5 (Apr 30-May 1)
Sat-Mon: Canalway Cavalcade, Little Venice, Paddington, W9 2PF and W2 6NE (Paddington tube/rail, Warwick Avenue tube)
Little Venice comes alive with the Canalway Cavalcade, retiring to the waterways for May Bank Holiday weekend in London. Enjoy the sights alongside the canal with colourful crafts lined up and a range of stalls, kids activities and live music on offer. The popular festival attracts thousands each year by foot or on boat. All ages welcome. 10am-5pm; FREE (Apr 30-May 2)
Sun: Families Workshop: Dance Pioneers at V&A Museum (Raphael, Room 48a), Cromwell Road, SW7 2RL (South Kensington tube)
Get into the groove with dancers Colleen Joseph and Kerri De Aguiar who will be inspiring participants to be brave, express yourself and be a dance pioneer. This participatory workshop for the whole family will explore innovative styles like Waacking and Jazz Fusion. Approx 40 minutes long. Adults and kids ages 5+, no unattended kids. Workshops at 11am, 1pm & 3pm (drop-in); FREE (May 1)
We also like
The groundbreaking Walter Sickert exhibition is now open at Tate Britain (Apr 28-Sep 18); browse for quirky finds and foodie treats at the Black Owned Hackney market (Sat-Sun); escape to Miami Beach or LA Nights via a screening at Backyard Cinema (ongoing); munch your way around Marylebone Food Festival (Thu-Sun); we like the sound of a comedy named Splat! at Arts Depot, for ages 3+ (Sun)
BOOKING AHEAD
Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrors at Tate Modern (re-opened for booking)
To Kill A Mockingbird at The Gielgud Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, W1 (now booking, best availability from Jun 6)
The Emperor’s New Clothes at Polka Theatre (Apr 28-May 22)
Grease the Musical at Dominion Theatre (May 3-Oct 29)
John Hegley: Drawings of Dromedaries and Other Creatures at Kings Place, N1 (May 5)
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (opens May 6)
My Fair Lady at London Coliseum (May 7-Aug 27)
Legally Blonde the Musical at Regents Park Open Air Theatre (May 13-Jul 2)
Big Fish Little Fish Family Rave at West Five Bar, South Ealing (May 15)
The Gunpowder Plot at Tower of London, EC3 (May 20-Sep 4)
Acting for Others: West End Flea Market at St Paul’s Church, Bedford St, Covent Garden (May 21)
Amy Adams in The Glass Menagerie at Duke of York’s Theatre (May 23-Aug 27)
Bring Your Own Baby Comedy at Arts Depot, North Finchley (May 26)
Sootyland at Crealy Theme Park & Resort, Devon (opens May 28)
Candlelight: A Tribute to Taylor Swift at Southwark Cathedral (May 28)
FUN DMC May Half Term Special at Colours, Hoxton Square (May 29)
Superbloom at Tower of London (Jun 1-Sep 18)
The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, nationwide (Jun 2-5)
Giffords Circus at Chiswick House & Gardens (Jun 16-27)
Windrush Day at National Maritime Museum, Greenwich (Jun 22)
Sun and Sea at The Albany, Deptford SE8 (Jun 23-Jul 10)
Peppa Pig My First Concert: Mozart to Muddy Puddles at London Coliseum (from Jul 24)
The Golden Hinde Night Voyage, SE1 (Aug 28)
Dino Snores at Natural History Museum (Oct 1)
**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!**
London Kids Weekend Scoop (April 21-24, 2022)
