Wahey, the May Day Bank Holiday is here, a little later than usual but right on time. We’ve even got a bit of sunshine to persuade us that summer is on the way. If you’re in London with kids, tweens or teenagers, check out the fantastic family activities happening this weekend — from street dance to street hunts, magical Harry Potter tours and a festival on the canal. Enjoy!
FEATURED: PICK OF THE WEEKEND
StreetHunt Games, across London (start locations in Gunpowder Square, off Fleet St or Sicilian Avenue, Holborn)
Are your big kids and teenagers looking to do something a little different this May Day Bank Holiday weekend? Gather the crew for an outdoor gaming adventure that will get them off the sofa and exploring the city from a fresh angle. Billed as part scavenger hunt, part escape room meets murder mystery, StreetHunt Games offers two intriguing Hunts aimed at adults and also perfect for teens and tweens. You can try out The Case of Colombia’s Finest (recommended for ages 13+), which invites players to sniff out a crime at Jim Robusta’s coffee company. Or have a go at Will Breaker (recommended for ages 10+), in which you can inherit an uncle’s estate, if you can solve brain teasers to work out the mysterious circumstances around his death.
Listed in the Top 20 Fun and Games in London on TripAdvisor and winner of the Travellers’ Choice Award in 2022 and 2023, StreetHunt Games’ self-guided hunts are a unique way to discover London locations and should appeal to teenagers and tweens who love immersive experiences, geocaching, detective stories and puzzle games. All you need is a smartphone, comfy footwear and a keen eye for detail! Available times: 9am-8pm (depending on time of year). Each hunt takes 1-2 hours and costs £18.15pp (incl. booking fee) with individual team sizes of 2 to 5 players. NB: Kids under 12 (who will not require a separate device) are FREE. If children do join a Hunt they must be supervised at all times. (dates ongoing)
MAY DAY BANK HOLIDAY: MORE LONDON FUN FOR FAMILIES
Thu-Sat: Boy Blue: Cycles at Barbican Theatre, Barbican Centre, Silk Street EC2Y 8DS (Barbican tube)
Discover movement at its most fluid, distilled and skilled in the company of Boy Blue, the Olivier award-winning dance theatre company. See 9 incredible dancers take over the stage in what feels like unceasing motion. Loved by audiences from Taiwan to New York, Boy Blue’s bold and liberating style puts a fresh spin on hip hop dance. Ages 12+. 7.45pm (Wed-Sat) & 2.45pm (Thu & Sat); from £16 + booking fees (Apr 30-May 4)
Thu-Sat: Spirited Away at London Coliseum, London Coliseum, St Martin’s Lane, WC2N 4ES (Covent Garden tube)
Tickets are flying for this lavish reimagining of the Hayao Miyazaki animated film. So it’s unlikely you’ll find seats for the May Bank Holiday but it’s worth booking ahead. Olivier and Tony award-winning director John Caird (Les Misérables) helms this production featuring the well known score by Joe Hisaishi, the original Japanese cast, life size puppets, stunning costume and set design and a live orchestra. Performed in Japanese with English translation. Ages 7+. 7.30pm (Tue-Sat), 2.30pm (Wed & Sat), 3pm (Sun); from £28 (Apr 30-Aug 24)
Thu-Sat: Red Pitch at @SohoPlace, Charing Cross Rd, W1D 3BG (Tottenham Court Rd tube)
LAST CHANCE: Don’t miss what might be your last moment to catch Tyrell William’s acclaimed production, now closing in the West End. Omz, Joey and Bilal are best buddies and football fans, who find out their local pitch is set for demolition. This play tackles friendship, masculinity, gentrification and the challenges of navigating young adulthood. Best for ages 14+. 7.30pm (Mon-Sat) & 2.30pm (Wed & Sat); from £25-£60 (limited £15) (Mar 15-May 4)
Thu-Mon: Return to Azkaban at WB Studio Tour, Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, Aerodrome Way, Leavesden, Hertfordshire, WD25 7GS (Watford Junction rail)
Uncover the mysteries behind the Harry Potter movies at this latest feature, celebrating the 20th anniversary of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Step into the Great Hall decorated with 100 floating candles and use your activity passport to find Scabbers along the trail, with four projection stations and footsteps appearing to spell out Scabbers’ location! You can also view the original Leaky Cauldron bed, see The Monster Book of Monsters go on a rampage in Harry’s room, discover a new section of the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom and more! All ages welcome. First bus 9.20am, first tour 9.30am/last tour begins 4pm, last bus/studio closes 8pm; adult from £53.50/child from £43/family £172/under 4s or carers FREE but require tickets. Pre-booking essential. (May 1-Sep 4)
Thu-Mon: Yinka Shonibare CBE: Suspended States at Serpentine Gallery, Kensington Gardens, W2 3XA (Lancaster Gate/Marble Arch tube)
Don’t miss the first London solo exhibition of Yinka Shonibare’s work in over 20 years. Suspended States delves into heavy-hitting themes such as the colonialism and empire, war and refuge, culture and national identity. Shonibare’s use of Dutch wax print across his paintings, book-binding, statues and quilts is both vivid and provocative in a show that offers plenty of talking points. If you’re taking little ones, treat them to a runabout at nearby Diana’s Memorial Playground in Kensington Gardens before or after. 10am-5pm (daily & Bank Holiday Monday); FREE with suggested donations £5-£15 (until Sep 1)
Thu-Mon: Turn It Up: The Power of Music at Science Museum, Science Museum, Exhibition Rd, SW7 2DD (South Kensington tube).
EXTENDED: This fascinating exhibition focuses on the lasting influence of music. Why do some melodies stir us while others do nothing? Delve into the science of music, try instruments and explore the latest in music technology. All ages. 10am-6pm daily; £10/family discounts available/under 5s FREE (until Sep 1, 2024)
Fri-Sat: Twelfth Night at Open Air Theatre, Regent’s Park, Queen Mary’s Garden within Regent’s Park, NW1 4NU (Baker St tube)
Shakespeare’s riotous tale of mistaken identity is revived at the Open Air Theatre. The perfect summer folly, Twelfth Night (or What You Will) follows twins Viola and Sebastian who are shipwrecked in a strange land. When Viola finds work (dressed as a boy) she falls for her master Duke Orsino, only for Countess Olivia to develop a crush on Cesario (Viola’s male alter ego). Of course, this leads to confusion and comedy but in true Shakespearean rom-com style, all’s well that ends well. Ages 12+. 7.30pm (Mon-Sat) & 2pm (Thu & Sat); from £15 (May 3-Jun 8)
Sat: Comedy Club 4 Kids at Underbelly Boulevard Soho, 6 Walker’s Court, W1F 0BT (Piccadilly Circus tube)
Spend the May Bank Holiday chortling with your cheeky ones at the Comedy Club 4 Kids. Featuring real comics who’ve adapted their material to suit a younger crowd, this popular show is crammed with jokes without (most of) the rude bits. Ages 6+ and grownups. 2pm; from adult £13/child £10 (May 4)
Sat-Mon: The Lion Inside at Arts Depot, 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley, N12 0GA (Finchley Central tube)
Somewhere dry and dusty, underneath an old flat rock, lives a shy little Mouse who wishes he could roar like a Lion. Over the course of this tale, he will find his voice and discover that even the fiercest looking creatures get scared sometimes. And even the tiniest of us can have the heart of a lion. This adaptation of the bestselling picture book by Rachel Bright and Jim Field is directed by Sarah Punshon (The Jungle Book), with music and lyrics by Eamonn O’Dwyer (Brief Encounter). For ages 3+. 11am, 1.30pm & 4pm (Sat), 11am & 2pm (Sun), 11am (Mon); from £12 (May 4-6)
Sat-Mon: Canalway Cavalcade, Little Venice, Paddington, W9 2PF and W2 6NE (Paddington tube/rail, Warwick Avenue tube)
Visit Little Venice for this annual showcase of London’s waterways. Enjoy the May Day Bank Holiday strolling canalised while checking out various stalls, live music, family friendly arts and crafts and more. There’s a real ale bar, special kids’ entertainment, and look out for the legendary illuminated procession of boats. This festival attracts huge crowds so be prepared. All ages welcome. 10am-5pm; FREE (May 4-6)
Sat-Mon: Breakin’ Convention at Sadler’s Wells Theatre & the Lilian Baylis Studio, Rosebery Avenue, EC1R 4TN (Angel tube)
Over 20 years since its launch, Breakin’ Convention returns for another May Day Bank Holiday weekend extravaganza of hip hop and street dance theatre. The groundbreaking festival curated and hosted by legend Jonzi D brings b-boys and b-girls from around the world for live performances, pop-up shows, graffiti, freestyle sessions and more. Book for the Freestyle Funk Forum, a 30 minute hip hop improv show (Sat & Sun at 4.30pm; FREE). And of course on Monday, everyone’s welcome to the annual Park Jam in nearby Spa Fields (Mon at 1pm-5.30pm; FREE) which boasts music, DJs and food stalls. All ages welcome (ages 5+ for Sadler’s Wells stage shows). Breakin’ Convention live shows at 6pm (Sat & Sun); from £15 (May 4-6)
Sun: The Green Meet at Fulham Palace, Bishop’s Avenue, SW6 6EA (Putney Bridge tube)
Fulham Palace hosts another family friendly afternoon of sustainable and eco-friendly fun. Wander through 45+ stalls from local businesses, take part in family yoga, bushcraft and outdoor games, hear inspiring talks, go on a bee walk, join in with Monkey Music, embark on a mini-beasts hunt and of course try your luck with the tombola. 11am-4pm; FREE when booking ahead/on the day – adult £5/child £3. Some extra charges for activities. (Apr 30)
We also like
Gootopia, the UK’s first high street slime store, opens a new branch in Southside Shopping Centre, Wandsworth this May Day Bank Holiday weekend (Thu-Mon); there’s an exciting new Michelangelo show opening at British Museum (Thu-Mon); a bike-powered screening of gangster musical Bugsy Malone ends New Cross and Deptford Free Film Festival with a bang, in Telegraph Hill park at 7.45pm (Sat); take the kids along to London Wetland Centre in Barnes for their pond dipping weekend (Sat-Mon); Skydiver is a multi sensory theatre show for little ones at Polka Theatre in south Wimbledon (Sat-Mon); see Londoners dressed to the nines and strutting their stuff for the Fourth Grand Flaneur Walk, starting at the Beau Brummell statue in Jermyn St, W1 (Sun)
Booking Ahead
- The Roc King Club at Porchester Hall, Paddington (coming May 2024)
- Big Birthday Family Weekend at National Gallery, WC2 (May 11-12)
- Baby Show at Unicorn Theatre, SE1 (May 14-Jun 9)
- The Enormous Crocodile at Open Air Theatre, Regent’s Park (May 17-Jun 8)
- Astro Nights Sleepovers at Science Museum, SW7 (May 17, Jun 21 & Jul 12)
- Jaha Koo: Haribo Kimchi at Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre (May 24 & 25)
- Greenwich Dog Show at Old Royal Naval College, SE10 (May 26)
- Family Day: Fun with Faces at National Portrait Gallery, WC2 (May 28)
- Assassin’s Creed Symphonic Adventure at Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre (May 29-30)
- The Paddington Bear Experience at County Hall, Southbank (opens May 31)
- Black Culture Market at The Department Store, Brixton (Jun 1 & 2)
- Grand Soft Day (for ages 2-6) at Southbank Centre (Jun 1 & 2)
- Mean Girls the Musical at Savoy Theatre, WC2 (Jun 6-Oct 27)
- Kids Week: Free Theatre Tickets – Booking Opens June 11, 10am! (shows from Jul 24-Sep 6)
- The Secret Garden at Open Air Theatre, Regent’s Park (Jun 15-Jul 20)
- Aurora Orchestra: Far, Far Away: Mendelssohn and the Moving Machines at Kings Place, N1 (Jun 29-30)
- Southbank Centre Summer Festival: You Belong Here, SE1 (Jun 29-Sep 8)
- Kaleidoscope Festival at Alexandra Palace, N22 (Jul 13)
- Fiddler on the Roof at Open Air Theatre, Regent’s Park (Jul 27-Sep 21)
**NB: Please note that all event timings and prices are subject to change/cancellation at short notice, so always check ahead with the venue (or the latest government guidelines) before making a trip!**
How to Dress Up for Your Child’s Upcoming Performance Night
