**The August Bank Holiday is upon us already and there is LOADS to do with the kids (or without). From Notting Hill Carnival to Greenwich + Docklands Festival, family friendly opera, immersive art play, spectacular exhibitions and explosive science shows… I’ve got you covered. Make the most of the long weekend and catch you in September!
If you’re looking for something beyond just attending, there are also exciting opportunities for festival work in London, allowing you to get involved behind the scenes and be a part of the vibrant atmosphere at these incredible events.
August Bank Holiday: Wonderful Things to do in London with Kids this Weekend
Thu-Sun: Tavares Strachan: There Is Light Somewhere at Hayward Gallery, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube/rail)
This 5 star rated show continues to astonish audiences at Southbank Centre. Celebrating the work of unsung cultural heroes, Strachan’s art features striking installations, neon, collage, lighting and more. Highlights include human figures made of glass, and a 14m long Black Star Liner on the flooded roof of Hayward Gallery. 10am-6pm (Tue-Fri & Sun) and 10am-8pm (Sat); adult £18/child 12-16 £12/under 12s and members FREE (until Sep 1)
Thu-Sun: Mr Punch at the Opera at Arcola Theatre, 4 Ashwin Street, E8 3DL (Dalston Kingsland/Dalston Junction overground)
Join Mr Punch and friends at a family friendly version of La Serva Padrona by Pergolesi. This panto-style adaptation by the Opera Makers is full of comedy, twists, turns and of course lavish music to introduce younger ones to opera. Ages 3+. 4.30pm (Wed-Sat) & 2.30pm (Thu & Sat); adult £15-£20/child £8-£15/babies under 1 FREE on lap (Aug 21-24)
Thu-Sun: Rise and Fall at Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon, SW19 1SB (South Wimbledon tube)
Imagine a balloon as universe in miniature in this tactile show for younger audiences. Page One Theatre brings their bounciest production to Polka Theatre, in a story of expansions and contractions, inhaling and exhaling, holding on and letting go. For ages 2+. 10.30am & 1.30pm (Wed-Fri), 10am, 12.30pm & 3.30pm (Sat), 10.30am & 2pm (Sun); from £14/concs £12/babes in arms £1 (until Aug 25)
Thu-Sun: Brainiac Live at Marylebone Theatre, 35 Park Road, NW1 6XT (Baker St/Marylebone tube)
Since 2008, the Brainiac team have been bringing their science mayhem to eager fans all over. Now you can catch the world’s most combustible science show live on stage. Expect spinning CO2 chairs, liquid nitrogen and exploding hydrogen balloons! Best for ages 6+. 11am & 1.15pm; £26.50-£32 (until Aug 24)
Thu-Sun: Fuerza Bruta: AVEN at Roundhouse at Roundhouse, Chalk Farm Road, NW1 8EH (Chalk Farm tube)
See the incredible Fuerza Bruta challenge all rules of time, space, form and imagination in their spectacular, immersive theatre show. Part way between live circus and a clubbing experience, this is truly a dance company to remember. Age guidance from 8+ (confirm with theatre). Various showings at 7.30pm (Tue-Thu), 5.30pm & 10pm (Fri), 1pm, 5.30pm & 9pm (Sat), 3pm (Sun); from £20-£49 (until Sep 1)
Thu-Sun: Walthamstow on Sea at Big Penny Social, 1 Priestley Way, E17 6AL (Blackhorse Rd overground)
Chill out at a classic British seaside resort right here in Walthamstow! Come for the sand, deck chairs, draft beer, soft serve ice cream, fish and chips, penny sweets and postcards to send to loved ones. Beach huts available to hire (extra charge). 11am-6.45pm daily (check available times at booking); £4 entry for everyone ages 6 months+ (until Sep 8)
Thu-Mon: UNIQLO Tate Play: Oscar Murillo, The Flooded Garden at Tate Modern (Turbine Hall entrance), Bankside, SE1 9TG (Southwark/Blackfriars tube)
Prepare to get messy with your whole crew at this enormous painting garden inspired by Claude Monet and the artist Oscar Murillo’s series of Surge works. Grab a paintbrush and add your own colours to the Turbine Hall as it’s transformed into a giant canvas! All ages welcome. 10.30am-6pm daily (last entry 5.15pm), relaxed hours Tue 10.30am-11.30am; FREE (until Aug 26)
Thu-Mon: Barbican Outdoor Cinema at Sculpture Court (Level 3), Barbican Centre, Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS (Barbican tube)
Enjoy some popular films under the skies at this outdoor series. Watch new and classic movies in a deckchair (bring a blanket), with tasty street food and cinema snacks on offer. The screening of Sign of the Times on Monday is SOLD OUT but you can still book for family friendly showings of Studio Ghibli’s The Boy and the Heron (Sat 24) and cult classic Godzilla vs Hedorah (Sun 25). 8.30pm; adult from £18/child £10 (until Sep 1)
Fri-Sun: Beyond the Bassline: 500 Years of Black British Music at British Library, 96 Euston Road, NW1 2DB (Kings Cross St Pancras/Euston tube or rail)
LAST CHANCE: This groundbreaking show celebrates the UK’s Black music trailblazers from Ignatius Sancho to Aswad, Fela Kuti, Shirley Bassey and SB.TV. See more than 200 exhibits including spectacular costumes, video and archival footage. 9.30am-5pm (Mon-Wed & Fri), 9.30am-7pm (Tue), 9.30am-4pm (Sat) & 11am-4pm (Sun) – NB: timings vary, last entry 30 minutes before closing; adult £15/child 12-17 £10/under 12s FREE (until Aug 26)
Fri-Mon: Greenwich + Docklands International Festival, multiple locations
Enjoy an August Bank Holiday outing in Greenwich as the fantastic free outdoor festival kicks off this weekend. Hang out at the family friendly Greenwich Fair and explore a wide range of pop up theatre, performance art, music and more live spectacles. All ages unless otherwise stated (check ahead). Various times and performances, FREE – see the updated programme HERE. (Aug 23-Sep 8)
Sat-Sun: Family Festival of Caribbean Culture at Museum of London Docklands, No. 1 Warehouse, West India Quay, E14 4AL (Canary Wharf tube/West India Quay DLR)
This Carnival weekend, it’s not only about west London. Head east to a family celebration of the Caribbean influence in Britain. The museum takeover includes a dance workshop with Playworker Amber, colourful crafts activity with Indo-Caribbean community artists, food making (mango salads and patties!) and more. Plus a special appearance from author and creator of hit TV show JoJo & Gran Gran, Laura Henry-Allain. All ages, best for families with younger kids. 11am-4pm; FREE (Aug 23-24)
Sun-Mon: Notting Hill Carnival, Notting Hill and surrounding areas (Westbourne Park tube exit only, see TFL web site closer to date for transport advice)
Everybody jump and whine! It’s Carnival Time and West London will be lit up with dazzling floats, colourful costumes, banging sound systems, steel bands, tasty street food and a party atmosphere. Expect millions of people on the streets over the weekend although Sunday is a calmer session as it’s traditionally Children’s Day. All ages welcome. From around 9.30am daily, FREE (Aug 25-26)
+ DAY TRIPS FROM LONDON
Get away from the city over the August Bank Holiday weekend…
Theme Parks: Legoland Windsor, Chessington World of Adventure, Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, Paultons Park, Diggerland
Nature & Wildlife: ZSL Whipsnade Zoo in Dunstable, Woburn Safari Park in Bedfordshire, Port Lympne Hotel & Safari in Kent, Hitchin Lavender and Sunflower farm in Hertfordshire.
Museums & Attractions: Roald Dahl Museum in Great Missenden, Beckonscot Model Village & Railway, Chislehurst Caves in Kent.
Castles: Leeds Castle in Kent, Hever Castle in Kent, Warwick Castle in Warwickshire.
Beaches: Hit the seaside, around 2 hours or less from central London (by road or train): Brighton, Margate, Whitstable, Broadstairs, Botany Bay, Herne Bay, Camber Sands, Ramsgate, West Wittering, Folkestone, Eastbourne, Bournemouth, Hastings and Dover.
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Party with Kinetica Bloco as they showcase their steel pan, brass, woodwinds and drumming at Clore Ballroom, Southbank Centre (Fri); go south to Buy Black Brixton, the UK’s first Black business discount market (Sat); tuck into delicious food, live music and family fun at Hampton Court Palace Food Festival (Sat-Mon); see top classical music, jazz and musical theatre performed at Battersea Park in Concert (Sat-Mon); it’s the final weekend for King’s Cross Summer Sounds, a FREE live music series in Granary Square (until Mon); take part in Summer on the Square, the National Gallery’s FREE outdoor creative sessions for all ages (until Sep 1); toddlers will go crazy for Blippi: the Wonderful World Tour in SW1 (until Sep 7)
Want More?! Take a look at the Holiday Guide for London in Summer!
*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!
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