May Bank Holiday London Kids Weekend Scoop 2026

Hooray, it’s the May Bank Holiday Weekend and London is bursting with activity and (fingers crossed) enough sunshine to last through Monday. I’ve rounded up 14 fantastic May Bank Holiday family fun ideas in London for all ages, everything from a hip hop dance convention to Shakespeare at the Globe, to a Shakespeare meets hip hop-inspired play!

There’s also maypole dancing at Brixton Windmill, Star Trek at Science Museum, a big birthday bash at London Zoo, a festival along the canal in Little Venice, a migration festival at WWT London Wetland Centre, and one last outing for the Samurai at British Museum. Enjoy!

14 Fantastic Ideas for May Bank Holiday Family Fun in London

Thu-Sat: Deep Azure at Shakespeare’s Globe Globe Theatre, 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, SE1 9DT (Blackfriars/Mansion House tube)
LAST CHANCE: Extended by popular demand, this powerful tale of social justice, race, policing, friendship and street culture was created by late Academy Award and BAFTA-nominated actor and writer Chadwick Boseman (Black Panther) and blends Shakespeare, rap and true life events. Ages 14+ (content advisory). 7.30pm (Mon-Sat) & limited matinees at 2pm; £30-£80 seated/£5-£10 standing (until May 2)

Thu-Sat & Mon: The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind at Soho Place, Charing Cross Road, W1D 3BG (Tottenham Court Rd tube)
A 13-year-old boy imagines how to save his village from a drought but nobody believes he can do it. Catch the incredible true story of William Kamkwamba who helped build a windmill in his Malawi village using scraps of old machinery and a handful of library books. Adapted from his autobiography and from the 2019 film by Chiwetel Ejiofor (Executive Producer of the stage play), this inspiring and heartfelt musical makes its West End premiere. Ages 11+. 7.30pm (Mon-Sat) & 2.30pm (Thu-Sat); from £25 (Apr 29-Jul 18)

Thu-Sun: A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Shakespeare’s Globe, 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, SE1 9DT (Blackfriars/Mansion House tube)
A cast of amateur drama performers, a royal wedding, playful spirits, and forest fairies cast their spell in one of Shakespeare’s most delightful (and bewitching) comedies. In a night where everything feels possible, nothing is quite what it seems. But is Bottom really an ass and will true love find its way? Find out at this play under the skies at the famous home of Shakespearean theatre. Best for ages 7+ (no strict age guidance). 7.30pm (Tue-Sat), 1pm & 6.30pm (Sun), select matinees 2pm (Tue-Sat); standing £5-£10, seated £28-£88 face value (until Aug 29)

Thu-Mon: Star Trek at 60 at Science Museum, Exhibition Road, SW7 2DD (South Kensington tube)
To boldly go with Science Museum into the world of Star Trek, you’ll be part of their 60th anniversary celebrations. Check out themed events and film screenings, a trail of treasured objects from the movies and TV series, and a pop-up shop. Boldly go. All ages. Various times, museum open daily 10am-6pm; film screenings priced separately, events and activities are FREE (until Sep 8)

Thu-Mon: Samurai at the British Museum, Great Russell Street, WC1B 3DG (Russell Square tube)
LAST CHANCE: Wander back in time through medieval Japan and see Samurai culture up close. Discover more about the male and female samurai through games, costumes, fashion, film and battle gear. 10am-5pm daily (8.30pm Fri); adult from £23/under 16s FREE (until May 4)

Thu-Mon: David Hockney: A Year in Normandie and Some Other Thoughts About Painting, Serpentine North Gallery, West Carriage Drive, W2 2AR (Lancaster Gate tube)
Experience David Hockney’s luminous art, mostly created on an iPad in recent years. Highlights include a 90m long frieze (A Year in Normandie), inspired by the Bayeaux tapestry. 10am-5pm daily; FREE but advanced booking recommended. If it’s sold out online, walk-ups are welcome but you might need to queue. (until Aug 23)

Fri-Sun: Breakin’ Convention at Sadler’s Wells Theatre & the Lilian Baylis Studio, Rosebery Avenue, EC1R 4TN (Angel tube)
The international festival of hip hop dance theatre is back with more slamming shows, pop-up acts, graffiti, freestyle, workshops and more. UK icon Jonzi D hosts and curates with all the action kicking off on Friday evening. Best for ages 12+. Performances at 8pm (Fri) & 6pm (Sat & Sun); from £15 + booking fee (May 1-3)

Sat & Mon: Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre season, at Open Air Theatre, Regent’s Park, Queen Mary’s Garden within Regent’s Park, NW1 4NU (Baker St tube)
The popular annual outdoor theatre season launches this weekend with Sherlock Holmes, an exciting live mystery following the Baker St detective fresh off a successful case (May 2-Jun 6; 7.45pm Mon-Sat, 2pm Thu & Sat; from £15, ages 12+). Coming up: Family Day (May 24); James Acaster (May 31); A Life in Four Seasons (Jun 8-14); A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Jun 20-Jul 18); Cats (Jul 25-Sep 19); Anansi the Spider (Aug 15-Sep 6); Tim Key: Loganberry (Sep 6); Echo & the Bunnymen (Sep 22). Various ages, times and prices (May 2-Sep 12)

Sat-Mon: Birthday Bash at London Zoo, Regent’s Park NW1 4RY (Regent’s Park/Camden Town tube)
ZSL, the charity behind London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo, marks 200 years with this great big street party-style celebration. Come along for animal-inspired fitness (Zoorobics), animal talent show, fairground games, big Zoo quiz, picnic and BBQ, and lots more. From 3.30pm daily, there will be a chill out sone with live music. All ages invited. 10am-6pm (last entry 5pm until Sep 1); adult entry tickets from £27.70 (online/weekday/off peak)-£40 (at gate/weekend/peak)/child from £19.40 (online/weekday/off peak)-£28(at gate/weekend/peak)/under 3s FREE (May 2-4)

Sat-Mon: Migration Festival at WWT Wetlands, Queen Elizabeth’s Walk, Barnes, SW13 9WT (Barnes rail/Hammersmith tube and overground)
Celebrate migration at this vibrant mini-festival that blends wildlife with the sounds, sights and flavours of West Africa. This multi-sensory day out educates about the incredible journeys of migratory birds while sharing music, storytelling, food and hands-on fun for all ages. Various times from 10am; included in regular admission: adult from £17-£19 (Gift Aid £18.85-£20.90)/junior 4-17 £11.12-£12.35 (Gift Aid £12.25-13.60)/family £48.11-£53.45 (Gift Aid £52.95-£58.80)/assistant carers and under 4s FREE (May 2-4)

Sat-Mon: Canalway Cavalcade, Little Venice, Paddington, W9 2PF and W2 6NE (Paddington tube/rail, Warwick Avenue tube)
May Bank Holiday weekend wouldn’t be the same without this festival on the waterways. Stroll along the canalised for live music, arts and crafts, kids’ entertainment, workshops, food and drink stalls and real ale bar. Once the sun goes down, catch the illuminated procession of boats. Expect crowds. All ages welcome. 10am-5pm; FREE (May 2-4)

Sun: MakeBeth at Arts Depot, 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley, N12 0GA (Finchley Central tube)
Puppets, live music and paper wizardry transform Shakespeare’s tragedy into a laugh-along, cardBARD adventure! This interactive show from Cardboard Adventures and Shakespeare’s Globe has audiences making witches, helping Lady MacBeth with that damned spot, becoming trees of Birnam Wood and more! In partnership with Chichester Festival Theatre and Leeds Playhouse. For ages 7-11. 11am & 2pm; from £13.75 (May 3)

Sun: The Green Meet at Fulham Palace, Bishop’s Avenue, SW6 6EA (Putney Bridge tube)
It’s that time of year again when families gather at Fulham Palace for an afternoon of sustainable and eco-friendly fun. Visit stalls from local businesses, try a bee watch, birdwatching, chicken chat, family yoga, garden games and other kid-friendly activities and catch live entertainment from Alexandra Pulit, Mazviza, and the Live-In Room poets. 11am-4pm; adult £5/child £3 – all tickets £1 extra on the day. (May 3)

Mon: Mayfest at Brixton Windmill, Windmill Gardens, Blenheim Gardens SW2 5DA (Brixton tube)
Jack in the Green parade, Morris dancing, maypole dancing, live music stage, Morris dancing, crafts and planting, milling demos, bakery and cake stalls, family activities. It’s all happening at this year’s Mayfest. All ages welcome. 1pm-5pm; FREE (May 4)

We also like
Tickets are now on sale for the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration at New River Head, EC1 (official opening Jun 5); Songlines Encounters festival of international music launches at Kings Place, N1 (from Fri); tuck into The Tale of Beatrix Potter afternoon tea at The Park Room hotel on Park Lane (opens Fri); hurry and you’ll catch the Black History Steam Train tour (Sat); tune in for Aardman in Concert at Cadogan Hall (Sat) or The Lord of the Rings trilogy in concert at Royal Albert Hall (Thu-Sun); Ealing Book Festival has Farhana Islam, Oyinkan Braithwaite and others live (until Sun); take a ride up The Chimney Lift at Battersea Power Station for sweeping views across London (through Mon)

Booking Ahead

• Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration at New River Head, EC1 (opens Jun 5)
• Family Barn Dance: Maypole Special at Cecil Sharp House, NW1 (May 10)
• AstroNights Sleepovers at Science Museum (May 15, Jun 19, Jul 10) 
• Festival of the Boy at Big Penny Social, E17 (May 17)
• Fight the Power film festival: La Haine at Rich Mix, E1 (May 20)
• Exploring Black British Literature Live with Malorie Blackman at British Library, NW1 (May 22)
• Michael Rosen’s Birthday at Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, SE1 (May 23)
• Prancer the Dancer’s DanceDanceDiscoPartyFun Show at Riverside Terrace, Southbank Centre, SE1 (May 30)
• Love Ssega: The Elementals at Clore Ballroom, Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre SE1 (May 31)
• Sinatra the Musical at Aldwych Theatre, WC2 (opens Jun 3)
• Teddy Bear’s Picnic at Greenwich Theatre, SE10 (Jun 6)
• Kids Week, discount West End tickets (on sale from Jun 9, performances Jul 20-Aug 31)
• Summer Exhibition at Royal Academy, W1 (Jun 16-Aug 23)
• Kew the Movies at Kew Gardens, Richmond, TW9 (Jun 18-21)
• London Children’s Ballet: Anne of Green Gables at Sadler’s Wells Peacock Theatre, Holborn (Jul 3-5)
• Dog Man the Musical UK tour hits London at Southbank Centre, SE1 (Jul 29-Aug 16)

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**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!**