How’s your summer been? It’s hard to believe the kids are back to school from next week, but we’ve got the August Bank Holiday Weekend to look forward to before then. London is bursting with family fun, from free outdoor parties to play spaces, exhibitions, open-air theatre and cinema, foodie delights and more. Enjoy!
14 Fantastic London Family Activities this August Bank Holiday
Thu-Sun: Project A Black Experience at Barbican Centre, Art Gallery (Level 3), Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS (Barbican tube)
Go on a deep dive into Pan-Africanism through 250+ works from the 1920s to today. This extensive show presents paintings, film, journals, posters, installations and more from across Africa, Brazil, the Caribbean, North America and Western Europe. Exploring transnational solidarity and anti-colonial resistance, the exhibition features artists such as Claudette Johnson, Marlene Dumas and Chris Ofili. Tune into Barbican’s programming for additional events linked to the exhibition. All ages (PG for some content). 10am-6pm (Sat-Sun & Tue-Wed), 10am-8pm (Thu-Fri); adult £20.50/child under 16 FREE/concs available (until Sep 6)
Thu-Sun: Theatre on Kew: Twelfth Night at Kew Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AE (Kew Gardens tube/Kew Bridge rail, overground)
LAST CHANCE to catch the Theatre on Kew season, in partnership with the Australian Shakespeare Company. This Bank Holiday weekend, you can watch an evening performance of Shakespeare’s enchanting comedy, Twelfth Night. Open to all ages, best for ages 7+. Doors 6.30pm/Show 7.30pm; adult £33.45/youth £28.45/child 1-15 £12.45/concs available (until Aug 30)
Thu-Mon: Childhood in War at Imperial War Museum, IWM London, Lambeth Road, SE1 6HZ (Lambeth North tube, Elephant and Castle and Waterloo tube/rail)
With so many children suffering through needless global conflicts, this poignant exhibition focuses on kids in war-torn countries from 1914 to the present day. Personal stories and hands-on displays immerse visitors in the lives of kids around the world. From an evacuee train carriage to a Cold War era kitchen and a literary trail, you can discover how war impacts everything from school and play to family life and health. Several family activities are linked to the exhibition too. Best for ages 8+, younger ones welcome. 10am-6pm daily; FREE (until Feb 28, 2027)
Thu-Mon: Greenwich + Docklands International Festival, multiple locations around Greenwich
The free outdoor arts and theatre festival continues with lots to do over the August Bank Holiday. Highlights this weekend: Meet Me By the Fountain (Aug 28-29), Efectos Especiales (Aug 29-30), The Aunties: House of Masks (Aug 30) and The Torch (Aug 31). Plus family trails, installations, stalls and workshops. All ages unless otherwise stated (check ahead). Various times; FREE (until Sep 6)
Thu-Mon: First Year at Hogwarts at WB Studio Tour, Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, Aerodrome Way, Leavesden, Hertfordshire, WD25 7GS (Watford Junction rail)
The Harry Potter studio tour is a must-see for fans and this August Bank Holiday weekend is a great chance to celebrate 25 years of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. First Year at Hogwarts features iconic props, sets and moments from the movie. All ages welcome. Open daily: first bus 9.20am, first tour 9.30am/last tour begins 4pm, last bus/studio closes 8pm; adult from £58.50/child from £47/family discounts available/under 4s or carers FREE but require tickets. Pre-booking essential. (until Sep 7)
Thu-Mon: King’s Cross Playframe + Araw Ice Lollies Giveaway! at Lewis Cubitt Square, N1C (King’s Cross St Pancras tube/rail)
Throughout summer, King’s Cross has hosted a giant, climbable installation as part of their Escape in London summer programme. The August Bank Holiday weekend is your last chance to climb and on Saturday (Aug 29) Araw are giving away 100 free limited-edition ice lollies for visitors to enjoy. These lollies take inspiration from the neighbourhood’s designs and experiences, but it’s first come, first served so don’t miss out! Lollies are available for purchase after the giveaway. All ages welcome. Playframe open 10am-6pm daily; FREE (until Aug 31)
Thu-Mon: UNIQLO Tate Play: Lina Lapelytė at Tate Modern, Bankside, SE1 9TG (Blackfriars tube/rail)
Spend the Bank Holiday weekend in the cool space of Turbine Hall at Tate Modern. It’s been transformed into a maze-like stage where art, music and improve collide. Lina Lapelytė’s vision invites visitors to become part of the art. All ages. 10.30am-6pm daily (last entry 5.30pm); FREE (until Aug 31)
Thu-Mon: Death Note: The Musical at Barbican Centre, Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS (Barbican tube)
The multi-million selling manga and wildly popular anime hits the stage in this electrifying musical. Find out what happens when student Light Yagami comes across a notebook with extraordinary powers. It becomes a cat and mouse battle to the finish with enigmatic detective L. Ages 12+. 7.30pm (Mon-Sat) & 2.30pm (Thu & Sat); from £29 (until Sep 12)
Sat-Sun: Riverside Sessions at Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube/rail)
It’s the last weekend of the Riverside Sessions at Southbank Centre, a season of free music and parties curated by their youth collectives e.g. Kinetica Bloco and ZooNation. Come and party with Heart n Soul (Aug 29) and hear from climate activists in Live + Breathe (Aug 30), a day of solidarity and music. 2pm; FREE (Aug 29-30)
Sat-Sun: Rooftop Cinema at Bussey Building, Peckham, 133 Rye Lane, SE15 4SL (Peckham Rye rail/overground) & Roof East, 7 & 8 Stratford Multi Storey Car Park, Great Eastern Rd, E15 1XE (Stratford tube/rail/overground/DLR)
Climb up to the rooftop at either the Bussey Building in Peckham or at Roof East in Stratford for some open-air movie screenings. This weekend, family friendly films on the roster in Peckham include Ratatouille (Sat Aug 29, doors 1.30pm/film 2pm) & The Parent Trap (Sat Aug 29, doors 4.15pm/film 4.45pm). Over in Stratford, catch Rio – Carnival Party (Sat Aug 29, doors 12.45pm/film 1.15pm) & Ratatouille (Sun Aug 30, doors 1.45pm/film 2.15pm); adult lounge seat £14-£19/child lounge seat £7-£11/family lounge seat combo £11-£15.25pp/lounge seat + popcorn £17-£22/loveseat + popcorn £20-£25 – prices vary by venue & film, check ahead (until Aug 30)
Sat-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 almost time for Europe’s largest street party and West London will be ready. Come for the costumes and floats, sound systems, steel bands and yummy street food. Saturday is the Steel Band competition day (ticketed pre-event) and the carnival fun kicks off on Sunday, also known as Children’s Day since it’s a bit calmer. All ages. From around 9.30am daily, FREE (Aug 29-31)
Sat-Mon: Hampton Court Palace Food Festival at East Molesley KT8 9AU (Hampton Court rail)Bring your clan for a foodie day out at Henry VIII’s historic home. Feast until your belly bursts, then work it all off with a bunch of activities. Along with street food and artisan stalls, there’s also live music, garden games, Hey Duggee, Peppa Pig, Paddington, face painting, silent disco and more on the menu. ; included with palace admission: adult ages 16+ from £29-£32/child under 17 £14.50-£16/under 5s & members FREE (Aug 29-31)
Sun: August Family Festival at Dulwich Picture Gallery, Dulwich Picture Gallery, Gallery Road, SE21 7AD (West Dulwich tube/rail)Wild life drawing, mini animators, Glitterbox face painting, a garden trail and the popular Art Play Pavilion are all part of this summer’s day out. Come and play with nature fun and hands-on experiences. 10am-4pm; FREE entry, some paid sessions (Aug 30
Sun: Pop-Kid Family Rave at SetList, Somerset House (Charing Cross tube/rail) and Pop Brixton (Brixton tube)
Party to the tunes of Taylor Swift, Michael Jackson, Bruno Mars and other pop superstars. Supa Dupa Fly and friends spin classic hits to get you and your kids tearing up the floor. Fancy dress encouraged + free face painting, glow sticks, props and dance prizes. Open to families with kids and babies of all ages. 12pm-3pm; adult from £12/child from £7/family from £29.90/babies under 1 FREE (Aug 30)
We also like
Kids and grownups alike love Prehistoric Planet: Discovering Dinosaurs at Lightroom, King’s Cross (Thu-Mon, ends Sep 1); anime lovers can’t miss London Anime and Gaming Con at Novotel London West (Fri-Sun); the Chineke! Junior Orchestra host a summer concert at Fairfield Halls in Croydon (Sat); there’s social dancing, live DJs, workshops and an MJ birthday tribute at the FREE Speaker Box Street Party in Wembley Park (Sat); sink your toes into the sand at Big Penny Social’s Family Summer Festival (Sun); don’t miss Brainiac Live, explosive science fun at Garrick Theatre (until Sun); Little Angel Theatre Children’s Puppet Festival wraps up this weekend (until Sun); and Dinosaur World Live is still roaring at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre (until Sep 6)
The Autumn Hot List 2026 is coming soon!
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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!**
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