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It’s the last bank holiday weekend of the year and the tail end of summer, so there are plenty of reasons to make the most of the three days away from the office.
Whether you’re a Londoner or coming into the capital from further away, you’ll have a plethora of events to choose from. We've sifted through the going out lists to bring you the top places to see and be seen at this weekend.
Things to do in London over the August Bank HolidayShow all 11 1 /11Things to do in London over the August Bank Holiday Things to do in London over the August Bank Holiday Notting Hill Carnival (Aug 24-25) Either go down and experience the sights, sounds and tastes of Europe’s biggest street party in person, or watch London Live (either TV or online) to experience the music, dancing and cuisines from a distance. Starting with a steel band performance, Panorama, on Saturday evening, the family day kicks off on Sunday with a jubilant Children Parade and evolves into the Grande Finale on Monday where 60 bands in magnificent costumes dance to mobile sound systems or steel bands.
Things to do in London over the August Bank Holiday FrightFest, Vue Cinemas Leicester Square (Aug 21-25) Christmas comes early, covered in blood and convulsing with night terrors for horror fans in the Capital. Freddy Krueger himself, Robert Englund, and director Ti West are among the star attractions as they premiere their latest movies. Also on the bill is Dan 'Downton Abbey' Stevens' Hollywood horror outing, The Guest, and the Australian horror phenomenon, The Badadook. Plus the first ever UK screening of Zombeavers.
Things to do in London over the August Bank Holiday Meantime Brewfest (Aug 23-25) It's the third festival for the Greenwich brewery but, like any good relationship, it's not all about them. 40 brewers are taking part in the event at The Old Brewery in the Royal Naval College. Gone are the days of you need to have a belly and beard to enjoy ale, it's not a unisex pastime. Expect food pairing, live misc and samples galore. You will need to book in advance.
Things to do in London over the August Bank Holiday Paw Pageant (Bank Holiday Monday) Fashion's a bitch at this couture event for canines. Taking place at Old Spitalfields Market between 1pm and 3pm and it's free to watch but if you want to enter your pooch you need to book in advance and fork out. It's in aid of Battersea Cats and Dogs Home and there are loads of other dog-themed things going on at the event too.
Things to do in London over the August Bank Holiday Festival Of Love (August 23-25) The Festival Of Love continues throughout the Bank Holiday Weekend and many of the activities are free. If you're wanting to hook up it something you should look up as Saturday's theme if Flirting & Erotica. The event includes the biggest speed-dating extravaganza in the capital and also advice on how to be intimate through what organisers are calling a whole range of playful games and tricks. But it's all in the best possible taste.
Things to do in London over the August Bank Holiday Morden Hall Park Food Festival (Mon August 26) Food festivals in the Capital are like buses. But much tastier and you're allowed to drink. This is one is different to others out there in the Capital as it takes part at the National Trust owned property where you'll scoff your haul surrounded by the sounds of a deer park. There's even a baking competition and cooking demonstrations as well as all the street food you can handle. Just accept that you are becoming your parents. That's okay.
Things to do in London over the August Bank Holiday Secret Cinema presents Back To the Future (until August 27) This weekend is the last chance for audiences to go Back To The Future and still get the last tube home. Extra tickets have gone on sale for the last few nights of the experiential cinema event that started off badly but soon hit 88 miles an hour and has been blowing crowds away. It's probably the only chance you'll get to become a part of one of the greatest films of all time and actually reside in Hill Valley and come face to face with Biff and his goons been if it's just for a few hours. Dress up or you will stand out.
Things to do in London over the August Bank Holiday Regency Weekend (Aug 25-25) Now we have hipsters, then they had dandies. Hold court and prepare for tales of ribaldry from days of old as Aspley House in Hyde Park, an English Heritage property, gets in on the trend for themed events and gives visitors the chance to explore the period, life and laughter of the Prince Regent era. You'll need to pre-book and it's only on between 1am and 5pm but think of it as like history meets Secret Cinema but without the DeLorean. Or a film. But with some awesome frilly shirts.
Things to do in London over the August Bank Holiday Alchemy (until August 26) If you haven't already caught the celebration of South Asian culture at the South Bank Centre then the Bank Holiday weekend is the perfect time to do. Now it its fifth year, the vents explores everything from politics to fashion and boasts pop up shops, a street food market, DJs and more. It' also worth checking out the Roti Chai Chaat Shack restaurant and Bar. A feast to levee you satisfied in more ways than one.
Things to do in London over the August Bank Holiday Pop Up Screens (August 23-25) This South London location boasts a whole weekend of movies on a big screen al fresco including Romeo and Juliet, the Baz Luhrmann version, as well as Mamma Mia and The Hangover. Admittedly, you've probably seen them all a thousand times but there is nothing quite LOLing and swooning with total strangers in the open air surrounded by nature at Morden Hall Park while snuggling under a blanket and sipping plonk from a plastic. Throw in the smell of freshly popped popcorn and you've got good times.
Things to do in London over the August Bank Holiday The Midnight Apothecary Garden Cocktail Bar (August 23) From now until the end of September, every Saturday night the roof garden at The Brunel Museum in Rotherhithe becomes a magical playground of mixology for Lottie Muir aka The Cocktail Gardener. From 5.30pm until late there is live jazz as attendees sip botanical cocktails and toast marshmallows over a fire. You need book tickets in advance but as the nights draw in, this is a great place to soak up the chill of the sophist acted city and tuck into Greek BBQ from I Should Be Souvlaki. And who can resist Kylie-inspired Kofti?
Notting Hill Carnival is always the big event of the August bank holiday weekend. For a calmer vibe, head down to the Children’s Parade on Sunday, but if you want to party with the Masquerade bands, Calypsonians and Sound Systems, then the Grand Finale on Monday is your best bet. The temperature is not as high as it has been over August, but it should stay dry for most of the weekend, and many of these can be enjoyed whatever the weather, and some of them well into September if you can’t cram them all in.
Simon Thompson, Entertainment Producer at London Live Watch live Notting Hill coverage here
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