With our last bank holiday being nearly three months ago now, I wouldn’t blame you if you’ve been counting down the days until a precious three-day weekend rolls around again. Well, it’s almost here – August 23–25 to be exact – and of course, you’ll want to make the most of it. Luckily, that’s where we come in: we’ve kept an eye and ear out for the best events, festivals, exhibitions, and more that will ensure a brilliant long weekend. If you’ve been hunting for things to do in London this August bank holiday, look no further…
1. Experience the joys of Notting Hill Carnival
No August bank holiday list would make sense without Notting Hill Carnival. An annual staple of the bank holiday weekend, the biggest Carnival parade in Europe is a vibrant celebration of Caribbean culture, where you can breathe in the aromas of Jamaican jerk chicken and Trinidadian roti, dance to the infectious rhythms of live steel bands, and lose yourself in the colourful flurry of the mas (masquerade) bands’ feathers and paint.
The Notting Hill Carnival parades on Sunday, August 24, and Monday, August 25, are set to attract over 2 million visitors, as they do every year. Whether you’re in the parade yourself or heading along as a spectator, this will no doubt be the kaleidoscopic highlight of your bank holiday weekend.
2-3. Check out other Carnival-inspired events, away from the main celebration
If the crowds are too much, but you still want to soak up the spirit of Notting Hill Carnival (and I don’t just mean the rum), there are plenty of other Carnival-inspired events happening around London this August bank holiday weekend. Two such events are:
✨ Can’t make it to Notting Hill but still craving Carnival vibes? Hoodwood, the new Caribbean spin-off from Kentish Town’s Guanabana, has created a limited-edition Carnival Celebration Box (£35 for two), available until 25 August. Packed with sunshine flavours – Jerk Chicken and Lamb Bowls, Juicy Wings, Patty Pies and more.
✨ For Carnival vibes without the W11 crowds, head south to Pergola Brixton where the rooftop terrace transforms into a Carnival escape. On Sunday, grab a spot at the Carnival Bottomless Brunch (£45pp) with endless cocktails and tacos, soundtracked by all-day DJ sets, while Monday’s Carnival Day Party keeps the rum cocktails and beats flowing courtesy of Havana Club specials and a roster of local DJs. Expect rooftop energy, infectious rhythms, and true Carnival spirit all weekend long.
4. Take up free pro-led Chase Tag lessons in Brent Cross Town
If you’re looking for something active, fun and free to do this month, then Summer in the Park in Brent Cross Town is just the thing. Until August 31, there is a fantastic programme of free sports events, workshops and activities such as baseball, yoga and bootcamp. For the first time this includes coach-led Chase Tag classes (an exciting mix of parkour and the classic playground game of tag) held every Friday until Sept 6 at 3:30pm-4:30pm (kids) and 5pm-6pm (adults). The sessions are a great way to build confidence and learn key techniques. If you feel like you’re getting into the swing of it, you can get a team together and sign up to play against others at The Play Offs on September 13-14 (including the pros, who’ll be competing in an International Chase Off, that same weekend!). Find out all that’s on in Summer in the Park!
5. Snag a free Aperol Spritz from Market Place food halls across London
London’s hottest food hall collective Market Place is throwing a three-day Bank Holiday Aperol + Doritos Fiesta across its buzzing venues in St Paul’s, Vauxhall, Harrow and Peckham. From 23-25 August, they’ll be pouring 100 free Aperol Spritz per day, per site (just say “I’m here to celebrate”), plus launching the TikTok-famous Doritos Deal, which lets you bring your own pack of crisps and have them loaded with spicy toppings from global street food vendors for just £5. With DJs, live sport, street food and summer energy, it’s free entry!
6. Feast on a delicious BBQ bottomless brunch at Brigadiers
Make your Bank Holiday feast one to remember at Brigadiers, the legendary Indian BBQ hotspot in the City. Over the long weekend, diners can tuck into a special £35 menu, featuring indulgent plates like a Chicken Tikka Club Sandwich with Chaat Masala Aloos or a Royal Vegetarian Thali, best paired with two hours of bottomless Cobra Lager or cocktails (+£25).
7. Head to RALLY Festival at Southwark Park for a boogie
If dancing your way through the weekend is your thing, RALLY Festival takes over Southwark Park (23-25 August) for its third year with a line-up curated by NTS, GALA and Bird on the Wire. Beyond headliners like Floating Points and CASISDEAD, new additions include post-punk experimentalists Moin, underground duo Bassvictim, avant-pop artist AMORE, and iconic DJs like OK Williams and FAUZIA.
8. Immerse yourself in Cuban culture at 34’s Café de Cuba terrace takeover
Transport yourself to Havana without leaving Mayfair at 34’s Café de Cuba terrace takeover. Running until 30 August, the colourful pop-up celebrates Cuban culture with tropical flowers, flamingo installations, live music, and cocktails crafted with Ron Santiago de Cuba rum. On the menu, expect vibrant dishes like salmon tiradito with smoked pineapple or rum-glazed short rib.
9. Enjoy sky-high views of London and Iberian plates at JOIA Rooftop
Towering above London on the 16th floor of art’otel Battersea, JOIA Rooftop is the place for sky-high sundowners this Bank Holiday. Alongside Iberian-inspired plates and frozen cocktails (don’t miss the Zircao Margarita slushy), Sunday night brings a live sunset set from DJ-and-guitar duo Nøughts & Crxssxs (24 August, 4-8pm), perfect for closing out your weekend with unbeatable views, cool beats, and cocktails in the sky.
10. Soak up some cricket action at London’s most iconic grounds
Cricket fans can soak up world-class sporting action over the Bank Holiday as The Hundred brings men’s and women’s double-headers to London’s most iconic grounds. On Saturday 23 August, London Spirit face Southern Brave at Lord’s, before the action moves to The Kia Oval Monday 25 August for Oval Invincibles vs London Spirit. With tickets from £28 (just £5 for under-16s, under-threes free), plus live music sets from BBC Introducing artists, it’s a family-friendly way to combine sport, sunshine, and summer atmosphere.
11. Step into a world of optical illusions at Paradox Museum
Step into a world where reality bends and optical illusions reign supreme at the Paradox Museum in Knightsbridge. With over 50 mind-bending illusions spanning two spacious wings, visitors of all ages can delight in playful rooms like the Ames Room, Zero Gravity, and a Harry Potter-inspired section that will twist your perception at every turn. Ideal for families or groups of friends looking for unique interactive fun, the museum combines clever light, shadow, and angle tricks with photo-op guidance and insightful QR code info, promising a day packed with laughter and amazement for around £24 ticket price.
You can find tickets here.
12. Visit the infamous ocean liner at The Legend of The Titanic
Dock X in Surrey Quays hosts The Legend of The Titanic – The Immersive Exhibition, offering a stirring 120-minute journey through 13 richly detailed rooms that tell the story of this infamous ocean liner through breathtaking 360-degree projections, virtual reality, and authentic artefacts. Visitors can explore recreated ship interiors, experience an emotional VR tribute to Titanic’s orchestra, and dive into a cutting-edge metaverse exploration of the wreck beneath the sea. Suitable for all ages, with interactive quizzes and creative activities for children!
You can find tickets here.
13. Experience an epic Martian invasion at The War of the Worlds
Experience an epic Martian invasion like never before in Jeff Wayne’s The War of the Worlds: The Immersive Experience, located on Leadenhall Street in London’s financial district. This award-winning show takes you on a vivid 110-minute journey through 24 interactive scenes combining live actors, cutting-edge virtual reality, holograms, pyrotechnics, and multi-sensory effects like heat, vibrations, and scents.
Set in Victorian England and underscored by Jeff Wayne’s iconic, remastered prog-rock score, the experience immerses you in thrilling moments – from the ominous sighting of green gas to the chaos of Martian fighting machines laying waste to London landmarks.
You can find tickets here.
14. Attend a cheeky adults only immersive show – Sabrage at Lafayette
For an electrifying night out in London, Sabrage at Lafayette in King’s Cross delivers a wild and glamorous theatrical extravaganza inspired by the Napoleonic tradition of sabrage – opening Champagne with a saber. This two-hour immersive show blends elite circus and acrobatic performances with cheeky humour, risqué adult themes, and audience interaction, set within a stylish, Louisiana-inspired venue.
Loved by celebrities like Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka, Sabrage is ideal if you’re looking to do something ✨spicy✨. Note that due to nudity and mature content, it’s strictly for audiences 18+!
You can find tickets here.
15. Head down south to Forwards Festival
Summer 2025 is cementing London’s reputation as one of the best cities for music festivals. From chart-toppers like Sabrina Carpenter’s double headline at BST Hyde Park to electronic icon Peggy Gou electrifying Field Day at Brockwell Park, the city is alive with major gigs and unmissable festivals. The debut of SXSW London in Shoreditch this June and the eagerly awaited Pitchfork Festival London in November ensure that world-class talent is always just around the corner for Londoners.
Yet, it’s not all about staying within the M25. Over this August bank holiday, those seeking adventure can hop on a train and in less than two hours, reach Bristol – home to one of the country’s most exciting and underrated events: Forwards Festival.
The headline includes: Jorja Smith, Olivia Dean and The Last Dinner Party, Barry Can’t Swim, Ezra Collective, Confidence Man, Orbital, English Teacher and more!