With our last bank holiday nearly three months behind us, I wouldn’t blame you if you’ve been counting down the days until another precious three-day weekend rolls around. Well, it’s almost here August 29–31, 2026, to be exact and of course, you’ll want to make the most of it as the next one’s not for a while (ooft).
Luckily, that’s where we come in. We’ve kept our eyes and ears peeled for the best events, festivals, exhibitions, and more happening across the capital to ensure you have a brilliant long weekend. So, if you’ve been hunting for the best things to do in London this August Bank Holiday, look no further…
Look southwest before sunrise on August 28 to catch a near-total, reddish Moon over London. If you’re up for an early start after the bank holiday weekend, look to the sky: a partial lunar eclipse will be visible over London in the early hours of Friday, August 28, with about 93% of the Moon covered at maximum and the most dramatic phase occurring shortly before sunrise.
Europe’s biggest street party — free to attend and rooted in Caribbean culture. No August bank holiday weekend in London is complete without Notting Hill Carnival, Europe’s biggest street party, held in Notting Hill, West London each August bank holiday weekend. It’s a huge celebration of Caribbean culture with food, costumes and Soca music. Spectating is free, while mas bands sell paid costume/packages for participants.
London will become the labyrinthine stage of your escape room-reminiscent adventure on the Race Across the World Experience. Offering two clue-filled routes through the city, either based in the West End or the City of London, this is urban exploration with a Sherlockian twist.
You can step into the shoes of contestants who graced the screen of the hit BBC show – on a slightly smaller scale – as you race through the city solving cryptic puzzles, exploring secret shortcuts, gazing up at iconic landmarks and managing a virtual budget so you can reach the checkpoints with minutes to spare. Do you have what it takes to be the first to reach the guestbook?
If you’re planning your 2026 August bank holiday weekend in London around a big dance, you’re in luck: August is effectively the last full month of festival season here (even if a few spill into the early weeks of September). So leave no overpriced tinnie undowned; no beads of glitter unapplied; and no dusty tent undanced in—you’ll miss it all when it’s gone!
🎵 All Points East (August 22 – 30) – Victoria Park
🎤 RALLY (August 29) – Southwark Park
🎶 Lido Festival (August 31, 2026) – Victoria Park
Curious about what lies beneath? The SEA LIFE London Aquarium is a window into the fascinating lives of ocean creatures – from majestic sharks to tiny clownfish – featuring the UK’s largest coral reef display, over 500 species and 14 interactive zones. You can explore everything from rainforests to rockpools, watching seahorses suck up tiny shrimp and giant green sea turtles glide serenely through the water before getting lost in the spellbinding world of jellyfish.
Do yoga in the sky before brunching on Portuguese plates at JOIA
Start the August Bank Holiday weekend with a little movement, skyline scenery and an indulgent brunch at JOIA, the sky-high Portuguese restaurant on the 15th floor of art’otel London Battersea.
Taking place on Saturday 29 August, the Yoga & Brunch experience is hosted in partnership with lululemon in a 60-minute guided yoga session led by a lululemon ambassador. The class comes with views stretching across Battersea Power Station and the London skyline.
Afterwards, settle in for a curated Iberian brunch from two Michelin-starred chef Henrique Sá Pessoa. Expect Bacalhau à Brás, Eggs Royal with matcha hollandaise and French toast with caramelised blood orange, served alongside fruit smoothies or coffee.
Thousands of candles set the scene for intimate, unforgettable concerts. If you’re after a calmer moment amid the August Bank Holiday buzz, Candlelight concerts offer an intimate atmosphere with thousands of candles and a repertoire that ranges from Mozart and Vivaldi to modern tributes (Queen, ABBA, Ed Sheeran). Performed by pianists, string quartets and dancers, these concerts can be hosted in established venues or privatised for company events.
Treat yourself to an intoxicating night out at Sabrage, a dazzling cabaret show where you can witness hypnotic acrobatics and bewitching circus acts with a delectable dash of tongue-in-cheek comedy.
Named after the ceremonious act of opening a champagne with a fine-edged sabre, the show promises a wondrous concoction of vintage glamour and top talent, with an Olivier-nominated vocalist and acts that have performed for the likes of Cirque de Soleil. Take a seat among the decadent time-warped surrounds of Lafayette King’s Cross, sip your hand-crafted cocktail and get ready for a night to remember.
The magic of one of cinema’s most loved animations is brought to life at Shrek’s Adventure, a walkthrough experience that invites fans on a journey through the land of Far Far Away. Venture into the big green guy’s iconic swamp, escape Lord Farquard’s dungeon and concoct a spell at the Muffin Man’s bakery with nine themed live shows that bring all your favourite moments and characters to life. This is as close as you’ll get to stepping through the screen without having to sign a magical contract with Rumpelstiltskin – which, as we all know, is not a good idea.
Brunch on Indian small plates with bottomless drinks at Brigadiers
Head to Brigadiers for a bank holiday brunch inspired by the bold flavours of India. The City restaurant is offering a £35 set menu featuring dishes such as the Chicken Tikka Club Sandwich and Royal Vegetarian Thali, with the option to add two hours of bottomless Cobra Lager or cocktails for an additional £25. Outdoor terrace seating, live sports screenings and Brigadiers’ famously energetic atmosphere make it a fitting choice for a sociable afternoon.
If you’re looking for an excuse to book that dinner out, make it one of these seasonal foodie experiences. Summer is bringing exclusive dining festivals, limited-edition desserts and unique pop-ups to the capital. Head to PizzaExpress to celebrate ExpressFest with amazing seasonal dishes and incredible offers, cook your own feast at The BBQ Club pop-up, try wonderfully weird flavours at The Anya Hindmarch Ice Cream Project and more this foodie season.
Dance to heavyweight dub at Channel One’s Carnival warm-up party
Kick off the bank holiday weekend with heavyweight dub, roots reggae and one of London’s most respected sound systems as Channel One returns to Village Underground for its annual Notting Hill Carnival Warm-Up.
Taking place on Friday 28 August 2026, the late-night party runs from 11pm until 4am, bringing the sound system collective’s unmistakable custom-built audio and deep-rooted musical energy to Shoreditch.
Expect dubplate specials, roots reggae selections and a dancefloor atmosphere shaped by community, culture and celebration, with special guests still to be announced.
Feast your eyes on the largest collection of Ramses II treasures to ever leave Egypt at this extraordinary exhibition at Battersea Power Station. Ramses and the Pharaohs’ Gold offers a rare and authentic gateway to the golden world of Egypt’s most powerful pharoah with over 180 priceless items dating back to the 13th century.
You can not only gaze upon the coffin of Ramses II himself, but you can learn about the traditions and rituals of a bygone time as you take in hieroglyphics, animal mummies, gold jewellery and fascinating colossal statues – all showcased with the special support of the Supreme Council of Antiquities.
Celebrate 25 years of Brick Lane music culture at Cafe 1001
Brick Lane institution Cafe 1001 is celebrating 25 years in East London with a special weekend dedicated to music discovery, vinyl culture and the community that has made the venue a fixture of the local nightlife scene. Running from Friday 28 to Saturday 29 August, the anniversary celebrations will be headlined by Charlie Dark MBE, alongside Cafe 1001 residents and long-time collaborators.
Spend the bank holiday weekend eating, dancing and playing at Mercato Metropolitano
Mercato Metropolitano is turning Elephant & Castle into a summer playground over the bank holiday weekend, with a packed programme of fitness, wellness, music and street food. Things begin on Friday 28 August from 6.30pm, when Snap Fitness hosts an interactive pop-up featuring Blazepod reactive-intelligence challenges. Visitors can test their reactions, compete for a place on the live leaderboard and be in with a chance of winning prizes including gym guest passes and memberships.
