May has always been a good month here in London, gracing us with (mostly) nicer weather and not one, but two long weekends – and this year, we were given three (!!), thanks to the King’s coronation. Sadly, it’s time for the last May bank holiday this weekend (officially known as the Spring bank holiday) – and the final one until August – but there are plenty of things to do in London between May 26–29 to make the most of it.
1. Let loose at an epic day festival of reggae, dancehall, afrobeats and soca
City Splash returns to London this bank holiday weekend, with some big names headlining. Snap up your tickets and head to Brockwell Park to see Chronixx, Koffee, Shenseaa, Skillibeng, and many, many more perform live on May 29 across seven stages. Alongside the epic performances, there’ll also be over 60 different food traders ready to fill your stomach with delicious African and Caribbean food, plus the vibes are sure to be unrivalled.
2. Spend time at Skylight Peckham’s rooftop BBQ bar
Get your Caribbean food fix even earlier than City Splash by making a beeline for Skylight Peckham. Across Sunday and Monday (May 28–29), the rooftop bar will be hosting a Jamaican BBQ, featuring jerk chicken, jerk cauliflower, rice and peas, coleslaw, and festival (a sweet, fried dumpling). This particular BBQ is part of Skylight Peckham’s series of BBQs from around the world; the team will host a rotating menu of Nigerian, Portuguese and Jamaican dishes to be enjoyed throughout the summer.
3. Dine on a delicious steak dinner for a fraction of the price, with BYOB
Heliot Steakhouse, housed in Leicester Square’s Hippodrome Casino, will launch a new weekly BYOB session on bank holiday Monday (May 29). Every Monday from the bank holiday weekend onwards, bring unlimited bottles of your own wine to enjoy alongside the London restaurant’s fantastic cuts of beef, seafood and other dishes. There is no corkage fee – we love to see it – and the Head of Wine is on hand to expertly pair your bottles with dishes from the menu, if you so wish.
4. Find inner peace at the Mind Body Spirit Festival
Looking for relaxing things to do in London this bank holiday weekend? The Mind Body Spirit Festival will be taking place all weekend (May 26–29) at Olympia London, full of workshops and activities that’ll soothe body, mind and soul.
There will be free-to-attend talks from leaders in the wellness industry, as well as a pop-up temple, tarot readings, and spa therapists on hand to provide massages. No matter what stage of life you’re at, there will be information – and some demonstrations – on holistic approaches to ailments.
5. Channel your favourite character at MCM Comic Con
The famed MCM Comic Con returns this weekend (May 26–28), taking place at the ExCel Centre near Canary Wharf. The ultimate celebration of pop culture, the convention welcomes first timers and die-hard fans alike to honour all things film, TV, books, and games. There’ll be a sensational programme of panels, showcases, and live performances, plus an outdoor MCM Fringe Stage with comedy and dance.
At the May edition, key attendees include David Bradley (Harry Potter, Doctor Who, and Game of Thrones) Kevin McNally (Pirates of the Caribbean), Harvey Guillén (What We Do In The Shadows), and many more.
6. Swap flat prosecco for a fresh spritz at a Bermondsey bottle amnesty
If you’re after a booze-free bank holiday weekend, look away now. The newest watering hole on Bermondsey Beer Mile, These Days Aperitivo Bar, will be running a bottle amnesty between May 26–29, where you can swap your half-drunk, flat bottles of prosecco for a free refreshing spritz. Win win! The rules are your bubbly must be, well, not bubbly, and it’s one bottle for one spritz. You can choose either the Sundown Spritz or Venetian Spritz; both are made with real fruit and organic white wine. Talk about a good trade.
7. Check out the new Star Wars fan exhibition
The Fans Strike Back exhibition is one of the largest private Star Wars collections made for the fans by the fans, and it has been receiving rave reviews since opening at the beginning of the month. You only need to travel to South Kensington to step foot on the star destroyer bridge, wield a lightsaber, or simply browse hundreds of unique collectables and figurines. It’s a must visit for Star Wars fans.
8. Try the new dining package at The Palm House
The Palm House in Victoria already has a pretty cool weekend set-up with their bottomless brunch, and now they’re launching an arguably even more lovely option. This Saturday (May 27), be one of the first to try their five-course menu, which includes cocktails. For £60pp, you’ll get a Daiquiri or Negroni upon arrival, five courses of delicious seafood, meat, and dessert, and finish with a choice of Espresso Martini or Old Fashioned. For an extra £10, you can even add wine to your meal.
9. Enjoy a free summer party at Flat Iron Square
Here at Secret London, we love finding free things to do – and bank holiday weekends are no different. Beavertown will take over London Bridge‘s Flat Iron Square on Saturday (May 27) as part of their upcoming Summer Collaboration Sessions series with Skulloon. This summer party will be free to enter, and you won’t need a ticket; just purchase whatever you want to drink. There’ll be live music from Grammy Award-winning duo Blue Lab Beats to keep the vibes going.
10. Tantalise your tastebuds with tequila tipples in Paddington
Say adios to the month of May at Pergola Paddington this bank holiday Monday. On May 29, the London venue will be hosting an Altos Tequila bank holiday party boasting a plethora of tequila-based cocktails. Better yet, they’re priced at just £6.50 each. Choose from the likes of spicy watermelon margaritas, Palomas and Lagaritas, as DJs spin the decks between 12pm–7pm.
11. Raise a glass to a rooftop restaurant’s exclusive bank holiday menu
Each bank holiday, rooftop bar Madison offers a special bank holiday brunch menu to celebrate the extra day off. Venture to the top of One New Change near St Paul’s Cathedral for a two- or three-course brunch, free-flowing bubbles, and supreme views of the aforementioned cathedral.
Brunch dishes include the likes of Severn & Wye smoked salmon, with Charlotte potato salad; pulled pork eggs benedict; and fried chicken buttermilk pancakes with a chilli glaze.
12. Kickstart the half term with a selection of fun, family activities
The bank holiday weekend marks the start of the half term here in London, so use the weekend to spur on the rest of your week with the kids in your life. From exploring the underwater world at the London Aquarium to observing the land creatures at London Zoo, there is plenty to do in the capital: check out our complete list of things to do with kids in London this half term.
Also published on Medium.