25 brilliant ways to celebrate the August bank holiday in London

Summer in London wouldn't be summer in London without Notting Hill Carnival. Taking place on August bank holiday weekend each year since 1966, it’s grown into Europe’s largest street festival, attracting more than two and half million people annually. With parades, masquerade, floats, dancing, steel bands and soundsystems, as well as the outstanding Caribbean food stalls, Carnival is a feast for the senses. 

You can always rely on the annual free Greenwich + Docklands International Festival to have plenty of spectacle on its line-up. This year’s 17-day programme will focus on both activism and climate change with the big 2024 showstopper likely to be Australian physical theatre company Legs on the Wall’s ‘THAW’ (Aug 24-25), an epic eight hour aerial performance staged on a two-and-a-half-tonne block of ice suspended high in the air by a crane. Need something to entertain the kids? Look out for ‘Pram People’ (Aug 25-26), a show for little ones (and their parents) by Australian company which involves an interactive performance around a weird and wonderful series of prams.

Summer is almost over, but there's still a chance to make the most of London’s thriving and fun outdoor cinema scene. Across the city, you'll find pop-up screenings in scenic spots, showing the latest blockbusters, indie flicks and some beloved classics for good measure. This year, it’s all about enshrining ‘Barbie’ into the outdoor cinema canon alongside the likes of ‘La La Land’, ‘Notting Hill’ and other surefire favourites on London-wide screens. 

There might be a lot to be said for London’s outdoor swimming spots, but sometimes you can’t beat a paddle in the waves, some refreshing sea air, and a hearty portion of fish ‘n’ chips. You’ve probably already been on a jaunt down to Brighton, but the British seaside has plenty of more secluded, photogenic destinations absolutely steeped in charm, too – and many of the UK's best beaches can be found within two hours of the capital. Hop on a train and soak up some sun, stat.