Things To Do This Bank Holiday Weekend In London: 4-6 May 2024

All weekend

BANK HOLIDAY: Take a look at our guide to spending the bank holiday weekend in London for ways to fill your time, from walking routes to top-notch pubs to guided tours and cultural days out.

BEYOND LONDON: Alternatively, ditch the capital altogether. Our Beyond London section has plenty of ideas for day trips and weekend breaks within easy reach of the capital, whatever the weather. Perhaps you fancy sleeping in a Dolly Parton-themed hotel room, hitting up a couple of quirky museums, or kicking back with a cuppa and a scone at a traditional tea room.

CANALWAY CAVALCADE: If you go down to the canal over the May Day bank holiday, you're in for a big surprise. Dozens of canal boats moor up in Little Venice for the Canalway Cavalcade, a vibrant festival with live music, children's activities and boat-based fun. FREE, 4-6 May

STREETHUNT GAMES: Here's a unique way to keep you and your crew occupied over the long weekend: a self-guided team adventure around the streets of London. Part scavenger hunt, part escape room, part murder mystery, Streethunt Games offer a unique way to explore the capital. Untangle a coffee-soaked tale of corporate corruption or crack codes to claim your rightful inheritance – there are two difficulty levels to choose from, so both families and super-sleuths can get involved. (sponsor)

RUISLIP LIDO RAILWAY: Choo choo! The Ruislip Lido Railway (which we're partial to riding ourselves) holds a Gala Weekend, where the public can get a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to keep the railway running. Visit the workshop and yard, sit in some of the locomotives on display, and — if you like what you see — find out about becoming a volunteer. 4-6 May

POND DIPPING: Get to know your pond skater from your stickleback at the pond dipping weekend at London Wetland Centre in Barnes. Drop in at the pond zone and learn about what goes on under the water. It's included in admission fee, and there's also interactive storytelling for younger visitors. 4-6 May

GRAND DESIGNS LIVE: Want to transform your home? Get all sorts of inspiration for FREE with a pair of complimentary tickets to Grand Designs Live at ExCeL London. Whether you’re renovating, self-building, or just updating the décor, this is a fantastic place to start — there are live talks, exclusive offers from a ton of exhibitors, and free consultations available with architects, designers and more. Claim your free tickets with the code LONDONIST. 4-12 May (sponsor)

LIGHT INTO LIFE: 20 artworks by Marc Quinn form new exhibition Light Into Life at Kew Gardens, which opens on Saturday. The artist worked in close collaboration with Kew scientists and horticulturists to identify significant plants from across the collections to inspire the works, which include installations and sculptural portraits. 4 May-29 September

PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITIONS: A reminder that the Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition is ongoing at Somerset House, with stories from around the world told through photography. If that interests you, so might the World Press Photo exhibition, which opens in time for this weekend. Until 6 May

TURN IT UP: The Science Museum's family-friendly and interactive deep-dive into how music shapes our lives, including a musical playground, ends on Monday. It's a chance to play some weird and wonderful instruments, and learn more about the science behind sound. Until 6 May

THE PHANTOM MENACE: The Prince Charles Cinema marks the upcoming 25th anniversary of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace by screening the George Lucas-directed film multiple times over this week. May the 4th might be a good day to watch it... 3-9 May

ASIAN FILMS: There are various events from the UK Asian Film Festival programme taking place around London (and beyond) this weekend. Watch a selection of five films made within 48 hours, or be at the UK premiere of British Asian film A Game of Two Halves, among other options. Until 12 May

MICHELANGELO: One of our art critic's picks for the best exhibitions to see in London in May, the British Museum's new Michelangelo show focuses on the later decades of the artist's life, when he left Florence for Rome. Architectural projects, drawings, poems and intimate letters from this period all feature. 2 May-28 July

BETWEEN THE BRIDGES: The summer programme of events at open-air riverside venue Between The Bridges is underway in time for the bank holiday weekend, including a drag brunch and Glitterfest on Saturday. DJs, themed club nights, drag shows and bottomless brunches all feature throughout the summer, and there are several bars and street food vendors on site. From 2 May

Saturday 4 May

HIP HOP DANCE THEATRE: Breakin' Convention, apparently the world's biggest festival of hip hop dance theatre, takes over Sadler's Wells for two evenings of shows featuring performers from the UK, France, Netherlands and South Korea. 4-5 May

OPEN GARDEN: Bell House in Dulwich opens its two-acre garden to the public, giving you a chance to explore its Walled Garden, House Garden, and other areas, with tea and coffee available. 11.30am-1pm

SHAKE THE HIGH ROAD: Independent music festival Shake The High Road takes over various venues in Leytonstone — including pubs, bars and a church — for a day of 20+ live music acts and DJs, plus a family-friendly disco. All venues are within easy walking distance of each other and one ticket gets you access to all events. 12pm-2am

SEWING MACHINE MUSEUM: The monthly opening of the little-known London Sewing Machine Museum goes ahead on bank holidays. It's a chance to view a private collection of hundreds of machines, including one which was owned by Queen Victoria's daughter — read more about it here. 2pm-5pm

EUROSMASH: Woolwich Works hosts one-day music festival Eurosmash, featuring live acts and fan favourites from Eurovision across the years, including Jedward and 1997 winner Katrina. In addition to the music, expect live comedy, drag queens, games stands and a selection of European-themed food trucks. From 2.30pm

STAR WARS CHEMISTRY: When better than Star Wars Day (May the 4th...) to delve into the chemistry of Star Wars? That's what's happening at the Royal Institution tonight, where chemist Alex Baker explores the science behind the freezing of Han Solo, the colours of lightsabers, the reactions that power star ships and much more. 7pm-8.30pm

FLEETWOOD MAC: Tribute band Rumours of Fleetwood Mac — who are endorsed by Mick Fleetwood himself — perform the last of three shows at Cadogan Hall in Chelsea. Sing and dance along to the rock band's best-known hits. 7.30pm

BUGSY MALONE: The New Cross and Deptford Free Film Festival comes to a close with an outdoor screening of Bugsy Malone (1976) in Telegraph Hill Park... powered by bikes. Take along a blanket to sit on, and dress for the weather. FREE, 7.45pm

SCARED TO DANCE: Estella Adeyeri, guitarist and vocalist of punk band Big Joanie, is guest DJ at this week's Scared to Dance at The Victoria in Dalston. Enjoy an evening of post-punk, indiepop, new wave and art rock music by the likes of David Bowie, Wet Leg, Talking Heads, Joy Division, The Cure, Cate Le Bon and The Velvet Underground. 10pm

Sunday 5 May

MEXFEST: Arrive hungry at Hackney Bridge, which brings together 12 Mexican street food vendors from across London for MexFest. Try dishes such as tacos, tamales, churros and pan dulce as you wander around the Mexican market — plus there's a live DJ going until 2am. 5-6 May

GRAND FLANEUR WALK: 'A celebration of the pure, the immutable and the pointless, taken by the bold, the adventurous and the inebriated' is how organisers describe the Grand Flaneur Walk, a stroll without purpose, with participants wearing their finest dandy, flaneur or fop outfits — think top hats, handlebar moustaches, pocket squares, pocket watches, the works! FREE, 12pm

BEER MILE BIRTHDAY: The Blackhorse Beer Mile — a local community of breweries and bars — celebrates its second birthday in a free-entry event at Big Penny Social. Signature Brew, Pretty Decent, Exale, Beerblefish Brewing, Renegade, Hackney Wild Card Brewery and Burnt Faith all take part, with 20 beers on tap, plus live music, DJs, and food such as pizza and burgers available to buy. 12pm-1am

EADE ROAD MARKET: Stock up on vintage clothes and jewellery, records and tapes, arts and crafts and plenty more at Eade Road Market, hosted at New River Studios in north London. There's also food and drink to keep you happy. If the weather's decent, pair it with a walk around Woodbury Wetlands. 12.30pm-5.30pm

EEK-A-MOUSE: Jamaican dancehall Eek-a-Mouse is in the garden of Lewisham's Fox and Firkin this afternoon, headlining Rubadub Sunday — a show that also features Da Fuchaman and the Fire Blaze Band, Reggae Roast ft. Horseman and Natty Campbell, Irie Ites ft. Ras Demo, Prince Fatty, and Nicky Blackmarket. 2pm

BOOZE-FREE COMEDY: Alternatively, go booze-free for the afternoon in Bethnal Green, as Backyard Comedy Club hosts the London Alcohol-Free Comedy Club. Comedians including Rich Wilson and Meryl O'Rourke take to the stage while the bar serves a range of alcohol-free drinks. 3.30pm-5.30pm

MACBETH: Barbican Cinema screens a recording of Ralph Fiennes and Indira Varma performing in Shakespeare's Macbeth, a tale of power and revenge. It was filmed when the production was in London earlier this year. 5pm

IMPROV COMEDY: Gag troupe The Comedy Store Players — consisting of Rosie Lawrence, Richard Vranch, Neil Mullarkey, Lee Simpson and Ruth Bratt — take up their regular Sunday evening slot at the Comedy Store for an evening of improv comedy. They take audience suggestions for characters, locations and genres, and build a show live in front of you. 7.30pm

PINK MARTINI: Oregon-based multi-genre band Pink Martini grace the stage of the Royal Albert Hall, celebrating their 30th anniversary with a blend of Latin, jazz, pop and classical tunes. 7.30pm

Bank holiday Monday 6 May

GYPSY JAZZ FESTIVAL: The jazz style affectionately known as 'Gypsy Jazz' is celebrated at the London Gypsy Jazz Festival. It's the event's third edition, and has concerts and shows taking place at various events over seven nights, beginning with a performance by award-winning violinist and singer Seonaid Aitken and Scottish band Rose Room at Brasserie Zedel tonight. 6-12 May

JUMBLE TRAIL: The area around Francis Road in Leyton is taken over by a jumble trail, with stalls popping up in up to 100 residents' gardens, selling pre-loved items including kid's clothes and toys, bric-a-brac, homewares, clothing and the like. Navigate the trail using this map. 11am-4pm

GUN SALUTE: Bank holiday Monday marks a year since the coronation of King Charles III, an anniversary being marked by a 41-round gun salute in Hyde Park — something to be aware of if you're in the area at midday. FREE, 6 May

POGUES: Spider Stacy and James Fearnley from the Pogues join author Donal Fallon at the MOTH Club in Hackney, to discuss their debut album, Red Roses for Me, which turns 40 this year. 1pm

MONDAY MATINEE: Head to the Handel Hendrix House in Mayfair for a lunchtime concert. Beth Stone and Aidan Phillips perform a programme of flute and harpsichord sonatas from baroque composers linked to the life of George Frideric Handel. 1pm

CHINGFORD: Head north-east, for a walking tour of Chingford with Joanna Moncrieff. You'll discover a 17th century dovecote, the remains of the manor house Pimp Hall, and finish up at a 19th Century refreshment retreat on the edge of Epping Forest. 2pm-4pm

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