Enjoy concerts, carnivals and Carmen this Bank Holiday Weekend in London.
The Bank Holiday is always one of those awkward things to explain to foreigners. Is it a holiday for banks, people or everyone? This year, it falls from 28 to 31 August, and Monday becomes a national holiday across the country. This means you can make the most of the longer weekend. There are plenty of cool things to do, from a Harry Potter drone show to the Hampton Court Palace Food Festival. Check out the dance, dinners and Docklands. Here are the best things to do over the Bank Holiday weekend in London.
Battersea Park in Concert
If you’re after inspiration this Bank Holiday, head to Battersea Park in Concert. Running from 28 to 31 August, the open-air concert brings together a range of musicians for a relaxed and refined experience. The acts include Sounds of South Africa with Jeremy Loops, Pop Symphonic, Music and Musicals, and Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra. It’s family-friendly, with fairground rides, food and drink stalls, and picnic areas.
Where: Battersea Park, London, SW11 4NJ
When: 28 to 31 August 2026
Contact: www.batterseaparkinconcert.com
BBC Proms
The BBC Proms is bursting with local and international talent. Running from 17 July to 12 September, it’s a must-visit whether you’re a classical music connoisseur or simply curious. Over the Bank Holiday weekend in London, the programme includes Stravinsky and Prokofiev on 29 August, Berlioz’s The Damnation of Faust on 30 August, and family-friendly fun with Enchanted – Alan Menken’s Music for Disney. Happy Proms.
Where: BBC Proms, Kensington Gore, South Kensington, London, SW7 2AP
When: 17 July to 12 September 2026
Contact: www.bbc.co.uk/proms
See The Car Man
It’s your last chance to catch Matthew Bourne’s The Car Man. Running until 29 August at Sadler’s Wells, the show brings his critically acclaimed production back to London for the first time since 2022. Drawing inspiration from Bizet’s opera Carmen, it is set in a small town in 1960s America, bringing cars, diners and dance to the stage.
Where: 62 Rosebery Ave, London EC1R 4TN
When: Until 29 August 2026
Contact: www.sadlerswells.com
Concerts
Face the music this Bank Holiday weekend in London. On 28 and 29 August, Tyler, The Creator has been confirmed as a headliner for All Points East. On 30 August, A$AP Rocky is coming to London. His new world tour marks fans’ first opportunity to experience Rocky’s long-awaited fourth studio album, DON’T BE DUMB. And on 31 August, Earl Sweatshirt and MIKE will bring their Home on the Range Tour to the O2 Forum in Kentish Town.
Greenwich+Docklands Festival
Get ready to be wowed at the Greenwich+Docklands International Festival. The festival returns from 21 August to 6 September. The event brings together a dazzling programme of theatre, dance, circus and outdoor performances in public spaces. This year’s theme, We Move, celebrates movement, change and human connection through an exciting programme of international and homegrown talent. Best of all, every performance is free to attend.
Where: Across Greenwich
When: 21 August to 6 September 2026
Contact: https://festival.org
Hampton Court Palace Food Festival
Hampton Court Palace Food Festival returns for the Bank Holiday weekend. Taking place from 29 to 31 August, it brings together more than 150 artisan producers. The festival celebrates flavours from around the world, spanning Indian, Sri Lankan and South Korean food and drink. Plus, if you book a ticket, it also includes entry to Henry VIII’s former home, Hampton Court Palace.
Where: Hampton Court Palace, East Molesey, Surrey, KT8 9AU
When: 29 to 31 August 2026
Contact: www.hrp.org.uk
Harry Potter DroneArt Show
Potterheads, we have some magical news. The Harry Potter DroneArt Show is set to take flight this summer. Combining cutting-edge technology with breathtaking artistry, the spectacle will take place at venues just outside London. Catch the show at Kempton Park Racecourse on 31 August. The state-of-the-art show combines storytelling with spectacular visuals.
Where: Staines Road, Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey, TW16 5AQ
When: 31 August 2026
Contact: https://thedroneartshow.com
Notting Hill Carnival
Notting Hill Carnival is one of London’s biggest celebrations. Every August Bank Holiday weekend, the city hosts one of the most culturally significant events in the UK, bursting with home-cooked food, vibrant costumes, booming bass lines, steel pan tunes, and good vibes all around. Local and international crowds attend to get down and boogie – and this year promises to be even bigger and better. This year, the event takes place over the Bank Holiday weekend between 29 and 31 August. The carnival is free to attend, and the only ticketed event is the steel band competition. Come rain or shine – the party still goes on.
Where: Notting Hill Carnival, Notting Hill, London, W11
When: 29 to 31 August 2026
Contact: https://nhcarnival.org
Plated food festival
Bring your appetite. Plated, a new food festival, will arrive on King’s Road and in Knightsbridge in London. Running from 1 to 31 August, it brings together more than 30 venues for a month of food, drinks and exclusive experiences. The aim is to celebrate the food and drink scene across King’s Road and Knightsbridge. The restaurants include CLAP London, Hawksmoor, Harvey Nichols, Harry’s Dolce Vita, Rabbit, The Trafalgar and more. The venues have created exclusive menus, limited-edition dishes and one-of-a-kind dining experiences just for the festival. Visitors can also enjoy complimentary cocktails, chef collaborations and tasting experiences.
Where: Across King’s Road and Knightsbridge
When: 1 to 31 August 2026
Contact: www.plated.london
Terraces
When the sun shines on London, the capital shifts into holiday mode. Rooftops fill, riverside terraces come alive, and leafy courtyards become some of the most sought-after tables in town. For front-row views of Tower Bridge, Coppa Club Tower Bridge remains a reliable riverside favourite. The signature igloos are Insta-friendly, and it offers coffees to cocktails. Ham Yard Restaurant brings modern British and European cuisine to one of Soho’s most charming courtyards. Le Pont de la Tour combines classic French dining with one of London’s most recognisable riverside settings. The Standard, London, has reopened The Rooftop for summer, bringing skyline views back to King’s Cross. And the FACT Dining Award London 2026 venue CÉ LA VI London brings skyline dining to Paddington Square, pairing modern Asian flavours with sweeping views.