From Notting Hill Carnival to Victorian Vauxhall: Five things to do in London this August bank holiday weekend

Hip hip hooray for the August Bank holiday and what better place to enjoy your three days off than in our fair capital.

After a long three-year hiatus, Notting Hill Carnival finally returns to the streets this weekend in all its colour and glory.

Whether you’re a carnival dancer or an eager beaver beer drinker, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this long weekend, Friday August 26 to Monday August 29.

Notting Hill Carnival 2022

Saturday August 27 to Monday August 29 Free

Notting Hill Carnival in all its colour and glory returns to the streets this weekend, following a three-year hiatus.

Over two million people are expected to head to west London this weekend to enjoy some banging beats, lashings of street food, razzle-dazzle costumes and utterly fabulous parade processions.

The Carnival is going eco-friendly this year with a fully electric eco-truck that will be used in the parade for the first time, funded by Spotify.

For more information around schedules, parade routes and road closures read our full Carnival guide.

Beavertown Hops on Hops off tour

Old Street Station, Shoreditch, EC1Y 1BE Friday August 26 Free

Beavertown Brewery is kicking off the bank holiday by giving away hundreds of free beers over three locations in Shoreditch as part of its Hops on Hops off tour.

This isn’t your usual walking tour. In fact, it’s not really a tour at all… it’s a “Hops on Hops off” experience. Londoners are invited to drop by at one of the stops, grab a free beer and then head off and enjoy the rest of their Friday.

Beer lovers should look out for Beavertown “tour guides” at the Boundary House in Shoreditch High Street (4pm), Old Street Station (4.30pm) and The Cornershop bar (4.45pm).

Victorian Vauxhall

Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens, Vauxhall Walk, SE11 5HL Saturday August 27 (2pm to 7pm) Free

Roll up, roll up, this Saturday Vauxhall is hosting a Victorian fun fair for the whole family.

The free day out will feature tightrope walkers, strong men, music hall bands, stilt walkers, a vintage carousel and a hot air balloon.

Greenwich + Docklands International Festival 2022

August 26 to September 11 Free

London’s spectacular free outdoor Greenwich + Docklands International Festival is back for 2022 with an eclectic programme.

The two most clearly spectacular shows are the opening ‘Spark’, by Dutch artist Daan Roosegaarde, which will see the skies over Greenwich filled with artificial ‘fireflies’ (Aug 26-27) and Stephanie Lüning’s ‘Islands of Foam’ (Sep 3-4), in which torrents of multicoloured foam will surge through the streets of Greenwich.

For the full festival programme check out the website.

Hampton Court Palace Food Festival

Hampton Ct Way, East Molesey, KT8 9AU August 27 to 29 Adults £26.10 Children 5-15 £13.00

Feast your eyes on the surroundings of Henry VIII’s palace, and your stomach on goodies from the Hampton Court Palace Food Festival, which is held in the palace gardens.

Tuck into street food, browse and buy artisan products including wine, rum, cakes, pastries, coffee and cheese.

There’s also live music at the bandstand, plus face painting and shire horse rides for kids.