May Bank holiday 2023: Five fun things to do in London

May is always a great month for extra days off and thanks to the King’s Coronation this year we’ve been given three!

And according to the weather forecast it looks like summer has finally arrived in London.

From music festivals to wellness events we’ve rounded up five of the best things to do in the capital from May 26 to 29.

City Splash festival

Brockwell Park, Brockwell Park Gardens, SE24 0NG Monday May 29 Tickets: From £49.50

London’s biggest Afro-Caribbean festival is coming to Brockwell Park this Bank Holiday Monday with the biggest artists in Reggae, Dancehall, Afrobeats and more.

City Splash will have performances from acts including Chronixx, Koffee, Shenseaa and Skillibeng and many others across seven stages.

Alongside the music, there’ll also be over 60 different Caribbean and African food traders serving favourite delights from jerk chicken to vegan ital stew, Jollof rice and fried plantains.

Wide Awake festival

Brockwell Park, Brockwell Park Gardens, SE24 0NG Saturday May 27 Tickets from £43.45

Brockwell Park is going to be one big party this weekend as it is hosting yet another festival!

This Saturday the Wide Awake festival is coming to the Brixton park with a line up of post-punk, electronica and techno artists.

Indie-pop singer-songwriter Caroline Polachek is headlining, with other artists like Shygirl, Coucou Chloe, Daniel Avery (live), Joy Orbison, Jockstrap and VTSS in the mix.

Mind Spirit Body Festival

Olympia London, Hammersmith Rd, London W14 8UX May 26 to 29 Tickets: £18 for day pass

Wanting to look after your body and mind this weekend? Then head to Olympia London, where the Mind Spirit Body Festival is taking place.

The event is hosting a number of workshops and activities that promise to soothe body, mind and soul.

There will also 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.

Chelsea Fringe 2023

Till Sunday May 28 Most events are free

For those of you who want to enjoy the ambiance of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show without paying the extortionate ticket price, the Chelsea Fringe festival is for you.

Largely volunteer-run and free the spin off festival includes a range of quirky events such as a nature poetry walk in King Henry’s Walk Garden, botanical tile making in Spitalfields and an ink making workshop at Doddington Place Gardens.

Go to the Chelsea Fringe website for a full programme of events.

MCM Comic Con

Excel Centre, Royal Victoria Dock, 1 Western Gateway, E16 1XL May 26 to 28 Tickets start at £21

Familiar faces from the world of comics, entertainment, and gaming will come together for the MCM Comic Con event this weekend as they come face to face with fans.

Doctor Who and Harry Potter actor David Bradley as well as What We Do In The Shadows stars Harvey Guilllén and Kayvan Novak are just some of the many figures fans can meet during the event for both pictures and autographs.

There’ll be a sensational programme of panels, showcases, and live performances, plus an outdoor MCM Fringe Stage with comedy and dance.