Best Things To Do On August Bank Holiday 2026 In London

Summer may be coming to an end soon, but there's still time to make the most of it by heading to an outdoor cinema. There are all kinds of alfresco events where you can catch some brilliant films, from rooftop bars in Stratford to gorgeous spaces in Peckham. Nab drinks and popcorn while you're at it, with titles like La La Land, When Harry Met Sally and much more to choose from.

The Sounds Familiar Music Quiz is nothing like any other game. Why, you ask? Along with answering a range of song-themed questions, revellers will also be dancing along to their favourite tunes in multiple pubs and venues across the city. You won't want to miss out on this.

Known for combining amazing food with a party atmosphere, the Hip Hop Brunch team are taking over this August Bank Holiday in London. Guests will first be treated to 3 courses of 'Dirty South' food, before enjoying fun rounds of Hip Hip karaoke and all your favourite urban acts. Certain to leave you full of booze, with a stomach that feels like it's about to burst and a great beat in your head, there are few better ways to spend a bank holiday weekend in London.

The Magic Hour is keeping the bank holiday enchanting, bringing you a show in the style of the Victorian Masters. Head to the performance at the Sheraton Grand Park Lane or Andaz London for mind-reading and sleight-of-hand.

For fabulous events this bank holiday weekend, check out Old School R&B Brunch. Their events come complete with free-flowing punch, island vibes, and some seriously delish scran - think buttermilk fried chicken and Creole fries.

Head to Tequila Mockingbird on William IV Street this August Bank Holiday for a hoedown like no other, right in the heart of Covent Garden. Your £35 ticket gets you 90 minutes of bottomless drinks and pizza, plus a packed line-up of drag, burlesque, bingo, line dancing and country hits.

With limited spaces and a buzzing atmosphere, it's the ultimate way to spend your Sunday this August bank holiday weekend. There's also their regular brunch on Saturdays, or check out their Putney venue instead.

Boasting two giant ball pits and a crackin' bar, it's no wonder why Ballie Ballerson in Shoreditch is our perfect August bank holiday destination. Whether you fancy popping in for its bottomless brunch with top-notch tunes or just to have a play about, this venue is bound to impress.

Sashay your way over to Looking Glass Cocktail Club on the Saturday or Sunday of the bank holiday weekend, where Ginger's Big Drag Bingo will have you dancing on your feet. Think a raucous night of fun, bingo, drag performances, DJs and outrageous campery with this event.

The famous street festival Notting Hill Carnival is back for 2025, and heaps of activities are accompanying. The Reggae Brunch will be hosting a warm-up at Night Tales, as well as a delicious brunch affair with plenty of Caribbean jerk food, followed by an after-party. And if you're looking to continue the partying, What's The Motive's on hand to help with that. 

Fronting exposed brickwork and quirky decor, Little Nan's in Deptford is a great place for fun events with your pals. Get stuck into an endless brunch, complete with fish finger sarnies and bottomless booze or book an afternoon tea with homemade cakes.

With locations in Soho, Notting Hill and Clapham Junction, Archer Street is a cool cocktail bar specialising in hand-crafted concoctions and a party atmosphere. there's plenty of fun events going on at their venues across the bank holiday weekend, ranging from their staple West End bottomless brunches to one-off bank holiday parties. Expect Ibiza-themed fun from 2pm all the way to 4am, with tribute singers and live DJs playing the best of Balearic tunes throughout. Tickets to these events cost just £10 per person, with tropical decor and refreshing drinks promised.

Looking for fun things to do this August bank holiday? Nothing beats a party from Supa Dupa Fly. They'll be taking over some of the city's best venues for a series of unmissable parties this summer, with a long weekend special to celebrate Carnival.

Enjoy the sunset up high with a tipple in hand on the August bank holiday, or spend the afternoon basking on London Bridge Rooftop - whatever your desires, you'll find plenty of scorching options here in our guide to the ultimate rooftop haunts in the city. Covering foliage-adorned pergolas and buzzy lofts with live music, there's plenty to choose from. 

Release your inner kitchen connoisseur as The Big London Bake welcomes you to show off your whisk skills at London's first pop-up of its kind. With multiple cooking stations and 90 minutes to hone your creativity, this is one for every aspiring baker.

Trapeze Bar in Shoreditch is throwing a boatload of fun-packed antics for August bank holiday. So, what to expect? Think bottomless brunches touting mouthwatering brekky plates and 90s vibes to full-blown parties with top-notch live DJs, you won't run out of activities here.

Make the most of the sun this bank holiday at The Brush East London Grand Café. On their charming outdoor terrace, they've teamed up with outdoor grill brand Big Green Egg to bring you delicious barbecue fare in the sun.

Tuck into the likes of sweet pineapple jerk pork chop, charred corn ribs and brat'dogs loaded up with toppings. And in partnership with French aperitif Lillet, there's a refreshing menu of spritzes to enjoy on the side.

The Exhibit are taking your August bank holiday plans up a notch with their bottomless rosé brunch event. What can you expect? Delicious dishes, live entertainment throughout the afternoon and a whopping three hours of free-flowing wine.

Whether you're a die-hard Wicked fan, love all things Les Mis or go wild for The Lion King, this brunch is for you. Not only is this musical-themed bash bringing you 5 hours of non-stop hits and live performances, but also an hour of bottomless drinks and 2 tasty courses.

Head along to Pedley Street Station for The Murdér Express, an award-winning immersive dining experience. Not only will you have to solve the riddles to locate the valuable diamond, but there will also be a three-course menu to enjoy.

Spice up your long weekend with a trip to one of Bougie Drag & Boy Toy Events' unmissable parties. From butlers in the buff to bottomless dinners and hilarious shows with some of the UK's top queens, these guys know how to make the most of the August bank holiday. 

Not only does this Paddington venue host premium bottomless brunches for just £50 every single weekend, but this bank holiday you can also enjoy a bottomless dinner featuring live samba dancers and unlimited food and drink on the Sunday evening. Smith's Bar & Grill is a bright, airy destination that's filled with greenery, and you can munch your way through everything from salmon tartare to eggs Benedict and flat iron steaks here. And if you're after something a little more traditional, enjoy a Sunday roast between 12 and 4pm, perfect for fuelling up before the carnival festivities.

Celebrate the long weekend with an epic party courtesy of The 90s Brunch. Armed with a soundtrack of nostalgic hits, unlimited drinks and delicious brunch eats, these guys are on-hand to give you the the ultimate throwback. 

Come bank holiday Saturday, there's nowhere we'd rather be than BAM Karaoke Box in Victoria. Their Voulez-Vous BAM Brunch promises live entertainment and DJs while you eat, followed by two whole hours of private karaoke for you and your friends.

Tickets start from only £39 per person, including unlimited potato tots and main courses like confit duck hash or breakfast flatbreads. Plus, you can add on 90 minutes of bottomless prosecco, pink prosecco or Champagne, with non-alcoholic options available too.

London's West End is one of the most historic places in the city, and there's always great things going on there. There's no better way to spend a long weekend than by checking out what's on at some of the theatres, and we've rounded up the very best shows for you this August, from the breathtaking to the bizarre. We've got titles like Mamma Mia, Book of Mormon and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, so you're spoilt for choice this bank holiday.

On Saturday 27th August, Loop Bar will be whipping up a bottomless brunch packed with pop and disco tunes. So, dig out your best neon, shoulder pads and feather boas to join Vicki Vivacious for her show, all while tucking into a two-course meal with free-flowing fizz, followed by the opportunity to cut some shapes on the dancefloor.

You're spoilt for choice when it comes to things to do this bank holiday at Ayllu - a sophisticated Peruvian and Japanese restaurant in Paddington. You can enjoy their carnival-themed bottomless brunch on any of these weekend dates, promising all-you-can-eat fusion fare and 90 minutes of free-flowing drinks, all for just £55 per person. There'll also be live DJs and samba dancers to keep you entertained while you eat. And if you fancy something a little later in the day, then check out their energetic samba shows on Saturday and Sunday evening, continuing the carnival vibes while you dine on their Nikkei cuisine.

If you're looking for a unique way to spend the bank holiday, then head to Hexmoor in Hoxton. This quirky immersive experience is set in a wizarding prison, where you'll encounter dark arts and inmates played by live actors, leading you through an interactive story.

Created by the team behind Alcotraz, Avora and Moonshine Saloon, these guys know what they're doing when it comes to stunning set design and special effects. Don your official jumpsuit on arrival, and enjoy three bespoke cocktails made by convicts along the way.

Celebrate the August bank holiday in true London style with Megan's famous bottomless brunch. With 90 minutes of unlimited drinks for just £25, you'll be sipping prosecco, mimosas, or a zesty breakfast martini while diving into crowd-pleasing dishes like shakshouka baked eggs or Megan's signature pancake stacks.

Whether you're soaking up summer vibes on their terrace or relaxing indoors under fairy lights, Megan's blends laid-back luxury with generous pours and Mediterranean flavours to create the perfect long weekend brunch experience. 

Inspired by America's most infamous prison, Alcotraz is London's first fully immersive theatrical cocktail bar. Don an orange jumpsuit, smuggle in your liquor of choice and prepare for some delicious bespoke cocktail creations.

Looking for things to do this bank holiday weekend? For a limited time only, treat yourself to Kapara's epic bottomless brunch experience. Find a seat inside the uber-glamorous restaurant or soak up the sun on their secret Soho terrace while grooving to disco beats and sipping free-flowing prosecco, wine, beer, and jugs of delicious cocktails. On the menu? Dishes like braised lamb shoulder and salt-baked celeriac shakshuka, along with the star of the show, pita French toast topped with sultanas, cherry compote, banana tempura, rose, and honey labneh.

If you're looking for a lively spot to spend your bank holiday in, you can't got wrong with a trip to The Bootlegger in Richmond. This coo bar is inspired by the Prohibition era, promising killer cocktails and a regular lineup of live music and DJ sets.

Whether you fancy boogieing to jazz tunes, enjoying a bottomless brunch or even taking part in a cocktail masterclass, there's something for everyone here. Plus, they even offer £7 margaritas on bank holidays.

This August bank holiday, The Reggae Brunch is hosting plenty of fun shindigs. From a Carnival Warm-Up to a Sunday event boasting Caribbean jerk food, rum punch and non-stop tunes, there's certainly no shortage of fun things to do.

Looking for unique things to do on August bank holiday weekend in London 2025? The check out Moonshine Saloon: an immersive experience where you'll be transported to the Wild West through interaction with live actors and a cowboy-inspired outfit. Smuggle in a bottle of your favourite liquor - being sure to avoid the Sheriff - to be made into four bespoke cocktails by their talented team of bartenders. Try your hand at a few card games with the locals while you're at it, with tickets starting from just £36.50.

If you're after a boozy event that's a little out of the box this August bank holiday, then nab a ticket for Mr Fogg's Cocktail Experiments. Make your way inside this Mayfair venue, where you'll get to unleash your inner scientist and work with master mixologists to create potions.

If your idea of heaven is spending the bank holiday in your favourite beer garden with an ice-cold pint, then boy do we have a guide for you. London is full of secret hideaways and expansive stretches of grass just waiting for you to pull up a chair on and relax. Take a peak and find a new hotspot, from Brixton beauties tooting European small plates to Herne Hill delights adorned with fairy lights and packing a tasty charcuterie spread. 

If you're looking for activities to fill your summer with plenty of fun, particularly on the bank holiday, then we've got you covered with our handy guide. How about going to see some comedy on a boat? Or maybe getting lost in an alternate reality is more up your street. There's also city-based beaches to enjoy, biscuit decorating and so much more. 

Across their three locations in Battersea, Farringdon and Old Street, quirky activity bar Bounce are hosting a special bank holiday edition of their bottomless brunch. You can boogie to live DJ sets throughout, while sipping on unlimited beer or prosecco. You'll also get to tuck into as much pizza as you like, while getting competitive with your friends on the ping pong tables. Tickets cost just £35 per person, or you can upgrade to cocktails for £10 extra.

Ms Ginger Phlappage, and her squad of sassy, hilarious queens or kings, this drag brunch isn't to be missed. Sashay your way over come Saturday 27th August to be treated to two courses, bottomless prosecco and plenty of performances or games to get stuck into.

What's The Motive is hosting a boatload of fun-packed events for the August bank holiday weekend of 2025. Head along to a range of events, from soca shindigs to Caribbean bashment parties with live DJs and tasty eats, across a range of best-loved London venues.

Switch things up this bank holiday weekend by doing something daring. There are all kinds of high-adrenaline activities in London on the August bank holiday to launch yourself into, from speedboats down the river Thames to high-energy VR simulations and tense escape rooms. Whether you're looking to try out Dare Sky Walk at the new Tottenham stadium or barrel down the ArcelorMittal Orbit in Stratford, there's plenty to keep you on your toes.

Backyard Comedy Club is packed with big TV names and circuit pros, thanks to its purpose-built space and cool lineups. Head over on Saturday night of the bank holiday for plenty of laughs.

If you're after a fabulous drag show to celebrate August bank holiday weekend in London for 2025, then KIKI: A Drag Cabaret offers serious lip-sync, live vocals, slaying dance breaks, and hilarious comedy. Head to Queen of Hoxton to get involved.

The Brixton Courtyard is offering revellers a fantastic August bank holiday event at its best-loved venue. Not only will the Carnival Brunch include 60 minutes of bottomless rum punch or tasty eats, but it will also be home to DJ sets and live performers. Need we say more?

Merchant House has a boatload of events to keep revellers occupied this August bank holiday. Whether it's whisky, gin or rum masterclasses in its gorgeous bar or a trip to The Brig, London's smallest haunt located in its awesome space, this venue won't disappoint.

Located in Shoreditch, Hijingo is a unique bingo experience that promises dazzling live entertainment, bright lights and a cutting-edge sound system. They host exciting bingo sessions all week long, which offer a quirky twist on the game and the chance to win cash prizes or even a holiday.

On weekends, be sure to check out their brilliant bottomless brunches. You'll play for 90 minutes, while enjoying a tasty brunch dish and bottomless prosecco or beer.

Camden Town Brewery are throwing open their doors come the August bank holiday weekend, taking you on a behind-the-scenes tour. Better yet, you'll be enjoying a full tasting of their year-round beers as well.

Dining outside is the ultimate summer holiday activity - make the most of the weather and take your wine and cheeseboard outside to a top-tier terrace in the city, that's what we say. Check out our guide to the best alfresco spots in the capital, and pick your next dining destination. From floral terraces boasting Mediterranean eats to rooftop beauties with fruity cocktails to accompany European dishes, we've got it all.

Though London may be best known for its towering skyscrapers and concrete-heavy streets, there are plenty of green spaces to relax in this August. We've rounded up the very best parks all over the city and what to do there - from Hampstead Heath to Clapham Common and Crystal Palace Park. Whether it's an afternoon stroll or somewhere to stop for a picnic, we've got you covered in this guide.

Visit the Shepherd's Bush bar over the bank holiday to delight in elevated British classics washed down with contemporary cocktails. On bank holiday Sunday at The Broadcaster you'll find exclusive DJ sets, delicious roast dinners and 90 minutes of free-flowing bubbles with every main course purchased. Head to the ground floor with its spacious outdoor terrace to enjoy everything from herb-fed chicken to mushroom and beetroot Wellington, washed down with plenty of fizz. Plus, on the 24th of August, there'll be pilates with Verity, where you can enjoy a 40-minute session followed by indulging in the famous Cinta Cafes protein shakes.

Want somewhere to unwind this bank holiday? Where better than in one of the city's gorgeous green spaces, while tucking into a delicious picnic. Gather your friends and family for a few drinks, great food and a spot of sunbathing, from Holland Park all the way to Greenwich or Kew Gardens. Whether you're after a hidden gem in the city centre or a sprawling park on the outskirts, be sure to check out our guide.

If you're looking to escape London on the bank holiday then we're here to provide a helping hand with our list of the best day trips from the city. Whether you've got a car, renting one or love a good trip on a train, these destinations are all travel-friendly and totally doable in 24 hours. Head to a desert on the Kent coastline, visit some spooky caves or check out a gorgeous castle with 770 acres of land. 

Looking for free things to do this bank holiday weekend? Then make the most of the sunny weather, and head on these pretty walks that are ideal for summer. We've got strolls to suit all occasions, varying in length and scenery. From Hampstead Heath to the Jubilee Greenway and Richmond Park, we've recommended the very best routes and some great places to stop for food and drink nearby.

Check out our guide to London's hidden gardens and venture over to one this August bank holiday. Barber Surgeon's Garden is a great shout if you're looking to check out over 40 different species of herb plants and for something a little more historical and whimsical? St Dunstan In The East Church Garden has got to be for you. It's a real gem that opened in 1970 as a public garden, after seeing damage by the Great Fire of London, and again during the Blitz of 1941.

Inspired by the Roman, Greek and Ottoman eras, the Aire Ancient Baths are one of the most relaxing places to visit this bank holiday. Located by the Strand, this hidden gem is a maze of hydrotherapy pools, ice-cold plunge baths, salt water swimming pools and steam rooms. You can secure 90 minutes in this space from £100 per person, with the chance to experience spa treatments like argan oil massages, thermal baths and Himalayan salt rituals too.