London is offering a packed programme of events for the August Bank Holiday weekend, from the 60th anniversary of the Notting Hill Carnival to three days of live music at All Points East. With summer drawing to a close, the long weekend provides a final chance to enjoy street festivals, food markets and open-air concerts across the capital.
Notting Hill Carnival celebrates 60 years
The largest street festival in Europe returns for its 60th anniversary, promising spectacular costumes, pounding sound systems and thousands of people dancing to steel drums as the parade marches through west London. The main Carnival, which is free to attend, takes place on Sunday 30 and Monday 31 August, with a special Panorama and Junior Panorama steel band ticketed event on Saturday 29 August.
Sunday is the more family-friendly day, though it still gets very busy, with performers and attendees taking to the streets from 6am for J'Ouvert. This is followed by the official opening ceremony at 10am, before sound systems take over from midday. Monday is typically the largest and loudest day, as thousands of performers take part in the iconic Adults' Parade, which begins at 10.30am, with sound systems and live performances from 12pm.
Organisers have said this year's celebrations will likely be bigger than ever, dubbing the event the Diamond Jubilee. First launched in 1966 by a local resident who wanted to bring the community together, it has since become a world-famous spectacle.
All Points East and Round The Dock
All Points East will see Tyler, the Creator take over Victoria Park in east London on Friday 28 and Saturday 29, while Twenty One Pilots headline on Sunday 30 for the final day of the festival. Last week, Jorja Smith, Lorde and Deaftones headlined the first three days of the multi-weekend event. Ahead of the music, a free-entry mid-week community programme runs from Monday 24 to Thursday 27, featuring an outdoor cinema and street food vendors.
In south-east London, Round the Dock in Canada Water enjoys its final weekend over the Bank Holiday. The dockside has hosted live music, workshops and dance classes over the past six weeks. For its final weekend, guests can browse a market featuring vinyls, art and fashion, plus street food and drinks. All events are free, and Round the Dock concludes on Sunday 30 August.
Greenwich spectacle, Hampton Court food and Battersea concerts
Greenwich Peninsula will be transformed into an immersive live cinematic set on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 August. Efectos Especiales, created by Argentinian artists Luciana Acuña and Alejo Moguillansky, is an interactive production turning Peninsula Square and Design District into an action movie set, with leaping dancers, artificial weather and loud music. The free performance is part of Greenwich+Docklands International Festival, running from August 21 to September 6.
Hampton Court Palace Food Festival runs from 29 to 31 August, featuring more than 150 artisan producers and independent stalls. Families can enjoy face painting, a silent disco and arts and crafts, plus live cooking demonstrations from chefs in the Regina Kitchen. Tickets also grant access to the palace grounds and gardens.
Battersea Park in Concert returns for its fourth year from 28 to 31 August, with performances from the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, Ronnie Scott's Jazz Orchestra and The Amy Winehouse Band. An exclusive performance from South African singer Jeremy Loops, joined by London African Gospel Choir for “Sounds of South Africa”, takes place on Friday 28. Guests can bring their own picnic to enjoy while listening to blues, jazz and orchestral acts.
