The second bank holiday weekend in May is set to be a scorcher with a mini heatwave and temperatures hotter than Athens headed for London.
The much-awaited sunshine is a welcome change from weeks of rain, cloud, and hail. And it is sure to herald the return of some classic features of London life in the sunshine – Aperol Spritz galore, dreamy afternoons spent outside, and festivals where you can leave your wellies at home.
The last three-day weekend before August should not be wasted. You just need to know where to look to discover new parts of the city, revisit old favourites, and make the most of the glorious weather.
The best festivals and parties this weekend
Gala Festival
In its 11th year, Gala Festival returns to Peckham Rye Park – a cornerstone of the May bank holiday weekend – with this year’s The Floor Is Ours theme.
The electronic festival is guaranteed to be a sellout as Novelist, Mala, dh2, HVYWGHT, Giggs, Bakery, and Conducta take to the stage across the three-days of partying.
It really is London’s best dance festival and you won’t want to miss it.
Peckham Rye Park, May 22-24
Tickets available via Resident Advisor
Forward Motion in the Park
The first ever house music festival for over 25s has officially arrived in London’s Leyton Jubilee Park on Saturday.
Think deep, soul house music in a throwback to real rave, with a 2010-inspired set from Lee Foss and appearances from Ali Love and Art Department.
Leyton Jubilee Park, May 23
Tickets available via Resident Advisor
Field Day
Field Day at Brockwell Park on Saturday offers London’s ravers with an equally enviable line up to its rival Gala.
Anish Kumar, Horse Meat Disco, Honey Dijon, Joy Orbison, and Interplanetary Criminal will all play across the festival’s many stages.
Veterans of the dancefloor Andy C and Kilimanjaro will also play must-see sets. Tickets are still available, but not for long.
Brockwell Park, May 23
Tickets from £67.75 via Dice
Summer Gathering London - Lane 8, Barking Park
On the Friday, Summer Gathering London will see US DJ Lane 8 perform live at High Lights alongside a host of electronic and techno up and coming artists.
The events venue is renowned for some of the best light installations and sound design in the game, with two very impressive open air spaces. But be warned - there are no cameras allowed at this “This Never Happened” event, including phone video recording.
Even better, you’ll have the whole weekend to recover from this one.
Barking Park, May 22
Tickets available via Dice
Boa Nova Festival Brazilian festival
Brazil is landing in London with the first ever Boa Nova Festival. Think Brazilian music from headliners Linikier, DJ Patife, and Caio Prince, as well as authentic food and carnival inspired performances.
The party starts at around 2pm, carrying on until 10:30pm. But the fun doesn’t end there as several ticket options include the official after-party at Evolutionary Arts Hackney in Stoke Newington.
Leyton Jubilee Park, May 22
Tickets from £40.50 on Dice
Wray and Nephew Sunday Day Party - Pergola Brixton
An all-day party on Sunday at Brixton’s Pergola with Sambo, Jadey Wadey, and Selecta Jay taking over the decks. Expect dancehall, R&B, and Wray & Nephew’s infamous rum punch all day long.
No doubt, the rooftop will be lifted as dozens of Londoners soak up the sun. It’s no surprise then that this festival is sold out, but the resale queue is active across various ticket sellers for those still looking to get involved.
Pergola Brixton, May 24
Resale queue and tickets live at Resident Advisor
Soul City May Bank Holiday
Soul City’s May bank holiday weekend is the sell-out soul event of the summer. Decades of house music, special guests, and quality records will come together at the Jazz Cafe in Camden on Saturday night.
When the sun goes down, this is the party you won’t want to miss. Tickets start from just £5 and the party won’t stop until early hours on Sunday.
The Jazz Cafe, May 23
Tickets from £5 at thejazzcafe.com
Cross The Tracks
This grassroots jazz, funk, and soul festival at Brockwell Park has a star-studded lineup with Little Simz, Joy Crookes, and Fabio & Grooverider. It’s been the best way to kick off London’s festival season since it first entered the bank holiday scene in 2019.
Smaller than some of the others, but just as mighty, with more of a community feel
See about tickets here
Food and drink events over the bank holiday
StrEATlife Food and Beer Festival - Alexandra Palace
StrEATlife returns to Alexandra Palace in North London this bank holiday weekend. As always, it promises food from around the globe, ice-cold pints, margaritas, and a wealth of live DJs.
It’s also completely free to go along with children of all ages and dogs welcome to join the party.
Alexandra Palace, May 23-24
Free entry, alexandrapalace.com
Foodies Festival London’s Syon Park
Another one for the foodies - Syon Park in Brentford is offering a weekend of food and drink celebration.
There’s Bavarian beer tents, live music featuring headliners Scouting For Girls, and a hot chilli challenge for the brave among you.
Syon Park, May 23-May 25
Book tickets at foodiesfestival.com
Rooftops hosting events
Frank’s Cafe Peckham
Yet another rooftop terrace worth frequenting this bank holiday weekend. On top of a car park in Peckham, Frank’s Cafe has the perfect mix of cocktails, beers, food, and music to keep the bank holiday weekend rolling.
This weekend also marks the return of Bold Tendencies, an art show at the cafe, and Frank’s official “start of summer.”
95A Rye Lane, May 23-25
Walk-ins only, @frankspeckham
Freight Brixton
London’s best and biggest rooftop venue will host three events across the bank holiday weekend.
If not for the sunshine, you’d be forgiven for forgetting about Freight. But, with the scorching weather ahead, there is nowhere better than this Brixton rooftop to let down your hair all weekend long.
33 Brixton Station Road, May 23-25
See what’s on at freightbrixton.com
JOIA Battersea
The third rooftop on this list, but by no means the least important. Located within the Battersea Power Station, JOIA is a stunning alfresco escape with views of London’s skyline.
In addition to cocktails and Portuguese petiscos, the restaurant is offering a ‘Solecitor Sunday’ event for the long weekend, complete with a live DJ set from Disco Express from 12pm for those who want to boogie with style.
15th Floor, 1 Electric Blvd, May 24
Bookings available at joiabattersea.co.uk
Cultural things to do
Chelsea Flower Show
Bank Holiday is just in time for Londoners to catch the end of the Chelsea Flower Show. Some of the best gardens include The Children’s Society Garden, Parkinson’s UK immersive woodland display centred around a tulip, and plenty more in between.
Should you not catch a glimpse inside the flower show, Chelsea has also been transformed with six large-scale floral art installations across Sloane Square and Pavillion Road.
Commissioned by Cadogan with the Royal Horticultural Society, Chelsea has never looked better. On the King’s Road, a giant floral globe honours the legend that is David Attenborough following his 100th birthday this month.
London Gate, Royal Hospital Road, 19-23 May
Plan your visit at rhs.org.uk
Big Bahooey at Hampton Court Palace
There’s nothing that the Big Bahooey at Henry VIII’s famous home does not have. There’s mazes, gardens, cabaret, aerial shows, workshops, dances, street theatre, and more.
Running every day across the three-day weekend, the day out has redefined family festivals.
Hampton Court Palace, May 23-25
Pre-booking required via hrp.org.uk
Holy Pop! at Somerset House
The Holy Pop! Exhibition at Somerset House will be the most talked about display of the summer.
The exhibition uncovers how fan devotion shapes identities, spanning from Princess Diana and Harry Potter to domestic shrines for just about every pop culture icon.
Shows aside, Somerset House is the epitome of British summer time with a season-long programme of contemporary art, hidden histories, and plenty of food.
Somerset House, May 21 - August 9
Book tickets at somersethouse.org
Giant London Flea Market
London’s largest indoor flea market is at the Queen Elizabeth Multi-story car park from 10am to 5pm on Sunday.
Prepare for vintage furniture, unique finds, antique home decors, and a wealth of bank holiday bargains.
There are multiple flea markets going on across the capital in South London and Hackney – all filled with items worth getting your hands on.
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, May 24
Pre-book entry at queenelizabetholympicpark.co.uk
Henry Moore Sculptures Kew Gardens
The largest ever presentation of outdoor art by legendary Henry Moore at an equally renowned location, Kew Gardens.
The exhibition opened at the beginning of this month and will run until early next year, but you’d regret not being one of the first in the queue.
The more than 30 sculptures and smaller works have been curated to provide an immersive journey through Moore’s career, combining animals, botanicals, and the natural world. It’s a sight to behold and the perfect sunny day outing.
Kew Gardens, May 9 - January 31
Book tickets at kew.org
Cockney Sikh’s Backyard Tour
Known as the Cockney Sikh, Suresh Singh is a London treasure. His bank holiday tour of Old Spitalfields takes Londoners through unexplored neighbourhoods in the district.
Embark on a tour of the Huguenot streets, Brick Lane like you’ve never known it, and Truman Brewery - all fuelled with freshly brewed chai.
The tour will only set you back £5, but book soon to avoid disappointment.
Tour starts at Brushfield Street entrance of Old Spitalfields Market, May 24-25
Book via Eventbrite.co.uk
The Price at The Marylebone Theatre
Don’t miss out on Arthur Miller’s masterpiece The Price at Marylebone Theatre this bank holiday weekend.
It’s playing until June 21 and has received rave reviews across the board.
Marylebone Theatre, April 17-June 21
Book via Love Theatre
Brigadiers sports brunch
It would be amiss not to mention the final Premier League games taking place on Sunday, and Londoners can upgrade their matchday with the restaurant’s signature feasting menu.
Live sport, free flowing drinks, and some of the capital’s best Indian food – a matchday worth celebrating.
1-5 Bloomberg Arcade, sports feasting available on Sunday 24
Book a table at brigadierslondon.com
Blackhorse Beer Mile
Move over Bermondsey beer mile. The Blackhorse Beer Mile route in Walthamstow spans some of north east London’s best breweries.
It’s far less busy than its south London counterpart and you’ll spend more time in the sunshine and less time queuing for pints.
Unlike Bermondsey, there’s also distilleries in the midst so you won’t be limited to lagers and ales.
Plan your beer mile at blackhorsebeermile.co.uk
