The last bank holiday until the coveted Christmas period is this weekend – reason enough to make the most of every minute.
Yes, bank holidays have become known for snaking traffic jams all the way to England’s south coast, but for city dwellers staying put, or those planning a city break in the capital, there’s plenty to love about a long weekend in London.
Although the August bank holiday should be a barbeque-eating, suncream-required, pints at the pub affair – and the forecast is looking fairly promising – there’s a host of activities to discover beyond the back garden.
From 24 to 26 August, there are three office-free days of fun in the capital from concerts to comedy shows, cruises and alfresco cinema screenings.
As Notting Hill Carnival makes its annual dance and Banksy artwork is still sprayed on the city’s walls, here are our top picks of things to do in London this August bank holiday.
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Catch Battersea Park in Concert
![Three days of classical, West End and jazz music starts on Saturday](https://vcptravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/The-best-things-to-do-in-London-this-August-bank.jpg)
Battersea Park’s open-air picnic concerts are returning for three days of classical, West End and jazz music in 2024. Starting Saturday, ‘Proms in the Park’ with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra and Myleene Klass, ‘A Night at the Musicals’ conducted by Richard Balcombe, and Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra will take the stage for singalongs until 9.30pm. Bring a picnic and a blanket to pitch up and watch the performances.
Tickets from £43.10; batterseaparkinconcert.seetickets.com
Spend a day at Old Spitalfields Market
![Feast on fruit tea, flatbreads and folded pizzas at Old Spitalfields Market](https://vcptravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/1724167997_684_The-best-things-to-do-in-London-this-August-bank.jpg)
There’s an interactive doodle room, a British Bangladeshi art exhibition and some serious street food at Old Spitalfields Market this bank holiday. The collaborative art experience with Curtis Creationz runs until Friday and the ‘Bidrohi’ display of East London history showcases the works of Mohammed Z Rahman, Puer Deorum and Ace Rahman in the Market’s historic roof.
Free
Take a dip at Parliament Hill Lido
![Head to Hampstead Heath to do some lengths in Parliament Hill Lido](https://vcptravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/1724167997_31_The-best-things-to-do-in-London-this-August-bank.jpg)
It’s not forecast to be scorching but nothing says British summer like a lido swim. Dive into a session between 7am and 8pm at Parliament Hill Lido – built in…
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