- Bank Holiday Weekend is all about Notting Hill Carnival: warm ups, parades, floats, costumes, competitions, sound systems, scrummy Caribbean food, cans of Red Stripe, ill advised after parties and all. The official website has info on Carnival routes and timings - remember it's starting and finishing earlier this year. Check TfL's advice on how to get there and Spoonfed has the lowdown on the best after parties.
- Rich Mix is bringing Carnival eastwards with a warm up party tonight and an all dayer on Saturday.
- Newham's Central Park hosts free musical entertainment 'Under the Stars' with Asian, rock and classical concerts.
- It's Great Outdoors at the National Theatre with outdoorsy activities and entertainment for urban folk all the long weekend.
- It's the final weekend of the Camden Fringe. Use those rainy bits to go and see a show.
- Have a Jolly Day Out on Hampton Court Green with a family friendly festival featuring a mix of McFly, Charlie and Lola, Bjorn Again, a royal tournament, pig racing and fireworks (under 12s go free, over 13s day tickets £25).
- Scare yourself silly at FrightFest at the Empire, Leicester Square.
- Visit the Real English Cider Festival at The Alma pub in Islington.
- It's World Farming Week so Lea Valley Farms have special activities on, including sheep racing and tortoise bathing.
- U Fest at the Unicorn Theatre offers family friendly creative and performing arts workshops until 2 September (£5 a session).
- Go and see something at the London International Animation Festival
- Visit Kew Gardens this weekend and get tips on sustainable living with Start@Kew.
- Visit the new London Fields Brewery and taste some Hackney Hopstar and London Fields Lager as they open their doors between 11am-11pm all weekend.
- The Proms are still on too!
Friday:
- It's the finale of the Hot August Fringe at the RVT with Ophelia Blitz's Artwank topping a triple bill and bringing things to a close. Buy a £7 ticket, turn up at 7pm and stay all night.
- Tonight's Late at the V&A is all about design (free).
Saturday:
- A Summer Wildlife Spectacular takes place at WaterWorks Nature Reserve, Leyton E10 from 10am-6pm, free, drop in anytime, and includes East London's Biggest Picnic.
- Take the kids to a free family fun day, Bob's Big Build at the O2.
- The City Wind Orchestra play a free concert from the bandstand in St James Park at 3pm.
Sunday:
- Join the free street party in Shoreditch, courtesy of the Book Club: Bookstock.
- There are still a few Sunday tickets available for South West Four music festival on Clapham Common (£45).
- Pedal to the Cycle in Cinema at Hackney City Farm for Princess Bride at 8pm (free/donation).
- Hole up with a Christmas movie at the Victoria with Trains, Planes and Automobiles at 8pm (free but treat yourself to a hot toddy).
Bank Holiday Monday
- Judy's Affordable Vintage Fair comes to Spitalfields.
- Join the Slow Food picnic on Parliament Hill.
- Garden Opera comes to the Nannies Lawn, Regents Park with I Pagliacci (Leoncavallo) & The Impresario (Mozart's Der Schauspieldirektor). 'Curtain up' at 5pm (£25).
- Singalonga Grease at Dulwich Picture Gallery from 6.30pm (£6).
Other good stuff:
- Things to do in London on the Cheap
- Lit and spoken word from the Book Grocer
- Shows and exhibitions opening and closing in Arts Ahead
- Where to find the zingiest cabaret
- What's funny in stand up and sketch comedy
- New music gigs in Music Choice
- What's on at Museums and Galleries
What did we miss, what are you doing? Let us know in the comments.
