18 Fun Things To Do This Bank Holiday Weekend

130 Primrose

Following the success of social enterprise restaurant Home Kitchen, the Primrose Hill site enters an exciting new chapter as 130 Primrose. Led by Monica Galetti as executive chef, the all-day restaurant continues its mission of supporting people with experience of homelessness through paid hospitality roles and accredited training. The Mediterranean-inspired menu spans elegant small plates, generous mains and daytime sandwiches, while a hidden cocktail bar is set to open later this summer. 

130 Regent’s Park Road, Primrose Hill, NW1 8XL

Visit 130PRIMROSE.ORG

Ornella

Just months after opening Lupa in Highbury, actor Theo James, restaurateur Ed Templeton and chef Naz Hassan are back with a second Italian opening. Ornella lands on Wilton Way with a menu inspired by Naz’s Milanese upbringing. Celebrating the rich, comforting flavours of northern Italy, there are dishes like vitello tonnato, risotto alla Milanese and penne alla vodka, alongside nostalgic desserts including millefoglie with strawberries. 

51 Wilton Way, Hackney, E8 1BG

Follow @ORNELLA.RESTAURANT

Lita Terrace

Lita has reopened its intimate terrace on Paddington Street in Marylebone – a 20-cover spot designed for long, sun-drenched lunches that drift effortlessly into the evening. Under Culinary Director Kostas Papathanasiou (formerly of The Fat Duck, The Ledbury and Frantzén), the Michelin-starred kitchen continues to champion live-fire Mediterranean cooking with a refined, seasonal edge. Expect biodynamic wines, considered cocktails and a menu built for lingering, especially as the weather finally turns.

Paddington Street, Marylebone, W1U 5QH

Follow @LITAMARYLEBONE

Seafood Evening At Borough Market

Borough Market goes all in on seafood on Wednesday 20th May with a special after-hours celebration featuring some of its best-loved traders. Expect one-off dishes from names including Kolae and Tacos Padre, alongside demos, tastings, talks and live music.

Borough Market, Borough, SE1 1TL

Visit BOROUGHMARKET.ORG.UK

Ria’s x Café François

As part of its AMI! guest series, Café François is welcoming Detroit-style pizza favourite Ria's for a one-night-only takeover on Thursday 21st May. Expect signature deep-dish slices alongside collaborative specials created exclusively for the evening, plus spicy margaritas, palomas and spritzes flowing throughout. With DJs on deck and a lively drop-in atmosphere, this promises to be one of Borough’s most fun midweek hangs.

14-16 Stoney Street, Borough, SE1 9AD

Visit RIAS.WORLD & CAFEFRANCOIS.LONDON

Jurassic Oceans

The Natural History Museum has turned its attention beneath the waves. Prehistoric Sea Monsters explores the strange and often terrifying creatures that ruled ancient oceans, from giant ichthyosaurs to fearsome mosasaurs. Expect immersive displays, cutting-edge interactive exhibits, and plenty to fascinate anyone who loved the museum’s dinosaur galleries growing up.

Cromwell Road, South Kensington, SW7 5BD

Visit NHM.AC.UK

Big Bahooey at Hampton Court Palace

Hampton Court Palace turns into a full-scale playground this bank holiday as the Big Bahooey returns, bringing a mix of circus, comedy and outdoor spectacle to the historic Tudor grounds. Produced by Cirque Bijou, expect roaming performances, acrobatics and immersive street theatre set across the gardens once home to Henry VIII. It’s part performance, part festival, and entirely designed for families who like their days out with a bit of chaos and wonder.

Hampton Court Palace, Hampton Court Way, KT8 9AU; 23rd–25th May

Visit HRP.ORG.UK

MCM Comic Con

MCM Comic Con returns to Excel London with a packed programme of panels, cosplay competitions and guest appearances from cult TV favourites. Expect full fan energy across the weekend, from costume showcases to collector stalls.

ExCeL London, Royal Victoria Dock; 22nd–24th May

Visit MCMCOMICCON.COM

Luminarium: LUXART

After a sell-out run in East London, Luminarium: LUXART arrives at Battersea Power Station. The immersive installation takes visitors through glowing inflatable tunnels and colour-filled domes, where shifting natural light and ambient soundscapes create a slow, sensory escape.

Battersea Power Station, SW11 8AX; 23rd–31st May

Visit BATTERSEAPOWERSTATION.CO.UK

Chelsea in Bloom

Chelsea’s annual floral takeover returns as part of Chelsea in Bloom, transforming King’s Road into a walkable outdoor installation inspired this year by an “Out of This World” theme. Expect space-age floral displays, playful shopfront installations and the occasional freebie along the way.

King’s Road, Chelsea; 18th–24th May

Visit CHELSEAINBLOOM.CO.UK

CARE

Writer-director Alexander Zeldin returns with his latest production at the Young Vic. Starring Linda Bassett, the play follows an elderly woman adjusting to life in a care home after a fall – but rather than leaning into bleakness, it offers a more nuanced and hopeful exploration of ageing, dignity and community. 

66 The Cut, Waterloo, SE1 8LZ

Visit YOUNGVIC.ORG

GALA Festival

On Friday 22nd May, GALA Festival returns to Peckham Rye Park for another huge three days of electronic music. This year’s theme, The Floor Is Ours, champions community and creative ownership across dance culture, with sets from George Daniel, Call Super and Chaos in the CBD.

Peckham Rye Park, Peckham, SE15 

Visit THISISGALA.CO.UK

Cross The Tracks Festival

Cross The Tracks returns to Brockwell Park with a lineup spanning jazz, funk and soul, plus live music, DJs, street food and workshops. Expect performances from artists including Little Simz and Joy Crookes, alongside a strong festival atmosphere built around discovery and community.

Brockwell Park, Brixton; 24th May

Visit XTHETRACKS.COM

Medik8 Exo-PDRN Prismatic+ Lab Pop-Up

Skincare brand Medik8 brings its lab concept to Covent Garden for a two-day immersive pop-up celebrating the launch of its new Exo-PDRN Prismatic+ serum. Created in partnership with Space NK, the activation invites visitors into a science-led skincare experience featuring personalised skin analysis, consultations and product sampling. Expect a polished, playful set-up with interactive photo moments and tailored skincare insights throughout.

Covent Garden; 23rd–24th May 2026

Visit MEDIK8.COM

DUA by AB at Selfridges

DUA makes its physical debut at Selfridges London with an immersive pop-up built around discovery, play and science-led skincare. Visitors can explore the full collection, take part in interactive testing stations and pick up limited-edition merchandise released daily in small drops. A photobooth installation and exclusive gifting add to the experience, making this one of the season’s most anticipated beauty moments.

400 Oxford Street, W1A 1AB; 14th–27th May

Visit DUABYAB.COM

Lami De Sadipe Pop-Up

Occasionwear label Lami De Sadipe lands in Soho for a two-day pop-up showcasing its new Spring/Summer collection. Expect a first look at the latest designs, plus early access to select pieces in an intimate, in-person setting inside Wolf & Badger.

102 Berwick Street, W1F 0QB; 23rd–24th May

Visit WOLFANDBADGER.COM

So Last Century Pop-Up

So Last Century heads to Beckenham Place Mansion for a Bank Holiday pop-up packed with mid-century finds, retro homeware and nostalgic fashion pieces. A relaxed, browse-friendly shopping moment in a seriously atmospheric setting.

Beckenham Place Mansion, BR3 1SY; 25th May

Visit SOLASTCENTURY.COM

LENY at Selfridges

Cool-girl favourite, LENY arrives at Selfridges London with its SS26 collection, blending soft tailoring, pastel tones and easy athleisure silhouettes. Alongside its mainline pieces, the store will also stock a collaboration with tastemaker Nuria Ma, offering a polished, wear-everyday take on modern wardrobe staples.

Oxford Street, W1A 1AB; from 12th May

Visit SELFRIDGES.COM