May Bank Holiday 2018 weekend events and things to do in London

We don’t know about you, but we’re getting used to having all of these long weekends.

This is the last bank holiday we have until the end of August, so make the most of it and fill it up to the brim.

Relax in the sunshine with a picnic, row on the river or head down to these activities and festivities.

Here’s our round up of what to get up to this bank holiday weekend in London.

Flamingo Pier

Flamingo Pier are throwing their only party of the year in Hackney Wick on May 26. Starting with an alfresco cocktail at CRATE Brewery’s terrace by the water, the party moves into a loft space at the White Building, where you can dance until 4am. There’s an installation from visual artists Superbros too, and DJ sets from Boranimals and Earthboogie.

May 26, CRATE Brewery and The White Building Event Space, Queens Yard, Hackney Wick, E9 5EN, flamingopier.net

StrEATlife

Up at Ally Pally, free street food and craft beer festival StrEATlife returns on Saturday and Sunday. More than 30 traders will be serving dishes from vegan bites at Wholefood Heaven to buttermilk chicken at Mother Clucker. Frank Turner is on the decks, playing his pick of party tunes, as well as live music Lucy May Walker and Hot Rock Pilgrims.

May 26-27, Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, N22 7AY, streatlife.alexandrapalace.com

Chelsea Flower Show tea

Chelsea Flower Show is in full floral swing and King’s Road restaurant Bluebird are running a flower-themed afternoon tea to celebrate. In collaboration with the Portobello Road bakery Pearl & Groove, tuck into poppy seed and lemon cupcakes, scones and jam and little finger sandwiches. It’s only available until Sunday so make sure you book, because this’ll go like hot cakes.

May 27, Bluebird, 350 King’s Road, Chelsea, SW3 5UU, bluebirdcafe.co.uk

London Clown Festival

London Clown Festival is running across three venues in London. At Mirth, Marvel and Maud, The Albany and Farr’s School of Dancing, this festival is about more than red noses and giant shoes. Celebrating physical comedy, there’s everything from Now That’s What I Call Panto to puppetry and farce.

Until June 3, at Mirth, Marvel and Maud in Walthamstow, The Albany in Great Portland Street, and Farr’s School of Dancing in Dalston, londonclownfest.co.uk

The Karaoke Hole

London’s newest bar opens on May 24. The Karaoke Hole comes to Kingsland High Road filled to the brim with drag queens and all the tunes you’ve been dying to belt out. It’s from the people behind east London institution Dalston Superstore, so you can be sure it’ll be an unbeatable night out. Fancy dress is very much encouraged, so dig out your lace front wigs.

May 24, The Karaoke Hole, 95 Kingsland High Street, E8 2PB, thekaraokehole.com

All Points Equal

Victoria Park’s long-awaited new festival All Points East arrives with The XX, LCD Soundsystem and Björk in headline slots on the main stage from Friday to Sunday. On Monday, a free event, All Points Equal, will be devoted to celebrating 100 years of the vote for (some) women. Throughout the day, there are screenings of Suffragette and Made in Dagenham, as well as an immersive Suffragette rally and a panel featuring Helen Pankhurst.

May 25-28, Victoria Park, Grove Road, E3 5TB, allpointseastfestival.com

Oslo Hackney

Switching over to a fresh summer menu, Oslo in Hackney is launching a new line up of Nordic food. Including cod croquettes with seaweed tempura, Nordic smoked salmon poke and shrimp subs, the menu mixes regional British produce and a contemporary Scandi taste. Head upstairs after for party bangers on Friday and disco dancing on Saturday nights.

Oslo, 1A Amhurst Road, Hackney, E8 1LL oslohackney.com

Free bagels

A completely free bagel bar from the New York Bagel Co is popping up in Shoreditch on Saturday and Sunday. Is this heaven? There's also the chance to build your own, with more than 30 fillings and six varieties available. Just walk in between 8am and 2pm to nab yours, but it's first come first serve so the early bird catches the bagel.

May 26-27, 133 Bethnal Green Road, E2 7DG

Feria De Londres

A taste of traditional Andalusia is coming to the Southbank with a weekend-long Spanish festival. With live music, Flamenco dancing, face painting, arts, crafts and, of course, delicious food Feria De Londres channels the feel of Southern Spain’s annual fairs. Munch down on croquetas, Iberico ham, tortillas, pimientos de padrón and churros, and wash down with fino sherry cocktails for a refreshing summer tipple.

May 25-27, Bernie Spain Gardens, Southbank, SE1 9PH, feriadelondres.com

GoBoating

What better way to explore London in the sunshine than to captain your own boat around the waterways? You get a whole new view when you see it from the water, so start in Paddington Basin and chug along to Little Venice, along the Regent's Canal up to Camden Lock.

Merchant Square, Paddington, W2 1JZ, goboat.co.uk

Brunch to the Beat

Every bank holiday Sunday, the Piano Works has a lock-in of epic proportions. The band plays 12 hours of non-stop music, all based on audience requests. Start with Brunch to the Beat with bottomless prosecco, bloody marys or mocktails to get the party started. When it’s time for the band to go to bed, the DJ takes over until sunrise.

May 27, The Piano Works, 113-117 Farringdon Road, EC1R 3BX, pianoworks.bar

Street League Skateboarding

For the first time, Street League Skateboarding is bringing its pro contest to London. At the Copper Box Arena, champions of skateboarding including Nyjah Huston, Shane O’Neill, Lacey Baker and Leticia Bufoni will be showing off their tricks and skills. Don’t say see you later, boy.

May 26-27, Copper Box Arena, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, E20 3HB, streetleague.com