Things to do in London this weekend
Things to do in London this weekend

9 Things to do in London This Long Weekend: Bank Holiday Special (24-27 August 2018)

21 Aug 2018 | Updated on: 27 Sep 2022 | By Abi Sritharan

Celebrate the long weekend in London with our bumper bank holiday guide to what's on in the capital, from foodie festivals and bottomless brunch to theatre

Avobar Opening in Covent Garden (all weekend)

Calling all avocado aficionados! This Friday, Avobar is opening the doors of its permanent home in Covent Garden, with a dedicated avocado-centric menu. Highlights include the signature Avo Burger and smashed avocado on either sourdough or sweet potato, served with beetroot hummus and homemade coconut labneh. Decor takes its cue from Calfornia’s laidback, modern aesthetic and brings together abundant hanging foliage and a diverse range of printed and woven textiles for a warm and inviting dining environment. Drinks will include beetroot or matcha lattes, while guests can also browse a range of avocado-based skincare products. Avo away!

Date: 24 August Time: 8am-10pm Location: 23-24 Henrietta Street, London, WC2E 8ND Closest Stations: Charring Cross and Leicester Square

Website: avobar.co.uk

The Big Feastival, Kingham (Friday – Sunday)

The Big Feastival is a regaled foodie festival held on Alex James’s farm in Kingham. The frontman of Blur hosts the annual event alongside Jamie Oliver, presenting three days of art, music and gastronomy. Chefs headlining this year’s intimate banquet include Marco Pierre White, Raymond Blanc, Mark Hix and Gizzy Erskine, alongside plentiful food stalls; a Veuve Clicquot VIP champagne lounge and Patrón tequila, who is partnering with Breddos Tacos on a Mexican feast. There will be live music from Craig David, Clean Bandit, Paloma Faith and Professor Green, alongside children’s entertainment from Dick and Dom and Peppa Pig.

Image: Patrón the Summer x Breddos Tacos Feasts at The Big Feastival

Date: 24-26 August Price: From £69.50 Location: Alex James’ Farm, Oxfordshire, OX7 6UG

Website: thebigfeastival.com

Swan Lake, London Coliseum (all weekend)

St Petersburg Ballet Theatre returns to London this weekend with its acclaimed production of Swan Lake at the London Coliseum in Covent Garden. The much-loved ballet by Tchaikovsky tells the story of a princess turned into a swan and her quest for true love. Prima Ballerina Irina Kolesnikova will join the cast, alongside Kimin Kim and Denis Rodkin, who will also guest star. The English National Opera will perform Tchaikovsky’s seminal score, bolstered by mesmerising scenery and costumes.

Date: 22 August-2 September Price: From £20 Location: London Coliseum, St Martin’s Lane, London WC2N 4ES

Website: londoncoliseum.org

Hampton Court Palace Food Festival (Saturday – Monday)

The Hampton Court Palace Food Festival returns this weekend for three days of diverse cuisine, drinks and merriment, set in the historic grounds of the palace. The family-friendly event brings together more than 100 producers of specialty foods, including Pig in the Middle luxe sausage rolls and Indian street food by Geeta’s. There will also be intimate food demonstrations from Michel Roux Jr, Nadiya Hussain and Melissa Hemsley and live music throughout the weekend. The Champagne PIAFF tent will be pouring bubbles all day long, while Boozey Belles will be shaking vintage cocktails. All tickets include entry to the world-renowned palace, former home of Henry VIII.

Date: 25-27 August Time: 10am-6pm Price: From £19.20 Location: Hampton Court Palace, Molesey, East Molesey KT8 9AU

Website: hrpfoodfestivals.com

MAKEMORE Festival, Victoria Park (all weekend)

Enjoy a hands-on experience at the inaugural MAKEMORE festival in Victoria Park this weekend, celebrating creativity and craftsmanship in London. ‘Makers’, including the creators of Wallace and Gromit, will be hosting workshops and demos for guests to hone their skills and discover new hobbies. The eclectic line-up includes printmaking, bookbinding, candle making and ceramics, alongside a host of cookery masterclasses spanning bread baking; fermenting and a Korean dumpling how-to guide. MAKEMORE will have the traditional elements of a festival too, consisting of street food stalls, bars and a funfair.

Date: 23-27 August Times: 3pm-10pm, 11am-10pm Price: From £28 – adults, Free – Under 10s Location: Victoria Park Closest Station: Mile End Station

Website: makemore.art

READ MORE: 7 HOBBIES TO TRY IN LONDON

Bottomless AbFab Brunch at Quaglino’s (Saturday)

Make like Eddie and Patsy this weekend, sweetie, at an Absolutely-Fabulous themed brunch on Saturday at Quaglino’s in St. James’s. Infused with glamour and nostalgia, guests will enjoy a two-course feast with bottomless prosecco, accompanied by live DJs spinning cherished tracks from the nineties.

Date: 25 August Time: 11am-4pm Price: 2 courses for £25; add bottomless bubbles for £22 Location: Quaglino’s, 16 Bury Street, London, SW1Y 6AJ Closest Station: Green Park Station

Website: quaglinos-restaurant.co.uk

READ MORE: THE BEST BOTTOMLESS BRUNCH IN LONDON

Rosa’s Full Moon Party (all weekend)

Rosa’s Thai cafe began as a market stall in Brick Lane and now boasts outposts all across London, including Chelsea, Angel and Soho. The restaurant is celebrating ten years of feel-good Thai food this weekend with a colourful full moon birthday party. For £10, customers can enjoy one of ten signature dishes taken from Rosa’s menu, paired with a jar of Rosa’s signature Thai iced tea or a refreshing Chang Thai beer, or go bottomless for an additional charge. For each dish ordered from the 10th Anniversary menu, 50p will be donated to the Khao Koh Hospital in Thailand. A bottomless weekender with a side of philanthropy? Now that’s a party we can get on board with.

Date: 25-27 August Price: £10 for one dish and one drink; go bottomless for an additional £10 Locations: All Rosa’s Locations excluding Westfield and London Fields

Website: rosasthaicafe.com

Wimbledon Park Food Festival (all weekend)

The Fantastic Food Festival is touring the UK this summer, bringing artisanal street food to London’s leafy corners. This bank holiday weekend, the foodie festival is transforming Wimbledon Park into a mecca of fine cuisine and entertainment. The family-friendly event will showcase more than 45 diverse street food vendors and artisan food stalls, in addition to a pop-up mini farm, workshops and cookery demonstrations from chefs including Masterchef winner Kenny Tutt.

Date: 25-27 August Time: Varies Price: £6 – adult, Free – Under 5s Location: Wimbledon Park, London SW19 7HX Closest Station: Wimbledon Park Station

Website: fantasticbritishfoodfestivals.com

Notting Hill Carnival (Sunday & Monday)

Revellers will descend on Notting Hill in their thousands this weekend for Notting Hill Carnival, which spreads throughout W10, including Ladbroke Grove and Westbourne Park. The world-renowned event brings together vivid costumes, live music, fashion, food and drink for a two-day celebration of Caribbean heritage. The carnival tends to wind down around 7.30pm so make sure you nab tickets to one of the evening parties at Paradise in Kensal Rise; the Notting Hill Arts Club or, across town, Electric Brixton.

Date: 26-27 August Price: Free Location: Throughout W10, West London

Website: thelondonnottinghillcarnival.com

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