Things to do on the August bank holiday weekend 2025 in London
You are going to London during the August Bank Holiday weekend 2025, which is a great idea! The summer August bank holiday in England and Wales. 2025 Summer Bank holidays will fall from Saturday 23 August to Monday 25 August 2025 inclusive. It will give you a long weekend to see the city. Get ready to see large crowds, street enlivenment and sun rays (hopefully). For a memorable August Bank Holiday, book one of our holiday apartments in London and experience the city’s vibrant spirit right at your doorstep
Notting Hill Carnival: London’s biggest street party
Think of a West London neighbourhood transformed into the largest dance floor. That is the Notting Hill Carnival, which takes place on Sunday, 24 August and Monday, 25 August. On Sunday, it is family-oriented, colourful and spirited, and on Monday, the adult parade in full swing comes out in costumes, soca music, huge steelbands and dancing. Living in a Caribbean culture will permeate you, and you can feel the energy run through the crowd. It is a free event, so coming early and expecting large crowds is better!
Tip: wear comfortable shoes, bring water, and select a meeting point with your friends in case your phones lose connectivity.
Festivals and open‑air cinemas
The carnival is not the only thing that London has to offer. During the weekend, you may get an open-air cinema screening at one of the distinctive places, such as Barbican Sculpture Court, Stratford rooftop venues or Peckham rooftop venues; Screenings cover the classics and new releases.
A live music lover is the one who can attend All Points East in Victoria Park at the end of August (22-24 Aug), listening to indie and electronic music in all genres, as there is usually a mixture of rising performers and the best of the best. There could also be a DJ-led dance party, a brass band or even steel band activities around the Southbank Centre or bars on the river.
You can also read: How To Spend The Perfect Day At Harrods?
Art trails, galleries, and culture walks
London shines in summer with art outdoors and indoors. A free trial is the Sculpture in the City trail, which takes place at any time and in which dozens of installations are distributed throughout the City of London in open spaces and small streets. Or stroll the mega-outdoor sculpture at Canary Wharf, where plenty of mini-golf is on Montgomery Court.
Check riverfront culture at the Southbank Centre, pop along and keep your ears peeled for the Hayward Gallery or free shows at the Royal Festival Hall. Pop-up and poetry or theatrical performances along the River Thames also appear in the evenings.
Free museums and historic sites
Many world‑class museums are always free in London. British Museum, Tate Modern, Tate Britain, and Natural History Museum allow you to wander galleries without spending money. On bank holiday weekends, however, they will become crowded, so you might have to go earlier.
Want a bit of science or history? Greenwich Royal Observatory is where you must stand on the prime meridian!, or spend some time on Cutty Sark, a famous tea clipper ship on the Thames.
Picnics, parks, and Thames walks
You can use a chill-out period, and at such a time, August in London is the best month to relax in the city's green spaces. The ideal parks to snuggle down in a takeaway or go under the trees are Victoria Park, Hampstead Heath, or Greenwich Park. After-work walks on the Thames Path, perhaps Westminster to Tower Bridge, will enable you to enjoy classic vistas with the city lights turning on.
Family‑friendly and indoor play
Travelling with kids or just young at heart? There is so much to do indoors, whether it is taking the Shrek's Adventure London tour, the fun and interactive galleries of the London Transport Museum, or the interactive science demonstrations at the Royal Observatory, there is a lot to do, and these are all rain-proof alternatives. In the meantime, indoor summer vibes with sand, inflatables, and games are spread in new street‑festival style beach clubs at Westfield malls, in case the weather goes wet.
Final Thought !
The August Bank Holiday weekend in 2025 sees London with a blinding diversity: the multi-coloured and festive Notting Hill Carnival, the outdoor music festivals, art all over the city, open-air cinema, green parks and illustrious museum culture, and it is all in the same weekend. Easy itinerary, relaxed tempo, you have an adventurous spirit, and you will feel raring to go when you leave London.
It doesn't matter whether you are here to party, or are here to see the art, or just for the city buzz, you will have the best few days. Enjoy a great Bank Holiday weekend, and a joyous London in all its vibrant hues. Get ready to see large crowds, street enlivenment and sun rays (hopefully).Stay at a Presidential Kensington Serviced Apartment to enjoy a central location, great comfort, and easy access to the city’s best events.