All weekend
Notting Hill Carnival takes place over the August bank holiday. Image: David Sedlecký, Creative Commons
BANK HOLIDAY: This weekend is a bank holiday weekend. If you're lucky enough to have three days off work and you're looking for something to keep you out of mischief, our guide to bank holiday things to do in London has a plethora of ideas.
NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL: Notting Hill Carnival is back on the streets of west London for three days of Caribbean-style entertainment. Expect the usual heady mix of Caribbean culture, samba, mas, soca and calypso, dazzling costumes... and lots and lots of people. Here's everything you need to know about this year's event, including what's happening on each day. 29-31 August 2026
ANIME & GAMING CON: What claims to be the UK's largest anime convention comes to Hammersmith from Friday, with merch, gaming, comics and cosplay. Expect appearances from anime rapper Shao Dow, as well as a chance to meet voice actors from anime productions. 28-30 August 2026
