Five of the best free things to do in London this May bank holiday weekend
We've made it to another bank holiday, and the city is gearing up for a whole bunch of festivals, day trips, cultural excursions and nights out over the long weekend. But while we're hardly ones to grumble at the prospect of an extra day off work, we're well aware of how spenny these extra days off can get.
Making it to the end of May without dipping into the ol' overdraft can be a challenge, with not one but two bank holidays to get through. But to help, we've roundup up a bunch of fun stuff happening around the city that won't cost you a penny.
The best free things to do in London over the late May Bank Holiday weekend
It's the bank holiday, of course you're going to be going for a few beers with mates. But all that boozing adds up, so what if we told you that the good people at Venn Street Records are going to be giving away 1,000 free pints this weekend. The vinyl store will be dishing out 250 pints of Camden Hells each day across the bank hol, starting on Friday, May 23 from 5pm until close each day. There will be performances too: on Sunday 25 at 6pm Glasto veterans Brass Funkeys will throw down a special brass set. Tickets are advised, and you can book online here.
78 Venn Street, SW4 0BD. Fri May 23-Sun May 25. Free (advanced booking advised).
Give your wardrobe a sustainable makeover at Westfield Good Festival
Planning a big spring clean of your wardrobe over the bank holiday? You'll learn plenty of helpful tips and tricks at this festival of pre-loved fashion, which sees world-famous shopping centre Westfield team up with fashion marketplace Depop to help shoppers to embrace sustainable habits. Head to Westfield's Stratford location this weekend to shop a curated edit of second-hand threads at an IRL Depop Marketplace, take part in free styling workshops, enjoy free skincare consultations from Kiehl's, and even nab up to £40 of free clothing alterations courtesy of door-to-door repair business Sojo.
Westfield Stratford City, E20 1EJ. Fri May 23-Sun May 25. Free (first come, first served).
Dig into South West Asian and North African fashion at the 3EIB Fashion Pop-up
London Fashion Week is good and all, but it doesn't always offer the chance to discover cutting edge fashion houses from around the world. This bank holiday the Southbank Centre will host an alternative fashion show, showcasing 30 brands from South West Asia and North Africa (SWANA). The two-day event, hosted by community fashion platform 3EIB, will have everything from boundary-pushing ready-to-wear to affordable streetwear, and offer the chance to meet the people behind the clothes. SWAG from SWANA is part of the Southbank's Shubbak Festival, one of London's largest celebrations of contemporary SWANA culture.
Queen Elizabeth Hall, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX. Sat May 24-Sun May 25. Free.
Party with the great and good of London's queer nightlife scene at Dalston Supersquare
Dalston's legendary LGBTQ+ club might have celebrated its sweet sixteenth with a massive party over the last bank holiday, but this diva really likes to turn her birthday into a month-long event. After a killer debut last year, the club's outdoor day party on nearby Gillett Square (where the old NTS radio booth used to be) is returning this bank holiday Sunday, with another secret line-up of Superstore regulars on the decks. Can't afford to shell out for the big day festivals this weekend? Reserve a free ticket here and head over to E9 for a boogie instead.
Gillett Square, E8 2PB. Sun May 25. Free (advanced booking advised).
Cheer on the ultimate afro dance showdown at Red Bull Bring the Vim
On the Sunday of the long weekend, four afro dance crews will go head to head in an epic dance battle at Boxpark Croydon. Hosted by BBC Radio 1Extra's Remi Burgz, the Red Bull events will see dance crews throw down their finest amapiano, afro house and naija street style moves in a bid to become champion. Who takes the crown? That's up to you, as the crowd decides the winner. Legendary party hosts DLT (aka Days Like This) will supply the tunes, and there'll also be free dance workshops and live performances from British-Ghanaian band The Compozers and other special guests. You can reserve your spot with a free ticket.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
Inside new Superdrug store where customers can test out products for FREE
SUPERDRUG has just dropped its most exciting store yet and it's a hit for any beauty fanatics. The high street health and beauty giant has launched its brand new Beauty Playground at Westfield Stratford in London. 2 2 Gone are the days of sniffing samples and hoping for the best, now, shoppers can swatch, test and snap their way through a fairground of makeup and skincare, all without spending a penny. Packed with interactive displays, 'Try Me Tables', and glitzy social content stations complete with ring lights. You'll also find in-store brand ambassadors offering personalised beauty advice, demos, and top tips on the latest trending buys. The store officially opened this week, and Superdrug bosses say it's just the beginning. The Beauty Playground will roll out across 30 of the retailer's top stores by next summer, including Manchester Trafford Centre, Glasgow Braehead, and Cardiff St David's. Simon Comins, Superdrug's chief commercial officer, said: 'The beauty shopper is crying out for immersive experiences – and we're giving them exactly that. 'With Beauty Playground, we're bringing the fun back into beauty, giving shoppers the chance to experiment, discover, and enjoy Superdrug like never before.' The mega makeover is all part of Superdrug's big plans to boost its bricks and mortar stores, while blending them seamlessly with online experiences. And to top it off, Superdrug has teamed up with brands like Daise, Delhicious and Smuuti to offer exclusive products and beauty experiences you won't find anywhere else. Daise co-founder Jaimee Lupton called the partnership 'incredibly valuable' for bringing 'next-gen' beauty to the high street. Make-up fans race to snap up £5 Superdrug dupe of viral Huda powder, and save themselves £30 in the process It comes just after the retailer's Superdrug Superswap pop-up earlier this month, where bargain hunters bagged up to £500 worth of luxury beauty dupes for a fraction of the price. Among the must-have steals were Studio London's U Dew U Bronzing Drops for just £5 (saving £30 vs a high-end dupe). It also included the cult-fave Artiscent Atelier fragrances, which were a mere £12 for scents that smell way more expensive. One shopper said: 'I couldn't believe how similar it was to the designer brand and it lasted all day. Total win.' The Superswap event highlighted more than 40 of Superdrug's best own-brand products, covering skincare, cosmetics, fragrance and toiletries, all proven to rival premium buys in tests and reviews. Superswap's best dupes The SuperSwap event introduced shoppers to swaps that could save them £500. SuperSwap Savings include: B. Cleanse Melting Cleansing Balm - £10 (£ 5 member price) - Save £24 vs high end alternative* - Melts away dirt and impurities with this velvety soft balm which helps to remove every trace of make-up Studio London U Dew U Bronzing Drops £5 - SAVE £30* - Enriched with coconut oil and niacinamide this hydrating formula gives a natural sun-kissed tint and healthy glow Artiscent Atelier Scents £12 - SAVE £233* - From sweet and musky to spicy and woody notes, these scents smell expensive and provide long lasting fragrance all day Studio London SuperBoost Tint Oil Cherry - SAVE £28* - A weightless, moisturising formula infused with nutrient-rich, upcycled raspberry seed oil to soften lips, leaving a high shine finish And if you missed out, don't panic, Superdrug is bringing back its ' Superdrug Presents ' event in August, promising even more freebies and surprises. TikTokers who attended last year's bash claimed they walked away with bags full of beauty goodies — including twenty lipsticks. It's not just Superdrug jumping on the experiential bandwagon either. Disney has also returned with a brand-new pop-up at Westfield White City, opening just days ago on June 20. The grand opening kicks off Saturday, June 28 with a full-blown Disney party, complete with free Mickey ears for the first 200 guests, roaming balloon artists, tattoo stations, and early access to the magical 'Once Upon a Story' dolls.
Wales Online
5 days ago
- Wales Online
Alton Towers offers budget-friendly season pass for less than a day trip
Alton Towers offers budget-friendly season pass for less than a day trip Alton Towers has launched a new Resort Seasonal Pass, allowing thrill-seekers to enjoy unlimited access to the theme park for a three month period in the summer Alton Towers have some amazing deals on offer ahead of the summer holidays (Image: Bloomberg, Bloomberg via Getty Images ) Theme park enthusiasts can anticipate a summer of excitement at a reduced cost with the new Alton Towers Resort Seasonal Pass. The £59 three-month seasonal pass is a bargain compared to the walk-up price of £68 for a single-day pass, even if you only visit once. The pass offers unlimited access throughout the summer, making it an attractive choice for those planning summer holiday outings. For adrenaline junkies, this could be the opportunity to enjoy rides like the Smiler and Oblivion all summer long. It's important to note that there are certain dates when the seasonal pass is not valid, such as the August Bank Holiday weekend and several dates in October leading up to Halloween. All passes, including the £139 Annual Gold Pass, are unavailable on these dates. One of the most sought-after passes on offer is the Merlin Annual Pass, granting entry to their theme parks, including Thorpe Park and Alton Towers, as well as Legoland, the Dungeons, Madame Tussauds and even Cadbury World. The basic package costs £99 per year, with more premium packages offering monthly payment plans. For those interested in a single theme park break, Wowcher's Attraction Breaks might be a better option. They offer a Gulliver's Valley Resort Stay and Theme Park Entry package from £139, with availability during school holidays for families of four seeking a fun escape, reports the Mirror. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here Reviews on Trustpilot are showering praises on Alton Towers, with one guest describing it as 'magical', expressing: "A great family day out. Service from the staff is always so friendly. A magical place." One visitor was particularly thrilled about the minimal wait times for attractions, noting: "Magnificent time at Alton Towers. All the rides were below an hour queue. Went as a group of 5 and we completed smiler and oblivion in the first 20 minutes." They continued to share their experience: "We then went on another 11 rides whilst doing Smiler, Oblivion, Rita, Thirteen and Nemesis twice. Our longest wait time was 50 minutes." There were also some tips for future visitors: "Arriving early is key as they let people in before 10 to start queuing for The Smiler early. Had a wonderful time and was worth every penny. Amazing theme park. Workers were very nice and were always happy to help." However, not all feedback was glowing; one felt changes could improve the experience, pointing out: "As expected, when you go to a theme park there are very long queues. What you don't expect is no seating on a two-hour queue." The critique continued: "Waiting is not a problem, standing for two hours for one ride with no chance to sit down and rest your legs and back, really is!". When it comes to catering for different age groups, many parents have applauded the park: "Amazing couple of days with my family. So much for all ages to do, and the entertainment on the field was a welcome rest for my three-year-old when the older members of our party wanted to go on the thrill rides." Article continues below For those looking to make frequent visits, the Alton Towers Resort Seasonal Pass can be snapped up for £59 right now.
Time Out
5 days ago
- Time Out
Central London now has a brand-new rooftop bar
When the sun is shining in London, there's nowhere we'd rather be than sipping a spritz on a rooftop, looking at all the suckers below who didn't have the savvy to find a skyward drinking spot themselves. We're joking, but there also isn't much better than sitting in a central London sun-trap, drink in hand, admiring the skyline. So, we have good news, because London has a brand-new rooftop bar, and it's right above Holborn station. La-Yam has opened on the eighth floor of Kingsbourne House, 229-231 High Holborn. The 200-capacity open-air bar has views of London icons like the Shard, the Walkie Talkie and the BT Tower. As for the vibes, La-Yam is going for a central London version of a beach bar, with wooden decking, white umbrellas and rattan furniture. For drinks, La-Yam serves up all the classic cocktails, with the menu including a margarita, mai tai, espresso martini, Aperol spritz, strawberry daiquiri and Pimm's. The wine list is not huge, but comprises a selection of dependable bottles covering red, white, rosé and sparkles. As for beer, pints of Camden Hells and Camden Pale Ale are £6.50, which for a central London rooftop is very reasonable. On Fridays, the bar has a live DJ. The bar also serves food, with a Greek menu throughout the day focusing on seasonal vegetables and locally sourced produce. On Sundays it serves a BBQ-style roast, with dishes like sea bream skewers, harissa chicken thighs, slow-roast short ribs and lamb kofta kebabs, as well as veggies like tahini cauliflower, and smashed potatoes a la plancha. Want more? Here's Time Out's list of the best rooftop bars in London.
