What To Do This Weekend 21.08.25

The Barbican’s concrete courtyard has once again turned into one of London’s coolest outdoor cinemas, complete with deckchairs, cocktails and a line-up that swings from cult classics to award-winners. Screenings include Lynch’s Dune, Anderson’s Fantastic Mr. Fox, Thai masterpiece Uncle Boonmee, and even the nostalgic Little Shop of Horrors. Expect gourmet hot dogs, mezze platters and craft drinks from the on-site vendors – the perfect accompaniment to a late-summer night. Tickets start from £18.

Barbican Centre,Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS; until 31st Augus

Visit BARBICAN.ORG.UK

Forget fireworks – this weekend, Sandown Park Racecourse is getting a light show like no other. DroneArt brings together a live string quartet performing Vivaldi’s ‘Four Seasons’ with hundreds of illuminated drones choreographed to the music above the night sky. The result? A surreal mix of classical concert, digital art and futuristic theatre, all viewed from a grandstand under the stars. Part magical, part sci-fi, the show will also head to Dulwich later this year. Tickets start from £35.

Sandown Park Racecourse, KT10 9AJ; 22nd-23rd August

Visit THEDRONEARTSHOW.COM

The Greenwich + Docklands International Festival is back for two weeks of open-air shows, installations and immersive experiences across the riverside. Almost everything on the line-up is free, making it one of London’s most democratic arts festivals – and certainly one of the most inventive. Highlights this year include daring circus acts performed over water, an all-female troupe staging aerial feats in the treetops, and a hypnotic duet between a human performer and a robotic arm. Grab a map, wander between venues and expect to stumble across world-class creativity in unexpected places.

Various Greenwich locations; 22nd August-6th September 

Visit FESTIVAL.ORG/GDIF

Here to help you get into the bank holiday spirit, Victoria Park will be buzzing as All Points East takes over with its mix of live music, street food and summer festival vibes. The multi-day event is known for pulling in huge headliners across indie, hip hop and electronic music – past line-ups have included The Strokes, LCD Soundsystem and The Chemical Brothers, and this year includes Barry Can’t Swim, Doechii, Raye and CMAT. Tickets start from £70.

Victoria Park, E3; 22nd-24th August

Visit ALLPOINTSEASTFESTIVAL.COM

Battersea Park is hosting three nights of music to soundtrack your Bank Holiday weekend. Saturday kicks off with Symphonic Disco, a full orchestra reworking classic dance anthems; Sunday celebrates movie scores with A Night At The Movies; and Monday closes on a high with Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra. With food stalls, bars and plenty of space to spread out, it’s a quintessential London summer event. Pray for sunshine but bring a waterproof just in case. Tickets are £48.50.

Battersea Park, Queenstown Road, SW11 4NJ; 23rd-25th August

Visit BATTERSEAPARKINCONCERT.COM

Carousel’s {PAIRED} series has become one of London’s most exciting mash-ups – and this weekend it lands at Tate Modern for its biggest event yet. The format is simple but brilliant: one world-class DJ and one Michelin-starred chef come together for a night that will never be repeated. This time, it’s French techno legend Laurent Garnier on the decks, while Alexis Bijaoui, fresh from Alain Passard’s three-star L’Arpège, serves a boundary-pushing dinner. After the final course, the lights drop and the party starts. Book the full evening or just the after-dinner session. Tickets are £125 for the dinner and party, or if you just want to boogie, it’s £30. 

The Corner, Tate Modern, SE1 9TG; 22nd-23rd August

Visit TATE.ORG.UK

It wouldn’t be August Bank Holiday without Notting Hill Carnival. The legendary celebration is Europe’s biggest street festival, drawing millions to west London for three days of music, food and dance. Saturday is Family Day with ticketed entry, while Sunday and Monday see the full parade take over the streets. Expect elaborate costumes, steel pan bands, booming sound systems and food stalls serving jerk chicken, patties and rum punch. Whether you’re following a float, dancing at a sound system or people-watching from the kerb, it’s the most joyful party of the summer.

Notting Hill, W11; 24th-25th August

Visit NHCARNIVAL.ORG

If you are going to Carni’, you may want to check out legendary stylist Charlotte Mensah, who will be opening her Braid Bar on Portobello Road for the weekend. Inside her lively salon, the team will be creating traditional and contemporary braiding styles with extensions included — from neat cornrows to statement looks designed for all-day dancing. With Carnival playlists, drinks and a community vibe, it’s as much a pre-party as it is a styling appointment. Prices start from £30 for kids and £40 for adults – booking ahead is essential if you want to be ready in time for the parade.

Hair Lounge, 347 Portobello Road, W10 5SA; 23rd-25th August

Visit CHARLOTTEMENSAH.COM

High above Liberty’s fourth floor sits The Treehouse, Wildsmith’s nature-inspired new treatment space that’s designed to feel like a canopy hideaway. Here, guests can book a 30- or 60-minute Radical Botany Facial – a blend of guided breathwork, exfoliation, myofascial release and Wildsmith’s clinical formulations, which have been proven to boost hydration by 194% in 24 hours. Better still, the full cost of your treatment is redeemable against products on the day, so you can leave with a tailored skincare regime.

Liberty, Regent Street, W1B 5AH 

Visit WILDSMITHSKIN.COM & LIBERTYLONDON.COM

To mark the restock of its cult-favourite Sun Tone Bronzing Drops, Westman Atelier is installing an ice-lolly cart outside Space NK Duke of York Square. Shoppers can enjoy complimentary Sun Tone-inspired ice lollies, shade matching with the brand’s pro team, as well as try free samples and take advantage of an exclusive gift with purchase. 

Space NK, Duke of York Square, 73 King’s Road,  SW3 4LY; 23rd August, 11am-7pm

Visit SPACENK.COM

Michelin-trained chef Asimakis Chaniotis has opened Myrtos in South Kensington, channelling his Greek heritage into an elevated menu of sharing plates and refined classics. Start with dips like taramosalata and Santorini fava, then move onto prawn saganaki or a whole lobster giouvetsi. Cocktails come courtesy of Athenian bar Line (ranked number six in the World’s 50 Best Bars), with standouts including a rosemary paloma and a sun-dried tomato bloody mary. 

260-262 Brompton Road, South Kensington, SW3 2AS

Visit MYRTOSRESTAURANT.COM

Bob Bob Ricard is celebrating the start of game season via a decadent collaboration with Idris Elba’s premium drinks label Porte Noire. Expect indulgent limited-edition pies – think champagne and chicken, Champagne and truffle, and a cognac and grouse dish – alongside the restaurant’s signature glamour. Guests can also purchase a bespoke Bob Bob Ricard x Porte Noire pie whistle as a keepsake. Pair your dish with the new Champagne cocktail, blending Porte Noire Brut, Cognac VSOP, bitters and a sugar cube for a suitably extravagant experience.

Bob Bob Ricard Soho, 1 Upper James Street, W1F 9DF & Bob Bob Ricard City, 122 Leadenhall Street, EC3V 4AB; end of September 

Visit BOBBOBRICARD.COM