London May Bank Holiday activities for all the family

Art: Pick Me Up, Somerset House - until Monday 2 May

Pick Me Up design festival returns to Somerset House with an exciting lineup of new and established artists showing off the best in illustration and graphic design. The 12 day festival comes to an end after the May bank holiday, so this is your last chance to enjoy the interactive workspaces introducing you to artist's techniques, which range from risograph printing to paper craft.



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Circus: Closer by Circa, Udderbelly Festival - Sunday 1 May


The internationally acclaimed contemporary circus company Circa is performing in the Southbank's giant purple cow this May weekend. This is all about extremes - how far can the human body be pushed, what are the limits on emotion?




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Kids: Japan Festival at the V&A, Sunday 1 May

Special Children’s Day celebrations are taking place for free throughout the V&A this Sunday, immersing families in dance, music, storytelling and art lessons for all. Our favourite activities include listening to the hair-raising Japanese stories of the Magnificent Mount Irate and the horrible hairy Ogre of Rashomon Gate, and learning to make traditional fabric carp banners.




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All the Family: Canalway Cavalcade - Saturday 30 April - Monday 2 May

The canals of London's Little Venice are celebrating the arrival of spring with their annual colourful waterside festival. This gathering of over 130 boats along the Grand Union Canal welcomes three-day celebration of life on the water with spectacular parades of decorated boats, Punch and Judy shows, boating competitions, a teddy bear's picnic on Saturday afternoon, live music, food stalls, a market and real-ale bar.



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In the spirit of May Day: Kentish Town May Day Festival - Sunday 1 May


Kentish Town is hosting its annual May Day Festival, so get ready for maypole dancing, tombola, a tug of war, pony rides, live music, art activities and appearances from their many animals including Zorro the billy goat and Shirley the cow.




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Next weekend: Sunday 8 May

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Covent Garden May Fayre and Puppet Festival, St Paul's Church - Sunday 8 May


Continuing in the spirit of May Day, Covent Garden is hosting its annual day of puppet shows and parades on 8th May to mark the 354th birthday of Mr Punch. Skilled puppeteers from across the country descend on central London alongside Punch and Judy.




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