The Best Things To Do This Weekend
We’re on the final hurdle before the long-awaited bank holiday weekend but if you’re hoping to cram in a few treats this weekend ahead of next week’s celebrations, we’ve rounded up the best things to do.
From the return of the family-friendly Green Man festival to sparkling wine al fresco experiences, read on to inspire your weekend ahead.
Things to do this weekend, from Green Man Festival to street food awards
Cheer on the Lionesses in the Women’s World Cup Final
Following the defeat against Australia in Wednesday’s semi-final, the Lionesses are headed into the Women’s World Cup Final!
It’s the first time an England team has played in a World Cup final since 1966, so this truly is a huge deal.
See the Lionesses take on Spain in this Sunday’s game, cheering them at London’s Big Penny Social. Free to head down, expect drinks deals and a whole lot of tense action.
When: 20.08.2023, 11am
Where: Big Penny Social, 1 Priestley Way, E17 6AL
Website: www.bigpennysocial.co.uk
Grab a tipple from this Champagne van
Love sparkling wine? This weekend get your fix al fresco style courtesy of Laurent-Perrier’s rosé van. The famed blush pink van will be popping up at The Savoy serving up its deliciously refreshing cuvée rosé.
The van will be operating daily from 1-7pm, allowing hotel guests and Londoners the chance to cool down from the balmy weather with a cold rosé. This is London in summer at its finest.
When: 18.08.2023 – 20.08.2023
Where: Savoy Court at The Savoy, Strand, WC2R 0EZ
Website: www.thesavoylondon.com
Celebrate UK Black Pride
Returning this weekend for its annual in-person event will be UK Black Pride, the world’s largest celebration for African, Asian, Middle Eastern, Latin American and Caribbean-heritage LGBTQI+ people.
This year’s event will be returning to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and you can expect performances to remember, stalls, talks and food vendors to be on offer and celebrate the community.
When: 19.08.2023
Where: Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
Website: www.ukblackpride.org.uk
Book in for Smokestak’s 10th birthday
Celebrating a decade-long legacy of smoking, London’s best BBQ restaurant SMOKESTAK is set to host its 10th birthday celebrations this weekend.
Taking it back to the restaurant’s roots, Saturday will see the restaurant host a mini-festival, complete with live DJs, cocktails and, of course, classic SMOKESTAK menu favourites.
Expect brisket buns, pork rib tip burnt-ends, ribwich with smoked and grilled pork belly rib and birch-smoked chicken with white BBQ sauce.
When: 19.08.2023
Where: 35 Sclater Street, E1 6LB
Website: www.smokestaklondon.squarespace.com
Get into the festival spirit at All Points East
We’re nearing the end of festival season in London but they’ve saved the best until last… All Points East makes an epic return this weekend, bringing huge acts to East London’s Victoria Park.
The park will once again be transformed into a music haven. This weekend’s headline acts include Stormzy on Friday 18th and Field Day on Saturday 19th. Book tickets now to avoid disappointment.
When: 18.08.2023 – 28.08.2023
Where: Victoria Park, E3 5TB
Website: www.allpointseastfestival.com
Party at an urban beach
Miss the feeling of sand running in between your toes? We’ve found you the next best thing. While we can’t promise you balmy climes, we guarantee you’ll have an epic time at one of London’s urban beaches.
Mentally transporting you to sandy shores, we’ve rounded up the best beach bars in London.
Vote for your favourite at the British Street Food Awards
Hosting the final of the 2023 British Street Food Awards this August is the new canal-side venue, Hackney Bridge.
A celebration of street food, thousands of entries from across the country have been competing following a series of regional heats. The grand final takes place from 18th to 20th August with 15 traders competing for the prize and opportunity to represent Britain at the European awards.
The competition is set to be judged by a panel of foodies and experts, including musician and cookbook author Sophie Ellis-Bextor, chef patron of Hackney’s Michelin-starred restaurant Behind, Andy Beynon, and Tom Brown of Cornerstone.
Visitors can look forward to trying the best street food dishes from around the UK and vote for their favourites. This year’s finalists include cajun chicken bowls from LJ Hugs; Chari siu pork and tiger prawn rolls from Smoking Lobster; beef cheek hash browns from Hash Hut; and Iraqi fusion dishes from Amani Kitchen.
WHEN: 18.08.2023 – 20.08.2023
WHERE: HACKNEY BRIDGE, UNITS 1-28, ECHO BUILDING, EASY BAY LANE, E15 2SJ
WEBSITE: WWW.HACKNEYBRIDGE.ORG
Take your yoga class to new heights
Aerial yoga has been long favoured by celebs like Vanessa Hudgens, so it’s no surprise it’s landed right in the heart of London.
Kensington’s Elements by Retrofit offer the unique form of yoga, combining traditional yoga poses with the use of a hammock or silk fabric suspended from the ceiling- yes, really.
The low-impact classes are a fun way to level up your usual yoga experience and cater to all abilities. If you’d rather keep your feet on the ground, they also offer reformer pilates and mat yoga.
WHERE: George House, Kensington, W8 4BA
WEBSITE:www.elementsbyretrofitlondon.com
3 events worth travelling for
Head to the family-friendly Green Man festival
Anyone who knows anything about family-friendly festivals will already have nabbed tickets for this one. But, if you’re on the hunt for ways to keep your little ones entertained midway through the epically long summer holidays, the Green Man festival is the perfect pitstop.
Whether you’ve got a budding literature lover or science head, there are ten areas to explore at this festival, each filled with something special. Spend the weekend bouncing from one space to the next, from the Walled Garden to Einstein’s Garden.
This year’s music line-up also looks pretty great, featuring Devo, First Aid Kit, Self Esteem and Slowdive.
When: 17.08.2023 – 20.08.2023
Where: Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, Wales, NP8 1LP
Website: www.greenman.net
Jump in the Eden Project’s Summer of Play
Whether you’re already down in Cornwall or you’re wanting to nip away for a long weekend break, a day trip to the Eden Project is called for.
This summer the popular eco spot has launched a fun-filled campaign called the Summer of Play. Designed with creativity, imagination and outdoor play at its core, the Eden Project has unveiled a brand-new adventure playground area.
From den building and board game competitions to storytelling and outdoor games, this summer’s activities are jampacked. Let your little ones’ imaginations run wild, use team-building skills and take part in playful challenges.
When: Until 03.09.202
Where: Eden Project, Bodelva, Cornwall, PL24 2SG
Website: www.edenproject.com
Discover new artists at FolkEast
If you’re more into your folk music, you’ll want to bookmark FolkEast Festival. Taking over Woodbridge’s Glemham Hall, the festival is a celebration of local talent and rising stars in the folk music realm. This year’s line-up includes Ímar, Capercaillie, Lindisfarne and more.
There are also plenty of workshops, dance celebrations, craft stalls, talks and food and drink stalls to peruse and get involved in too.
When: 18.08.2023 – 20.08.2023
Where: Glemham Hall, Little Glemham, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP13 0BT
Website: www.folkeast.co.uk