May Bank Holiday is coming up and it's time to start planning some nice outings with the family.
Bank Holiday Monday is on May 4 - for all you sci-fi fans it's also Star Wars Day, May the 4th be with you!
Traditionally, the May Bank Holiday is a spring-time festival, with some people practicing Morris and Maypole dancing, having picnics or planting flowers in celebration of the warmer seasons.
Although it's quite likely to be colder and rainy over the bank holiday, it's still the perfect excuse to have some family time and enjoy your long weekend!
Here are our suggestions for things to do this May Bank Holiday:
Visit Little Venice
The waterways of Little Venice, Westminster, will be alive with colour as the Inland Waterways Association organises the annual gathering of canal boats in celebration of the May Bank Holiday. The celebration has been going on every year since 1983.
Residents in house-boats will dress up their boats for a pageant, and there will be morris dancers, stalls, live music, children's activities and more!
For more information, call: 07979 676461
Learn to fly with Gorilla Circus
From May 2, in Regent's Park, Gorilla Circus will be offering trapeze classes to children.
The class takes kids and adults through the basics of aerial circus skills. The open-air trapeze contraption consists of two swings 25ft up. The exciting class sees you progress from hooking your legs over your head and hanging upside down to getting caught by an acrobat.
Prices start at £27 for two hours.
For more information, email: info@gorillacircus.com
Watch the Electric Run
This 5km fun-run will transform Wembley into a glowing, flashing, colourful party of light. 15,000 participants are due to compete, running or walking through an illuminated route of electricity. Afterwards, there is a huge party with live DJs.
Whether you, a friend or family member are taking part or not, go down and cheer on the runners on Saturday (May 2) from 7pm, and watch this beautiful running light display.
The route takes runners all around Wembley, including Brent Civic Centre, Wembley Arena, Wembley Stadium and the London Designer Outlet.
Visit Kew Gardens
The long weekend is perfect for a visit to one of the prettiest attractions in west London! With over 30,000 species of plants and loads of fun activities for children, Kew Gardens is a definite winner for bank holiday activities. If the weather holds up, you could even take a picnic.
Kew Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB - 020 8332 5655
Join in Fat Sam's Grand Slam
West London children and young people under 25 star in this brilliant production of the world-famous Bugsy Malone at the Lyric Theatre.
Join in and get ready to sing along to classics Fat Sam's Grand Slam and My Name is Talulah. The show is part of the Lyric's grand opening after a £20m development, so it's sure to dazzle with young talent, perfect for the whole family.
Kings Mall Shopping Centre, King Street, Lyric Square, Hammersmith, W6 0QL - 020 8741 6850
Go power-kiting in Richmond Park
London's largest royal park offers sports such as horseriding and fishing. But one of the most exciting sports on offer is power-kiting. For daredevils in the family, power-kiting means wearing skates and being pulled along by a kite. Kitevibe offers lessons for beginners to experts for an exciting day out for the families. Those with a less sturdy disposition can stroll through the park among the deer.
Kitevibe will offer lessons from March to August.
Robin Hood Gate, Kingstone Vale, Richmond, SW15 – 020 7870 7700
Watch butterflies through their whole life cycle
Follow this amazing butterfly exhibition from creepy caterpillars to beautiful butterflies this bank holiday - the exhibition is open until September.
Dr Blanca Huertas, curator of butterflies and moths at the Natural History Museum, said: "Sensational Butterflies is a rare chance to see these beautiful creatures from Africa, Asia and South America in flight here in the city."
Tickets cost £5.90 per person.
Cromwell Road, South Kensington, SW7 5BD - 020 7942 5000
See an outdoor film at sunset
Kensington Roof Gardens are one of the venues participating in the Rooftop Film Club, a series of outdoor film events where you can watch the latest flicks under the stars.
With the weather warming up there's no need for a blanket; snuggle up with a friend or partner and laugh or cry your way through the best summer movies.
Over the next few weeks Kensington Roof Gardens (along with other screens in Stratford, Shoreditch and Peckham) will be screening The Imitation Game, Pretty Woman and Some Like It Hot among many other great flicks.
99 Kensington High Street, London W8 5SA - 0207 635 6655
