Make the most of the Bank Holiday weekend

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Dance the day away: Maypole dance at the Old Royal Naval College

Grand day out: A May Day funfair will be hosted at Alexandra Palace

Float your boat: Get involved with the many activities on offer at the Canalway Cavalcade

Cultural: The British Museum is setting up an Ethiopian-themed May Day

Look here too

• Spring in London
• Sci-fi Film Festival

With a range of events taking place a jam-packed bank holiday weekend should be on the cards...

OLD ROYAL NAVAL COLLEGE MAY FAIR
When: Monday, May 5
Where: Old Royal Naval College
Admission: Free
What to expect: The Green Man stilt walker returns to the Old Royal Naval College along with Maypole dancing, Tudor music and games. Costumed interpreters from the Historical Maritime Society will show people what life was like in Nelson's Navy with the sounds of battle re-enacted through canon fire and musket demonstrations. Children will have the chance to try on replica costumes and see what it was like to be a one-legged Greenwich pensioner. They are are also encouraged to dress up in outfits with a Spring or history of the ORNC theme. There are prizes for all. Flower crowns for the King and Queen will be presented by DJ Emma B.
www.oldroyalnavalcollege.co.uk

MAY DAY FUNFAIR
When: Saturday, May 3 – Monday, May 5
Where: Alexandra Palace
Admission: Free
What to expect: Alexandra Palace is hosting a May Day Funfair. The dodgems, rides, stalls and refreshments are a great way to keep the family amused; providing the weather is good. Beautiful surroundings provide a calmer atmosphere for parents wanting to take a break and for the kids to recover from a jam-packed activity day. The best of both worlds.
www.alexandrapalace.com

BREAKIN' CONVENTION
When: Saturday, May 3 – Monday, May 5
Where: Sadler's Wells
Admission: £20- £48
What to expect: Breakin' Convention is established as the freshest and most innovative event on the Hip Hop scene. On Saturday Brazilian company Membros perform. Moving Shadows will return on Sunday after a crowd-pleasing show last year and Korean company Project Soul take over on Monday. There's much more to Breakin' Convention than just the performances though. Workshops, film screenings, DJ demos, impromptu and foyer freestyle sessions should keep you entertained.
www.sadlerswells.com

THE CANALWAY CAVALCADE
When: Saturday, May 3 – Monday, May 5
Where: Warwick Avenue
Admission: Free
What to expect: The Canalway Cavalcade returns this weekend combining a boat rally with a trade show. But this is not just an event for boat enthusiasts. There will be a range of activities, boat trips, stalls, refreshments and children's entertainment. A puppet show and teddy bear's picnic on Sunday are likely to be family favourites.
london.waterways.org.uk/cavalcade

WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?
When: Friday, May 2 – Monday, May 4
Where: Kensington (Olympia)
Admission: £20, children (6-15) £6, in adv £18/£5, under-fives free
What to expect: If you're curious about who your ancestors were, what they did for a living or whether you are related to royalty, then this is the place that could answer all the questions. You'll have the chance to uncover generations of people who make up your family and find out how they used to live with the help of TV historians, family history experts and celebrities. Natasha Kaplinsky will be attending the show on Saturday and re-telling the story of her family history. On Sunday, Alistair McGowan will relive his journey to India to find out his.
www.whodoyouthinkyouarelive.co.uk

MAKE THE MOST OF MUSEUMS
Some of the best museums in London are free to visit and what better time than bank holiday. The British Museum is setting up an Ethiopian-themed May Day. Enjoy a series of activities and performances of traditional and modern Ethiopian music and dance, including music from local community groups. Take a tour around the Science Museum or watch a film in its IMAX cinema. The Natural History Museum is hosting a wealth of exhibitions including Jurassic Ark. From chomping caterpillars to beautiful butterflies, the Museum lawn has come alive with a butterfly house and outdoor maze. The workshops at the Museum of London, such as Accesorise, offer the opportunity to get creative. It's worth exploring the different options that the city's museums have to offer. This is often a cost-free but productive way to spend a day.
www.britishmuseum.org / www.sciencemuseum.org.uk / www.nhm.ac.uk / www.museumoflondon.org.uk

BROWSE THE GALLERIES
For a more relaxed take on culture, a stroll around the galleries is ideal. Again, in most cases, it doesn't cost a penny. For those with children, The Tate Teaser is a great way to keep everyone occupied. Pick up an instruction pack and discover the art on display. These trails are designed to get you looking, drawing and talking. The Tate Britain's Secret Tate discovery trail teaches you how to create your own mosaic, draw a work of art, design architectural features, make an exhibition and find the architect hidden somewhere in the gallery. The National Gallery's guided tours give you a good perspective of what is on display. For something a little different, the Barbican Art Gallery is worth perusing. The Do Something Different exhibitions explain themselves.
www.tate.org.uk / www.nationalgallery.org.uk / www.barbican.org.uk

 

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