Bank holiday is here. If you don’t feel like going away for the weekend or elbowing your way through the flamboyant chaos of Notting Hill Carnival, there are many other options for a staycation in the city.

You can relax at the beach without leaving London at the Roundhouse Beach. This oasis in Camden, is the place to recline in a deckchair and enjoy happy hour with a vast array of slushies and summer cocktails. There are beach games and a children’s menu, but also a VIP area, where you can treat yourself and your friends to an Ibis Sweet Bed with a dedicated service, prosecco and popcorn. Entry is on a first come, first served basis, so get there early to secure your deckchair.

The beach is open on Friday to Sunday midday–11pm and on Monday 28th August midday–11pm.

The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm Rd, NW1 8EH

roundhouse.org.uk

The JW3 is hosting Hampstead’s urban beach, enhanced by great food and cocktails to help you relax until sunset. Let your children build sandcastles and splash in the pool while listening to a chilling playlist.

The beach is free entry and open Sunday to Thursday 9am-10pm and on Friday 9am-4pm.

JW3, 341-351 Finchley Road, NW3 6ET

jw3.org.uk

Double the party, double the fun at The Big Chill House in King’s Cross. The music venue will host the unofficial Adventure Time party on Saturday. Tickets are only £5 to enter the Land of Ooo with Jake the dog and Finn the human, protagonists of the cult animated series. Adventure Time Cinema, Princess Bubblegum Bombs, Ice King Slushies and, of course, a prize for the best costume. It’s adventure time so put that pink gown on.

If a quirky cartoon themed party isn’t your idea of fun, you can celebrate Carnival with a bottomless brunch on Sunday. Caribbean inspired food and two hours of unlimited Reggae Rum Punch on the lovely south-facing roof terrace, from 1pm to late afternoon. Fear not, as the party will move indoors from 6pm with a special Carnival DJ set.

Big Chill House, 257-259 Pentonville Rd, Kings Cross

wearebigchill.com/house

On Saturday August 26, celebrate Carnival the Caribbean way at Proud Camden with The Reggae Brunch. Book your ticket to enjoy an hour of unlimited cocktails and food delights served all day until 5pm. Eat and sip while resident DJ spins reggae, afro, soul and ska records.

Proud Camden, The Stables Market, Chalk Farm Road, NW1 8AH

proudcamden.com

Forget the holiday blues with Blues Kitchen Camden. The venue will host four events, starting from Friday until late Monday.

Give a rock n’roll kick to the weekend with The Urban Voodoo Machine Marching Band Bank Holiday Banger on Friday. The band will play some frantic tunes straight from New Orleans, exploring brass, rockabilly and folk. Entry is free before 9pm, live music starts 10:30pm.

On Saturday, head to London’s wildest rock n’roll night, Stumblin’ Slims. The Obscuritones will bring you rockabilly rarities from the 50s and garage rock from the 60s from 10:30pm. After midnight, resident band The Beekays will take the stage, playing soul and rock n’roll.

On Sunday, the Blues Kitchen will turn into a New Orleans brasserie with a double set. The Palace Avenue in Dixieland Band will recreate the sound of jazz, teleporting you to one of the legendary parties of the Great Gatsby. Just after midnight, The Palace Avenue Swing will fill the dancefloor with its swingy tunes, right before the final DJ set until 2:30am.

Pick an instrument and take the stage yourself on Monday. Guests are invited to perform alongside resident band The Beekays. Register in-house prior to the jam from 7pm.

The Blues Kitchen, 111-113 Camden High St, Camden Town, NW1 7JN

theblueskitchen.com/camden