Kensington and Chelsea, London

6 June – 25 October 2026 · Kensington Gardens

Each year since 2000, the Serpentine Gallery has commissioned a world-renowned architect who has not previously built in the UK to design a temporary pavilion in Kensington Gardens. The 2026 pavilion, titled "a serpentine", is designed by LANZA atelier — the Mexico City-based practice of Isabel Abascal and Alessandro Arienzo, marking the 25th edition of the annual commission. Drawing on the English crinkle wall tradition, the design uses rhythmic brick columns that transition from opaque to permeable, topped with a translucent roof that evokes a grove of trees. Past architects include Zaha Hadid, Frank Gehry, Oscar Niemeyer, Toyo Ito, and Selgas Cano. The pavilion serves as a cafe and event space and can be visited for free during the day.

25 June – 28 August 2026 · Borough-wide

The borough's own annual contemporary art festival, Kensington + Chelsea Art Week (KCAW) returns in 2026 as FRINGE, a community-curated edition built around the theme "Web of Life" — exploring belonging, ecology, waterways, sound, and collective identity. A free public art trail of interconnected commissions, installations, and performances threads across the borough, linking North Kensington, Holland Park, Kensington High Street, and Chelsea Theatre. Alongside the trail are over 30 free workshops, artist talks, large-scale sculpture sessions, a tiny cinema, live music, and a canalside café. It's one of the best ways to experience the area's creative community, and almost everything is free to enjoy.

29–31 August 2026 (August Bank Holiday Weekend) · Notting Hill

Europe's largest street festival and the world's second largest carnival, the Notting Hill Carnival takes over the streets of W10 and W11 every August Bank Holiday. Founded in 1966 by the Trinidadian community to celebrate Caribbean heritage and culture, the carnival now attracts over a million visitors across the weekend. Steel bands, sound systems, elaborate masquerade costumes, and the aroma of jerk chicken fill the streets. Sunday is traditionally Children's Day, while Monday's Grand Parade is the unmissable highlight.