Carefree days on the canal

The May bank holiday weekend is perfect for messing about on the river - but if you can't get to a river, try the canal at Little Venice instead where the

Canal Cavalcade is a trade show, boat rally and a major gathering of inland waterway boats all rolled into one.

This year's theme is New Openings and among the attractions on offer are boat trips, dance, theatre and music performances, plus a trade and craft show as well as a Teddy Bear's Picnic and performances at the Puppet Theatre Barge for children.

But the real highlight will be a pageant of beautifully decorated boats on Saturday afternoon, a procession of illuminated boats on Sunday evening and a boat-handling competition - on a various times- throughout Sunday and Monday.

Canal Cavalcade
Little Venice, between Blomfield Road, Warwick Avenue and Warwick Crescent, W9
Tube: Warwick Avenue
Saturday, Sunday May 4 & 5, 10am-7pm; Monday 10am-6pm.
Procession of illuminated boats 9.30pm Sunday