All week
MAY PLANS: April gives way to May this week, so you'll be needing our guide to the biggest and best events in London in May 2024, including music and food festivals, new theatre shows, and plenty of summery events.
FREE FILM FESTIVAL: Great news if you're a bit strapped for cash at the moment — there are two free film festivals to choose from this week. The New Cross and Deptford Free Film Festival continues until Saturday with various feature and shorts being shown, culminating in an outdoor, bike-powered screening of Bugsy Malone. FREE, until 4 May. Meanwhile, the Herne Hill Free Film Festival begins with a screening of documentary Scala!!! on Thursday, and continues over the weekend and into next week. FREE, 2-12 May
WORLD PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS: A reminder that the Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition is ongoing at Somerset House, with stories from around the world told through photography. If that interests you, so might the World Press Photo exhibition — details under 'Friday', below. Until 6 May
TURN IT UP: The Science Museum's family-friendly and interactive deep-dive into how music shapes our lives, including a musical playground, is in its final week. It's a chance to play some weird and wonderful instruments, and learn more about the science behind sound. Until 6 May
WHEN FORMS COME ALIVE: Also ending soon is art exhibition When Forms Come Alive. See sculpture at its most impressive — it's a collection of contemporary artworks from the last 60 years that bring the cavernous spaces of the Hayward Gallery to life. Until 6 May
ROOFTOP CINEMA: London's outdoor cinema season is underway, with Rooftop Film Club leading the charge at its two sky-high venues — Bussey Building in Peckham, and Roof East in Stratford. Films to choose from this week include Oppenheimer, Barbie, Ratatouille, Mamma Mia! and Anyone But You, among plenty of others.
DRINK OF THE WEEK: Adam Handling's zero-waste Eve Bar in Covent Garden has launched a new cocktail menu, 'Adapt'. It promised a playful take on nostalgic flavours, while utilising the by-products from the restaurant kitchen upstairs. Concoctions include the Cherry Cola (a boozy elixir made Coca Cola Reduction and rum), and From the Coast, featuring oyster leaf vodka and lemon sherbet.
DAY TRIP OF THE WEEK: How's this for a sweet day out? Essex has a museum dedicated to jam — along with a tea room, and a shop selling all the jam you could ever need. Read about the Tiptree Jam Museum, and browse our Beyond London section for more day trip ideas.
Monday 29 April
ALEXANDER BENNETT: Comedian Alexande Bennett's Edinburgh Fringe show I Can’t Stand The Man, Myself transfers to Soho Theatre for a two-night run about realising that letting self-hatred dictate how you feel about everything is disastrous, and taking the decision to free yourself from it. 29-30 April
OPEN MIC: Monday is open mic night at the Dublin Castle in Camden. It's a great stage to play on, and back line and breakables are provided, so you don't need to lug gear across London. Or just come and listen. Sign up at 7pm
IS IT ALIENS?: Gresham College's Professor of Astronomy and BBC Sky at Night presenter Chris Lintott gives a talk about Boyajian’s star, a faint presence in the constellation of Cygnus. Find out what might be causing it to flicker, and how citizen scientists are crucial in finding and identifying unusual objects in the universe. Takes place at Conway Hall, but as it's a Gresham College lecture, it's free. Alternatively, watch online. FREE, 7pm-8.30pm
CUBAN CINEMA: The Open City Documentary Festival has a night dedicated to Afro-Cuban filmmaker and artist Nicolás Guillén Landrián. His work was at odds with the Cuban state and the principles of the Revolution, and so was suppressed, with Landrián fleeing into US exile. The evening begins with a screening of his restored short films, followed by the documentary Landrián, which tells his story. 7pm/8.20pm
MONDAYS IN LONDON: Looking for something else to do, today or any other week? Take a look at our guide to things to do in London on a Monday — we've gathered together live music venues, comedy and cabaret clubs which keep going on what is usually the quietest day of the week, along with guided walks and tours scheduled on a Monday, and a few special offers too.
Tuesday 30 April
POETRY HEATS: Across the next three nights, Camden Roundhouse hosts the heats of this year's Roundhouse Poetry Slam. 10 poets perform each night, all battling for a place in the Roundhouse Poetry Slam Final in June, part of the Last Word Festival. 30 April-2 May
SOCIAL HOUSING: Join Jane Parker for an architecturally focussed tour around the different social housing estates around the Upper Street area. Compare and contrast Victorian, Edwardian and pre-WWII dwellings with early London County Council estates and Islington council's more recent schemes. 11am
SCIENTIFIC SURPRISES: The Natural History Museum's latest Dig Deeper talk focuses on scientific surprises and accidental discoveries. Four scientists each bring an object from the museum's collections which has surprised them, and which they'll discuss — after the audience tries to guess what the objects are. Watch in person at the museum, or online. 6.30pm
NUCLEAR WAR: Is the risk of nuclear war increasing? That's the topic of a panel discussion at LSE tonight, where experts dig into whether Russia’s war in Ukraine, rivalry between the US and China, and developments in AI have raised new concerns about the risks of nuclear war. FREE, 6.30pm-8pm
RIOT CABARET WRESTLING: The Clapham Grand promises wrestling, but not as you know it, as Riot Cabaret returns to the venue for an evening of pro wrestling, featuring stars like Alexxis Falcon, Artemis and Crimson Killshot. 6.30pm
WINE DINNER: The Covent Garden Hotel hosts Craig Hawkins, founder of South African wine brand Testalonga, for a four-course meal paired with Testalonga wines, while Hawkins discusses the future of South African wine-making. 7pm-10pm
Wednesday 1 May
DUGSI DAYZ: Following an award-winning run at the Edinburgh Fringe and sold-out national tour, Dugsi Dayz opens at the Royal Court Theatre, telling the story of four girls thrown together by a Saturday detention, who find themselves sharing Somali folktales. 1-18 May
CAPTAIN AMAZING: Catch the 10 year anniversary production of Alistair McDowall’s one-man play, Captain Amazing, at Southwark Playhouse. It's the story of one man's transformation when he becomes a father, compelling him into action. 1-25 May
BIRD WALK: One for early risers: Head to the London Wetland Centre in Barnes for a May Day bird walk, led by one of the centre's guides. Listen out for birdsong and learn how to identify individual species from the noises they make. 6.30am
GARDEN DESIGN: Garden designer Sean Pritchard celebrates the release of his debut book Outside In: A Year of Growing and Displaying at Number Sixteen in Kensington. Hear Pritchard talk about how to plan your garden so that you can display flowers and foliage in your home through the year, followed by a Q&A and book signing. 6.30pm-8pm
CHARITY COMEDY: May's edition of charity comedy night Laugh Till It Hurts takes place at the Bloomsbury Theatre, raising money for food bank The Trussell Trust. Mark Dolan, Sindhu Vee, Rhys James, Matt Richardson, Adam Buxton, Nick Helm, Simon Evans and Arthur Smith are on the (rather male-heavy) line-up. 7.30pm
POETS' REVIVAL: Contemporary British Poetry has a moment in the spotlight at The Poets' Revival at the Royal Albert Hall. Today's most culturally-relevant and accomplished writers and performers take to the stage, including George The Poet, Kae Tempest, and Sophie Thakur. 7pm
Thursday 2 May
BETWEEN THE BRIDGES: The summer programme of events at open-air riverside venue Between The Bridges starts tonight. Live DJs, themed club nights, drag shows and bottomless brunches all feature throughout the summer, and there are several bars and street food vendors on site. From 2 May
ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL: Apparently the world's longest running South Asian film festival, UK Asian Film Festival champions South Asian female-centric cinema and women in film — both behind and in front of the camera. This year has a Climate of Change theme, beginning tonight with the world premiere of Minimum, about a newlywed immigrant who finds herself kept captive by her mother-in-law after marrying a stranger. 2-12 May
JAMES BALDWIN: Barbican Cinema hosts a series of screenings dedicated to writer and activist James Baldwin, named after his seminal book The Devil Finds Work. The programme of films and conversations, curated by Dr Clive Chijioke Nwonka, discusses Black representation in contemporary cinema. 2-22 May
MICHELANGELO: One of our art critic's picks for the best exhibitions to see in London in May, the British Museum's Michelangelo show focuses on the later decades of the artist's life, when he left Florence for Rome. Architectural projects, drawings, poems and intimate letters from this period all feature. 2 May-28 July
MUSEUM LATE: The Royal College of Physicians Museum — located next to Regent's Park — stays open late for an evening exploring both the museum itself and the medicinal garden. Join a guided tour to learn which plants are still used in medicine today. FREE, 5.30pm-8pm
Friday 3 May
WORLD PRESS PHOTO: Another of May's best exhibitions is World Press Photo, making its return to London after a seven-year absence. See the winning and shortlisted images from over 60,000 submitted, each one telling a story, at Borough Yards. 3-27 May
TWELFTH NIGHT: Regent's Park Open Air Theatre kickstarts May with a dose of Shakespeare, in the form of his comedy of mistaken identities, Twelfth Night. As the name suggests, the venue is in the open-air, so dress warmly. 3 May-8 June
GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR: Marylebone Theatre hosts a new production of The Government Inspector, a comedy about hypocrites, hysterics and hustlers, featuring a man who is mistaken for a high-ranking government inspector. 3 May-15 June
BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY: Another treat for theatre fans, in the form of Manhattan-set Between Riverside and Crazy opening at Hampstead Theatre. It's about a widower who allows a gang of petty criminals to move into his apartment following the death of his wife. 3 May-15 June
LONDON'S LIVERY COMPANIES: Footprints of London guide Richard Watkins offers an insight into the City of London Livery Companies. Join a walking tour starting at St Paul's and pass some of the Companies’ Livery Halls, learning about their history and the role they played in national and international politics. 2.30pm-4.30pm
JOHN ROBB: Musician and journalist John Robb is at Woolwich Works discussing some of his experiences in the world of rock 'n' roll, including being the first to interview Nirvana, and coining the term 'Britpop'. 7.30pm
Saturday 4 May
BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND: Good news! It's a long weekend for many people, with Monday 6 May being a bank holiday. Make the most of it with days out, green spaces, walking routes, sporting pursuits and more — all found in our guide to spending a bank holiday weekend in London.
XI'AN BRUNCH: Murger Han in Elephant and Castle has just launched a Xi'an inspired Chinese brunch menu, which comes as a compartmentalised tray studded with goodies such as scallion pancakes, millet congee and black tea spiced egg. Makes a change from a bacon sarnie, anyway. 8am-3pm (every Saturday and Sunday)
HIP HOP DANCE THEATRE: Breakin’ Convention, apparently the world’s biggest festival of hip hop dance theatre, takes over Sadler's Wells for two evenings of shows featuring performers from the UK, France, Netherlands and South Korea. 4-5 May
CANALWAY CAVALCADE: If you go down to the canal over the May Day bank holiday, you're in for a big surprise. Dozens of canal boats moor up in Little Venice for the Canalway Cavalcade, a vibrant festival with live music, children's activities and boat-based fun. FREE, 4-6 May
RUISLIP LIDO RAILWAY: Choo choo! The Ruislip Lido Railway (which we're partial to riding ourselves) holds a Gala Weekend, where the public can get a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to keep the railway running. Visit the workshop and yard, sit in some of the locomotives on display, and — if you like what you see — find out about becoming a volunteer there. 4-6 May
CENTRAL AMERICAN CINEMA: Contemporary films from Central America are the order of the month at the Garden Cinema in Holborn. Watch feature films from Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and El Salvador, along with short films, and Q&A sessions with film makers. It begins with a screening of Panama film Plaza Catedral tonight. 4 May-11 June
FAWLTY TOWERS: TV sitcom Fawlty Towers has been made into a stage play, debuting today at the Apollo Theatre with a cast of 18 including Adam Jackson-Smith as the hotelier Basil, and Anna-Jane Casey as his long-suffering wife Sybil. 4 May-28 September
LIGHT INTO LIFE: 20 artworks by Marc Quinn form new exhibition Light Into Life at Kew Gardens. The artist worked in close collaboration with Kew scientists and horticulturists to identify significant plants from across the collections to inspire the works, which include installations and sculptural portraits. 4 May-29 September
SHAKE THE HIGH ROAD: Independent music festival Shake The High Road takes over various venues in Leytonstone — including pubs, bars and a church — for a day of 20+ live music acts and DJs, plus a family-friendly disco. All venues are within easy walking distance of each other and one ticket gets you access to all events. 12pm-2am
Sunday 5 May
ROAST DINNER: In search of the perfect Sunday roast? We've had a few in our time — as documented in our ever-expanding list of roast dinners, which already has a few additions for 2024. Nom nom indeed.
MEXFEST: Arrive hungry at Hackney Bridge, which brings together 12 Mexican street food vendors from across London for MexFest. Try dishes such as tacos, tamales, churros and pan dulce as you wander around the Mexican market — plus there's a live DJ going until 2am. 5-6 May
GRAND FLANEUR WALK: 'A celebration of the pure, the immutable and the pointless, taken by the bold, the adventurous and the inebriated' is how organisers describe the Grand Flaneur Walk, a stroll without purpose, with participants wearing their finest dandy, flaneur or fop outfits — think top hats, handlebar moustaches, pocket squares, pocket watches, the works! FREE, 12pm
BEER MILE BIRTHDAY: The Blackhorse Beer Mile — a local community of breweries and bars — celebrates its second birthday in a free-entry event at Big Penny Social. Signature Brew, Pretty Decent, Exale, Beerblefish Brewing, Renegade, Hackney Wild Card Brewery and Burnt Faith all take part, with 20 beers on tap, plus live music, DJs, and food such as pizza and burgers available to buy. 12pm-1am
EADE ROAD MARKET: Stock up on vintage clothes and jewellery, records and tapes, arts and crafts and plenty more at Eade Road Market, hosted at New River Studios in north London. There's also food and drink to keep you happy. If the weather's decent, pair it with a walk around Woodbury Wetlands. 12.30pm-5.30pm
EEK-A-MOUSE: Jamaican dancehall Eek-a-Mouse is in the garden of Lewisham's Fox and Firkin this afternoon, headlining Rubadub Sunday — a show that also features Da Fuchaman and the Fire Blaze Band, Reggae Roast ft. Horseman and Natty Campbell, Irie Ites ft. Ras Demo, Prince Fatty, and Nicky Blackmarket. 2pm
BOOZE-FREE COMEDY: Alternatively, go booze-free for the afternoon in Bethnal Green, as Backyard Comedy Club hosts the London Alcohol-Free Comedy Club. Comedians including Rich Wilson and Meryl O'Rourke take to the stage while the bar serves a range of alcohol-free drinks. 3.30pm-5.30pm
MACBETH: Barbican Cinema screens a recording of Ralph Fiennes and Indira Varma performing in Shakespeare's Macbeth, a tale of power and revenge. It was filmed when the production was in London earlier this year. 5pm
Good Cause of the Week
Families — have you ever visited Coram's Field in Bloomsbury? It's a wonderful free play space (and tiny petting zoo) built on the historic site of the old Foundling Hospital. They're currently fundraising to build some new equipment. But they also want children's input into what should be built. To have your say and/or donate some money to the campaign, take a look at the Coram's Fields website.
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