Looking for things to do in London throughout the month? Check out 100+ Marvellous Things To Do In London This May.
All week
VE DAY 80: Thursday 8 May marks the 80th anniversary of VE Day, or Victory in Europe Day, so expect to see plenty of events to mark the occasion in London this week, including a military procession, a Red Arrows flypast, and special concerts, services and exhibitions. We've gathered all the info we have about special VE Day 80 events here.
JONATHAN BAILEY: One of our picks of noteworthy Shakespeare shows to see in London this summer is the Bridge Theatre's production of Richard II. It stars Bridgerton actor Jonathan Bailey taking on the titular role of the disastrously incompetent king, with Royce Pierreson as his cousin Henry Bolingbroke, who went on to take his throne — and this week is your last chance to see it. Until 10 May
GHOSTS: The Lyric Hammersmith offers a contemporary reimagining of Henrik Ibsen's classic Ghosts, about a woman honouring her late husband's memory by opening a children's hospital in his name, and the secrets their son Oz brings with him when he returns to the family home. Again, it closes this week. Until 10 May
MUSEUM OF TRANSOLOGY: The Lethaby Gallery at Central Saint Martins hosts the final week of TRANSCESTRY: 10 years of the Museum of Transology, marking a decade of collecting by the Museum of Transology, which is home to the world's biggest collection of objects and stories celebrating trans, non-binary and intersex lives. Over 1,000 objects are included, spanning items that commemorate private gender milestones and medical ephemera alongside hundreds of protest placards from mass public rallies. Until 11 May
WINE TASTING: Whether you're a seasoned connoisseur or simply curious, here's your chance to taste your way around the world one glass at a time, as the famous Coravin World Wine Tour arrives in London. Sample world-class labels — including Champagne Bollinger La Grande Année 2015 and Opus One 2016 — at four sophisticated dining venues throughout May: Brunswick House, The Dove, Petrus and Bacchanalia.Until 31 May (sponsor)
PECKHAM FRINGE: Theatre festival Peckham Fringe continues, with five short-run shows happening this week. Brains is a comedy about a boring apocalypse, and House Party is a one-woman show about the housing crisis and gentrification. Browse the full programme. Until June
OPEN AIR CULTURE: As the weather (hopefully) improves, London's outdoor culture scene heats up, with film screenings, theatre shows, music festivals and performances taking place in the open air. Time to reach for the suncream/umbrella and get planning your summer.
EAT/DRINK OF THE WEEK: Little Bat cocktail bar in Islington has called on James Cochran to create a ritzy bar food menu, featuring beer battered Whitstable oysters dressed with bresaola ox sauce, and jerk spiced slow braised shoulder of Mangalitza pork. Sips include a Loosen Mai Tai (made with discarded banana rum) and a milk punch take on a Pop Tart.
Bank holiday Monday 5 May
BANK HOLIDAY: It's bank holiday Monday. If you're lucky enough to have today off work, peruse our guide to spending a bank holiday weekend in London. We've got you covered whatever you fancy (and whatever the weather), from long walks, guided tours and sporting pursuits, to pubs to visit for a pint. Not free today? There's another bank holiday at the end of the month so bookmark this page for then.
TRAFALGAR SQUARE BLACK HISTORY: Join the Black History Walks team for a tour around the Trafalgar Square area with a focus on African/Caribbean history. Hear about African kings and Queen Victoria, African Resistance leaders of the 1860s, media propaganda, the planned mis-education of indigenous people and much more. 10am-12pm
CANALWAY CAVALCADE: Dozens of canal boats moor up in Little Venice for the final day of the Canalway Cavalcade, a vibrant festival with live music, children's activities and other entertainment. FREE, 10am-5pm
VINTAGE MARKET: The So Last Century Retro and Vintage Fair pitches up at Beckenham Place Mansion, with 50 vintage traders selling furniture, homewares, posters and print, books, records, clothes and plenty more. 10am-5pm
LORD OF THE RINGS: Can't face the bank holiday crowds? Hole up in the Prince Charles Cinema in Leicester Square and watch the extended editions of all three Lord of the Rings films back-to-back, in a marathon screening. That's over 11 hours of action from Middle Earth. 10.30am
RUISLIP LIDO RAILWAY: Choo choo! The Ruislip Lido Railway (which we're partial to riding ourselves) holds the final day of its Gala Weekend with two visiting locomotives, 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. 11am-5pm
MUSIC ALL-DAYER: Live music pub the Half Moon in Putney hosts a bank holiday special of its regular New Moon sessions, bringing musicians including local band Tipsy Moths, singer-songwriter Adam Rivers, and acoustic duo Issy & Will to the stage. 2.30pm
IS THIS WORKING?: Take a look at the world of work in 21st century Britain. Author Charlie Colenutt is at Waterstones Victoria to discuss his book Is This Working?, for which he travelled the country talking to 100 strangers about their jobs, including a lorry driver, a sex worker and a hedge fund manager. 7.30pm
WICKED SINGALONG: Finish the bank holiday weekend on a high note, as Rooftop Film Club hosts a singalong screening of musical film Wicked at its Stratford location. The Wizard of Oz prequel stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo as witches Galinda and Elphaba. 8.15pm
Tuesday 6 May
FOUR WEIGH-INS: "Fat Friends meets the real Eastenders" in theatre show Four Weigh-Ins and a Funeral, opening at The Lion & Unicorn Theatre in Kentish Town today. It explores the bonds which form between women of different ages and backgrounds, united by a Slimming World group. 6-10 May
DECORATIVE FAIR: Interested in interior design? Make for the Decorative Fair at Evolution London in Battersea Park and browse antiques, fine and decorative art and 20th century design from 130 dealers, dating from the 1700s to the 1970s (the goods, not the dealers). 6-11 May
OPEN CITY DOCUMENTARIES: Cinemas across London host screenings as part of the Open City Documentary Festival, celebrating creative documentary and non-fiction filmmakers. Looted antiquities, forest fires, and the career of actor Henry Fonda are among the topics featured in various films this year. 6-11 May
TOWER POPPIES: Remember the ceramic poppies that were displayed in the Tower of London moat in 2014? Almost 30,000 of them are returning to the spot from today, marking 80 years since the end of the Second World War. They're arranged to resemble a 'wound' at the heart of the Tower, from which the poppies form a crater, with ripples flowing outwards. 6 May-11 November
GUN SALUTE: Today marks two years since the coronation of King Charles III, an anniversary being celebrated by a 41-round gun salute in Hyde Park — something to be aware of if you're in the area at midday. FREE, 12pm
HISTORY OF BIGFOOT: Do you believe in Bigfoot? John O’Connor, author of The Secret History of Bigfoot: Field Notes on a North American Monster, gives an online talk about what people mean when they talk about Bigfoot, and what it says about American culture and beliefs. 8pm-9.30pm
Sponsor message
A free event about the future of the world's largest island
Since President Trump floated the idea of purchasing (yep, purchasing) Greenland, this autonomous territory in the Kingdom of Denmark has been thrust into the international spotlight. While the world’s largest island is definitely not for sale, what does its future — and that of its surrounding Arctic regions — look like? If you’re curious, you should make time for this free LSE talk.
On Tuesday 6 May, 6.30pm-8pm, LSE presents Greenland, Iceland and the meltdown of the old order in the North Atlantic. The event looks at how US-Danish tensions might galvanise Greenlanders' efforts towards full independence, exploring how Iceland (Greenland’s closest neighbour in Europe) achieved a similar feat in the 20th century. LSE has really brought the big guns out for this discussion, with former President of Iceland and current Professor of International Relations Guðni Th. Jóhannesson speaking alongside Professors Kristina Spohr and Jeffrey Chwieroth.
Can’t make it to LSE’s central London campus? With LSE Live, you can attend the event virtually, or catch the discussion after the fact via video or podcast. LSE runs free public events both in-person and online every week, Monday-Thursday – browse the full programme here.
Wednesday 7 May
AFFORDABLE ART FAIR: The Affordable Art Fair pitches up in Hampstead, selling thousands of contemporary artworks with prices starting at £100, and with 100 galleries from all over the world taking part. Painting classes, late-night openings, and a pop-up rooftop bar with views across the Heath are on this year's schedule. 7-11 May
HAIRSPRAY: Broadway musical Hairspray comes to the Bridewell Theatre near Fleet Street, telling the story of a teenager in 1960s Maryland, who fights for social justice and equality in her pursuit of becoming a dancer. 7-17 May
DEEP BLUE SEA: Tamsin Greig stars in The Deep Blue Sea, Terence Rattigan's 1950s play about obsession and the destructive power of love, at Theatre Royal Haymarket. 7 May-21 June
COMPUTER VIRUSES: Ever wondered why computers get viruses, and how they compare to human viruses? Today's Gresham College lecture features Professor Robin May discussing what computer immunity can teach us about human immunity and vice versa, and how that might shape future healthcare. FREE, 6pm
DIVINA DE CAMPO: Drag Race UK star Divina De Campo brings her show I Do Think to the Royal Vauxhall Tavern for one night only. The one-woman show explores life's highs, lows, and everything in between, ultimately concluding that people will think what they will about you, but the only thing within your control is to be yourself. 7pm
OPEN MIC: Right now, the Dark Horse in Camden is celebrating its new open mic music night by letting in punters for free (you'll need to sign up though). Or maybe you fancy taking to the stage? That can be arranged too. FREE, 7pm-10.30pm
Thursday 8 May
FLUKES: Big Penny Social in Walthamstow launches its new games hall, Flukes, complete with interactive darts oches, interactive shuffleboards, pro-standard American pool tables and karaoke rooms. Pizza, beer and cocktails are on the menu. From 8 May
COMEDY FILM FESTIVAL: The London premiere of Hostages kicks off the London Comedy Film Festival at Ritzy Brixton tonight. Watch a comedy about the aftermath of an explosion at a London hotel, starring Charlotte Ritchie, followed by a Q&A with writer/director Jim Owen and members of the cast. The programme over the coming days includes shorts, classic comedies and a kids' screening. 8-11 May
WIMBLEDON ART FAIR: More than 180 artists exhibit at Wimbledon Art Fair, giving you a chance to purchase artworks directly from their creators. There's also a rare opportunity to go inside artists' studios, and live music and a bar on launch night. FREE ENTRY, 8-11 May
THE CRUCIBLE: Arthur Miller's The Crucible gets another spin on the London stage, this time opening at the Globe Theatre for a nine-week run. It's based on the Salem witch trials, telling the story of the mass hysteria which swept the town as local women were accused of witchcraft. 8 May-12 July
BALMORAL: Watch new independent documentary film Balmoral, about an historic vessel built over 75 years ago in Southampton and currently at risk of being scrapped. It's shown on Theatreship, a floating arts centre set on historic cargo ships in Canary Wharf. The screening is followed by a Q&A with filmmaker Harry Knight. 7pm-9pm
CERAMICS AND WHISKEY: At Chelsea Art Studio this evening, you can handcraft and paint your own ceramic object, while enjoying a couple of cocktails made using Spot Irish whiskey. There are also nibbles and music. 7pm-9.30pm
KALI: Storytelling collective Crick Crack Club is at Hoxton Hall for Kali, a show about the Hindu goddess and shapeshifter. Storyteller Emily Hennessey and sitar virtuoso Sheema Mukherjee tell Kali's story, on a journey through sun-drenched palaces, forests, temples, and spice markets. 7.30pm
Friday 9 May
CERAMIC ART LONDON: Organised by the Craft Potters Association of Great Britain, Ceramic Art London brings together 120+ exhibitors from around the world to showcase and sell their ceramic artworks at Olympia London. 9-11 May
TATE BIRTHDAY WEEKENDER: This year marks 25 years since Tate Modern opened in a former power station on Bankside, one of many millennium additions to the capital. Celebrate the milestone at the gallery's Birthday Weekender, which includes various activities, talks and tours, and late night openings. FREE, 9-12 May
A24 FILMS: The Prince Charles Cinema in Leicester Square kicks off a short season films from the A24 film company tonight, with a screening of Everything Everywhere All At Once. There's then one A24 film a day for the following week, titles including Uncut Gems, Lady Bird and The Lighthouse. 9-15 May
DULWICH FESTIVAL: A celebration of art and culture in the local area, Dulwich Festival has an impressive programme as always, spanning live music, supper clubs, author talks, guided walks, family events and the Goose Green fair. It begins today with a family silent disco, a singalong choir sesh, and a chance to hear from author Emma Barnett. Browse the full programme. 9-18 May
OZEMPIC NATION: As part of the British Library's Food Season, hear from a panel of experts about weight loss injections and drugs such as Ozempic, and whether they really are helpful in tackling the obesity crisis, or whether their negative side effects and potential for long term damage should see them banned altogether. 7pm
LONDON GAY MEN'S CHORUS: London Legends is the theme of the London Gay Men's Chorus concert at Alexandra Palace. Hear covers of songs by four greats with London roots: David Bowie, Elton John, Freddie Mercury and George Michael. Age 16+. 7.30pm (repeated tomorrow)
Saturday 10 May
OPEN AIR THEATRE: The Open Air Theatre in Regent's Park begins its 2025 season with musical comedy Shucked, set in the USA about a community whose corn starts to die. Suitable for age 8+. From 10 May
HOT SAUCE FESTIVAL: How hot is too hot for you? Find out at the Hot Sauce Festival in Peckham, where hundreds of small-batch sauces from 40+ traders are available to try and buy, along with live music, games, street food — and a bar for those all-important, palate-cleansing drinks. 10-11 May
THE FIFTH STEP: Martin Freeman and Jack Lowden star in The Fifth Step, an Edinburgh Fringe transfer about the 12-step programme of Alcoholics Anonymous, and two men on their journey to sobriety. See it at Soho Place. 10 May-26 July
MRS WARREN'S PROFESSION: Also opening in the West End (Garrick Theatre) is Mrs Warren's Profession, starring Imelda Staunton and her real-life daughter Bessie Carter as a mother and daughter living through estrangement. 10 May-16 August
FEAST OF SENSES: We often list drawing workshops, and we often list art exhibitions, but rarely do the two combine. Over the weekend, Island Drawing Lab's Feast of Senses in Walthamstow will encourage you to participate in an art-making workshop. Your creations will then be exhibited like a pro the following day at nearby Winns Gallery. You don’t need to be a professional artist, just bring your curiosity and creativity. 10-11 May
WE ARE HERE: As part of the continuing Queer East festival, Dalston's Rio Cinema screens We Are Here, LGBT activists Zhao Jing and Shi Tou's 2015 documentary which revisits the 1995 United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women, hosted in Beijing, and attended by 300 lesbian women who showed up to have their voices heard. 3.30pm
PLANTS + BIKES: VeloNotte Botanica is an historical-botanical promenade by bike about the secret life of plants that bring Londoners pleasure. From grapes and apples introduced by the Romans to planes and weed, this grand tour will feature comments by prominent historians, landscape designers and botanists. It's accompanied by a special soundtrack. 5pm
BIG SUMMER KICK-OFF: Twickenham's Harlequins Men take on Gloucester Rugby this afternoon, and as it's the annual Big Summer Kick-Off, there's a whole afternoon's worth of entertainment, including a fan village with fun rides for the family, a performance from rock band Feeder and a live singalong with Massaoke, post-match. KO 5.30pm
THE CANDLELIGHT CLUB: Speakeasy night The Candlelight Club hosts a May Ball at a secret South London ballroom. Dress and dance like it's the 1920s with live music from Jack Calloway & The Midnight Creepers, along with burlesque, tarot reading and other entertainment, presided over by host Champagne Charlie. 7pm-1am
Sunday 11 May
ASIAN BRUNCH: Studio Five Restaurant, inside the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, has launched an Asian-inspired brunch on Sundays. The menu includes chickpea pancakes with spicy tomato chutney, avocado, and coconut yoghurt; and a fry-up with masala baked beans and paratha. 10am-2pm every Sunday
HOT AIR BALLOONS: We've got everything crossed that the London Hot Air Balloon Regatta can take place this year, as between Covid and bad weather, it hasn't happened since 2019. If all goes well, expect to see dozens of hot air balloons floating serenely over the London sky early one Sunday morning, launching from Battersea Park and heading wherever the wind takes them. Three possible dates have been chosen for this year, the first one being today. We should know by Friday whether it's going ahead today. FREE, from 5.30am
FESTIVAL OF PERCUSSION: If you hear lots of banging and clanging in South Kensington today, it may well be the Royal College of Music's annual Festival of Percussion. The day long bangarang features family friendly workshops, talks, concerts — and an appearance from jazz/hip hop/funk/R&B/neo-soul percussionist extraordinaire Gregory Hutchinson. From 11am
WANDSWORTH SPRING FAYRE: Wandsworth Bridge Road goes pedestrianised for its annual Spring Fayre, with market stalls, two stages of live entertainment, family games, and a chance to view plans for the future of the thoroughfare. FREE ENTRY, 11am-5pm
PUPPET FESTIVAL: One of those unique London events we love, the Covent Garden May Fayre & Puppet Festival is back. It celebrates the first recorded production of a Mr Punch show, as seen/recorded by Samuel Pepys in Covent Garden in 1662, and draws puppeteers from all over the country for a procession, church service, shows, stalls and workshops. This year's event is a special one, as it coincides with the celebrations for the 50th anniversary of street performers in the area, with free shows throughout the afternoon. FREE, 11am-5.30pm.
VINTAGE FAIR: Head to Chelsea Old Town Hall for the regular Frock Me Vintage Fair, and shop for clothes and accessories from 60+ vintage fashion dealers. Jewellery and textiles feature too, with pieces dating from the Victorian era onwards. 11am-5.30pm
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
BREWERY COMEDY: Round off your week with a chuckle at Brockley Brewery's comedy night. Collywobblers Comedy take over the venue, bringing Mark Thomas, Tevin Everett, Estefania Baha, Celine Kuklowsky, Gabrielle MacPherson and a special guest TBC to the stage. 7pm-10pm
