All weekend
HALF TERM: Find ways to keep kids of all ages, from toddlers to teenagers, entertained in our guide to things to do in London in May half term. It contains our team's curated picks of intriguing exhibitions, exciting shows and myriad other events and activities to keep boredom at bay through the weekend until they're back at school.
COMEDY 4 KIDS: James Campbell, who invented mainstream stand-up for children in 2001, brings family comedy show Reducks to the Museum of Comedy. It's a one-hour performance show of sketches, songs and silly stunts — and this month it has a football theme. 30-31 May 2026
WOMEN WITHOUT BORDERS: The final weekend of the Women Without Borders Film Festival sees three different screening events taking place at London venues, including two programmes of shorts and a feature length film, all celebrating female-led storytelling. Until 31 May 2026
PORTRAIT CARICATURE: The Cartoon Museum's brand new exhibition, Does my head look BIG in this? The art of portrait caricature, explores portrait caricature from Renaissance Italy to 18th century England and the present day, with historical prints and modern examples that examine politics, fame and society. Until 1 November 2026
A LINE FLORIST: Anna Bruder's A Line Florist brings her hand-drawn, non-perishable blooms to Battersea Power Station. Receive a token to collect a paper flower, then personalise it at workshop tables, with murals on site for inspiration. Also at Battersea Power station this week is the Luminarium, a series of softly glowing inflatable chambers waiting to be explored. Both until 31 May 2026
WATER PANTANAL FIRE: A free photography exhibition by Lalo de Almeida and Luciano Candisani, Water Pantanal Fire at the Science Museum displays more than 60 images contrasting the Pantanal's rich wildlife with the drought and wildfire damage threatening the region. This weekend is your last chance to see it, but as it's half term, the museum will be busy, so booking in advance is recommended. FREE, until 31 May 2026
CATHERINE OPIE: Photographic portraits by the American artist Catherine Opie are on display at the National Portrait Gallery until Sunday, the first major museum exhibition of her work in the UK. Works featured in the exhibition span her first big artwork, Being and Having (1991), her portraits of LGBTQ+ friends inspired by court painter Hans Holbein, and her Baroque-like portraits of artists. Until 31 May 2026
STUBBS: The works of visionary British painter George Stubbs — best known for his portrait of racehorse Scrub — are collected together in a free display at the National Gallery, closing this Sunday. It shines a spotlight on the 18 months Stubbs spent studying and drawing the anatomy of horses in the 1750s. FREE, until 31 May 2026
SKATE 50: A reminder of Southbank Centre's ongoing exhibition Skate 50, marking 50 years of the Southbank Undercroft skate space, featuring documentary photographs and films by Winstan Whitter, Dan Magee, Lev Tanju and the Keep Rolling Project. Until 21 June 2026
Saturday 30 May
RIVER RODING: Join the River Roding Trust for a 3.5-mile guided trek along London’s third longest river as part of London Rivers Week. Starting from Redbridge station, the route heads up to Ray Park, offering a chance to observe the waterway's shifting shape and local biodiversity, as well as recent conservation efforts by the Friends of the River Roding. Wear comfortable shoes and long trousers, as some sections of the path feature encroaching nettles. FREE, 9.30am-11.30am
VICTORIAN SURGERY: Step into the oldest surviving surgical theatre in Europe for a Surgery Talk at the Old Operating Theatre Museum. Held in the original attic space of Old St Thomas' Hospital, the session explores the brutal reality of medical practice before the advent of anaesthetics and antiseptics. Museum experts trace the evolution of healthcare from the hospital's 19th century origins to the pioneering techniques that shaped modern medicine. 9.45am
RUGBY FUNDRAISER: Battersea Arts Centre hosts a vibrant celebration of sport and heritage to support the Jamaican Rugby League UK Men's Team, the Reggae Warriors. The Roots, Rhythm and Rugby Fundraiser features a pop-up exhibition tracing the history of the league, alongside DJ sets spinning reggae and ska, Caribbean food and family-friendly craft stations. Award-winning spoken word artist DUKE AL hosts the day’s activities, which include an open mic platform for Jamaican voices and a raffle to fund the team’s journey to the 2026 Emerging Nations Tournament in Sydney. FREE ENTRY, 11am-5pm
FOOTBALL BOOK MARKET: Stanchion Books hosts an independent football publishing market at Brixton Library, featuring publishers, authors, illustrators and brands selling books, magazines, fanzines, shirts, prints and other footie merchandise. 11.30am-4.30pm
SOULFUL BRUNCH: Head to Soul Mama in Islington for the Soul Mama Soulful Saturday Brunch, a daytime event blending live music with a relaxed dining atmosphere. The venue, known for its focus on soul and community, opens its doors for a four-hour session of food and rhythmic entertainment: think African, Caribbean and South American cuisine, alongside soul, R&B and timeless musical classics. 12pm-4pm
EID ON THE SQUARE: Trafalgar Square marks the festival of Eid al-Adha with this annual afternoon of celebration. Delivered in partnership with the Eid Community Advisory Group, Eid on the Square 2026 showcases a programme of live performances, food stalls, and workshops and classes spanning calligraphy to fencing. FREE, 12pm-6pm
VEG STOCK: Signature Brew Blackhorse Road in Walthamstow hosts a brand new day festival celebrating vegan culture through music, comedy and street food. The lineup features live performances from Millie Manders and Jimbino Vegan and the Jazz Cannibal, alongside a diverse market of traders serving everything from Japanese dishes by Feed the Village to fresh doughnuts and artisanal chocolate. Every ticket includes a beer. 12pm-7pm
FABRIC REPAIR HUB: Learn to revive worn or damaged clothing, at Bell House in Dulwich. Expert stitchers and darners provide the tools needed to mend your own items, helping to reduce waste and share traditional craft skills, as part of a wider initiative to bring household objects back to life rather than discarding them. FREE, 1pm-4pm
WALTHAMSTOW HISTORY: Explore the eclectic heritage of E17 on a guided Walthamstow walk. Begin at the childhood home of William Morris before heading off the beaten track to discover a hidden open-air theatre and the historic almshouses of Walthamstow Village. The tour concludes at the neon-filled wonderland of God’s Own Junkyard. 2pm-4pm
THE CONSPIRACISTS: Bertha DocHouse in Bloomsbury screens The Conspiracists, a 2024 documentary following three women on a road trip across America. The journey centres on a MAGA supporter recently sentenced for her role in the US Capitol storming, as she attempts to lead her companions into her "5D world" of conspiracy theories. 2pm
AFTERNOON OF ROCK: Head to the Flamingo Rooms at O'Neill's Wardour Street for a daytime party specifically for rock and metal fans aged 30 and over. The playlist spans decades of hair metal, grunge and nu-metal, featuring anthems from the likes of Guns N' Roses, Linkin Park and Metallica. 3pm-7pm
SIP AND PAINT: Unleash your inner artist at the London Art Bar in Holborn during a creative afternoon dedicated to the Jubilee London Skyline. Led by a professional artist, get step-by-step guidance to help you recreate a technicolour version of the city's famous landmarks on canvas. All supplies are provided alongside a themed playlist to inspire your artistic flow. 3pm-5.30pm
QUEER HOUSE PARTY: Lewisham’s Fox and Firkin hosts a day-and-night takeover featuring multiple stages and sound systems. The Queer House Party line-up includes Grove, Harry Gay, and Chiyo B2B Femmi, with artists performing in both the venue's indoor spaces and its large garden. 3pm-3am
SPECTACULAR SCIENCE: Kids think science is boring? The Spectacular Science Show at Leicester Square Theatre will show them otherwise (and entertain you adults too). Presenter Mark Thompson carries out exciting experiments on stage, in a show featuring exploding elephant's toothpaste, vortex-generating dustbins and howling jelly babies. 3.30pm
SATURDAY AFTERNOON COMEDY: Head to the Spice of Life in Soho for a matinee showcase featuring four stand-up comedians, plus a compere — no break. Exact line-up isn't announced, but past participants have been seen on Live at the Apollo, Taskmaster and Netflix. 4pm
HARLOTS, STRUMPETS & TARTS: 18th century London's sordid sex industry is dramatically brought to life in this immersive, theatrical walking tour. Led by a guide performing as 'The Baroness', the two-hour route ventures through Covent Garden and the atmospheric backstreets of Charing Cross to uncover the voices of Georgian sex workers and business-savvy brothel madams, concluding at the ancient Nell Gwynne pub for a tot of gin. 5pm
STREET DANCE BATTLE: The national final of Red Bull's global street dance battle returns to Central Hall Westminster for improvised 1‑v‑1 street‑dance battles where the audience decides the winner. Expect the UK’s top dancers, special performances and musical guests — plus free dance workshops and interactive sessions from 12pm before the main show. 6pm
TONY CHRISTIE: Legendary crooner Tony Christie brings his Great Farewell Tour to the atmospheric Union Chapel in Islington for an up close and unplugged performance. Accompanied by a piano, pedal steel and a string quartet, the Yorkshire veteran performs reimagined country-style versions of his biggest hits, including Avenues & Alleyways and the ubiquitous (Is This the Way to) Amarillo. 7pm
WATERLOO CEILIDH: Hampshire-based dance band Jigfoot brings a high-energy evening of traditional music and dance to St John's Waterloo. Accompanied by caller Ian Nichols, the ensemble uses fiddles, button accordion, guitar and cello to create a driving sound for an inclusive night of dancing. No previous experience is required as all moves are explained throughout the session. 7.30pm
DRACULA: Wicked actress Cynthia Erivo stars in a one-woman reimagining of Bram Stoker's Dracula at the Noël Coward Theatre, ending today. Erivo plays 23 roles in a visually bold production slathered in theatrical blood, flashing lights and other intense effects. 7.30pm
ABBA TRIBUTE: Croydon's Fairfield Halls stages the international smash-hit tribute Thank You For The Music, now celebrating its 21st year on the road. This all-star production brings ABBA’s legendary catalogue to life with authentic harmonies and dazzling costumes, featuring chart-toppers from Waterloo to Mamma Mia. Expect a high-energy party atmosphere as the cast recreates the unmistakable sound of the Swedish pop icons. 7.45pm
SIZZLING HOT CIRCUS: Step inside the Fireworks Factory at Woolwich Works for an 18+ cabaret that blends high-skill acrobatics with a sultry, playful sense of humour. Aircraft Circus: Sizzling Hot Circus features a cast of aerialists and dancers performing daring feats on the hoop, straps and a rare quads trapeze. It's a strictly adult-only evening of seductive ground acts and aerial contortion. 8pm
MURDER MYSTERY PLAY: Bexleyheath’s Edward Alderton Theatre stages Blood Me Up Marjorie!, a razor-sharp two-hander pulling back the curtain on a chaotic murder mystery company. The fast-paced comedy follows a cast of eccentric characters as they struggle to keep their theatrical event on track while ensuring their "dead body" actually stays dead. 8pm
EY UP, IT'S SHOWTIME: A showcase of northern flair comes to The Other Palace in Victoria. Ey Up, It's Showtime features a cabaret-style performance by Yorkshire-born artists now living in the capital, blending West End classics with musical numbers inspired by 'God's own county'. Expect a night of charm, wit and camaraderie from a cast of over 20 performers celebrating their roots away from home. 8pm
HOT CHIP ANNIVERSARY: Celebrate two decades of the seminal album Warning at Dalston's Shacklewell Arms with A Love Letter To Hot Chip. The late-night party features a heavy rotation of the band's back catalogue alongside a mix of electroclash, disco and 00s dance-punk. Expect to hear tracks from LCD Soundsystem, Soulwax, and Justice as the Dance Yrself Clean crew commandeers the decks. 11pm
Sunday 31 May
JUMBLE TRAIL: The Francis Road Jumble Trail is a community street sale along the residential Leyton thoroughfare and surrounding streets, with stalls, bargain-hunting and fundraising for Cats Protection. Find all participating locations on the map. 10am-4pm
SLAVE HISTORY: Explore the financial legacy of British slavery and the history of Black resistance on this guided walk through the City of London. Organised by Black History Walks, the tour examines how institutions like Lloyds of London profited from the slave trade, and highlights the diverse strategies used by enslaved people to fight back, from cultural resistance to armed revolts. 10.30am-12.30pm
JAZZ AMONG FLOWERS: The Garden Café within the Flower Station in Finchley launches a new live jazz event, taking place every other Sunday from today. Head to the plant-filled, sunny sanctuary at the edge of Hampstead Garden Suburb for an afternoon of smooth tunes. FREE, 12pm-2.30pm
VINTAGE FURNITURE FLEA: Leadenhall returns to its market roots, hosting its monthly vintage furniture and flea market. Browse stalls from expert traders offering mid-century furniture, antiques, retro homeware, lighting, rugs and one-off pieces. 12pm-5pm
RNLI OPEN DAY: Teddington RNLI's Lifeboat Week concludes with an open day. Everyone's welcome to visit the station, climb aboard the lifeboat and tractor, watch volunteer crew lifesaving demonstrations, meet firefighters, play water-safety games and enjoy live ukulele and wind-band music. 1pm-5pm
HACKNEY WOMEN: Dalston's historic Rio Cinema hosts the premiere of Women from Hackney's History, a new film commissioned by the Hackney Society to celebrate local trailblazers. Spanning three centuries of stories, the production features pioneers such as Clara Ludski, the founder of the Rio itself, and was filmed across various borough locations. The screening is followed by a panel discussion with filmmaker Barney Snow and editor Sue Doe, plus a Q&A and book signing. 2pm
BROCKLEY MAX ALL-DAYER: Community arts festival Brockley Max celebrates its 25th anniversary with an outdoor garden show at the Fox and Firkin in Lewisham. Internationally acclaimed tuba visionary and former Sons of Kemet member Theon Cross headlines the event, bringing his unique "21st century sound-system" style to the stage. The eclectic lineup also features neo-soul from Hillarynx, electronic duo The Palindromes, and a closing indoor afterparty with DJs The DreZone and Mr Strutt. 2pm-10pm
JANE AUSTEN'S LONDON: Trace the novelist's connections to the capital on a guided tour through the streets of Mayfair and St James's. Led by a former Museum of London archaeologist, the tour visits the site of Austen's brother's bank, the location of her original publishers, and the historic shops of Old Bond Street that remain much as they were in the Regency era — as well as real-life settings that inspired the London-based chapters of Sense and Sensibility. 2.30pm-4.30pm
WAGE THEFT: Political economist Matthew Cole visits Conway Hall to discuss the "silent epidemic" of unpaid hours blighting the global workforce. The talk explores how wage theft is often a structural feature of modern capitalism rather than just the result of rogue employers. Cole, a lecturer at the University of Sussex, examines the history of these practices and offers strategies for workers to fight back. 3pm-4.30pm
FEARLESSLY TAYLOR: Ashleigh Stevens brings her international tribute to the "Eras" of Taylor Swift to the Millfield Theatre in Edmonton. Accompanied by a live band and professional dancers, Fearlessly Taylor spans a large part of the singer's entire discography from her self-titled debut through to the record-breaking Midnights. The full-scale production features faithful recreations of iconic tour highlights and a selection of surprise songs for dedicated Swifties. 4pm
IMMIGRANT COMEDY: International stand-ups take to the stage at The Immigrant Comedy Show for an evening of English-language performance at the Camden Comedy Club. The line-up features foreign comedians sharing their perspectives and complaints about British life, flipping the usual narrative for a night of sharp, cross-cultural storytelling. 7pm
LARA ZIFF: London-based artist Lara Ziff makes her headline debut at Next Door Records in Shepherd's Bush. Her sound is a sophisticated blend of classic soul, R&B and jazz, anchored by vulnerable and honest storytelling. This intimate performance marks the start of a new creative era for the singer, whose expressive vocals draw inspiration from the likes of Amy Winehouse and Alicia Keys. 7pm
COUNTERPOINT OF CHAOS: Counterpoint of Chaos is a solo dance‑theatre work about a woman's evolving relationship with artificial intelligence, presented at His Majesty's Theatre. The piece shifts between organic movement and machine‑like precision to examine authorship, agency and identity. 7pm
FLEETWOOD MAC: A sensational cast of West End singers and a 13-piece live band gather at the London Palladium for a one-night-only gala performance celebrating 50 years of the band's self-titled album and the hit single Rhiannon. Expect hundreds of flickering candles and a guest appearance by Eurovision stars Remember Monday. 7.30pm
INCEPTION: Christopher Nolan's 2010 thriller Inception stars Leonardo DiCaprio as a thief who uses dream-sharing technology to steal — and implant — ideas. We'll be honest, we've watched it several times and we're still not sure we follow all the complex layers, but if that sounds like your bag, it's screened at Rooftop Cinema Club Stratford tonight. 7.30pm
BEING MR WICKHAM: Adrian Lukis reprises his BBC role as George Wickham in a one‑man play that revisits the roguish Pride & Prejudice character on the eve of his 60th birthday. The one-off, 70‑minute performance at the Garrick Theatre offers Wickham's take on events involving Darcy, Lizzie and Waterloo. 7.30pm
HUMAN JUKEBOX: Throw your musical theatre song request at Daniel Benisty — aka the Human Jukebox — and he'll instantly perform it on the piano (with vocals). You'll find him at CellarDoor. 9pm-11.30pm
