All weekend
BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND: Hurrah, another bank holiday weekend! If you’re lucky enough to have any (or all) of the three-day weekend off work, make the most of it with our guide to bank holiday things to do in the capital. Join a walking tour, explore a botanical garden, take up a new hobby or find your new favourite place in London beyond Zone One.
MAY HALF TERM: For most London schools, May half term begins on Saturday. If you’ve got children — from toddlers through to teenagers — to entertain over the coming week, bookmark our May half term events guide now. It’s packed with special events, family shows — and exhibitions featuring submarines, dinosaurs, and a beloved animated duo. It’s got several free events too — ideal if you’re on a tight budget.
THE BIG BAHOOEY: Try juggling, plate spinning or wire walking; dance at a silent disco; or belt out a tune at the singalongs — just some of the entertainment on offer at the family-friendly Big Bahooey festival in the grounds of Hampton Court Palace over the late May bank holiday weekend. It’s included in palace admission. 23-25 May 2026
FOODIES FESTIVAL: Head to Syon Park for Foodies Festival, a three-day celebration of all things edible (and quaffable), with a side of live music. Scouting For Girls are among the performers, with live demos by celebrity chefs, street food and artisan markets, kids’ cookery sessions, pop-up bars and more. 23-25 May 2026
STREETHUNT GAMES: Looking for a unique activity for the half-term hols/May bank holiday that’s fun AND affordable? Streethunt Games invites you and your friends/family/partner to engage your collective brainpower, and crack crafty crime cases on London’s historical streets. Channel your inner detective on these self-guided group adventures, as you solve head-scratching puzzles together. Games are for all skill levels (ages 10+) and can be played at your own pace, with hints if you need them. No wonder Streethunt Games consistently score ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (sponsor)
LONDON RIVERS WEEK: Back for its 10th anniversary, London Rivers Week invites Londoners to celebrate, explore, and help restore the city’s rivers. This year’s theme is Know Your Local River, with a programme of walks, talks and cultural events encouraging people to protect their closest waterway. Many events have already sold out, so hop to it. 23-30 May 2026
LUMINARIUM: A walk‑through inflatable sculpture of coloured domes, pods and softly-glowing champers — known as a pops up at Battersea Power Station. The LUXART ‘Luminarium’ experience begins in a reception tent and progresses through intimate and soaring chambers, ending in a cupola designed to resemble 20th century stained glass. 23-31 May 2026
CHELSEA AND BELGRAVIA IN BLOOM: While the Chelsea Flower Show takes place at the Royal Hospital Chelsea until Saturday, two FREE themed flower festivals spread out into nearby neighbourhoods. Chelsea in Bloom 2026 adopts an ‘Out Of This World’ theme, incorporating a nod to Sir David Attenborough in the month of his 100th birthday, while Belgravia in Bloom 2026 is themed on fairy tales. In both neighbourhoods, shops, restaurants and cafes install large-scale colourful floral displays outside, which everyone can enjoy for free. FREE, 18-24 May 2026
SUBWAY COMEDY: Stand-up at the Subway is a new comedy festival staged beneath the ornate brick vaulting of Crystal Palace Subway. 11 shows welcome the ilk of Daniel Kitson, Elis James, Kerry Godliman and improv troupe Shoot from the Hip, with proceeds going towards Crystal Palace Park’s upkeep. Some shows are already sold out, so be quick if something takes your fancy. 21-24 May 2026
CRIMINAL: The Museum of Homelessness in Finsbury Park opens a new exhibition exploring the criminalisation of homelessness and acts of resistance dating back 400 years. New work by 10Foot, Gemma Lees, Matt Bonner, Spelling Mistakes Cost Lives and Surfing Sofas is shown, alongside historical material. 21 May-25 July 2026
HOLY POP: Lively new exhibition Holy Pop! at Somerset House explores contemporary shrines — the objects, collections and domestic displays people use to honour heroes, celebrities and cult figures. Set across three rooms in the Terrace Rooms, the exhibition highlights items connected to Princess Diana, Andy Warhol, Prince and Harry Potter’s Dobby — and includes Nina Simone’s chewing gum as an example of how everyday objects can become artefacts of devotion. 21 May-19 August 2026
WHISTLER AT TATE BRITAIN: 150 works of art by James McNeill Whistler go on display at Tate Britain, on loan from the Musée d’Orsay in Paris. Perhaps best known among the pieces is Arrangement in Grey and Black No. 1 (aka Portrait of the Artist’s Mother/Whistler’s Mother), shown alongside Whistler’s notebooks, self-portraits and large canvases, including his soupy depictions of the industrialised Thames. 21 May-27 September 2026
COMIC CON: Dust off your cape — MCM Comic Con is back at Excel London. Guest stars include Nathan Fillion and Alan Tudyk from TV show Firefly, Dylan Llewellyn (the “wee English fella” from Derry Girls) and Barry Gordon (who voiced Donatello in the original animated series Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles). Meet them and other famous faces, along with author talks, costume competitions and more. 22-24 May 2026
JURASSIC OCEANS: Get to know the marine reptiles that once ruled the seas — pliosaurs, ichthyosaurs and the mighty mosasaur — through fossils, hands-on objects and interactive displays at the Natural History Museum’s new exhibition, Jurassic Oceans: Monsters of the Deep. Touch a mosasaur tooth, feel a replica shark’s skin and explore bite-sized science. From 22 May 2026
Today’s events: Saturday 23 May
CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW: A highlight for any green-fingered Londoner, the RHS Chelsea Flower Show takes over the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, with gardeners from all over the country showing off their work; stalls where you can buy plants to take home; and a chance to pick up tips from gardening experts. On the last day, many plants are sold off at reduced prices, making for scenes of palm trees and the like being lugged home on the Tube. 19-23 May 2026
STREATLIFE: 20 London-based food and drink traders take over the grounds of Alexandra Palace for StrEATlife festival, offering panoramic views across the capital as you choose between dishes including lobster rolls and jerk chicken. Wash it down with craft beer from Brixton Brewery (cocktails also available), with a soundtrack of live music and DJs. 23-24 May 2026
RICHMOND ARCHITECTURE: Join Open City for a Richmond architecture walking tour exploring how the area transformed from a Georgian royal retreat into a modern suburb. The route takes in the Grade I-listed Marble Hill House, the 1930s art deco Poppy Factory, and the traditionally-styled Richmond Riverside development from the 1980s. Finish at the Richmond Hill viewing point. 10am-12.30pm
THEATRELAND BLACK HISTORY: Explore the hidden history of African and Caribbean presence in the West End’s theatre district on this Black History guided tour. Hear stories of Black magicians, escape artists, and actors who have graced London’s stages, while investigating the racial climate and overcoming of stereotypes throughout history. 10am-12pm
TREES OF BROMPTON CEMETERY: Royal Parks Treescape Curator Greg Packman leads a walking tour through the historic landscape of Brompton Cemetery. Discover how the site has evolved since its Victorian origins while exploring the ecology and cultural history of its most notable mature trees. 10.30am-12.30pm
FANTASTIC MR FOX: Dalston’s historic Rio Cinema hosts a family-friendly screening of Wes Anderson’s Fantastic Mr. Fox. Arrive early for themed arts and crafts in the lobby led by the Rio team, aimed at primary school-aged children, before the stop-motion adventure begins on the big screen. 10.45am
HOLE-PUNCH COLLAGE: Artist Sophie Rawlingson leads a hands-on hole-punch collage workshop at Dulwich Picture Gallery. Inspired by the vibrant landscapes of Konrad Mägi and the techniques of pointillism, experiment with layering and pattern to build your own imaginative paper artworks. The session is beginner-friendly and open to both teens and adults. 11am-1pm
SOUTHWARK CATHEDRAL: Discover over 900 years of history at London’s oldest Gothic church, with a guided tour of Southwark Cathedral. Expert guides lead a one-hour exploration of the building’s rich past, including its strong associations with Winchester, the founding of a famous London hospital, and the theatrical characters of Shakespeare’s era who once walked its aisles. 11am
SPRING FAIR: Last chance to visit this year’s Chelsea Barracks Spring Fair, bringing a curated selection of independent makers and seasonal food and drink to the Chelsea Barracks estate. Pair it with Chelsea or Belgravia in Bloom, or the Chelsea Flower Show, for a full day out. 11am-7pm
SIP & STITCH: Craft an embroidered hoop piece or upcycle your own clothing at Sip & Stitch London, a creative workshop at London Art Bar (Holborn). The session is beginner-friendly and includes all necessary supplies like fabric, threads and beads, plus a glass of prosecco to enjoy while you work. 2pm-4.30pm
GREEK FOLK: King’s Cross venue Jamboree hosts a family concert and crafts afternoon, featuring Greek folk music and dancing. Led by guitar and violin duo Zeeya, explore urban folk traditions and rebetiko rhythms, alongside a dedicated craft table for children. 2pm-4pm
SPEAKEASY BRUNCH: Hidden behind an award-winning pub in Kingston, Ram Jam Records hosts a theatrical bottomless brunch featuring a mix of comedy, burlesque and drag performances, alongside food from Smok’d Kitchen, with an optional 90-minute bottomless drinks package. 2pm-4.30pm
GENTLEMAN JACK: Forget Suranne Jones swishing around in a long black overcoat: Northern Ballet brings Anne Lister’s life to the stage in a new Gentleman Jack ballet at Sadler’s Wells. The piece follows Lister — pseudonym ‘Gentleman Jack’ — drawing on her decoded diaries to explore her relationships and defiant life in 19th century Yorkshire. 2.30pm/7.30pm
BOXING PLAY: The Lewisham pub where Henry Cooper trained stages a new boxing play. Dancing in the Mirror is on at the Fellowship Inn in Bellingham for just two days, telling the story of Jade, a young boxer who grew up in care, and Mica, a clerk and aspiring actor learning to find his voice. 3pm/7pm
SUMMER SWING DANCE: Get stuck into an evening of 1940s-themed nostalgia with the National Army Museum’s Summer Swing Dance. SwingdanceUK are on hand to lead lindy hop and jitterbug lessons for all abilities, accompanied by live music from the South London Jazz Orchestra and vintage styling from Pretty Me Vintage. 6pm-10pm
HANDEL’S ITALIAN FEAST: Food historians Marc Meltonville and Robert Hoare cook up a journey through 18th century Italy at Handel Hendrix House in Mayfair. Discover the dishes the composer would have encountered during his travels, with live demonstrations using replica Georgian kitchenware and recipes from Hannah Glasse’s 1747 cookbook. The evening includes a tasting of period-appropriate dishes and a glass of Italian wine. 6pm
THAT 70S CLUB: Signature Brew Haggerston is the home of That 70s Club, a full-throttle throwback night dedicated to the golden era of soul, glam, funk and disco. Dust off your dancing shoes for a playlist ranging from punk energy to dance floor classics, all set within the brewery’s canal-side taproom. 7pm
GHIBLI CABARET: Get spirited away at the Divine in Dalston as queer Asian cabaret collective The Bitten Peach presents Ghibli Cabaret. Hosted by Mild Peril, the evening features a line-up of performers including Yuki Sutton and Dosa Cat celebrating the magical animated worlds of Studio Ghibli in the venue’s basement space. 7.30pm
WRONG JOVI: The Fighting Cocks in Kingston hosts a high-energy tribute to one of rock’s most enduring acts. Wrong Jovi performs a set packed with stadium anthems, live favourites and — for the die-hard fans — rare tracks. 7.30pm
SOUL CITY: Camden’s Jazz Cafe hosts a high-energy Soul City: May bank holiday special to celebrate the long weekend. Expect a night of world-class house music ranging from classic gems to modern floor-fillers, with special guests joining the resident DJs on the legendary dance floor. 10.30pm-3am
Today’s events: Sunday 24 May
GIANT LONDON FLEA: Organised by Hackney Flea Market and Walthamstow Flea Market, The Giant London Flea brings hundreds of stalls selling vintage clothing, antiques, collectibles, homewares and street food to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. 10am-5pm
GREENWICH DOG SHOW: The Greenwich Dog Show returns to the Old Royal Naval College Grounds for a day of canine competitions and marketplace browsing. Alongside the main show, explore an artisan craft market, refuel at street food stalls and a Gin & Pimm’s bar, or even book a dog-friendly afternoon tea on the colonnades. 10am-6pm
OLIVER TWIST: Step back in time on a walking tour exploring the historic and notorious streets immortalised by Charles Dickens in Oliver Twist. Led by an award-winning Blue Badge Guide, the two-hour route uncovers ancient markets, workhouses, and prisons before concluding with a visit to the Foundling Museum in Bloomsbury. 11am
BABY BROADWAY: West End singers perform well-known musical numbers from stage and screen in family concert Baby Broadway at Chickenshed Theatre (Southgate). Aimed at children aged up to six years, the show includes bubbles, puppetry and plenty of audience interaction accompanied by live piano, with little ones welcome to move about freely throughout. 11am
WARRIOR WOMEN: Guide Marie Helly of Footprints of London leads the Warrior Women walking tour through Westminster, meeting the extraordinary figures who shaped history. The route from Westminster Pier along Whitehall covers 2,000 years of stories, from the warrior queen Boudica to Churchill’s favourite spy and the campaigners who fought for the vote in Parliament Square. 11am-1pm
WINDMILL OPEN DAY: It’s a public open day at Upminster Windmill and Gardens, when you can explore the fully-restored historic mill and its grounds, with refreshments available to buy. The sails will be turning, weather permitting. 11am-4pm
NEWSREEL RETROSPECTIVE: Bertha DocHouse in Bloomsbury screens Newsreel Retrospective (1968–1972): Power to the People, a programme of digitally preserved films documenting late 60s urban organising. The selection includes footage of a Black Panther rally in San Francisco and the 1968 Columbia University student protests, exploring parallel struggles for social justice. 2pm
FIRST TIMERS FEST: Every band on the line-up is playing their very first show at Signature Brew Haggerston’s First Timers Fest 2026, a celebration of London’s grassroots music scene. The event focuses on making music accessible to those historically pushed to the margins, featuring a joyful mix of debut performances, community stalls and raw creative energy. 3pm
CIDER SALON: The London Cider Salon is a tasting event at Tate Modern organised by The Fine Cider Company. Sample a curated selection of ciders and perries, meet producers and hear about traditional and contemporary production methods while celebrating orchard biodiversity. 3.30pm-6pm
SWIFTOGEDDON: A bumper edition of regular Taylor Swift club night Swiftogeddon takes place at Between the Bridges. Dance and sing along to seven hours of non-stop Swift songs, from the biggest hits to deep cuts and vault tracks. Better dig out those friendship bracelets. 4pm-11pm
QUIZZEOKE: Walthamstow Trades Hall is back with its bank holiday tradition, Quizzeoke, combining a competitive brain-teaser with a late-night singalong. The evening kicks off with Neil’s Big Quiz before transitioning into a session of CNN Karaoke. 5pm
ZOFFANY ENSEMBLE: The Zoffany Ensemble performs Mozart’s Quintet in C major, K.515 and Brahms’ Sextet in B flat Op.18, with musicians including violinist Manon Derome and cellist Anthony Pleeth for today’s Sunday Concert at Conway Hall. 6.30pm-8.30pm
MULHOLLAND DRIVE The Ivy House in Nunhead hosts a rare screening of the TV pilot of Mulholland Drive, offering fans a chance to see David Lynch’s surreal masterpiece as it was originally conceived for television. Presented by Deeper Into Movies, the evening allows for a fascinating comparison between this early version and the final feature film. 7.30pm
LOUISE BALKWILL: Award-winning jazz vocalist Louise Balkwill performs music from her new album, Chatterbox, at the 606 Club in Chelsea. A former winner of the Riga Jazz Stage International Jazz Voice competition, Balkwill is known for her work with The Puppini Sisters and her signature blend of high-energy swing and soulful storytelling. 8pm
AGE OF CONSENT: A reworking of Bronski Beat’s 1984 debut album The Age of Consent, this performance brings together Beth Ditto, David Hoyle and David McAlmont alongside Bishi, Planningtorock, Tom Rasmussen and an 80-strong Pink Singers chorus, at Southbank Centre. 8pm
Today’s events: Bank holiday Monday 25 May
VINTAGE MARKET: So Last Century’s Vintage Market returns to Beckenham Place Mansion with around 50 traders selling mid-20th-century furniture, lighting, homeware, ceramics, books, records, antique maps, French brocante, gardenalia and vintage fashion. Street food and coffee are available, and the KnowHowYou sewing school and Verso Vintage shop pop up on site too. 10am-5pm
LORD OF THE RINGS: Miss bank holiday Monday entirely by hunkering down in the Prince Charles Cinema and watching the Lord of the Rings film trilogy — extended editions, mind you — back to back. Running time is 688 minutes, so well over 11 hours. 10.30am
COSTUME DESIGN TOUR: The Royal Opera House in Covent Garden offers a behind-the-scenes look at its professional costume workrooms. Discover how stage-ready pieces are realised in the pattern room and costume store, before heading to the bar to sketch your own designs over a bellini. 11.30am
BEER AND BITES: Forty Hall Estate hosts a laid-back bank holiday afternoon of food, drink and live music on its beautiful front lawn in Enfield. Beer and Bites features a picnic-style atmosphere with cold drinks and colouring packs to keep children entertained. FREE ENTRY, 11am-4pm
GUNNERSBURY CENTENARY: Gunnersbury Park Museum celebrates a century of the west London estate with Gunnersbury Park’s 100th birthday party. The massive community bash features live 1920s music, a local market and a giant community picnic blanket, alongside traditional games and museum tours. FREE, 11am-4pm
POKETHON: Waterstones Kingston upon Thames hosts the return of Pokethon!, a dedicated workshop for fans to trade cards and play games. Aspiring trainers can also take part in themed activities including word searches and colouring, with the ticket price including one booster pack to help build their collection. 11am-12pm
FAMILY DAY PARTY: A free, garden-based Family Day Party takes place at Lewisham’s Fox and Firkin, featuring circus skills workshops and face-painting. Visitors can enjoy giant games of Connect 4 and Jenga, or sign up for a half-hour ‘open decks’ DJ slot in the pub’s expansive outdoor space. FREE ENTRY, 2pm-8pm
PAINT MONET: The London Art Bar in Holborn hosts a creative afternoon with Bottomless Prosecco! Paint Monet’s Water Lilies. Led by a professional artist, you’ll use impressionistic brushstrokes to recreate the iconic masterpiece while enjoying two hours of unlimited prosecco, cocktails or mocktails. All supplies including canvas and aprons are provided, and a themed playlist helps set the artistic mood. 2.30pm-5pm
MEGAN HILTY: Broadway star and Smash lead Megan Hilty returns to London for a special solo concert at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. The Tony-nominated performer showcases songs from her career highlights, including Wicked, 9 to 5, and her current Broadway hit Death Becomes Her, interspersed with backstage stories. 2.30pm/7.30pm
GHOST FILMS: The Last Tuesday Society in Hackney hosts Ghost Films: A Seance of Early Cinema, an exploration of the Victorian fascination with the occult. Theatre and film scholar Alex Kirstukas presents a selection of surviving silent films with live commentary, alongside an interactive experiment in raising the ghosts of lost cinematic works. 6.30pm-8.30pm
WHY DIDN’T I GET MARRIED?: Acclaimed playwright Alan Charles is at Fairfield Halls in Croydon with Why Didn’t I Get Married?, a provocative courtroom drama exploring singleness and faith. The play follows a group of Christian women who file a class-action lawsuit against the church, challenging cultural expectations through a mix of raw dialogue and humour. 7pm
LDN WRESTLING: Head to Enfield’s Dugdale Arts Centre for a high-energy afternoon of sport as LDN Wrestling brings its hard-hitting live show to the stage. Expect a showcase of top-tier grappling talent in a family-friendly environment that has become a staple of the local community arts scene. 7pm
COAL POWERS ON: Pints of Knowledge is at Camden Town Brewery Beer Hall for an evening talk delving into the persistent role of coal in the global energy landscape despite the ongoing international focus on other fossil fuels. 7pm-8.30pm
MAGIC AT THE GATEHOUSE: Highgate’s intimate fringe theatre The Gatehouse hosts an evening of seasonal sorcery. The quarterly showcase features a rotating line-up of top magicians, including Liam Ball, Max Fulham, Mark Shortland and Wayne Trice, performing miracles right at the heart of the audience. 7.30pm
CATE BLANCHETT: Hollywood legend Cate Blanchett interviews actor and author Gina Gershon at the Royal Geographical Society in Kensington. Gershon shares unfiltered stories from her 40-year career, including encounters with the likes of Prince, David Mamet and Tom Cruise, plus cautionary tales from the absurdities of show business. 7.30pm-8.45pm
BETWIXT THE SHEETS: Historian Dr Kate Lister brings her award-winning podcast Betwixt the Sheets LIVE to Cadogan Hall in Chelsea for an evening of history’s most scandalous and outrageous stories. Joined by a special guest, the show unearths the bizarre moments edited from textbooks, featuring interactive elements and a game of “Sh*ggeth, Marry, Kill.” 7.30pm
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