With two bank holidays on the horizon and sunshine warming the flourishing and buzzing streets of London, there’s no better time to visit the capital
From music and crafts to family events and festivals, there is something for everyone in London this May. Nature, of course, is on display around every corner and a jam-packed Spring calendar invites you to see it in full bloom. Read on to discover the endless fun things to do in London in May 2024!
Spring into the Bank Holidays
6th & 27th May 2024
We’re spoilt for long weekends this month! With the May Day bank holiday on the 6th and the Spring Bank holiday on the 27th, there’s no time better to squeeze in a quick break to the Big Smoke. May Day is the worker’s holiday so why not soak up some Vitamin D in one of London’s many beautiful parks?
Battersea Park, Regent’s Park, and Greenwich Park are all fantastic choices! Plus if you’re feeling energetic, you could even rent a bicycle and explore the city on two wheels. By the end of May, we’re filled with Spring hope – mostly for sunshine. Its arrival marks the perfect opportunity to explore London’s many lush parks.
Star Wars Exhibition at Madame Tussauds
Ongoing
Where better to visit on ‘May the 4th’ than the out-of-this-world Star Wars Exhibition at Madame Tussauds? This immersive experience features extraordinarily lifelike wax figures of heroes and villains from Star Wars Episodes I-IX. Created in close collaboration with Disney and Lucasfilm, you’ll explore a galaxy of locations under one roof.
Master Yoda awaits you in his remote world of swamps and forests on Dagobah. You’ll also visit Jabba’s Throne Room and the epic flight deck of the Millennium Falcon, where Chewbacca is portrayed in all his hairy glory. May the 4th be with you!
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Light Into Life, Kew Gardens
4th May 2024
A major new art exhibition inspired by nature and science marks the coming of spring at London’s Royal Botanic Gardens. Over 20 artworks by leading contemporary artist Marc Quinn will be on display throughout the grounds. Meanwhile, a presentation of artworks can be found in the Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art.
Developed in collaboration with Kew scientists and horticulturists, sculptures are inspired by significant plants across Kew’s collections. Discover sculptural portraits of palm leaves and drawings of Bismarck and Sabal palms found in Kew’s 170-year-old Palm House. Large-scale sculptures are based on Herbarium specimens of medicinal plants.
Master Yoda awaits you in his remote world of swamps and forests on Dagobah. You’ll also visit Jabba’s Throne Room and the epic flight deck of the Millennium Falcon, where Chewbacca is portrayed in all his hairy glory. May the 4th be with you!
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Dulwich Festival
10-19th May 2024
10 days of music, dance, literature, art, walks, talks, performances and fairs unfold in Dulwich for a unique multi-venue urban festival. From a Teddy Bear’s Picnic at the Village Orchard to a choral singing workshop, this London festival programme has something to suit all ages.
Talks and discussions cover everything from cookery to architecture and the arts are represented in all formats from theatre, to music and visuals. Family-friendly fairs also take place on the weekends, featuring stalls by independent traders and fringe entertainment.
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May Fayre and Puppet Festival, Covent Garden
12th May 2024
This free family-friendly event is held annually on the anniversary of the first recorded sighting of Mr Punch. First spotted without Judy in Covent Garden by diarist Samuel Pepys in 1662, Punch is still the star of the show today. The day kicks off with a grand procession, led by a brass band. Afterwards, a special service will be held in St Paul’s Church with Mr Punch in the pulpit.
Then, in the church gardens, Puppeteers from all over the country and abroad gather to perform. There will also be stalls, workshops, live music and maypole dancing. Good, wholesome and free family fun!
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London Craft Week
13th-19th May 2024
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Wherever you find yourself in the city this May, be sure to get in on some of the London Craft Week action. Taking place in various venues across the city, more than 700 makers will present their outstanding craftsmanship. A festival map will guide you to hidden workshops, independent makers and heritage craftspeople.
Peek inside jewel-like shops, great luxury houses, department stores, national museums and contemporary galleries. Discover famous artists, designers and independent talent as you embrace the diversity of crafts in the capital.
The Art of Brick London
Until 19th May 2024
After touring over 100 cities in 24 countries, this must-see exhibition immerses visitors in the colourful world of Lego. Artist Nathan Sawaya has used more than a million bricks to create over 100+ works of art on display. The collection includes countless 1:1 sculptures alongside re-imagined versions of some of the world’s most famous masterpieces – including Michelangelo’s David, Van Gogh’s Starry Night and Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa.
The biggest and most impressive sculpture is Sawaya’s six-metre-long reproduction of a Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton! It’s bound to inspire you to get creative in the play and build area.
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Belgravia in Bloom
20th-27th May 2024
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With a nod to a summer of epic sporting events ahead, Floral Fun and Games is the theme for this year’s Belgravia in Bloom. Now in its ninth year, this free floral festival takes place across Belgravia. Transforming the neighbourhood into a vibrant canvas of floral installations and displays, this London festival is a floral paradise where nature thrives across the neighbourhood of Belgravia.
Displays are created by Belgravia’s famous florists, while local shops, restaurants and bars embrace botanicals with themed menus and offers. Expect breathtaking displays of blooms and Instagrammable backdrops at every turn.
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RHS Chelsea Flower Show
21st-25th May 2024
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show promises amazing garden designs, gorgeous floral displays and exclusive shopping. Eight show gardens and seven sanctuary gardens will showcase planting schemes and cutting-edge designs. Beautiful floral displays offer the perfect opportunity to get lost in nature, with inspiring, take-home ideas at every turn.
The All About Plants gardens will host everything from an edible skate park, plants for gut health and even a tropical forest. Balcony and Container garden displays provide inspiration for small spaces. The No Adults Allowed Garden puts kids in the driving seat, allowing them to enjoy a garden of fun and exploration.
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MCM Comic Con
24th-26th May 2024
A three-day celebration of all things pop culture, MCM London brings together the worlds of anime, TV and film under one roof. Artists, writers and actors will be at signing tables at every turn, as well as hosting panels, talks, screenings and performances. Cosplay is an integral part of the event, where children and adults alike dress up to pay homage to their favourite characters.
Get your hands on consoles, retro machines, board games and RPGs – all available and free to play! Plus, an exhibition area will be bursting with unique shopping stalls.
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WingJam at Peckham Arches
24th-26th May 2024
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Get ready to devour the incredible food at London’s favourite chicken wing festival! An electrifying array of attractions includes DJs, a hot sauce market, a craft beer and music room and a legendary Hot Wing Contest! The main event though is the huge array of wing flavours on offer for you to try.
Pineapple, buffalo, smokey honey jalapeño, berry, doughnut, buffalo, Korean BBQ, sticky toffee, nacho, insanely spicy and tequila are just the tip of the wing!
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City Splash
27th May 2024
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Hear the Sounds of the city at this music festival celebrating the impact of Caribbean and African culture in the UK and beyond. An impressive lineup guides listeners through the heritage of Roots, Dub and Dancehall to the birth of Jungle and Garage. But City Roots isn’t a nostalgia festival.
This celebration of Black music, food, dance and style also showcases the most up-and-coming talent today. Headliners for 2024 include Capleton, Beanie Man, Shenseea and Busy Signal, who come together to pay homage to the pioneering sounds that raised generations.
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