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HALF TERM: With most London schools closed this week, take a look at our guide to things to do in London in May Half Term, spanning events, exhibitions, activities, and plenty of free ideas. We've also curated a list of family-friendly theatre shows in London right now, as well as a few to book for the summer if you're planning that far ahead.
SPRING FAMILY FUN: The Southbank Centre’s half-term festivities continue this week, with free kids' activities and a host of imagination-sparking shows. Celebrate 80 years of Moomins, jam with The David Gibb Big Band, trace the steps of our ancestors with the thrilling mix of acrobatics and dance that is HENGE, or follow The Vanishing Elephant from Bengal to Broadway – brought to life via spellbinding puppetry. Until 1 June (sponsor)
EXPLORING SPACE: This week is your last chance to see Science Museum's free Exploring Space gallery, before it closes for a major refurb. Part of it already closed a few weeks ago, but the north side is still open for a few more days. FREE, until 2 June
THE GREAT GATSBY: With the (rather fantastic) Great Gatsby musical having recently opened at the London Coliseum, the Sheraton Grand London Park Lane has launched a new Gatsby-themed afternoon tea, as well as a new cocktail menu paying homage to the roaring twenties, including the Gatsby Gold Rush (WhistlePig Rye and kumquat cordial), and the Green Light Martini (chive and mint-infused gin and cucumber Lillet).
MEAN GIRLS: That's so fetch... but only for a couple more weeks. Mean Girls the musical, based on the 2004 film of the same name, is at the Savoy Theatre, telling the story of home-schooled Cady Heron who becomes involved with 'The Plastics' when she starts at a new high school. Until 8 June
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MUSEUM OF THE WEEK: Notting Hill's Museum of Brands is a nostalgic treat anytime, but this Friday, it launches its latest exhibition, Glass Renewed: The Art of Hannah Gibson & the History of Glass, which features Gibson's series Recycling Narratives: Whispering Sweet Nothings, and explores the materiality and sustainability of glass. 30 May-17 August
EAT OF THE WEEK: Speaking of Notting Hill, Ukrainian restaurant SINO has just landed in the area — serving authentic Ukrainian dishes, under chef Eugene Korolev. Plates include beef tartar with ceps sabayon, Jerusalem artichoke crisps and lovage oil; and aged walnut ice cream with smoked plum chocolate mousse. There are also drinks from Ukrainian mixologist Ana Reznik, formerly of the famous A Bar with Shapes for a Name.
DRINK OF THE WEEK: The deliciously art deco Le Magritte bar in Mayfair's Beaumont hotel has just launched its boozy tribute to the Great American Songbook, with elixirs like the Come Fly With Me, an uplifting mix of banana rum, Bacardi and chocolate bitters, and — our fave — the Mr Bojangles, a cockle-warming concoction of bourbon, port and Cynar — which is served in a glass pipe, and thus drinkable either by sipping or sucking. Sammy Davis Jr. would surely have loved it.
DAY TRIP OF THE WEEK: Itching to get out of London with the kids during half term? Try Wellington Country Park near Reading. It's packed full of play areas for all ages, a mini farm, a miniature railway, nature trails, fairy doors, and a woodland walk lined with dinosaurs.
Bank holiday Monday 26 May
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BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY: It's another bank holiday Monday. If you're lucky enough to have the day off work, have a read of our guide to spending a bank holiday in London, for ideas including exploring the great outdoors, guided tours, cultural days out, sporting pursuits and loads more.
TIM BURTON: Already the most popular exhibition in the Design Museum's history, The World of Tim Burton continues until today, showcasing the director's unique aesthetic, through his films and items from his own personal archive. It's likely to sell out in its final days, so do book as early as you can. 10am-3.30pm
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 on the final day of the family-friendly Big Bahooey festival in the grounds of Hampton Court Palace. Even better, it's included in palace admission. 10am-5pm
BEER & BITES: Forty Hall in Enfield has a free-entry Beer & Bites festival, with food and drink stalls, and live music and open mic performances throughout the afternoon, all taking place on the lawn. 11am-4pm
FOODIES FESTIVAL: Head to Syon Park for the final day of Foodies Festival, a celebration of all things edible (and quaffable), with a side of live music. The Wanted 2.0 are today's headliners, with live demos by celebrity chefs, street food and artisan markets, kids' cookery sessions, pop-up bars and more. 11am-8pm
ON THE RYE: A brand new, free community festival, On The Rye takes over Peckham Rye Park. The celebration of local community and culture features live music and DJs including Charlie Dark, Rebel Clash and David Kayode, as well as family and children’s activities, a pop-up market and food and drink options. FREE, 1pm-9pm
TOP GUN: MAVERICK: 2022 film Top Gun: Maverick is shown on a large screen at the Royal Albert Hall, while the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, conducted by Ben Palmer, performs the epic score live, featuring music by Harold Faltermeyer, Lady Gaga and Hans Zimmer. 2.30pm/7.30pm
THE NOTEBOOK: Rooftop Film Club's Stratford branch screens 2004 film The Notebook, based on Nicholas Sparks' book of the same name. It stars Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams as a young couple who fall in love in the 1940s, with their story being told in a nursing home in the present day. Be warned, it's a bit of a tearjerker. 8.15pm
Tuesday 27 May
OPERA HOLLAND PARK: One of our favourite outdoor cultural events in London, Opera Holland Park's summer season gets under way today. First on the programme is Richard Wagner's The Flying Dutchman. From 27 May
FAILURE PROJECT: Yolanda Mercy explores the theme of failure in a raw and humorous way through her new show, Failure Project, at Soho Theatre, following the ups and downs of her personal and professional life. 27 May-14 June
POKEMON DAY: Fans of all ages are welcome at Waterstones Piccadilly's Pokémon Day. Head to the second floor to swap cards with other fans and take part in quizzes, games and activities, with a find the Pokémon hunt, and a chance to win freebies. 11am-6pm
UNDER SNOW: As part of the Fashion in Film festival, the Garden Cinema in Holborn screens 2011 German/Japanese film Unter Schnee (Under Snow), about Japan’s Echigo region where the snow often lies several feet deep well into May. 8pm
Wednesday 28 May
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TRAPLORD: Stereotypes of Black masculinity are questioned through dance in Olivier Award-winning show TRAPLORD at Sadler's Wells East. Dance, theatre and spoken word combine to explore raw and confrontational themes of mental health and masculinity in western society. 28-31 May
COLUMBUS FLAGSHIP: The tallship Nao Santa Maria, a replica of Christopher Columbus’s flagship, moors up at St Katharine Docks near Tower Bridge, and is open to the public (booking required). The 93-ft, full-scale replica of the ship on which the famous explorer voyaged to the Americas in 1492 was built in 2018, and is used as a floating museum. 28 May-8 June (weather permitting)
BROCKWELL BOUNCE: Apparently London's biggest free kids' festival, Brockwell Bounce takes over Brockwell Park for a day of music, dance, workshops and creative arts and crafts. Britain’s Got Talent winners Twist & Pulse will be dancing on the main stage, along with Paradise Circus Performance. Take part in instrument lessons in the Music Making Zone, or get twisting at hula hoop workshops. Alternatively, head for the Adrenaline Zone and let the kids trampoline, parkour and skateboard off all that extra energy. FREE, 12pm-6pm
ANIMATION AT WAR: As part of Barbican Cinema's Animation at War series, watch 1986 British animation When The Wind Blows, based on Raymond Briggs’s harrowing graphic novel about normal people going about their lives in the face of nuclear war. 6.20pm
SHAKESPEARE ON A SHIP: Chamber musicians The Lovekyn Consort are on board the Golden Hinde for a concert of songs and instrumental pieces from the Elizabethan and Jacobean eras. Hear music drawn from Shakespeare’s plays, including The Tempest, Hamlet, Twelfth Night, and Othello, interwoven with actors performing spoken excerpts from Shakespeare’s sonnets and plays. 7pm-10pm
BECOMING LED ZEPPELIN: Catch a screening of Becoming Led Zeppelin, a film which explores the band's origins and how they rose to fame in just a year, at Picturehouse Central. It includes new interviews with Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and John Paul Jones, as well as rare archival interviews with the band’s late drummer John Bonham. Director Bernard MacMahon and producer Allison McGourty are special guests at the screening. 7.30pm
Thursday 29 May
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BENDING REALITY: Bending Reality is the latest production from Nua Dance, exploring how our perception of reality can be influenced by experience, memory, and expectation. The performance integrates dance, circus, and parkour to uncover shifting perspectives. See it at Jackson's Lane. 29-30 May
THE HANDBAG IS NOT YOUR MOTHER: Two women. Two handbags. An unusual encounter in a Relate counselling waiting room. Thus begins The Handbag is Not Your Mother, a comedy play blending improvised dialogue with audience interaction. It's on at Hen and Chickens Theatre in Highbury. 29-31 May
DARING TO DARE: Cinema Mentiré presents a retrospective of Argentine filmmaker María Luisa Bemberg, showcasing her significant contributions to cinema on the 30th anniversary of her passing. Attend the London premiere of newly restored versions of her classic films, including the Oscar-nominated Camila and Miss Mary at Ciné Lumière in South Kensington. 29 May-1 June
CHOIN: See a preview of clown/comedy show Choin at the Museum of Comedy, before it heads north for Edinburgh Fringe. It's about a Sardinian man who moves to London to become a professional actor, and takes its name from the traditional call used by pig farmers on the Italian island. 7pm
EDWARDIAN DINING: Tying in with the current exhibition, The Edwardians: Age of Elegance, The King's Gallery hosts food historian Marc Meltonville for a talk about how people of different social classes dined in Edwardian England. Find out what a typical family would have eaten, and how that compared to what was served to the Royal Family. Your ticket also includes a private view of the exhibition. 7pm
CROYDON IN STOKEY: Londonist editor Will Noble is at Abney Books in Stoke Newington, talking about his book Croydonopolis: A Journey to the Greatest City That Never Was, and is joined by Croydon's Colossive Press (discussing Croydon Spaceport), Martin Saps (Stamford Hill's Hasidic community) and intriguingly named Ghosts of 213 Stoke Newington High Street. FREE, 7pm
BATTLE OF THE BARRELS: The regular Battle of the Barrels sees two bartenders competing for who can make the best cocktail using a certain spirit. This time, Tom Smyth of Milroy's/3 Greek and lowcountry's Ryan Sheehan put Never Say Die Bourbon to the test. Your ticket includes a taste of each drink, a ballot to vote for your favourite, and a burger or fried chicken with fries. Takes place at Counter 71 near Old Street. 7.15pm-10.15pm
CRICK CRACK CLUB: Join storytelling collective Crick Crack Club for an evening of Fairytales for Grown-Ups, as Mikael Öberg brings the Maui Trickster to life at Folklore Hoxton. 7.30pm
Friday 30 May
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PUB IN THE PARK: Head to Gunnersbury Park for food festival Pub in the Park (previously held at Chiswick House). Chefs Tom Kerridge and Michel Roux and food critic Grace Dent are among the famous faces appearing on stage, while renowned pubs and restaurants including The Grazing Goat and The Tamil Prince appear in pop-up form, serving their best-loved dishes. Plus, there's music from Jack Savoretti, Norman Jay, and tribute acts Blur 2, Noasis and Pulp'd. 30 May-1 June
BROCKLEY MAX: Taking place at venues throughout the Brockley, Crofton Park, Honor Oak and Ladywell areas, Brockley Max is a community arts festival showcasing a variety of local talent and events. The 90+ events on the programme include exhibitions, live music, poetry, comedy and a story trail. 30 May-7 June
PERMISSION: "How can you fight to liberate others if you yourself aren't free?" Tara Theatre in Earlsfield stages Permission, in which Pakistani woman Hanna moves to London to pursue freedom and independence, while her Minza stays in Karachi to fight on the picket line. 30 May-7 June
LONDON RIVERS WEEK: A series of events focused on celebrating and improving the capital's waterways, London Rivers Week features activities such as boat trips, river clean-ups, and expert talks. 30 May-7 June
BRIXTON CALLING: London's original shipping container venue, Pop Brixton celebrates its 10th anniversary with Brixton Calling, an evening of live music from local artists, spanning a range of genres from reggae to punk. DJ Jamie Joy, Gabrielle Sey, Kaya M, Jake Miller, and Brixton legend LOGIC are all on the programme. 6pm-11.30pm
FRIDAY NIGHT FUNNIES: Aurie Styla headlines Friday Night Funnies at the Chickenshed Theatre. Lateef Lovejoy, President Obonjo, Sophie Garrad and Sol Bernstein are among the other names on the line-up. 8pm
Saturday 31 May
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V&A EAST STOREHOUSE: The latest outpost of the V&A Museum, V&A East Storehouse opens on the eastern side of the Olympic Park in Hackney Wick. It's a cavernous warehouse stacked with seemingly endless crates and pallets, taking the public behind the scenes of some of the museum's many objects and collections, an eclectic mix including huge architectural structures, vintage football shirts, a Glastonbury Festival Archive, a chunk of Elton John's wardrobe, Roman frescoes and so, so much more. We had a sneak peek last year. Not to be confused with the V&A East Museum, which is now expected to open in Spring 2026. From 31 May
MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM: Following its critically-acclaimed run in 2019, the Bridge Theatre's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream returns with some rather unique staging: seating is wrapped around the action, or buy immersive tickets to follow the story on foot. It's one of our picks of unusual takes on Shakespeare plays to book in London this summer. From 31 May
BIG FOOD WEEKEND: Day and weekend passes are available for the British Library's Food Season Big Weekend, which brings together experts from all over the world from talks and discussions on a range of topics. Subjects include women in the fishing industry, and how to feed ourselves and save the planet. 31 May-1 June
SPRING FAIR: Vauxhall City Farm holds a spring fair, with Tyers Street closed to traffic for the day, making room for sheep shearing, live music, animal talks (presumably people talking about animals, rather than animals talking...), spinning demos, and other entertainment, all raising money to keep the farm going. 10am
PALMERS GREEN: Not a part of town that sees many guided walks, but today you can enjoy a free tour of this charming Edwardian suburb with the knowledgeable guide Adrian Day. The walk is part of a wider initiative, which aims to improve Broomfield Park by exploring its history and offering fun activities for everyone. FREE, 10.30am-12.30pm
AERIAL THEATRE: The Dot Collective returns to the gardens of Brixton Windmill with their brand new production, Catch of the Day. The aerial theatre show sees professional aerial actors perform the seaside-set show while the audience watches from the ground. 11am/2pm
EUROHEEDFEST: EuroHeedfest 13 — an annual gathering of Guided By Voices fans — is back at Shadwell's George Tavern, with various acts playing tribute to Robert Pollard and co. This year features the first acts to hail from America, alongside others. From 4pm
MURDER MYSTERY: Greenwich Naval College's striking Painted Hall is the scene for a murder tonight (not a real one, mind), which you and your assembled friends are tasked with solving. Deerstalkers optional. 7pm-8.30pm
Sunday 1 June
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JUNE: New month, new London to-do list. Our pick of the best events in the capital in June spans everything from circus shows to music festivals to new exhibitions, via a clown festival, a nude cycle ride and a foodie extravaganza. Take a look and get booking.
LONDON FESTIVAL OF ARCHITECTURE: A celebration of architecture and 'city-making', the London Festival of Architecture has a theme of 'Voices' for 2025, and the programme is packed with events throughout the month, from public installations to talks, tours, debates and performances — plus some family-friendly events too. It begins today with a walk focusing on the problem of empty buildings, and a musical performance in a synagogue, among other happenings. 1-30 June
HEAVY HORSE SHOW: Capel Manor Gardens in Enfield hosts the Herts Heavy Horse Show and Country Show. See heavy horse breeds in action up close, taking part in various events in the show ring. There's also a dog show, and it's a chance to explore the venue's 30-acre gardens. 10am-5pm
SPENCER HOUSE: Sundays bring with them the opportunity to go on a guided tour of Spencer House, built in 1756-66 for the First Lord and Lady Spencer, and reopened by Princess Di in 1991. See the eight State Rooms, which feature some jaw-dropping ceilings. From 10.30am
DERNYFEST AND WOMEN'S OMNIUM: Herne Hill Velodrome, London's only surviving venue from the 1948 Olympics, plays host to an unusual race day, with cyclists racing in the slipstream of vintage motorbikes (dernys) to take them up to average speeds of 60kph. The cafe serves beers and food to enjoy in the sunshine. FREE to spectate, 11.30-5pm
LAUREN BUSH: Fancy a spot of lunchtime jazz? Long-time Canadian expat Lauren Bush is at the 606 Club near Imperial Wharf performing tracks off her third album Tide Rises. 1.30pm
ROOFTOP COMEDY CLUB: It's not just cinema screenings at Rooftop Film Club's Peckham venue. 'Cockney philosopher' and comedian Jeff Innocent performs a set at Rooftop Comedy Club, joined by stand up comedian and ex junior doctor Michael Akadiri, and fellow comedian Sara Barron. 7pm
CAT POWER: Singer Cat Power performs a tribute to Bob Dylan’s famous 1966 concert — held at the Manchester Free Trade Hall but widely known as the 'Royal Albert Hall Concert' due to a mislabelled bootleg — at Barbican. 8pm
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