All weekend
JUBILEE NIGHT TUBE: A quick reminder that as of this weekend, the night tube is back in action on the Jubilee line on Saturday nights, for the first time since it was suspended in March 2020. Plan your late-night japes accordingly.
EGGS OF AN ERA: Wildlife charity Elephant Family kicks off its Platinum Jubilee celebrations with Eggs of an Era, a free trail of giant egg-shaped artworks, each designed by a well-known artist. Track them down across Chelsea before they're auctioned off to raised money for conservation work in South Asia. Chelsea area, free, just turn up, until 12 June
MINIGOLF: Free minigolf is back in Canary Wharf. Artists Craig Redman and Karl Maier have transformed Montgomery Square into a colourful and fun course with novelty features. Clubs and balls are provided by stewards on site. Montgomery Square, free, just turn up, 12pm-6pm daily, from 17 May
THE HOP: There's a new outdoor installation at Southbank Centre. The Hop is a luminous public canopy alongside Hayward Gallery, designed by artist Jyll Bradley, linking London's urban landscapes to the hop farms of Kent. Many families from the Lambeth area travelled to Kent for hopping holidays right up until the 1960s, and the angles of this artwork reflect the geometry of hop-growing structures. Hayward Gallery Terrace, free, just turn up, 18 May-2 October
LONDON IN THE SKY: You'll want to hold on tight to your cutlery at London In The Sky, a dining experience which takes place 100ft up, close to The O2. Choose from breakfast, brunch, lunch, afternoon tea, cocktails or dinner, get strapped into your chair around the floating table, and soak up the views as you tuck in. North Greenwich, from £80.10 per person, book ahead, 19 May-29 August
IN THE AIR: One of our picks for the best new exhibitions to see this month is In The Air, which looks at our relationship with the air around us. Go back to the 3.5 billion year old bacteria that produce oxygen, all the way up to today's protests against toxic air pollution, and learn about the benefits of fresh air.Wellcome Collection, free, just turn up, 19 May-16 October
TELEVISION FESTIVAL: The BFI & Radio Times Television Festival always brings together a brilliant selection of actors, writers, producers and various other figures from the TV industry, who are working on the best current and recent TV shows. Hear from the teams behind It's A Sin, Toast of London/Tinseltown, Call The Midwife and others — and attend preview screenings of upcoming shows such as The Outlaws and Malory Towers. BFI Southbank, prices vary by event, book ahead, 20-22 May
GOLD!: Sit back down, Spandau Ballet fans — this one's about the precious metal. The British Library's new exhibition displays 50 manuscripts from around the world in which gold has been used, delving into the effects this had on the stories contained in the manuscripts. The British Library, £8, book ahead, 20 May-2 October
HACKNEY FLEA MARKET: Rummage out a bargain at Hackney Flea Market, which brings together 30 vintage traders selling furniture, lighting, homewares, records and more. Abney Public Hall (Stoke Newington), just turn up, 21-22 May
HEATH ROBINSON: A new exhibition opens at the beloved inventor/illustrator’s house in Pinner. The Humour of Heath Robinson explores the cartoonist’s ability to make us laugh: “seriously silly endeavours are the butt of his humour, as well as organisations and institutions, the laws of physics and the workings of fate”. Heath Robinson Museum (Pinner), free with general entry (£6), book ahead, 21 May-4 September
WHEN FLOWERS DREAM:Artist Tanya Schultz (a.k.a. Pip & Pop) has a new exhibition of colourful works at the Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art in Kew Gardens. Focus is on food, with artworks made from candy and sugar, including a bespoke installation made for Kew. Included in Kew Gardens admission, 21 May-March 2023
MARBLE HILL REOPENING: Twickenham's Marble Hill House reopens on Saturday after a lengthy revival and restoration project. The English Heritage property is a Palladian villa offering an insight into Georgian life, set in 66 acres of grounds with an 18th century grotto. Even better, the house and grounds are free to visit. Marble Hill (Twickenham), free entry, book ahead,from 21 May
CHELSEA FRINGE: Tying in with the Chelsea Flower Show which begins on Tuesday 24 May, the Chelsea Fringe is a gardening festival run by local people, for local people. It begins with a school open garden, a free art exhibition, guided walks and much more — and it takes place all over London, not just in Chelsea. Various locations and prices, 21-29 May
Saturday 21 May
KINGSTON BEER FESTIVAL: The Kingston & Leatherhead branch of CAMRA hosts the Kingston Beer Festival. Sample some of 70 ales — many brewed locally — and 11 ciders and perries. The event supports charity Prostate Cancer UK. Kingston Workmen's Club, £5 entry, just turn up, 19-21 May
FAMILY FILM CLUB: Take the kids along to Family Film Club for a screening of eight award-winning short films from the British Animation Awards. They've been chosen specially for a younger audience, and include films from Germany, France, Denmark, Portugal and the UK. Age recommendation 4+. Barbican Cinema, £3.50 adult/£2.50 child, book ahead, 11am
LIVE MUSIC BRUNCH: Tuck into brunch dishes such as eggs benedict as you enjoy live music from the Mario Bakuna Band. The latest Live Music Brunch event is a chance to hear their new project Brazilian Landscapes, a tribute to the culture and memory of Brazilian people. Royal Albert Hall, £33.95, book ahead, 12pm
HISTORIC BARGE RACE: To mark the Queen's upcoming Platinum Jubilee, the Thames Barge Driving Trust holds a special Historic Barge Race, taking place on the Thames between Greenwich and Westminster, with 12 vessels taking part. If you want to see the action close up, shell out for a ticket for the official following vessel, otherwise, head down to the riverside and keep your eyes peeled. Greenwich-Westminster, free to watch, just turn up, 12pm-4.30pm
PLATINUM JUBILEE FAYRE: They're starting the Platinum Jubilee party early up in Totteridge, where there's a Platinum Jubilee Fayre. Expect live music, a helter skelter, Morris dancing, face painting, food stalls, dog competitions and more, all fundraising to help conserve the local Darlands Nature Reserve. Totteridge Green, 12pm-5pm
LOST VOICE GUY: Britain's Got Talent winner Lee Ridley — better-known as Lost Voice Guy — performs his new show, Cerebal LOL-sy. He won the talent show in 2018 with his comedy show given through a voice box, as he has a disability which means he is unable to speak, and this new show focuses on how his life has changed since he won. Bloomsbury Theatre Studio, £20/£18, book ahead, 6pm
SIERRA LEONEAN CINEMA: Watch a series of films made by Sierra Leone’s most amazing award-winning filmmakers from home and across the diaspora. Kip Kompin Cinema is a regular event showcasing Sierra Leonean cinema, and tonight there's a chance to see Profit Point, about how the system is skewed against Sierra Leonean citizens living in areas labelled by the ruling class as the ‘slums'. Poplar Union, £15/£12, book ahead, 6pm-10pm
THREE DECEMBERS: This week, Wilton's hosts the UK premiere of new opera Three Decembers, and tonight's your last chance to see it. It tells the story of a Broadway stage actress and her two adult children. It takes place over three decades of the AIDS crisis, and each section recalls the events of a December as the characters struggle to connect when family secrets are revealed. Wilton's Music Hall, £15-£30, book ahead, 7.30pm
QT, COVENT GARDEN: Decadent cocktails, mouthwatering gourmet bites, and world-class live music are all on the menu at QT, Middle Eight's impossibly chic modern speakeasy. Each week, the five-star hotel invites you to dance the night away to fantastic performances by an array of incredible resident and guest musicians, including singer-songwriter Riva Taylor, 'Godfather of Swing' Ray Gelato, and legendary saxophonist and broadcaster Leo Green. QT, Middle Eight (Covent Garden), from £20, book ahead, 8pm and 10pm, every Thursday, Friday and Saturday (sponsor)
ATHENA KUGBLENU: Star of BBC Radio4 series Cancel Culture and podcast The Guilty Feminist, comedian Athena Kugblenu brings her new show, Shaking Her Class, to Soho Theatre for the week. She asks whether social class is much a state of mind as it is a state of money. Kugblenu is expected to go on to even bigger things, so catch her while you can. Soho Theatre, from £16, book ahead, 9pm
Sunday 22 May
HOT AIR BALLOONS: Keep your fingers crossed for the right weather conditions for a flotilla of hot air balloons to take to the skies early on Sunday morning. It's the Lord Mayor's Hot Air Balloon Regatta, with dozens of balloons expected to take part. If the weather lets us down today, there are a few reserve dates throughout the summer. Free to watch, from 5.30am
CROSSNESS: The stunning Crossness Pumping Station reopens to the public today. To use a well-worn phrase it's a proper 'hidden gem', and proof that when the Victorians built something, they did it 20 times better than it needed to be. There's a cafe and shop — although note, the engine Prince Consort will not be in steam. Crossness Pumping Station (near Abbey Wood), £10/£3, book ahead, 10.30am-4pm
SWAN LAKE: Catch a Royal Opera House Encore screening of Swan Lake, a classic fairytale ballet featuring lakes, forests and palaces, set to Tchaikovsky's famous score. It was filmed lived on the Royal Opera House stage during the 2021 season. Barbican Cinema, £21, book ahead, 2pm
BOOKER PRIZE SHORTLIST: Ahead of the prize ceremony on Thursday, enjoy an afternoon of readings and discussions by the authors and translators on this year's International Booker Prize shortlist. Poland, Japan, Argentina and Norway are among the countries represented this year. Southbank Centre, £15, book ahead, 2pm
SPRING CRAFT FAYRE: Forty Hall hosts a spring craft fayre, with a selection of stalls selling gifts and handmade products. It's also a chance to go inside Forty Hall's period rooms and historic courtyard. Forty Hall (Enfield), £3 entry, book ahead, 11am-4pm
CLASSICAL GALA: Musical works by the likes of Gershwin, Sondheim, Ravel, Elgar and Verdi all feature in Raymond Gubbay's Classical Gala. Performers include the BBC Concert Orchestra and the Brighton Festival Chorus. Royal Albert Hall, from £30.50, book ahead, 2.30pm
BENGAL TO BETHNAL GREEN: A regular music night showcasing Bengali musicians from east London, Bengal to Bethnal Green is back. Performers this time include singer Lucy Rahman showcasing songs by her father, composer Sheikh Luthfur Rahman. Rich Mix (Shoreditch), suggested donation £12, book ahead, 6.30pm
SOPHIE AUSTER: Singer-songwriter Sophie Auster brings her brand of electro-infused, dreamscapey pop to Hackney, for tonight's gig — with support from raw-sounding folk musician Henry Grace. Oslo (Hackney Central), £16.88, book ahead, 7pm-10pm
