May in London is when the city finally exhales. The gray lifts, the parks turn a deeper green, and alfresco tables begin to creep back onto pavements across the capital.It’s a month made for long evenings by the river, spontaneous weekend adventures, and squeezing every last drop out of the extra daylight. From brand-new cultural openings to one-off festivals, rooftop pop-ups and seasonal food markets, there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate the arrival of (almost) summer.Here,we’ve rounded up 41 of the very best things to do in London this May,so you can swap the sofa for the city and make the most of every single day.
Unmissable May festivals and cultural events lighting up London
Between the first bank holiday and the last light-filled evenings of the month, the city transforms into a rolling program of parades, pageantry and pop-up culture. Expect Trafalgar Square to morph into a different country every weekend, with everything from lively Asian heritage celebrations to Caribbean food fiestas, while Southbank Center’s riverside terraces brim with open-air gigs, dance workshops and late-night screenings under the glow of the London Eye. Parks play host to alfresco classical concerts and family-amiable fairs, while neighbourhood streets close to traffic and open to street performers, food trucks and impromptu dancefloors.
- Major city-sponsored cultural festivals bringing free live music and dance to landmark squares
- Neighbourhood street parties with local DJs, craft markets and global street food
- Open-doors weekends at museums and galleries, with late openings and curator talks
- Food and drink fêtes spotlighting everything from natural wine to next‑gen brewers
| Event | Vibe | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Riverside Culture Weekender | Stage-by-the-Thames gigs, DJ sets, street food | Sunset drinks and live music |
| Global Gardens Fest | Immersive light trails, folk performances | Evening strolls and date nights |
| City Stories Live | Spoken-word, film pop-ups, panel talks | Culture buffs and curious locals |
Seasonal food markets and terrace dining spots to savour spring in the city
With longer days and softer light, London’s food scene spills out onto pavements, rooftops, and riversides in a full-on festivity of the senses. Pop-up producers at places like Borough Market, Maltby Street, and Broadway Market are joined by seasonal stalls hawking English asparagus, early strawberries, and artisan cheeses made just weeks ago. Between bites, you’ll find cold-brew coffee carts, natural wine vans, and bakers slicing still-warm sourdough straight from the oven. It’s the month when menus start to tilt towards the fresh and the vibrant: think grilled artichokes, wild garlic pesto, and locally grown greens loaded into everything from focaccia sandwiches to small plates designed for sharing.
- Riverside terraces along the South Bank and Canary Wharf serving spritzes and small plates.
- Rooftop gardens in Shoreditch and Peckham with DJs, street-food residencies, and sunset views.
- Neighbourhood squares in King’s Cross, Coal Drops Yard, and Marylebone filled with café tables.
- Hidden courtyards behind historic pubs,dressed with festoon lights and pots of spring herbs.
| Spot | Best For | Spring Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| South Bank Pop-Ups | Post-work grazing | Al fresco small plates |
| Peckham Rooftops | Sunset cocktails | Seasonal spritz menus |
| Borough Market | Weekend browsing | Fresh British produce |
| Coal Drops Yard | Lazy lunches | Terrace brunch dishes |
Across the city, terrace dining becomes an unofficial sport: office workers angle for the sunniest tables, couples claim corner spots wrapped in blankets as the evening cools, and groups gather around sharing boards laden with grilled fish, seasonal salads, and still-warm flatbreads. Many restaurants unveil limited-time spring menus, spotlighting ingredients sourced within a short train ride of the capital; servers will happily talk you through which farm your burrata comes from or which coastal town supplied the day’s catch. Whether you’re perched by the Thames with a glass of English fizz or tucked into a leafy Mews courtyard sampling spring pea risotto, May turns London into an open-air dining room that rewards curious appetites.
Outdoor adventures from park picnics to riverside walks and blooming gardens
As soon as the sun shows its face, Londoners spill into the city’s green spaces, laying claim to every patch of grass going. May is when the capital’s parks feel like open-air living rooms: deckchairs unfold in St James’s Park, impromptu rounders games start in Regent’s Park, and Hampstead Heath‘s meadows fill with picnic blankets and paperback novels. Riverside paths from Richmond to Greenwich hum with joggers, dog-walkers and sunset strollers, while canal-side routes in Hackney and Little Venice offer quieter corners for people-watching. Pack a blanket, something cold to drink and a good playlist, and you’ve got yourself a low-cost, front-row seat to London in full spring mode.
Nature puts on an especially photogenic show this month. Wisteria cascades over pastel townhouses in west London, and public gardens across the city are suddenly full of color and heady scent. From manicured rose borders to wildflower pockets buzzing with bees, there’s a slice of spring for every mood – whether you’re after a leisurely wander, a lunchtime reset, or a backdrop for your next gallery of photos. To help you plan your alfresco itinerary, here are a few standout spots to bookmark:
- Hampstead Heath – rambling paths, viewpoints and wild-feeling meadows just minutes from the Northern line.
- Richmond Park – roaming deer, sweeping vistas and huge skies for those big-city escape vibes.
- Regent’s Park & Primrose Hill – blossom-fringed walks and one of the best skyline panoramas in town.
- Greenwich & the Thames Path – riverside strolls, maritime history and park slopes made for lazing.
| Spot | Best For | Ideal Time |
|---|---|---|
| Hampstead Heath | Laid-back picnics | Late afternoon |
| Richmond riverside | Golden-hour walks | Sunset |
| Regent’s Park gardens | Flower-spotting | Mid-morning |
Top theatre openings exhibitions and pop ups to book in London this May
London’s stages and galleries are springing into overdrive this May, with fresh premieres, daring revivals and blink-and-you’ll-miss-them installations popping up across the city. West End heavyweights unveil new productions alongside trailblazing fringe theatres, while galleries experiment with immersive soundscapes, interactive projections and late-night curator talks. From intimate black-box spaces in Dalston to gilded auditoriums off Shaftesbury Avenue, the capital is serving up a programme that feels tailor-made for long, light evenings and post-show rooftop drinks.
Over in the art world, expect a flurry of limited-run exhibitions and design-led pop ups taking over railway arches, market halls and even disused warehouses. Fashion houses are teaming up with visual artists for curated showrooms, indie makers are staging weekend market takeovers, and museums are rolling out one-room “micro” exhibitions that reward repeat visits. To help you sift through the cultural overload, here’s a snapshot of standout openings and fleeting happenings worth securing tickets for now:
- Brand-new West End musical previews with discounted early-bird seats.
- One-week-only queer theatre festivals in Off-West-End venues.
- Immersive installations turning historic buildings into light-and-sound playgrounds.
- Designer pop up shops selling capsule collections exclusive to London.
- Gallery late sessions with DJs, cocktails and artist conversations.
| Spotlight Event | Neighbourhood | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| New-play press night | Soho | Theatre obsessives |
| Warehouse art pop up | Hackney Wick | Experimental visuals |
| Design market residency | Kings Cross | Independent makers |
| Museum late exhibition | South Kensington | Date-night culture |
The Way Forward
As spring gathers pace and the city shrugs off the last of its winter greys, May in London offers a reminder of just how much there is to see, taste, and experience here. From open‑air cinemas and riverside walks to pop‑up exhibitions and late‑night culture, these 41 activities are less a checklist and more a jumping‑off point.
Whether you’re a born‑and‑bred Londoner or just passing through, make this the month you venture beyond your usual postcodes. Try a different neighbourhood, book that show you’ve been meaning to catch, or simply spend a longer evening lingering by the Thames.
London in May rewards curiosity. Use this guide as your map, but let your own interests lead the way – and you might just find that the best thing you do this month is the one you didn’t plan at all.
