London's Best Events This May

This May, BOXPARK Shoreditch is turning up the volume on East London energy with its Summer In Shoreditch series, offering a packed lineup of events that blend food, music, and culture under one buzzing rooftop. Weekly highlights include live music Fridays featuring top London DJs and performers, the always-entertaining Big Fat Quizbox with prizes and cocktail specials, and the ever-popular Thursday dating for singles looking to mingle.

Mid-month, things get loud with Face Down, London's biggest pop punk, metal, and emo night on 15th May, while UK music icon DONAE'O headlines an all-day rooftop party on 24th May. Of course, no visit to BOXPARK Shoreditch is complete without diving into its unbeatable street food lineup. From the famously juicy Black Bear Burger to the irresistible bao buns at Satay Street and the flavour-packed wraps from Greekos Gyros, it's a foodie's paradise from brunch to late-night bites. 

Get ready for an immersive experience like no other with The Murdér Express at Pedley Street Station. Find out the culprit for the murders and the mysteries, while feasting on a fabulous three-course menu in your train carriage.

May at Gipsy Hill Brewery sees its Spring Celebration Beer Festival in full swing on the 4th. Tickets start from £10 and include two 1/3 beer tokens and a branded glass to its 10th birthday party celebrations. Expect to tuck into its signature sips along with some special editions that have been whipped up for the event. There will be live music and DJs to keep the vibes going way into the evening. 

Old School R&B Brunch will be returning this May for yet more daytime antics. Tickets start at just £38 and include live DJ sets, a two-course brunch feast and an hour of unlimited cocktails - all inside a top secret London location. Plus, there's a massive fifth anniversary sesh over at IndigO2 on Sunday 26th.

Bored of the same nights out? Hijingo hits you with hi-tech bingo, sure to leave you and your pals wanting more. Enjoy epic rounds of the game while listening to music and drinking creative cocktails from its menu. Plus, you can get the chance to win big.

One of the best drag shows in London, KIKI is giving you everything you need for a hilarious evening of laughing and non-stop entertainment at the Queen of Hoxton. With a killer host, Ms Ginger Phlappage, the event, also promises prosecco and awesome music.

This month, spice up your plans with a trip to Mrs Riot, the ultimate party bar in Covent Garden. Best known for their lively drag entertainment, you can always count on these guys for a good time, and they host multiple free events too.

Their bottomless drag brunches are a popular choice for weekend fun, or there's also drag bingo on Wednesdays. And if you fancy a boogie, then there's RnB evenings and their Funky Fresh Fridays to make the most of.

Dabbers is the ultimate spot for buzzing rounds of bingo in the City. This is much more than just the game that your nan loves, it's live entertainment, hilarious hosts and a high-energy atmosphere while you play different games.

They also host a wide range of other events, starting from as little as £12 per person. Think quizzes, comedy nights, drag queen performances and so much more.

One of the most fun places to be this month, Merchant House has plenty of masterclasses so you can become quite the cocktail expert. Choose between rum, whisky or gin, and get ready to learn about your favourite spirits.

The best things to do outside in London this May? Join Alehunters as they take you on a tour of Bermondsey's best breweries. You'll be taken to four taprooms within the famous beer mile where you'll sample various pints and learn more about the different hops.

Looking for a completely raucous and fun night out? Last Man Standing, Gospeloke, Musical Bingo and more are here to up your next night out in London. Expect an eclectic series of events with Agency Unknown.

Themed ball pits, fruity cocktails and party tunes are all on the menu at big kids party spot Ballie Ballerson. Grab the gang and head over to their fun-loving venue in the heart of Shoreditch for a night of hilarious, easy-going fun.

There's so much going on at The Rosemary Branch Theatre this month, but one particular highlight has to be The Dirty Thirty showcase. Degenerate Fox will head up on stage to perform 30 plays in just one hour, offering everything from dramatic monologues to comedic scenes.

You won't be strapped for things to do at the historic and charming Milestone Hotel and Residences this May. Located opposite Kensington Palace, the gorgeous spot will be hosting a Chelsea Flower Show-inspired afternoon tea from £80 per person where you can devour the likes of honey, milk and black tea macarons or lemon meringue tartlets alongside bubbles. If you're more of a dinner kind of person, then you'll love chef Dan Putz's supper club dinner taking place on Thursday the 30th of May. Here you'll be able to indulge in gastronomic delights for £110 each. 

To make your May one to remember? Check out The London Cabaret Club, who have a range of themed shows bringing glitz and glam to your month. Head over for immersive performances to accompany your luxury meal.

Looking for fun things to do outdoors this May? Head over to plonk, who are offering Londoners the chance to putt their golfing skills to the test. Kick-start the summer with a dose of healthy competition, as you take on quirky courses across the capital.

Looking for a mystifying burlesque show to keep you entertained this month? Then check out The Double R Club, who host regular events at Walthamstow Trades Hall. The one and only Benjamin Louche will be your host, with a lineup of fantastic performers guaranteed.

Expect Lynchian cabaret with a dark theme to it, , all for as little as £10 per person. There'll even be free shots and mini doughnuts on arrival, while stocks last.

Looking for fun events in Shoreditch this May? Trapeze Bar is bringing the heat with a whole series of reopening parties, brunch dos and live performances from their East London haunt. Get your glad rags on, because the circus is back in town.

Whatever day of the week it is, you can count on Albert's Schloss London to provide all kinds of lively entertainment. They host live music every single weekday from 4 until 7pm, alongside cabaret shows on Tuesdays, pianists taking requests on Wednesdays and Sunday roasts paired with musical performances to round off the week. All of their events are totally free, and you can enjoy all kinds of German food and beers from all over Europe while you're here.

Sounds Familiar Music Quiz' events will have you and your mates on your feet, singing and dancing to classic party bangers in the cool surroundings of The Old Queen's Head. Blasting out everything from Stormzy to Meatloaf, Ed Sheeran to Tina, get your microphones and bevvies at the ready as you compete to guess the name of the song and artist.

If you're searching for fun things to do this May in London, look no further than a trip to Backyard Comedy Club. From mega headliners to up-and-coming stars on the UK circuit, this event has it all. Better yet, tickets start at just £7.50.

Salsa! Temple are hosting a fantastic Bougie Drag Bottomless Brunch this May, complete with lip syncing battles, dance-offs and catwalk contests alongside a delicious dish and 90 minutes of free-flowing drinks served by butlers in the buff. There will be live DJs playing throughout the four-hour party, as well as guest performances from some of the stars of RuPaul's Drag Race UK.

If you're in the Balham area, The Exhibit is a cracking spot to check out this month. Enjoy an awesome lineup of events from life drawings with a professional artist to horror movie screenings and hilarious comedy acts.

Looking for free things to do this May in London? The Comedy Hump is a fantastic monthly event in Bethnal Green with absolutely no entry charge. You'll find some of the biggest stand up stars gracing Backyard Comedy Club's stage, showcasing new and old material that will have you in fits of laughter throughout. Previous performers have included Rhod Gilbert, Ed Gamble, Angela Barnes and so many more, so you're bound to see some serious talent here.

One of the best events in London in May 2026, this brunch party is so much more than simply bubbles and some eggs benny. Get ready for bottomless cocktails, awesome games and a great vibe all round.

When in doubt? A bottomless brunch is always the answer to lacklustre weekends, and Barrio's is no different. The vibrant group of Latin-style bars is hosting a roster of themed events throughout May, from daytime bashes to musical bingo sessions.

Ladies and gents, it's time to Be Dope, Be Awesome. The 90s Brunch is all about letting loose and celebrating everything that was great about this glorious decade; there'll be sharing platters of brunch goods, bottomless Mimosas for an hour, lip-sync battles and a floor-slaying playlist of the greatest 90s classics on the speakers.

Take your nights out up a notch with an evening on board the London Boat Party. Guaranteed to provide a fun-filled night of epic views, popular tunes and delicious drinks. these guys are bringing something a little different to the table.

Hosting some of the most fun events in London in May, The Brixton Courtyard is proving you don't have to be in a dark room to get into the club vibe. Bringing in a wealth of incredible DJs, it'll be table dancing until dawn at this lively spot.

Can't wait to finally be let loose on the city this spring? Nab yourself a spot at Tonight Josephine as May sees the arrival of their epic bottomless afternoon tea. Join them in Shoreditch and Waterloo for free-flowing cocktails and tiers of sweet treats.

Queen of Hoxton is coming back to life this May, with a jam-packed event schedule of unmissable parties, brunches and more. Whether you fancy belting out hip hop anthems or soaking up the sun on a gorgeous rooftop, this place is an absolute must.

If unique sightseeing tours and drag entertainment are your two favourite things, then check out Drag Bus. This is a two-hour tour of Central London on a double decker bus, where you'll journey past some of London's most iconic landmarks.

Expect non-stop drag entertainment from a talented queen - we're talking music, dancing, jokes and interactive games. You'll receive a welcome glass of prosecco, and there are more drinks available to preorder. If you're a big West End fan, they've also got a Magic of the Musicals event.

Located in 20 Fenchurch Street, Sky Garden has plenty to offer this May. From epic VIP music nights with cocktails and music to morning yoga sessions and breakfasts or sunrise sessions, these folks offer the swankiest things to do (with a killer view to match).

Whether you head to their Tooting or Haggerston outpost, The Big London Bake is here to give you a fun thing to do this May. You've got 90 minutes to whisk, roll and drizzle your way towards a winning bake. Will you make a masterpiece or a mess? Nab tickets to find out.

This May, snap up tickets from £58 per person to Mr Fogg's Cocktail Experiment and enter the mysterious Elixir Room where you can unleash your inner Victorian mad scientist and whip up your own concoctions. Begin by sipping a complimentary 'vaccine' drink before assisting in creating a potion of your own and enjoying the rest prepared for you by expert 'pharmacists'.

For an afternoon full of cocktails, magic and great photo opportunities, head to Hexmoor in Hoxton. This immersive experience is the first of its kind: a wizarding prison brought to you by the team behind Alcotraz, Moonshine Saloon and Avora.

Get stuck into the story, working with inmates played by live actors to break free from prison. You'll be given quirky jumpsuits to wear, and everyone can enjoy three bespoke cocktails as part of the ticket price - with the option to add on extras like a custom wand or your own Wizard's License.

At Ginger's Big Drag Bottomless Brunch, you and your mates can watch drag-drenched performances while eating a delicious meal - we mean cheeseburgers, avo toast and vegan eats. Plus, you'll get to tip back prosecco for 90 minutes.

Silent Sounds Boat Party is bound to be the highlight of your May calendar, promising the chance to drink and dance the night away while cruising past historic landmarks. Choose your channel on your headphones, with three different DJs playing the best of hip hop, pop and RnB.

There are three bars on board, which you can take advantage of while admiring the views. Tickets start from just £27, and you can head to Ballie Ballerson for the after-party once you're back on dry land, where you'll receive a 40% discount on their usual entry fee.

Fan of all things reggae, dancehall and RnB? Then Hip Hop Brunch LDN is the place for you. Head to one of their wicked events and you'll be treated to a three-course meal, bottomless cocktails, tunes galore and bingo games.

Looking to spice things up a little this May in London? Check out what Bougie Drag & Boy Toy have to offer. From world-class drag shows to bottomless dinners and buff bingo brunches, there's a whole range of unmissable events and experiences to explore. 

Across two locations - a Bermondsey taproom and a meadery in Peckham - Gosnells Of London has plenty going on. Whether it's a Eurovision viewing party, tastings, tours or mead brewing workshops, the event you choose is bound to be the highlight of your calendar.

Fan of the ol' beer? If so, you'll love the Camden Town Brewery Tour. Located at the much-loved brewery, this top-notch tour will have guests watching all the action, from how it's made to tasting the tipple straight from the tank. You won't want to miss out on this.

Just in time for the warmer weather comes the legendary Supa Dupa Fly.  Beyonce brunches, old school events and terraced parties take place across some of London's coolest spaces, complete with guest DJs, top tunes and plenty of fun.

May at Mr Fogg's is all about indulgence and discovery. Join them at the Victorian Gin Tasting Masterclass at Mr Fogg's Hat Tavern & Gin Club for a curated gin journey, or solve a thrilling Murder Mystery at Mr Fogg's Residence.

For a whimsical escape, dive into the Topsy Turvy Tea at Mr Fogg's Pawnbrokers, where fun and flavour collide. May also brings the return of delightful brunches like the Botanical Brunch at Mr Fogg's Botanical Tavern, making it the perfect time to immerse yourself in the quirky charm of Mr Fogg's world. 

London's quirkiest cocktail is back this spring, ready to lock you up for another night of illicit drinks and sneaking away from the crooked warden. Don that famous orange jumpsuit to spend that night sipping on handcrafted tipples.

It's BYOB, Wild West style. Successfully sneak your bottle of hooch into this cool West London Saloon and watch an expert mixologist whip it into a tasty old cocktail for you. Get yourself kitted out in boots and Stetson at one of the best upcoming events in London this May.

After art exhibitions in London for May 2026? Then it's time to check out this list of the very best across the city, from museums of illusion to motion sensor-controlled projections that allow you to walk among the works of Van Gogh, Klimt, Monet and more.

If you want to try something totally new this month, then head to Frameless in Marble Arch. This immersive art exhibition reimagines classic works of art, bringing them to life right in front of your eyes.

There are four different rooms as part of this multi-sensory experience, each with a unique theme. Expect to see pieces from the likes of Kandinsky, Monet, Van Gogh and many more, taking it all at your own pace.

This May, in celebration of the Chelsea Flower Show, The Ivy Collection has partnered with Lillet to launch a delightful cocktail menu that brings the best of spring straight to your glass. Available at Ivy restaurants nationwide, the fruity and floral drinks are the perfect way to toast the season, all while celebrating the blooms and beauty of the renowned flower show.

But that's not all. The Ivy has teamed up with their resident garden expert, Ryan Cahill, to share top gardening tips that will help Brits turn their own outdoor spaces into stunning, Chelsea Flower Show-worthy gardens. From planting advice to design inspiration, Ryan's insights will have you reimagining your own backyard. Plus, there's a chance to win tickets to this year's event, so you could be soaking in the floral splendour in person.