May Events in London

Museums at Night at the London Transport Museum © Gavin Brown Photography

With museums across the capital throwing open their doors after hours for Museums at Night, there has never been a better time to explore London’s top cultural institutions. Take advantage of a variety of themed nights (Friday Late: Mad Men at the Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising is sure to be a popular attraction), events, activities, talks and lectures happening everywhere from the National Gallery and the Natural History Museum to Fulham Palace and the Charles Dickens Museum.

From 13^th – 16^th May 2015.

Museums at Night

Alchemy

Dance performance at the Southbank Centre’s annual Alchemy festival © Southbank Centre

Alchemy, the Southbank Centre’s festival celebrating and showcasing the cultural connections between South Asia and the UK, is back for its sixth year with a full programme of events, from art and dance to literature, comedy and theatre. Some of the highlights include Bollywood star Shreya Ghoshal playing the Royal Albert Hall, a two-day residency from the Jaipur Literature Festival and the synchronised swimming and dance production Synchronised. 

From 15^th – 25^th May 2015.

Alchemy

RHS Chelsea Flower Show

Yellow and white spring flowers © zudin/iStock/Thinkstock

A perennially popular event, the RHS Chelsea Flower Show returns to London in all its glory on 19^th May. Held in the grounds of Chelsea Hospital (as it has been almost every year since 1913), the Chelsea Flower Show is a prestigious, colourful, sweet-smelling celebration of British horticulture. Go, get inspired, and get ready to wish you had as green a thumb as these gardening wizards.

From 19^th – 23^rd May 2015.

RHS Chelsea Flower Show

London Wonderground

London Wonderground at dusk © Fox Fotos

Abandon all (or some of) your inhibitions, all ye who enter here… London Wonderground at the Southbank Centre is a playground for children and adults alike. With its 60-metre high Star Flyer (the view stretches right across the capital), delicious eateries, fairground oddities, entertainment and more, the Wonderground is one of our favourite May events in London.

From 7^th May – 27^th September 2015.

London Wonderground

The Alice Look

Alice in Wonderland printed cotton chintz © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Tumble down the rabbit hole and visit The Alice Look, an exhibition at the Museum of Childhood following the inspiration and evolution of Alice through fashion. The exhibition marks the 150^th anniversary of Lewis Carroll’s classic Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

From 2^nd May – 1^st November 2015.

The Alice Look

The Pirates of Penzance

Pirates of Penzance at the London Coliseum © ENO

One of the highlight May events in London for theatre fans, the ENO’s production of Gilbert & Sullivan’s comic opera The Pirates of Penzance is coming to London’s Coliseum. With famed director and filmmaker Mike Leigh at the helm, the production is sure to be both wonderfully entertaining and a little eccentric.

From 9^th May – 27^th June 2015.

The Pirates of Penzance

RAYNE Shoes for Stars

Vintage Rayne shoes from 1958 edition of Vogue © Rayne

With over 100 shoes on display, the Rayne exhibition at the Fashion and Textile Museum will satisfy even the most committed shoe fanatic. RAYNE Shoes for Stars will explore a century of designs from this British heritage brand – a favourite of both Hollywood stars and British royalty.

From 22^nd May – 29^th August 2015.

RAYNE Shoes for Stars

J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan

Wendy from J. M. Barrie’s Peter Pan © Hugo Glendinning and Feast Creative

The opening of Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre is a highly anticipated annual affair in London, and launching the summer season will be J. M. Barrie’s Peter Pan. A story of childhood, magic, and imagination (and suitable for ages 9 and up), this is one of our top May events in London and a great choice for family-friendly outings in the capital.

From 15^th May – 14^th June 2015.

J. M. Barrie’s Peter Pan

Header image: London Wonderground © Fox Fotos