Events in London in May 2026: Festivals, Exhibitions + Things to Do

May is one of the best months to visit London. The days are long and warm, the parks are at their most beautiful, and the city’s events calendar is packed with everything from world-famous flower shows to open-air theatre, folk dancing and a star-studded charity football match. It’s also quieter than the summer peak months, which means shorter queues and a more relaxed atmosphere at the major attractions.

This guide covers the best events and things to do in London in May 2026 so you can plan your trip in advance. Most are free or low-cost. All are genuinely worth your time.

Want to know what weather to expect and what to pack? Read our comprehensive guide to visiting London in May.

Key events in London in May 2026

May visitors can enjoy some of London’s best outdoor and springtime events. Many are popular with locals as well as tourists, so booking ahead is essential for ticketed events.

The Chelsea Flower Show 2026

The most famous event in the British gardening calendar draws visitors from around the world to London every May. If you’re in London this month, the Chelsea Flower Show is unmissable.

Visitors can expect innovative show gardens of all sizes, cutting-edge garden design ideas, and a stunning gallery of floral art. Hundreds of growers and nurseries from across the country display their finest plants and flowers, competing for the show’s coveted awards. Keep your eyes peeled for celebrity and Royal visitors – they’re a regular feature.

You’ll need to set aside a full day as there is so much to see. There’s also live music, live TV broadcasts and a wide range of food, drink and plant stalls. The final afternoon of the show is particularly special as many of the plants and displays go on sale to the public.

• When: Thursday 21st – Saturday 23rd May 2026, 8am–8pm (Saturday closing time 5.30pm). Admission on 19th and 20th May is for RHS members only.
• Where: Chelsea Showground, Royal Hospital Road, SW3
• Cost: From £114 per person — book via the RHS website
• Getting there: Sloane Square tube station (District and Circle lines) is a 10-minute walk. Several buses stop nearby.

🌸 Insider tip: If the Chelsea Flower Show ticket price is out of budget, the surrounding streets of Chelsea and Sloane Square come alive during show week with floral displays in shop windows and pop-up events. It’s worth a wander even without a ticket.

May Day Bank holidays

One of the reasons Londoners love May is that it has two bank holidays – Monday 4th May (Early May Bank Holiday) and Monday 25th May (Spring Bank Holiday).

On both dates, banks are closed and public transport runs on a reduced Sunday timetable. Major attractions and shops generally remain open, but can be significantly busier than usual. Allow extra travel time and book ahead for popular attractions on these dates.

The May Day bank holiday at the beginning of the month is the best time to see local festivals including two of England’s most distinctive folk traditions: Maypole dancing and Morris dancing.

Maypole dancing

Maypole dancing is a centuries-old tradition. Participants hold colourful ribbons attached to a tall wooden pole and weave intricate patterns by dancing around it to music. It’s joyful, photogenic and completely free to watch.

You’re more likely to see Maypole dancing in smaller towns and villages than in central London, but if you visit Highams Park in north-east London on any Saturday morning from 9.45–11.30am, you can join Highams Park Maypole Dancers for their free sessions.

In May, head to Highams Park’s Spring Festival to see the dancers in action — and have a go yourself. It’s great fun and a genuinely loved English tradition.

• When: Sunday 17th May, 11.30am–4.30pm
• Where: Highams Park, Waltham Forest
• Cost: Free
• Getting there: Overland train from London Liverpool Street to Highams Park (direct, around 20 minutes)

Morris Dancing

Morris dancing is a rhythmic style of group folk dancing performed to live music — typically fiddle and accordion. Dancers wear bells and perform intricate set dances.

There are several Morris dancing troupes in London. You can catch Westminster Morris rehearsing in Green Park on Wednesday evenings throughout May.

Better still, Saturday 16th May is the Westminster Morris Day of Dance – a free celebration that takes over Westminster’s streets with multiple visiting Morris sides, culminating in a massed show in Trafalgar Square from 1pm–3pm. It’s a wonderfully eccentric and very English way to spend a Saturday. Check Westminster Morris for full details nearer the time.

• When: Saturday 16th May from 10am, Trafalgar Square show 1pm–3pm
• Where: Various central London locations, culminating at Trafalgar Square
• Cost: Free
• Getting there: Charing Cross tube station for Trafalgar Square

Spring blooms in royal parks and neighbourhoods

May brings longer, warmer days and some of the finest floral displays of the year in London’s royal parks. Head to Kensington Gardens, Greenwich Park and St James’s Park for the best blooms, or join a Spring Spectacular walking tour at Kew Gardens.

For something different, immerse yourself in London’s largest free flower festival – Chelsea in Bloom and Belgravia in Bloom run simultaneously across the King’s Road and the Victoria and Knightsbridge areas.

Hotels, shops, restaurants and businesses produce spectacular large-scale floral displays, turning the streets into an outdoor gallery of floral art. There’s also street food and live music throughout.

In 2026, Chelsea’s theme is ‘Out of this World’ and Belgravia’s is ‘Fairy Tales in Belgravia’. Entry is completely free.

• Getting there: Sloane Square tube for Chelsea; Victoria, Knightsbridge or Sloane Square tube for Belgravia
• Where: Chelsea (King’s Road area) and Belgravia (Victoria/Knightsbridge area)
• Cost: Free
• When: 18th–24th May 2026

London Craft Week

London Craft Week is a citywide festival celebrating contemporary and heritage craft. Over 1,000 makers, galleries and studios host displays, talks and hands-on workshops across London — it’s ideal if you have rainy days during your visit or want to bring home a handmade souvenir rather than something from a high street chain.

Check the full programme on the London Craft Week website as events are spread across multiple venues.

• Cost: Many events are free; some workshops charge
• When: 11th–18th May 2026
• Where: Citywide

Covent Garden May Fayre

For something a little different, spend a Sunday afternoon at the Covent Garden May Fayre – a free event that has been running for over 50 years and is packed with traditional British entertainment: puppet shows (including the classic Punch and Judy), magicians, clowns and musicians. There are also craft stalls, a brass band and street food.

It’s good fun for all ages and one of those events that feels genuinely local rather than tourist-facing.

• When: Sunday 10th May, 11am–5pm
• Where: St Paul’s Church garden, Covent Garden
• Cost: Free
• Getting there: Covent Garden or Charing Cross tube stations

Soccer Aid 2026 — 20th Anniversary

The world’s biggest celebrity football match returns to the London Stadium in Stratford on Sunday 31st May for its landmark 20th anniversary — and the lineup is exceptional.

England, managed by Robbie Williams, will face the Soccer Aid World XI managed by Olympic sprint legend Usain Bolt. Wayne Rooney captains England alongside a star-studded cast including Tom Hiddleston, Jill Scott, Olly Murs, Paddy McGuinness and 16-year-old Adolescence star Owen Cooper, who will become the youngest player in Soccer Aid history. The World XI includes Jordi Alba, Edwin van der Sar, Leonardo Bonucci and Maisie Adam.

To mark the 60th anniversary of England’s 1966 World Cup win, England will wear a replica of the iconic white 1966 home kit. There’ll be a special half-time show and a pre-game fan zone for ticket holders. The match will be broadcast live on ITV1 and ITVX.

All proceeds go to UNICEF — the event has raised over £121 million since it began in 2006.

• Getting there: Stratford International tube station, Hackney Wick Overground or Pudding Mill Lane DLR are all within a 10–15 minute walk 
• When: Sunday 31st May, 6.30pm kick-off
• Where: London Stadium, Stratford, E20 2ST
• Cost: From £20 for adults, £10 for children — book at socceraid.org.uk

⚽ Worth knowing: At 20 years old, Soccer Aid has become one of London’s most reliably entertaining live events. Even if you’re not a football fan, the atmosphere is brilliant and the ticket price is exceptional value for a stadium event.

Open-Air Theatre at Regent’s Park

If you fancy something a little different from the West End, Regent’s Open Air Theatre kicks off its summer season on 5th May with a specially commissioned mystery play, Sherlock Holmes. Evening and matinee performances are available with tickets from £15 per person — a genuinely affordable night out in a beautiful setting.

The open-air season runs through the summer, but catching it in May when the park is at its most spectacular is particularly special. Check the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre website for the full programme.

• When: From 5th May 2026 (Sherlock Holmes runs until 6th June with other plays available from 6th June)
• Where: Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, NW1 4NU
• Cost: From £15 per person
• Getting there: Baker Street tube station

Exhibitions or events you won’t want to miss in May 2026

Queen Elizabeth: Her Life in Style

Opening on 10th April and running throughout May, this exhibition at the King’s Gallery inside Buckingham Palace is the largest ever public display of clothing worn by Queen Elizabeth II. It covers all ten decades of her life, from her christening gown through to her later years including her wedding dress, coronation dress, and jewellery and accessories.

It’s essential viewing for Royal Family fans and fashion enthusiasts alike, and the King’s Gallery itself is a stunning space. The exhibition runs until 18th October 2026 but is expected to be extremely popular on weekends and peak days.

I’m heading to this myself in May so watch out for my review on Instagram and Facebook!

• Tickets: Book in advance via the Royal Collection Trust
• When: 10th April – 18th October 2026
• Where: The King’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace, SW1A 1AA
• Getting there: St James’s Park or Green Park tube stations

London’s major museums and galleries

Most of London’s major museums and galleries are free to enter, with admission charges for special exhibitions only.

Here’s what’s notable in May 2026:

• The V&A South Kensington opens ‘Rising Voices: Contemporary Art from Asia, Australia and the Pacific’ on 18th May. Also catch ‘American Photographs’ before it closes on 16th May. The Elsa Schiaparelli exhibition continues to run if you’re also visiting the Queen Elizabeth fashion exhibition – the contrast between the two designers is fascinating.
• The British Museum has a strong programme in May including exhibitions on Samurai culture, Sufi life and art, and Hawaii: Kingdoms Across the Ocean — all worth a look for visitors with an interest in history beyond the European canon.
• Tate Modern continues its popular exhibition on Tracey Emin, one of Britain’s most provocative contemporary artists. Catch the final days of ‘Nigerian Modernism’ before it closes.

Planning your May 2026 visit: what you need to know

Bank holidays and busy periods

May 2026 has two bank holidays: Monday 4th May and Monday 25th May. On both dates, transport runs on a reduced Sunday timetable and popular attractions will be busier than usual. Build extra time into your plans on these dates.

The Chelsea Flower Show (21st–23rd May) causes significant extra busyness around Sloane Square and Chelsea throughout show week, not just on the days themselves. If you’re staying nearby, expect the area to be lively.

What to book in advance

Most events in this guide are free and require no booking. The following do need advance tickets — book as early as possible:

• Chelsea Flower Show (21st–23rd May) — sells out well in advance. Book via the RHS.
• Soccer Aid (31st May) — popular event, book early for best seats. Book at socceraid.org.uk.
• Queen Elizabeth: Her Life in Style — expect high demand on weekends throughout May. Book via the Royal Collection Trust.
• Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre — popular shows can sell out. Book at openairtheatre.com.

Frequently asked questions: London events in May 2026

We update this guide each year as new events are confirmed. If you spot anything that needs updating, get in touch via our contact page. And if you found this useful, sharing it helps us keep the site running – thank you!