Your guide to London's culture and transport news and events taking place across the city.

Your guide to London's culture and transport news and events taking place across the city.

Things to do in London in May 2017

The ianVisits guide to May's unusual events, tours, lectures and exhibitions happening around London.


Monday 1st May

On International Workers' Day, MML welcomes visitors for tours, a look at special Russian Revolution slide show exhibition.
2017-05-01
10am to 3pm
 
Clerkenwell
Clerkenwell
Head to Little Venice over Bank Holiday weekend for the yearly IWA Canalway Cavalcade,
2017-05-01
10am to 5pm
 
Maida Vale
Maida Vale
Annual event where a tall plant covered man is paraded around Deptford and Greenwich.
2017-05-01
Starts at 12pm
 
Deptford
Deptford

More London events on Monday 1st May

Tuesday 2nd May

An evening of activities inspired by the arts and culture of Asia,
2017-05-02
6pm to 8:30pm
 
South Kensington
South Kensington
An evening in the Sir John Soane's Museum with the rooms lit by candles.
2017-05-02
6pm to 9pm
 
Katherine J. Cramer will explore how rural American resentment toward cities and the urban elite can provide fertile ground for right-leaning candidates to win elections,
2017-05-02
6:30pm to 8pm
 
Holborn
Holborn

More London events on Tuesday 2nd May

Wednesday 3rd May

Western Scholars are non-commital. Putin’s Russia is embarrassed. How should the centenary be commemorated?
2017-05-03
6:30pm to 8pm
 
Holborn
Holborn

More London events on Wednesday 3rd May

Thursday 4th May

An early morning bird walk in the woods. We'll be looking and listening out for the many species of birds that use the woods at this time of year.
2017-05-04
4:45am to 7am
 
Sydenham
Sydenham
The talk will investigate the long history of this day, especially in London with its apprentice holiday associations.
2017-05-04
2pm to 3pm
 
City of London
City of London
Three talks about tourism which focuses in the macabre and spooky.
2017-05-04
5pm to 7pm
 
Greenwich
Greenwich
This May 4th, Greg Eghigian explores the strange history of UFO and alien contact phenomena.
2017-05-04
6pm to 8:30pm
 
Clerkenwell
Clerkenwell
Join Amanda Harvey Purse for the launch of her new book, to hear more about the lives of these policemen, making them more real than just names mentioned within the famous case.
2017-05-04
6pm to 8pm
 
City of London
City of London
This event brings together professionals from across various sectors to address the impact of the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index on LGBT+ equality in the workplace and beyond.
2017-05-04
6:30pm to 8pm
 
Holborn
Holborn
This event brings together scholars from urban studies and geography to explore how the vertical dimension relates to cities, politics and power in the contemporary world.
2017-05-04
6:30pm to 8pm
 
Holborn
Holborn
Hear how a rise in more efficient and affordable modes of transport opened up the joys of the British countryside and seaside resorts to the general public.
2017-05-04
7pm to 8:30pm
 
Covent Garden
Covent Garden

More London events on Thursday 4th May

Friday 5th May

Learn about the practices of stone and wood carving, watch carving and gilding demonstrations and live competitions and have a go at stone carving.
2017-05-05
10am to 7pm
 
Kennington
Kennington
Monthly opening of the private gardens within Lambeth Palace in the heart of London.
2017-05-05
12pm to 3pm
 
Southwark
Southwark

More London events on Friday 5th May

Saturday 6th May

A weekend of talks and debates on the role of religion in modern society.
2017-05-06
All Day
 
Southwark
Southwark
Learn about the practices of stone and wood carving, watch carving and gilding demonstrations and live competitions and have a go at stone carving.
2017-05-06
10am to 5pm
 
Kennington
Kennington
Visit one of the Geffrye's 18th-century almshouses which has been fully restored to its original condition.
2017-05-06
11am to 3pm
 
Bethnal Green
Bethnal Green
Participants receive an introduction into the craft of letterpress printmaking and have the opportunity to get hands-on.
2017-05-06
Starts at 12pm
 
Islington
Islington
A weekend of exciting science, new technology, live music, talks, and creative workshops.
2017-05-06
12pm to 5pm
 
Monthly open day at one of London's more curious and delightful museums, devoted to the history of the sewing machine.
2017-05-06
2pm to 5pm
 
Tooting
Tooting

More London events on Saturday 6th May

Sunday 7th May

A weekend of talks and debates on the role of religion in modern society.
2017-05-07
All Day
 
Southwark
Southwark
Visitors are invited not just to look but to also get involved under the supervision of two Academy Instructors.
2017-05-07
10am to 7pm
 
St James
St James
Step back in history and visit the terminus building of London's original international airport - in Croydon.
2017-05-07
11am to 4pm
 
Croydon
Croydon
A weekend of exciting science, new technology, live music, talks, and creative workshops.
2017-05-07
12pm to 5pm
 

More London events on Sunday 7th May

Monday 8th May

Free
If video killed the radio star, how are we to understand celebrity in a world of Twitter, YouTube, and reality TV?
2017-05-08
6:30pm to 8pm
 
Holborn
Holborn

More London events on Monday 8th May

Tuesday 9th May

One of the great theological debates in the early church arose from Gnosticism, a movement in late antiquity which held that the material world was evil.
2017-05-09
1pm to 2pm
 
Barbican
Barbican
The Monument commemorates London’s heroic achievement in recovering from the Great Fire of 1666, but what really happened? Pete Smith attempts to provide some answers.
2017-05-09
2pm to 3pm
 
City of London
City of London
An evening of military displays in the heart of the city of London.
2017-05-09
5pm to 9pm
 
Moorgate
Moorgate
A talk by a historian on the global history of the UFO and alien contact phenomena.
2017-05-09
5:30pm to 7pm
 
Strand
Strand
A panel of leading scholars and commentators will debate what the outcome of the election tells us about the prospects for the left in France.
2017-05-09
6:30pm to 8pm
 
Holborn
Holborn
Taking its cue from the argument to not build tall in 1960’s, this panel will discuss whether the debate has had an effect on the current London skyline and should this rigour in assessing tall-buildings be reinstated?
2017-05-09
7pm to 8:30pm
 
Regent Street
Regent Street
Hear a panel of experts discuss the unprecedented growth in London's skyline – and the potential wider impact of this surge
2017-05-09
7pm to 8:30pm
 
Regent Street
Regent Street

More London events on Tuesday 9th May

Wednesday 10th May

This illustrated talk by Stuart Harvey will touch on a little of this area’s past and residents
2017-05-10
2pm to 3pm
 
City of London
City of London
Illustrator Matthew Cook will give a guided tour of the War Paint exhibition, in which his work is featured.
2017-05-10
Starts at 6:30pm
 
Chelsea
Chelsea

More London events on Wednesday 10th May

Thursday 11th May

This festival consist of popular cultural exhibits, foods, crafts, and performances highlighting the history of the region in Turkey,
2017-05-11
tba
 
Stoke Newington
Stoke Newington
This talk by Sally Jeffery will tell the story of the creation of the Mansion House, the home and workplace of the Lord Mayor of the City of London.
2017-05-11
6pm to 8pm
 
City of London
City of London
What opportunities exist for individuals to help to solve some of the most complex problems on Earth? And what motivates people to join an environmental research team?
2017-05-11
6pm to 7pm
 
Barbican
Barbican

More London events on Thursday 11th May

Friday 12th May

This festival consist of popular cultural exhibits, foods, crafts, and performances highlighting the history of the region in Turkey,
2017-05-12
tba
 
Stoke Newington
Stoke Newington

More London events on Friday 12th May

Saturday 13th May

This festival consist of popular cultural exhibits, foods, crafts, and performances highlighting the history of the region in Turkey,
2017-05-13
tba
 
Stoke Newington
Stoke Newington
These tours have been created to mark the 100th anniversary of the Johnston typeface.
2017-05-13
Starts at 11am
 
Acton
Acton
Explore the restored George England organ.
2017-05-13
3pm to 4:30pm
 
Dulwich
Dulwich
A note for those in the area, there will be parachutists performing a display over Buckingham Palace.
2017-05-13
5:15pm to 5:45pm
 
Whitehall
Whitehall

More London events on Saturday 13th May

Sunday 14th May

This festival consist of popular cultural exhibits, foods, crafts, and performances highlighting the history of the region in Turkey,
2017-05-14
tba
 
Stoke Newington
Stoke Newington
From bouncy castles to beer tents, handmade children’s t-shirts to homemade cakes, designer jewellery to local photography,
2017-05-14
Starts at 12am
 
East Dulwich
East Dulwich
Annual displays by a number of Punch and Judy shows in Covent Garden.
2017-05-14
10:30am to 5:30pm
 
Covent Garden
Covent Garden
A day of organised display kite flying.
2017-05-14
11am to 5pm
 
Streatham
Streatham
The Embers Collective will take you on a journey deep into the heart of Yggdrasil, The World-Tree with stories and music.
2017-05-14
7pm to 9:30pm
 
Homerton
Homerton

More London events on Sunday 14th May

Monday 15th May

Late night opening at the Transport Museum including launch of their latest exhibition.
2017-05-15
6:45pm to 10pm
 
Covent Garden
Covent Garden

More London events on Monday 15th May

Tuesday 16th May

Find out from Inspector Jesse Wynn about the vast range of roles played by the City of London Police’s Mounted Branch since its establishment in 1873.
2017-05-16
2pm to 3pm
 
City of London
City of London
Free
Professor Jonathan Wolff will ask: Are we stuck with capitalism? How far can it be modified? How far should it be modified?
2017-05-16
6:30pm to 8pm
 
Holborn
Holborn
A panel will offer practical guidance to anyone seeking to exploit the possibilities of mass communication as they make their way in the food world.
2017-05-16
7pm to 9pm
 
Southwark
Southwark
Debate inspired by the new ‘Social Housing’ publication with architects from across the continent exploring shifting national attitudes, housing traditions, and pan-European challenges.
2017-05-16
7pm to 8:30pm
 
Regent Street
Regent Street
A talk about the 12th century tale of 2 children who emerged from the soil.
2017-05-16
7:30pm to 9pm
 
Holborn
Holborn

More London events on Tuesday 16th May

Wednesday 17th May

Handle some of the kit used to identify crime suspects and learn how the police use it.
2017-05-17
6pm to 7pm
 
City of London
City of London
Taking inspiration from the War Paint exhibition, an expert panel will discuss how art, historically and today, influences public perceptions of the army.
2017-05-17
7pm to 8pm
 
Chelsea
Chelsea
Join Vin Walsh and a panel of experts for a discussion of the psychology and neuroscience of happiness
2017-05-17
7pm to 8:30pm
 
Hanover Square
Hanover Square
Janet Gough OBE, formerly the Church of England’s Director of Cathedrals and Church Buildings, describes her favourite churches.
2017-05-17
7pm to 8:45pm
 
South Kensington
South Kensington
Nerd Nite London is a monthly event where three speakers give 20 minute talks across all disciplines, while the audience drinks along.
2017-05-17
Starts at 7:30pm
 
Bethnal Green
Bethnal Green

More London events on Wednesday 17th May

Thursday 18th May

Catharine A MacKinnon argues that the right seemingly minor interventions in the legal realm can have a butterfly effect that generates major social and cultural transformations.
2017-05-18
5pm to 6pm
 
Holborn
Holborn
The story of the London Rubber Company's marketing of condoms.
2017-05-18
6pm to 7pm
 
Camden
Camden
Join Dr Matthew Green to discover how it blossomed into 'a human awful wonder of God' and 'the necropolis of the world' in the 19th century.
2017-05-18
6pm to 8pm
 
City of London
City of London
The atmospheric rooms of Benjamin Franklin’s only remaining residence highlighting the original features of this Grade I listed Georgian townhouse in evening light.
2017-05-18
6pm to 9pm
 
Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square
Live folk music, tastings from local craft brewery Portobello Brewing and period entertainment through the historic spaces.
2017-05-18
6:20pm to 10pm
 
Fulham
Fulham
This is the history of how a secret science was developed to read and measure aerial imagery,
2017-05-18
Starts at 6:30pm
 
Picadilly
Picadilly
The Georgian interiors of Charles Dickens home will be open for twilight browsing.
2017-05-18
Starts at 6:30pm
 
Clerkenwell
Clerkenwell
Wander around the galleries and gardens after hours and enjoy music, curator tours, animation, and performances.
2017-05-18
6:30pm to 9:30pm
 
Forest Hill
Forest Hill
Discover the fading remains of advertising painted on walls which remain a ghostly presence in Bankside and over London. Illustrated talk by Sam Roberts
2017-05-18
7pm to 8:30pm
 
Southwark
Southwark
A drinks reception to celebrate the launch of Jamie Bartlett's new book Radicals.
2017-05-18
7pm to 9pm
 
Bethnal Green
Bethnal Green

More London events on Thursday 18th May

Friday 19th May

In this lecture, Dr Emma Hanna will explore the will explore the musical sound worlds of the airmen on active service 1914-18.
2017-05-19
Starts at 12:30pm
 
Colindale
Colindale
The Bank of England Museum will offering a rare opportunity to visit out of regular opening hours.
2017-05-19
5:30pm to 9pm
 
City of London
City of London
An evening of events, talks and demonstrations at the National Gallery. Most events are free, some paid/booking.
2017-05-19
Starts at 6pm
 
Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square
Talks on the craft of distilling, drinking songs, cocktail masterclasses, lessons on gin pairings and of course, lots of gin to taste
2017-05-19
6pm to 10:30pm
 
Bethnal Green
Bethnal Green
The atmospheric rooms of Benjamin Franklin’s only remaining residence highlighting the original features of this Grade I listed Georgian townhouse in evening light.
2017-05-19
6pm to 9pm
 
Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square
Come on a journey to discover some of the most fascinating aspects of the era - from the Profumo affair, to mods and rockers, and the sexual revolution.
2017-05-19
6:30pm to 10pm
 
Richmond
Richmond
The opening night of the new Prize for Illustration: Sounds of the City exhibition at London Transport Museum.
2017-05-19
6:45pm to 10pm
 
Covent Garden
Covent Garden

More London events on Friday 19th May

Saturday 20th May

The Rickmansworth Festival celebrates canals, the community and the environment.
2017-05-20
10:30am to 10:30pm
 
Rickmansworth
Rickmansworth
A monthly classic car show/meet in central London.
2017-05-20
12pm to 4pm
 
Southwark
Southwark

More London events on Saturday 20th May

Sunday 21st May

The Rickmansworth Festival celebrates canals, the community and the environment.
2017-05-21
10:30am to 5:30pm
 
Rickmansworth
Rickmansworth
Dulwich Burial ground open; guided tours on the hour.
2017-05-21
1pm to 5pm
 
Dulwich
Dulwich
The Notting Hill May Fair is known and loved for its traditional village games and stalls, music, Maypole dancing, Fancy Dress competition and Dog Show.
2017-05-21
1pm to 5pm
 
Notting Hill
Notting Hill
Open day at the school gardens, with Japanese Garden, Bonsai collection, exotic birds and a maze.
2017-05-21
1pm to 5pm
 
South Croydon
South Croydon
Visit a series of 7 floating barge gardens connected by walkways and bridges.
2017-05-21
2pm to 5pm
 
Southwark
Southwark

More London events on Sunday 21st May

Monday 22nd May

No events are listed for today. Sorry.

More London events on Monday 22nd May

Tuesday 23rd May

A talk about a plan to map the universe to locate Dark Matter, which is thought to make up three-quarters of the universe but is invisible.
2017-05-23
6:30pm to 8pm
 
St James
St James
This event will invite fresh ideas and blue-sky thinking from London’s built environment professionals, providing a forum for new solutions to our transport and infrastructure needs.
2017-05-23
6:30pm to 8:30pm
 
Euston
Euston
Hear some protagonists of the postmodern architecture movement discuss Number One Poultry and other postmodern buildings at risk
2017-05-23
7pm to 8:30pm
 
Regent Street
Regent Street
Join a panel of experts to uncover what Donald Trump really wants – and how he plans to get it.
2017-05-23
Starts at 7pm
 
Holborn
Holborn
A screening of the cult space alien singing plant film in a botanical venue.
2017-05-23
Starts at 7:15pm
 
Herne Hill
Herne Hill

More London events on Tuesday 23rd May

Wednesday 24th May

Find out how VD was prevented and treated during the war - as well as society’s changing attitudes towards disease and sexual practice.
2017-05-24
1:30pm to 3:30pm
 
Richmond
Richmond
A rare opportunity to visit Lambeth Palace Gardens in the evening.
2017-05-24
5:30pm to 8pm
 
Southwark
Southwark
This talk will describe the remarkable challenges and opportunities associated with hypersonic flight and space access.
2017-05-24
6:30pm to 9:30pm
 
Tottenham Court Road
Tottenham Court Road
Photographer Ed Richardson shares an insight into life at Trinity Hospital.
2017-05-24
7:30pm to 9pm
 
Greenwich
Greenwich

More London events on Wednesday 24th May

Thursday 25th May

Moor Park Mansion is a Grade I listed Palladian mansion set within over 300 hundred acres in Hertfordshire.
2017-05-25
10am to 12pm
 
Rickmansworth
Rickmansworth
An afternoon of talks on how gardens, plant medicines and urban landscape can contribute to the health and wellbeing of patients and communities.
2017-05-25
3pm to 7pm
 
Euston
Euston
A historical seminar looking at nursing in the Boer War, the first major British conflict in which nurses in large numbers were deployed.
2017-05-25
3:30pm to 7pm
 
Harley Street
Harley Street
The Beefeaters of the Tower of London and the clergy of All Hallows Church recreate an ancient confrontation and their beating of the bounds.
2017-05-25
Starts at 6pm
 
City of London
City of London
£5.90
Death Diary examines the most interesting, bizarre and audacious crimes to blight England’s first city.
2017-05-25
6pm to 8pm
 
City of London
City of London
Join the London Forteans for two short talks on the ghosts and legends of Camlet Moat and the Crouch End Spriggan.
2017-05-25
7:45pm to 9:30pm
 
Whitechapel
Whitechapel

More London events on Thursday 25th May

Friday 26th May

Join Ceri Buckmaster on a wild food walk around Southwark and discover how to identify seasonal plants and flowers in some unexpected locations,
2017-05-26
11am to 2pm
 
Southwark
Southwark
This after-hours tour explores the history of the Tower of London through the lens of changing attitudes to gender and sexuality,
2017-05-26
Starts at 7pm
 
Tower Hill
Tower Hill

More London events on Friday 26th May

Saturday 27th May

Visit the c.1397 Grade 2 listed ‘threshing’ barn, over 100ft x 40ft in size, with a fine crownpost roof.
2017-05-27
Starts at 10:45am
 
Rickmansworth
Rickmansworth
Guided tours of the London Transport museum's archive of posters and artwork.
2017-05-27
Starts at 11am
 
Acton
Acton
This after-hours tour explores the history of the Tower of London through the lens of changing attitudes to gender and sexuality,
2017-05-27
Starts at 7pm
 
Tower Hill
Tower Hill

More London events on Saturday 27th May

Sunday 28th May

Occasional open day at the under-restoration Victorian steam pumping station.
2017-05-28
10:30am to 4pm
 
Abbey Wood
Abbey Wood

More London events on Sunday 28th May

Monday 29th May

Open day at a 3 acre garden with a mile-long path in a Labyrinth.
2017-05-29
12pm to 5:30pm
 
North Weald
North Weald

More London events on Monday 29th May

Tuesday 30th May

Dickens also suffered with a number of medical conditions which will be discussed in detail during the lecture.
2017-05-30
6pm to 7pm
 
Barbican
Barbican
Free
Within our apparently secular, globalised, and technology-driven world, we are witnessing a return of apocalyptic thinking.
2017-05-30
6:30pm to 8pm
 
Holborn
Holborn
Join microbiologist B Brett Finlay as he argues that the only way to save children from an over-sanitised world is to let them eat dirt.
2017-05-30
7pm to 8:30pm
 
Hanover Square
Hanover Square

More London events on Tuesday 30th May

Wednesday 31st May

Celebrate London’s extraordinary history and heritage with activities at Southbank Centre.
2017-05-31
Starts at 12pm
 
Southwark
Southwark
An opportunity to hear BBC Radio London and The Robert Elms Show’s resident gardening expert, St John Stephen, talking in person about what he has learnt after a quarter of a century as a gardener in London.
2017-05-31
2:30pm to 4pm
 
Whitechapel
Whitechapel
A talk about the social impact of the industrial boom on the lives of the people of Battersea.
2017-05-31
6pm to 7pm
 
Battersea
Battersea
A forest is full of chatter and trade, if only we could sense it.
2017-05-31
Starts at 6pm
 
The City of London
The City of London
With introduction by film maker Peter Williams, the film charts the top-level deal under which Unit 731’s research was secretly traded to the USA.
2017-05-31
6:30pm to 8pm
 
Russell Square
Russell Square
Explore nightlife in the capital from the 1920s to the present, through original archive materials and a series of talks in Bishopsgate Institute.
2017-05-31
Starts at 7pm
 
City of London
City of London
The first event of the Whitechapel Gallery's London-wide Jonathan Meades retrospective will screen Meades' work on artists, photography and modernity.
2017-05-31
Starts at 7pm
 
Clerkenwell
Clerkenwell

More London events on Wednesday 31st May

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