London

With not one but TWO Bank Hols to enjoy this month, there&#8217;s a whole lot more time for getting up to mischief in the city. In a mission to banish FOMO, Muddy&#8217;s found only the best things to do, from just-opened plays to must-see exhibitions and al fresco dining experiences, so diaries at the ready and go have some fun in the sun. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-exhibitions">NEW EXHIBITIONS </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="748" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-10.44.22-1-1024x748.png" alt="Henry Moore at Kew Gardens " class="wp-image-20772" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-10.44.22-1-1024x748.png 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-10.44.22-1-300x219.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-10.44.22-1-768x561.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-10.44.22-1.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Pull on your trainers and pack a picnic because <a href="https://www.kew.org/kew-gardens/whats-on/henry-moore" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Monumental Nature</a> (9 May-31 Jan), a new Henry Moore exhibition, is opening at Kew Gardens. There&#8217;ll be 30 of the famous artist&#8217;s sculptures spanning his 70-year-career dotted around the gardens, plus 90 smaller pieces at an accompanying exhibition at Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="768" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/03/Unknown-4-1024x768.jpeg" alt="Holy Pop at Somerset House" class="wp-image-19263" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/03/Unknown-4-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/03/Unknown-4-300x225.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/03/Unknown-4-768x576.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/03/Unknown-4.jpeg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



We&#8217;re also liking the sound of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.somersethouse.org.uk/whats-on/holy-pop" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HOLY POP!</a>&nbsp;(21 May – 9 Aug) at Somerset House, a new exhibition which takes a look at the way we celebrate modern shrines and honour heroes, celebrities and cult icons, from Princess Diana to Andy Warhol. 



Families and, well, everyone will be interested in <a href="https://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit/exhibitions/jurassic-oceans.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Monsters of the Deep: Jurassic Oceans,</a> which is opening at the Natural History Museum (22 May-3 Jan) with plenty of pliosaurs and ichthyosaurs to marvel at. And <a href="https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2026/event/in-other-worlds" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">In Other Worlds: Liam Young</a> (21 May-6 Sept) at the Barbican is an exciting new immersive exhibition allowing you to step into a future world via film, audio, tapestries and costumes. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="578" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/04/1.-Film-still-from-After-the-End-2024-by-Liam-Young.-Image-courtesy-of-the-artist-1024x578.jpg" alt="In Other Worlds: Liam Young " class="wp-image-20784" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/04/1.-Film-still-from-After-the-End-2024-by-Liam-Young.-Image-courtesy-of-the-artist-1024x578.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/04/1.-Film-still-from-After-the-End-2024-by-Liam-Young.-Image-courtesy-of-the-artist-300x169.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/04/1.-Film-still-from-After-the-End-2024-by-Liam-Young.-Image-courtesy-of-the-artist-768x434.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/04/1.-Film-still-from-After-the-End-2024-by-Liam-Young.-Image-courtesy-of-the-artist.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Film still from After the End (2024) by Liam Young. Image courtesy of the artist</figcaption></figure>



Over at Southbank Centre it&#8217;s all about&nbsp;<a href="https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/skate-50/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Skate 50</a>&nbsp;(30 April – 21 June), which celebrates 50 years of London’s skateboarders performing ollies beneath the QEII Hall on the Southbank. Even teens might find the film, photos and music contributions from the likes of Beatrice Dillon and Dan Magee an interesting afternoon out.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-must-see-theatre">MUST-SEE THEATRE </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="731" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-09.20.29-1024x731.png" alt="Beetlejuice the Musical " class="wp-image-20765" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-09.20.29-1024x731.png 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-09.20.29-300x214.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-09.20.29-768x548.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-09.20.29.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Beetlejuice The Musical </figcaption></figure>



Hot Broadway musical incoming! <a href="https://muddystilettos.tixculture.com/london/shows/45407-beetlejuice-the-musical" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Beetlejuice the Musical</a> (20 May–17 April) launches at the Prince Edward Theatre this month and the stage production of Tim Burton’s comedy horror movie about a dead couple who enlist the help of an exorcist to oust the new owners of their home is brilliant, according to US critics. 



Other blockbuster productions to catch this spring include Oscar Wilde&#8217;s <a href="https://muddystilettos.tixculture.com/london/shows/45249-an-ideal-husband" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">An Ideal Husband</a> (7 May-6 June) at the Lyric Hammersmith, and Cole Porter&#8217;s <a href="https://muddystilettos.tixculture.com/london/shows/45935-high-society" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">High Society</a> (19 May-11 July) at the Barbican, starring Helen George (Call the Midwife). Also, hankies at the ready because legendary, Tony Award-winning <a href="https://muddystilettos.tixculture.com/london/shows/46257-war-horse" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">War Horse</a> (16 May-30 July) trots back to the National Theatre after a sold-out national tour. 



More under-the-radar shows for your diary include <a href="https://muddystilettos.tixculture.com/london/shows/45845-1536" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">1536</a> (2 May–1 Aug) at the Ambassadors Theatre, an historical drama about three women who unite at their childhood meeting place in the Essex countryside, thirsty for tea from London – think Anne Boleyn’s execution and new love interests. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="777" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-09.21.28-1024x777.png" alt="Mother Courage and her Children at Shakespeare's Globe " class="wp-image-20767" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-09.21.28-1024x777.png 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-09.21.28-300x228.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-09.21.28-768x583.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-09.21.28.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Don&#8217;t miss <a href="https://muddystilettos.tixculture.com/london/shows/46231-mother-courage-and-her-children-globe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mother Courage and Her Children</a> (7 May-27 June) showing at Shakespeare’s Globe for the first time. Starring Olivier Award-winning Michelle Terry as Mother Courage, a survivor, profiteer and mum doing whatever it takes to survive amid the chaos of war. And catch <a href="https://almeida.co.uk/whats-on/a-dolls-house-play/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A Doll&#8217;s House</a> before it ends 23 May at the Almeida Theatre, which stars Romola Garai in the iconic lead role of Ibsen’s explosive proto-feminist classic. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-festivals-amp-art-fairs">FESTIVALS &amp; ART FAIRS </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="679" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-12.59.01-1024x679.png" alt="Hot Sauce Festival Peckham " class="wp-image-20783" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-12.59.01-1024x679.png 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-12.59.01-300x199.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-12.59.01-768x509.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-12.59.01.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Spring&#8217;s in full swing with a dazzling amount of fests and fairs to enjoy. <a href="https://dulwichfestival.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dulwich Festival</a>&nbsp;(8-17 May), a celebration of arts and culture, is always worth a visit, particularly the artists’ open house weekend, where you get to nosey around studios all over the area plus talks, shows and the Dulwich Fair on Goose Green. Drag the kids along to the FREE annual&nbsp;<a href="https://mayfayre.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Covent Garden May Fayre and Puppet Festival</a>&nbsp;(10 May) which is now in its 10th year and attracts puppeteers from around the country and includes shows, workshops and processions.



Put some heat into you May with a visit to the <a href="https://www.hotsaucesociety.co.uk/about-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hot Sauce Festival </a>(9-10 May) in Peckham where you can browse hundreds of small batch sauces from dozens of sellers, try samples, scoff street food listen to live music and prop up the bar. Hot stuff. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="879" height="1024" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-13.02.23-879x1024.png" alt="Ben Okri at Festival of Words " class="wp-image-20782" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-13.02.23-879x1024.png 879w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-13.02.23-258x300.png 258w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-13.02.23-768x894.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-13.02.23-1319x1536.png 1319w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-13.02.23.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 879px) 100vw, 879px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Ben Okri at Festival of Words </figcaption></figure>



Get ready for five days of enlightening conversations from the likes of authors Hanif Kureishi and Ben Okri at the <a href="https://www.fleetstreetquarter.co.uk/festival-of-words-2026" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Festival of Words</a> (12-16 May) based at venues around Fleet Street. This year&#8217;s theme is taken from the first two lines of Charles Dickens’s novel, A Tale of Two Cities: ‘It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness&#8217;. Deep. 



More foodie fun at the <a href="https://www.regentstreetonline.com/future-of-food-festival" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Future of Food Festival</a> (12-24 May), which will be spread across venues in Regent&#8217;s Street and St James&#8217;s, with one-off ticketed events focused around sustainability, innovation and creativity &#8211; we fancy the Alex Dilling x Merlin Lebron-Johnson Michelin dinner at Hotel Café Royal. 



Loads of art&#8217;s invading the city in May, including <a href="https://www.wimbledonartfair.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wimbledon Art Fair</a> (14-17 May, FREE) and the <a href="https://affordableartfair.com/fairs/london-hampstead/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Affordable Art Fair</a> (6-10 May) in Hampstead, with prices starting at £100 for art work showcased by 100 galleries from all over the world. And finally check out <a href="https://www.somersethouse.org.uk/whats-on/london-original-print-fair-2026" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">London Original Print Fair </a>(14-17 May) at Somerset House, where more than 40 galleries will be showcasing printworks from iconic artists like Matisse, Freud and Bridget Riley. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scoff-amp-quaff">SCOFF &amp; QUAFF</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/04/Le-Pont-de-la-Tour_The-Evolv-Collection-1024x683.jpg" alt="La Pont de la Tour, Shad Thames " class="wp-image-20659" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/04/Le-Pont-de-la-Tour_The-Evolv-Collection-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/04/Le-Pont-de-la-Tour_The-Evolv-Collection-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/04/Le-Pont-de-la-Tour_The-Evolv-Collection-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/04/Le-Pont-de-la-Tour_The-Evolv-Collection.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



The temperature&#8217;s are rising in May and that can only mean one thing &#8211; London&#8217;s terraces are open for biz. One of our favourites? <a href="https://lepontdelatour.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Le Pont de la Tour&#8217;s</a> Pont Plage &#8211; striped deckchairs, parasols, pink flamingos, gin bar, French menu and plenty of sand with a Tower Bridge backdrop. Check out more al fresco fabulousness <a href="https://london.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/restaurants-bars/outdoor-restaurants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>. 



Sound the good times klaxon because <a href="https://www.freightbrixton.com/freightopening" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Freight Brixton</a>, which claims it will be London&#8217;s biggest rooftop venue, is opening this May with the promise of bars, kitchens, live music and DJ sets (opens 7 May). 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-live-music">LIVE MUSIC </h2>



Start off May in style by dipping into the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lalineafestival/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">La Linnea Latin Music Festival</a>&nbsp;(until 6 May) which is matching the rise in temperature with sizzling live music, dancing and workshops at various venues around the city.



<a href="https://www.mightyhoopla.com/london" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mighty Hoopla</a>, (30-31 May), the largest pop fest in London takes over Brockwell Park again this May and it’s going to be massive, with Lily Allen announced as the headline act who will be performing her smash hit break up album West End Girl on Sat (30 May), while the Scissor Sisters play Sun.

Oh hey, May! 35+ things to do in London this month

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