Best Things to Do in London in May 2026

Events in London in May 2026

RHS Chelsea Flower Show

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is one of the biggest events happening in London in May and something I would only recommend if you are genuinely interested in gardens, design or creative spaces because it is more of an experience than just walking through flowers. The show gardens are not just displays, they are full concepts with themes, layouts and landscaping ideas that feel like you are walking through different worlds rather than just one event.

Inside the Great Pavilion, there are even more displays with rare plants, floral installations and growers from around the world showcasing things you would not normally see in one place. It is one of those events where you can easily spend a few hours without realising because there is so much to take in. If you are into interiors, design or anything visual, you will definitely appreciate it more.

Dates: 19th – 23rd May
Price: From £55
Location: Royal Hospital Chelsea

Chelsea in Bloom

Chelsea in Bloom runs at the same time as the flower show and this is something I would recommend to everyone because it is completely free and still gives you that same creative feel. The entire Chelsea area gets transformed with floral displays based on a yearly theme, and for 2026 it is ‘Out of this World’ so expect installations inspired by space, astrology and celestial designs.

Walking through areas like Sloane Square, King’s Road and Duke of York Square, you will see everything from full shopfront installations to smaller details that still stand out. What I like about this is that you can just walk through at your own pace without needing tickets or a set time, and you still get to see a lot. It is also really easy to combine with lunch or shopping in the area.

Dates: 18th – 24th May
Price: Free
Location: Chelsea, London

MCM London Comic Con

MCM London Comic Con is one of the biggest events happening in London in May and something I would recommend if you are into gaming, anime, films or even just want to experience something different. This takes place over three days at ExCeL London and it is a full event rather than just something you pop into quickly.

There are panels, meet and greets, independent artists and large exhibition spaces filled with brands and creators. You will also see a lot of people dressed up which adds to the overall experience. Even if you are not going for a specific reason, there is a lot to see and it does feel very different from anything else happening in London.

Dates: 22nd – 24th May
Price: From £37
Location: ExCeL London

Hot Sauce Society Festival

Hot Sauce Society is one of those events that is a bit more niche but still really fun, especially if you are into food. It takes place in Peckham and brings together over 60 traders, so there is a huge range of sauces, flavours and brands to try.

It is not just about hot sauce either. There are competitions, music, drinks and different pop ups happening throughout the day so it feels more like a full event rather than just a food market. I would recommend this if you want something that feels more local and slightly different from the usual central London plans.

Dates: 9th – 10th May
Price: From £5
Location: Peckham, London

Wimbledon Art Fair

Wimbledon Art Fair is something I would recommend if you want a more creative and interactive experience. Instead of walking through a gallery, you are actually stepping inside working studios and seeing where artists create their work.

There are over 180 artists involved, and what I liked about this is that you can speak to them directly and understand the process behind what they create. There is also the option to buy artwork, and the pricing tends to be more accessible compared to traditional galleries. It feels a lot more personal and less formal, which makes it easier to enjoy even if you are not really into art.

Dates: 14th – 17th May
Price: Free
Location: Wimbledon Art Studios

Pop Ups in London in May 2026

Louis Vuitton Hotel London Pop Up Experience

The Louis Vuitton Hotel pop up is one of the most talked about experiences in London right now and something I would recommend booking in advance if you want to go. It takes over a townhouse in Mayfair and turns it into an immersive experience celebrating the brand’s history and design.

Each room is themed around different iconic bags like the Speedy, Keepall and Alma, and everything is designed to show the craftsmanship behind them. It feels more like an exhibition than a shop, which is why it stands out compared to other pop ups. There is also Café Alma and Bar Noé if you want to turn it into more of a full experience rather than just walking through.

Dates: 29th April – 21st June 2026
Price: Free but they do recommend booking a ticketed entry ticket
Location: 28 Berkeley Square, Mayfair

Magnolia Bakery Pop-Up at Café Ciel

If you have ever wanted to try the famous Magnolia Bakery banana pudding from New York, you are finally going to be able to in London this May. Magnolia Bakery is opening a limited pop-up at Café Ciel inside The OWO from 19th May until 10th June 2026. As someone who plans a lot of New York content, this honestly feels like one of the coolest food pop-ups London has had in a while because Magnolia Bakery is such a huge part of New York culture.

The bakery became famous from Sex and the City and is known for its banana pudding, cupcakes and classic American desserts. The London pop-up is also doing special menu items inspired by New York including Banoffee French Toast, Cinnamon Swirl Pancakes and a Banana Pudding Affogato which genuinely sounds unreal.

The whole setup is also inspired by the Chelsea Flower Show so there is going to be a floral installation throughout the courtyard area which will make it feel even more aesthetic. I also think the location makes this one worth visiting because The OWO itself is such a beautiful building and not somewhere a lot of people naturally visit unless they already know about it. If you are planning things to do in London in May and want a cute brunch spot or somewhere to stop for dessert after exploring Westminster and St James’s Park, I would definitely add this to your list. Just be prepared because I already know this place is going to be everywhere on TikTok once it opens.

Dates: 19th May – 10th June 2026
Location: Café Ciel inside The OWO

Holy Pop! at Somerset House

If you are looking for things to do in London in May and want something a little different from the usual museums and tourist attractions, I honestly think Holy Pop! at Somerset House is worth adding to your itinerary. The exhibition runs from 21st May until 9th August 2026 and explores modern day fandom culture through celebrity shrines, memorabilia, photography and interactive installations.

The exhibition also includes references to icons like Britney Spears, David Bowie, Princess Diana and George Michael which makes it feel quite nostalgic as well. Another thing I think people will love is that it is running on a pay what you can basis, which is ideal if you are trying to plan a London trip without spending loads on activities. Somerset House is also one of my favourite buildings in London anyway, especially in spring and summer when people are sitting outside in the courtyard. It’s very easy to combine this with Covent Garden, the Strand or a walk along the river afterwards.

Dates: 21st May – 9th August 2026
Price: pay what you wish
Location: Somerset House

Bubble Planet London

Bubble Planet is one of the more interactive experiences happening in London and something I would recommend if you want something that is a bit different from museums or galleries. It is made up of multiple themed rooms, each focused on different visuals, colours and sensory elements.

You move through different spaces rather than staying in one area, which keeps it interesting the whole way through. There are also VR elements and installations that make it feel more immersive. It is very photo friendly and something that works well if you are visiting with friends.

Price: From £19 (use my discount code THEGIRLSTRIPTO10 for 10% off)
Location: Wembley Park

Mundo Pixar Experience London

The Mundo Pixar Experience is one of the most popular immersive exhibitions in London right now and something I would definitely recommend if you grew up watching Pixar films. It includes multiple life sized rooms where you can walk through scenes from films like Toy Story, Cars and Monsters Inc.

What stood out to me was how detailed everything is as the rooms are designed to feel like you are actually inside the films rather than just looking at displays. It is also very interactive and works well if you want something fun that is not just walking around.

Dates: 13th February – 28th June 2026
Price: From £25
Location: Wembley Park

Jellycat Space Shop

The Jellycat Space Shop is a smaller pop up but still worth adding to your plans, especially if you are already visiting the Science Museum. It is a themed space with exclusive plush toys and a setup that feels more like an experience than just a shop.

You do need to book a timed slot, but entry itself is free. It is quite quick to go through, so I would recommend combining it with other museums in the area rather than going out of your way just for this.

Dates: 18th March – 12th July 2026
Price: Free entry
Location: Science Museum, London

Free Things to Do in London in May

V&A East Museum Opening

The V&A East is one of the newest museums opening in London and it is definitely worth adding to your list, especially because entry is free. It is located in Stratford and focuses on creativity, design and culture in a way that feels more modern compared to traditional museums.

Inside, there are over 500 objects displayed across different themes including identity, fashion and social change. The layout feels more open and less formal, which makes it easier to explore without feeling overwhelmed. There are also rotating exhibitions, so it is not something that stays the same.

Price: Free
Location: Stratford, London

Thank you so much for reading and I hope this guide on the best things to do in London in May has given you plenty of inspiration for your own trip. Don’t forget to check out the rest of my London guides here.

Check out my other London guides here:

• The Best Things to do in London at Christmas
• London Monthly Guides
• Hotel Indigo West Shepherd’s Bush Review