Going Out: Things To Do In London This May

May is one of the best months to be in London. As the weather hots up, restaurants begin opening up their terraces for al fresco dining, beer gardens and parks fill up with merry rosé drinkers and the start of festival season brings a distinct buzz to the city. There are not one but two Bank Holidays and spirits are high. Plus, this year there are a whole host of exciting new openings to check out, from spas to galleries to eateries.

So what to bookmark for the month ahead? Read on for the C&TH pick of what to do in London in May – and for more inspiration, sign up to our Staying In, Going Out newsletter which will deliver all this and more straight to your inbox everyday.

May 2026 In London: Events, Pop-Ups, Openings

(RHS)

Go To Chelsea Flower Show

May in London is synonymous with Chelsea Flower Show, the world’s most prestigious gardening event which sees the grounds of Royal Hospital Chelsea taken over by dazzling blooms and greenery each spring. It returns from 19 – 23 May 2026, kicking off the social season with five days of innovative landscaping and garden design – attracting thousands of guests including A-listers and royalty. Highlights for 2026 include the Saatchi Gallery’s garden created with kinetic artist Lucy Gregory and designer Naomi Ferrett-Cohen, and The King’s Foundation Curious Garden designed by Frances Tophill (with contributions from the King himself as well as David Beckham). Plus, don’t miss Chelsea in Bloom: the free public art festival which runs alongside the flower show, with floral installations popping up all over the neighbourhood. 

Where? Royal Hospital Chelsea, Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, London, SW3 4SR 

Details: 19 – 23 May 2026, rhs.org.uk

Do Rooftop Yoga At The Sky Garden

Realign your chakras with a view at the Sky Garden, which has revived its weekend yoga sessions. Classes take place 36 storeys above the capital with sweeping vistas of the London skyline, with expert instructors guiding you through a series of rejuvenating flows. Afterwards, enjoy a matcha latte or Plenish shot – or stay a little longer to explore the luscious gardens and have brunch at Larch (class attendees will receive 10 percent off the bill). 

Where? 1, Sky Garden Walk, London EC3M 8AF 

Details: Every Saturday and Sunday throughout the summer, £20.90pp. skygarden.london

Dine At New Restaurant Ornella

Last year, actor Theo James made his first foray into the world of hospitality with Lupa: a Highbury trattoria opened alongside Carousel co-founder Ed Templeton and chef Naz Hassan. And now he’s back with a follow-up, Ornella, launching on Wilton Way in Hackney this May. The eatery will serve Milanese food inspired by Hassan’s childhood in the Italian city: think mondeghili meatballs, penne alla vodka and vitello tonnato, followed by deserts like zuppa ingelse (Italian trifle). 

Where? 51 Wilton Way, E8 1BG

Details: Opening May 2026. ornella.restaurant

(c) James Parsons

Relax At Sæl Spa

A new spa and wellness club is coming to London this month, launching at riverside destination Fulham Pier. Set across four light-filled floors overlooking the Thames, the space has been designed by the team behind Belgravia’s Surrenne Spa. There’s a rooftop heated infinity pool, a sun terrace, a Finnish sauna and contrast therapy suites, alongside a programme of exercise classes spanning reformer pilates, personal training, yoga, breathwork and sound-based recovery practices. How to get access? You’ll either need to be staying at Fulham Pier Hotel, or a member of the Lighthouse Social club.

Where? Fulham Pier, London SW6 6HH 

Details: Opening May 2026. saelspa.com

Check Out Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition

Can’t get to Rome? No problem: Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel is coming to London this summer (well, kind of). An immersive exhibition is bringing one of the world’s greatest masterpieces to 1 America Square by reproducing all 34 frescoes at full scale – allowing the chance to see intricate details that are tricky to spot from the Vatican’s chapel ceiling. Educational storytelling throughout, meanwhile, will offer insight into the artist’s techniques and symbolism. 

Where? One, 17 Crosswall, America Square, London EC3N 2LB

Details: Opening mid-May 2026, tickets from £14. chapelsistine.com

Try The Berkeley’s SW1 Sips Menu

The Berkeley has launched a new cocktail offering designed to celebrate its prestigious Knightsbridge postcode. The SW1 Sips menu features concoctions like the Anya Sgroppino, inspired by British designer Anya Hindmarch whose flagship Village is located just down the road (served with a leather coaster featuring Hindmarch’s signature googly eyes motif). There’s also The Belgravia Rose: an ode to Belgrave Square Garden featuring a real rose encased in ice and flavours of violet, elderflower and pea, as well as Barracks Brew, which nods to Belgravia’s historic pub The Grenadier with a chocolate coin garnish (the institution’s ceiling is covered in bank notes to pay the ghost of this notoriously haunted watering hole). Enjoy alongside lobster pizza topped with lashings of shaved truffle – all while soaking up views of St Paul’s Church and Wilton Place. Also worth a visit this month is the hotel’s rooftop bar, which opens to the public on 1 May 2026 (complete with a pool and Capri-inspired food and drinks).

Where? The Berkeley, Wilton Pl, London SW1X 7RL 

Details: maybourne.com

Explore High Street Kensington’s Wellness Week

Kickstart your spring wellness regime in High Street Kensington, which is hosting a week-long event designed to spotlight its health and fitness venues. Free classes are taking place at Boxclever LDN, 1Rebel, Virgin Active and F45, while Rituals is offering complimentary hand and arm massages and Cass Art is hosting mindful art workshops. Guests can also book PT sessions in Holland Park, join daily wellness heritage talks at Kensington Palace, and take part in a 5km social run with Lululemon and Urban Greens (16 May).

Where? Venues across High Street Kensington

Details: 11 – 17 May 2026. highstreetkensington.co.uk

Inside the V&A East Museum. (© David Parry/ V&A)

Visit V&A East

The V&A’s much-awaited East London opening is finally here. Introducing the V&A East Museum (not to be confused with its neighbour V&A Storehouse): an all-new museum on Stratford’s Olympic Park dedicated to contemporary global culture. Visitors can expect two permanent galleries titled ‘Why We Make’ and featuring more than 500 objects from the V&A’s collections, spanning art, architecture, design, performance and fashion – many on display for the first time. Meanwhile there is also an opening exhibition titled The Music is Black, which celebrates 125 years of Black music in our country. Spanning Jazz, Reggae, 2 Tone, Drum & Bass, Trip Hop, Garage, Grime and more, the exhibition tells the long-overdue story of Black excellence, struggle, resilience, and joy. Highlights on display include Stormzy’s iconic 2019 Glastonbury vest designed by Banksy, Joan Armatrading’s childhood guitar, fashion worn by Seal, Sade + Skin, plus Fabio & Grooverider’s DJ equipment.

Where? 107 Carpenters Rd, Stratford Cross, London E20 2AR 

Details: Entry to the V&A East Museum is free; tickets to see The Music is Black start from £10pp. vam.ac.uk

Shop At The Women for Women International Car Boot Sale

Spread across two floors in the Selfridges Car Park, this isn’t your average car boot sale. Hosted by Alex Eagle and supported by A-listers like Helen Mirren, Elizabeth Debicki and Sophie Turner, it offers the opportunity to nab new, past season, vintage and pre-loved designer fashion steals donated by luxury brands and fashion insiders. Better still, all funds go towards supporting women living in some of the world’s most dangerous places. 

Where? 400 Oxford St, London W1A 1AB 

Details: 16 May 2026, womenforwomen.org.uk

Kick Off Festival Season

May is the start of London’s festival season, with events popping up in parks across the city. The late Bank Holiday Weekend (22 – 24 May) sees a bumper crop of festivals: there’s GALA at Peckham Rye Park (22 – 24 May), plus three in Brockwell Park – Field Day (23 May), Cross The Tracks (24 May) and City Splash (25 May). Then, on the last weekend of the month, pop and LGBTQ+ festival Mighty Hoopla takes over Brockwell Park (30 – 31 May) featuring performances from Lily Allen, Jessie J, Alexandra Burke and JLS. 

Where? Various locations

Details: Tickets are still available for Gala (thisisgala.co.uk), Field Day (fielddayfestivals.com), Cross The Tracks (xthetracks.com), City Splash (city-splash.com). Limited tickets are available for Mighty Hoopla (mightyhoopla.com).

Workout At London’s Most Exclusive Reformer Studio

Lauran Masaoka’s Pilates in the Clouds has long been known as London’s most exclusive pilates studio, with a by-appointment-only policy and hundreds-strong waiting list – plus a long list of celebrity fans. But now, us mere mortals can have a go on the Instagram-famous Cadillac machines thanks to the launch of a brand-new studio, tucked away on the fourth floor of Harvey Nichols (now dedicated to all things wellness). The space is beautiful, taking the pilates aesthetic to new heights with Dior-branded equipment, fresh flowers, large mirrors and plenty of natural light flooding in. With just six spots, nabbing a spot still won’t be easy – and at £59 for a group class, it’s certainly not cheap. But you can guarantee world-class teaching and the Cadillac equipment allows for moves you’ll likely have never tried before including the spread eagle you’ve seen all over your Instagram feed. 

Where? 109-125 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7RJ 

BOOK: harveynichols.com