London offers an exciting mix of experiences for visitors and locals alike and this Spring is no different. 

May is a month filled with engaging comedy, live music, art exhibitions, and outdoor activities. This guide breaks down the unmissable London events that are happening next month, with something for everyone. Whether it’s a night out at a comedy club, a memorable theatre night, or a relaxed family day in the park, you’ll find an activity to keep the whole family happy.

We’ve put together an insider’s guide to the very best London events in May 2025 alongside practical tips for to make the most out of your spring trip. Grab a coffee, settle in, and let’s plan an unforgettable stay that leaves you feeling like a local. 

Your Week‑by‑Week May 2025 London Event Calendar 

All distances are calculated from our Marble Arch Hotel by Thistle, because we understand nobody likes a long journey home after a big night out. 

1 – 4 May: A Laughing Start 

• West End Comedy Club (3 min on the Central line)
  Mid‑week line‑ups spotlight fresh British talent plus a household‑name headliner, guaranteeing you’ll leave with new favourites to follow on social media. 

• Mayfair Art & Antiques Weekend (8‑min walk)
  Specialist dealers open their usually private galleries to casual browsers. Even if you’re not in the market for an 18th‑century writing desk, the storytelling alone is worth your time. 

 

Local tip: Cap the evening with a nightcap at The Lanesborough’s Library Bar. Not many guests realise it’s walk‑in friendly before 10 pm. 

12 – 18 May: Music Royalty & Riverside Revelry 

• David Gray at London Palladium – 13 May (10 min walk)
  A gorgeous venue with art‑deco curves and comfy seats—perfect if you love a concert but prefer to avoid stadium crowds. 

• Urban Village Fête, Greenwich Peninsula – 18 May (30 min on Elizabeth line)
  Think village fête meets design festival: creative workshops, street food stalls, and Gilles Peterson spinning global beats. Entry is free but bring spending money for bespoke crafts. 

• Anastacia at London Palladium – 15 May
  Belt out “I’m Outta Love” alongside a choir of long‑time fans and prepare to lose your voice in the best possible way. 

 

Local tip: For a pre‑show dinner, nip down Duke Street to the casual‑elegant Kuro Eatery; their miso cod rivals Nobu for half the price. 

19 – 25 May: Blooms, Bowie and Bank‑Holiday Buzz 

• RHS Chelsea Flower Show – 20‑24 May (15 min bus)
  Even non‑gardeners fall for the themed show gardens, artisan studios and pop‑up Champagne bars. New for 2025: an immersive “Climate Resilient Balcony” exhibit packed with low‑maintenance ideas city dwellers can actually use. 

• The V&A East Storehouse Opening – 31 May (soft previews from 19 May) (20 min Elizabeth line)
  Imagine wandering the museum’s secret attic: 250,000 objects, from couture gowns to medieval carvings, stored behind glass with curators on hand to discuss each treasure. The David Bowie display—complete with handwritten lyrics—already has cult status. 

• Pete Tong Presents Ibiza Classics at Royal Albert Hall – 23 May (12 min by bus + walk)
  A full orchestra meets legendary DJ, turning ’90s club bangers into goose‑bump symphonies. 

 

Local tip: Book an early‑morning slot at Chelsea to avoid crowds; afterwards, reward yourself with a Kensington brunch and stroll back through Hyde Park to our Marble Arch hotel. 

26 – 31 May: Half‑Term Happiness & West End Wonders 

• London May Half‑Term – 26‑31 May
  Family activities pop up city‑wide: free science shows at The Science Museum, pirate‑themed treasure hunts along the South Bank, and outdoor cinema screenings of animated classics. 

• The Lion King, Lyceum Theatre (12 min Tube)
  Timeless, jaw‑dropping puppetry that still provokes a standing ovation every single night. 

• Hamilton, Victoria Palace Theatre (15 min bus)
  Yes, it really is that good. Set an alarm for the weekly ticket lottery if full‑price seats aren’t in the budget. 

 

Local tip: Children staying at our hotel near Marble Arch London qualify for “Kids Eat Free” menus in select West End restaurants—ask reception to point you in the right direction. 

Local Gems within Walking Distance of our London Hotel 

• Hyde Park
  On any given May morning you might stumble upon tai‑chi groups by the Serpentine, impromptu jazz by the bandstand, or paddle‑board yoga lessons launching from the Lido steps. Pack trainers so you can join in.

 

• Speaker’s Corner on Sundays
  A ten‑minute wander from our London Marble Arch hotel lands you in the heart of free speech. Grab a coffee, listen to topical (and sometimes comical) debates, or even step up to the soapbox yourself—who says travellers can’t have opinions?

 

• The Wallace Collection
  Hidden behind an unassuming Manchester Square façade 12 minutes’ walk away; this gallery showcases everything from Canalettos to suits of armour. Add the on‑site café’s famed madeleines and you’ve got a rainy‑day haven.

 

• Church Street Antiques Market
  Often overshadowed by Portobello, Church Street (15‑min walk) rewards rummagers with vintage vinyl, 1960s glassware and bargain mid‑century furniture—ideal if you fancy shipping home a statement lamp instead of another t‑shirt. 

One Perfect Long Weekend at our Marble Arch Hotel 

Day 1 (Friday):
Check in, drop bags, grab fish‑and‑chips from The Mayfair Chippy, then head to Comedy Carnival. Wind down with a moonlit walk through Hyde Park: there’s something magic about the city skyline reflected in the iconic lake. 

Day 2 (Saturday):
Morning jog to Kensington Palace, brunch at The Ivy Kensington, RHS Chelsea Flower Show in the afternoon, dinner at Patty & Bun James Street, then Hamilton for an evening show. 

Day 3 (Sunday):
Lazy start with hotel breakfast, stroll to the Wallace Collection, browse Church Street Market, late lunch at Donostia, sunset pedalo ride on the Serpentine, and a final nightcap at the Churchill Bar on Portman Square. 

Day 4 (Bank‑Holiday Monday):
Pack, leave luggage with concierge, zip over to Greenwich for the Urban Village Fête, snap a photo on the Prime Meridian, then collect bags and hop onto the Heathrow Express feeling smugly fulfilled. 

 

Why Base Yourself at our Marble Arch Hotel? 

Before diving into the diary, a brief word about location (because every Londoner knows the postcode often makes or breaks a trip). Marble Arch is more than just a grand monument marking the north‑east corner of Hyde Park; it’s a delightful hinge between the leafy serenity of Mayfair and the retail theatre of Oxford Street. Check into our London hotel near Marble Arch and you can: 

• Walk to Selfridges in under ten minutes 

• Stroll into Hyde Park for a sunrise jog or sunset picnic 

• Tube it direct to Covent Garden, Stratford, or South Kensington without changing lines 

• Dine on everything from Persian kebabs on Edgware Road to Michelin‑starred tasting menus in Mayfair 

Staying at The Marble Arch Hotel by Thistle adds an extra layer of ease: comfortable rooms, pillow‑soft beds, and a concierge team who can often magic last‑minute tickets to sold‑out shows. In the world of travel, tiny conveniences—such as having Bond Street’s brand‑new Elizabeth line entrance seven minutes away—translate into extra holiday minutes you never knew you were losing.  

Getting Around Central London with Ease 

• Elizabeth line: Bond Street to Canary Wharf in 15 minutes. Game‑changer. 

• Santander Cycles: Docking station right outside Marble Arch station; tap a bank card and pedal off. 

• Black cabs: Often faster than rideshares in central zones, plus that quintessential London experience. Simply flag one near Cumberland Gate. 

• Contactless payments: Your debit or credit card is your Oyster card, just tap in and out. 

 

Ready to turn plans into memories? Book direct with us today for the best rates, excellent, personalised service, and a front‑row seat to the very best London events in May 2025.