Things to Do in London in May

• What’s Coming Up/Discount Codes
• Candlelight Concerts
• Day Trips & Tours
• Theatre/New Shows
• Afternoon Teas
• Pubs with Beer Gardens & Views
• Guides & Consultations for Your Trip
• Exhibitions
• London Trip Planner
• Pinterest/Save for Later

If you’re planning a trip to London, May is one of the best months to visit. The weather finally feels like spring. And thanks to longer daylight hours (with sunsets pushing 9.30pm) there’s more time to enjoy everything London offers.

As temperatures get warmer, London kicks into high gear with iconic events like the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Whether you’re after cultural days out, scenic pub gardens or memorable walking tours, this month delivers.

As always, I’ve rounded up the top afternoon teas worth booking in May, plus my favourite Candlelight Concerts for the month, including a few that regularly sell out. There’s also a curated list of day trips from London and discount codes for many activities.

Be sure to read my Costly Mistakes to Avoid When Visiting London. And book ahead for popular attractions and tours around the bank holiday weekends.

You’ll find Things to Do in London in May organised below by:

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Coming Up/On Sale Now

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Things to Do in London in May: Candlelight Concerts

I have attended several of these concerts and highly recommend them for date nights, special occasions like birthdays or anniversaries or just a fun night out! You can read more about my first experience at the Tribute to Coldplay. I’ve also attended the Tribute to Taylor Swift, Hans Zimmer Candlelight Concert, Christmas Movie Soundtracks and EDM.

Day Trips & Tours

May is always a great month to see London. The long days give you so much more time to get out and explore. The weather is usually fantastic, not too cold and not too hot. this makes it a perfect month for day trips.

Just remember, train tickets are extortionate here, if not booked far enough in advance. I always use Trainline to book my tickets for anywhere in the UK.

Things to Do in London in May: Theatre

Afternoon Tea: Things to Do in London in May

May is a fun month for afternoon tea because many hotels and restaurants have a floral themed tea for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. This month I selected a few new, fun and seasonal ones for you to try.

One of my favourites is Kensington Palace Gardens Royal High Tea. It’s quite indulgent. However, you can wear jeans and dress casually because many people tour the Palace and gardens beforehand. I took the Tea Master’s recommendations for all of my selections and loved it.

If you’re looking for an afternoon tea in London that is delicious and in a beautiful setting, give this one a go. You may wish to sit indoors to avoid bees if the weather is super warm & sunny.

London Travel Guides and 1:1 Trip Consultations

If choosing the right activities for your London trip is overwhelming, grab one of my London Travel Guides or book a 1:1 planning meeting with me.

Things to Do in London in May: Exhibitions & Shows

EMPORIUM NRG – LIVE WRESTLING + RAVE

A concept new to the London and UK scene, merging live wrestling with rave culture Debut night is 2nd May at Unit 58 Tottenham, London. Find more on their Instagram at Emporiumprowres.

BELGRAVIA IN BLOOM

Get your fill of fabulous florals at the free Belgravia in Bloom festival, which will be taking place from 19th-26th May 2025.  Visitors can expect eye-popping floral displays and unique experiences across the neighbourhood. This year’s theme is ‘Seasons’ with installations reflecting spring, summer, autumn and winter. 

BANKSY LIMITLESS: Reframed

This is a temporary, museum-quality exhibition created for London, bringing street art into a gallery setting at the city’s cultural heart. It featuring 250 works, including certified originals, one-of-a-kind pieces and exclusive reproductions by the iconic street artist.

For similar activities, don’t miss this article on Immersive Experiences in London.

rhs chelsea flower show

This is one of the most popular annual events in London. You’ll see amazing garden designs, gorgeous floral displays and exclusive shopping.

Things to Do In London in May: Pubs for Views & Gardens

Londoners always love taking their pints outside. However, this is one of the most popular time of the year for Londoners to do it. So, you can anticipate pubs looking quite busy from the outside, especially after work hours on a sunny day.

Below is a list of pubs in London that we feel offer some of the best pub gardens and views in London. And don’t forget Mr Sunny recommends a new pub every week in our Sunny News email.

London Travel Planner