There are always loads of great things happening in London, and this month is no exception. There are two Bank Holidays in May, as well as the half-term school holiday, and as the weather’s getting slightly less chilly (some of the time at least) it’s a good time to explore the capital. Here’s my pick of the best things to do in London in May 2019. Check back each month for my latest round-up – and do send me any tips which you think should be included.

Canalway Cavalcade

Canalway Cavalcade is an annual waterway festival in Little Venice. The festival features an array of boats as well as live music, Morris dancing, competitions, food stalls, family-friendly activities and a real ale bar. This year’s cavalcade is from 4th-6th May. On Sunday 5th May from 9pm there’s procession of illuminated boats.

Cost: Free admission – then costs depend on activity.

London Craft Week

London Craft Week is an annual event which showcases outstanding craftsmanship through a varied programme which features hidden workshops and unknown makers as well as famous studios and luxury brands. This year London Craft Week runs from 8th-12th May, and includes some family-friendly events, such as a mosaic workshop at the London School of Mosaic.

Cost: Varies according to event.

Museums at Night

Museums at Night is an annual UK-wide festival which aims to encourage visitors into museums, galleries and heritage sites by putting on special evening events. This year the festival is running from 15th-18th May. Some of the events are good for kids – check out the Museums at Night website to see what’s on offer where you live.

Cost: Depends on activity.

London History Day

Historic England’s London History Day takes place on 31st May, the date that Big Ben first started keeping time in 1859. Many of the city’s museums and galleries are hosting special events and displays for London History Day, Including the London Fire Brigade Pop-Up Museum.

Cost: Varies according to event.

Natural History Museum: Investigate for Families

Science Educators are on hand at the Natural History Museum’s Investigate Centre to help you to explore hundreds of the museum’s nature specimens. Investigate for Families is a free drop-in activity, and it’s open every day until June 30th, 2019.

Cost: Free.

Underbelly

The popular Underbelly Festival is back at the Southbank. The live entertainment festival is running until 30th September, and offers a fantastic programme of live comedy, circus, cabaret and family entertainment, as well as street food stalls and outdoor bars.

Cost: Varies according to show.

Horniman Museum: Brick Wonders

Brick Wonders is at the Horniman Museum and Gardens until 27th October 2019. The exhibition showcases some amazing wonders from around the world, all made entirely from LEGO® bricks. There are more than 50 models on display, and visitors can work on their own designs in the interactive play areas.

Cost: Adults from £8.00, children from £4.50, under-threes free.

More on London

If you’d like a moneysaving sightseeing pass for your trip to the city, The London Pass includes a one-day hop-on hop-off bus tour, as well as free entry to more than 80 attractions, tours and museums, such as the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey and The View from The Shard. The pass also gives you fast-track entry at some of the most popular attractions, so you don’t have to waste time queueing.

If you’d like a London guide book, I recommend both the Lonely Planet London Travel Guide and the London Marco Polo Travel Guide. If you need accommodation, check out my post about family-friendly places to stay in the capital.

Each month I publish a round-up of great things to do in London, so do pop back to see it, or you can subscribe to my blog (by entering your email address in the box on the right, where it says ‘YOU’D LIKE MY POSTS BY EMAIL?’) and it will be emailed to you automatically. You can read my June round-up of top things to do in the city here:

Things to do in London with kids: June

Here’s a post with loads of ideas for fantastic free stuff to do in London for families with a teen in tow:

60 free things to do in London with a teenager.

Over to you

What would you like me to include in next month’s round-up? Do share your London tips and recommendations.

Disclosure: This post contains some affiliate links, which means that if you clicked through and made a purchase I may receive a small commission. All opinions and words are my own, as ever.

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