With the beginning of May and the arrival of (hopefully) some warmer weather, the Campus News team thought it’s time to give you some ideas about things you can do in London this month.

Published Thursday, 2nd May, 2024 in University news

From taking part in sports to tasting amazing food, enjoying gigs to relaxing in nature, we hope there’s something for everyone and you’ll be inspired to try something new!

Food and Drink

May is serving up a feast for foodies in London! Dive into the flavours of Sicily at SiciliyFEST 2024, which is happening from Thursday 2 May - Sunday 5 May. You’ll be able to immerse yourself at the Mediterranean food street market filled with cannoli, arancini, gourmet panini, Sicilian wine and more . For just £5, you can enjoy live performances, interactive seminars and a great atmosphere.

If you’re a street food lover, you can head to the Urban Village Fete on Sunday 19 May at the Greenwich Peninsula. Indulge in  food from around the world, creative workshops, talks and entertainment, like the Canine Circus and tunes from legendary DJ Gilles Petersen. Entry is free, so come hungry and ready for a day of fun!

Out and about

You can dive into London’s rich cultural history with walking tours from Bow Street Police Museum, which explores the history of protest movements in Covent Garden. Join Walking Tours about riots in Covent Garden, the Suffragette Movement and the theatre’s relationship with the criminal underworld. Tickets are £15 and half price with a  2-4-1 Art Fund entry. You can find out more and book tickets on Bow Street Police Museum’s website.

On Sunday 26 May, this year’s Ford RideLondon FreeCycle is taking place. It’s a huge event offering you the chance to cycle around the streets of central London without traffic. It’s completely free to take part and you’ll be able to explore Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Place, Downing Street and more. All abilities are welcome and if you don’t have a bicycle, you can hire one for the day from Santander Cycles. More information about the event is available on Ride London’s website.

Sports and games

As the weather gets warmer, you might see a lot of people running together across parks, bridges or canals. Chances are they’re part of a running club. Joining a running club is a great way to meet friends, explore London and get some feel good endorphins. GQ has put together an article on everything you need to know about running clubs and which ones may be best for you.

If you know a clutch isn’t just a car pedal, the Science Museum’s ‘Power Up’ exhibition might be right up your street. Explore the best video games from across the last five decades , rediscover your childhood favourite games and dive into the latest in virtual reality. Tickets are from £12 and can be purchased on the Science Museum’s website.

Arts and Culture

Unleash your inner creativity this May with exciting art and cultural experiences. You can join Social Pottery for beginner pottery classes and let your imagination run wild. With expert guidance from experienced instructors, you’ll shape and paint your masterpiece. Sessions range in price, with the cheapest beginning at £5.95.

From Monday 20 May - Monday 27 May, Belgravia in Bloom, a must-see floral festival, is taking place in Chelsea. This year’ s theme is floral fun and games. Whether you’re a flower enthusiast or just looking for a fun day out this spring, the festival  has something for everyone. Best of all, it’s all free!  The nearest underground stations are Victoria, Knightsbridge and Sloane Square.

Nature

May’s a great time to  dust-off your sunglasses and explore London’s wonderful wildlife. Regent’s Canal, a 14km canal path stretching from Paddington to Limehouse, is on City’s doorstep. You can access the Canal on Noel Road, which is about a 10-minute walk from campus.

City’s weekly beekeeping sessions are beginning again in May, where you’ll be able to learn about City’s bees and have a go at looking after them. The sessions take place on Wednesday lunchtimes  and don’t worry, you’ll be given fully protective bee suits. You can also take part in City’s weekly Walled Garden sessions  on Tuesdays from 12.30pm-1.30pm in the Drysdale Building Courtyard.

If you’d like to learn how to attract butterflies, you can build butterfly feeders and create your own butterfly prints at Grosvenor Square on Saturday 18 May, 12pm-4pm.  You can also take part in a special Japanese flower printing workshop at the Walthamstow Wetlands on Sunday 19 May, 1pm-2.30pm. As part of the session, you’ll explore the Wetlands and pick flowers to use for dye in the workshops.

Gigs and nights out

London is one of the best cities in the world for watching live music and there’s lots to take in during May. As everyone’s taste is a bit different, we recommend taking a look at Timeout’s list of music festivals you can go to in May, (our favourites include Gala Festival in Peckham and Project 6 in Tulse Hill).

If you fancy a night of dancing away to your favourite cheesy pop hits, we recommend Club De Fromage in Angel, which hosts regular club nights for under £10. Horse Meat Disco at the Eagle in Vauxhall hosts weekly LGBTQIA+ and budget-friendly disco nights on Sundays. If you fancy a blast from the past, Deptford Northern Soul Club is hosting Northern Soul nights at Moth Club in Hackney and Rough Trade East in Brick Lane this month.