The ianVisits guide to May's unusual events, tours, lectures and exhibitions happening around London.
Friday 1st May
Moris Dancing around Islington by the local all-female Morris dancer troupe.
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Parade through the streets by a tall green man and various dancers and musicians.
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£11.50
Four days of events about coffee with lots of different things happening throughout the weekend.
All Day
Whitechapel
£10.00
A two-day conference on the cultural, social and political implications of the supernatural from the Renaissance to the present day.
10am to 9pm
6:30pm to 8pm
Camden
More London events on Friday 1st May
Saturday 2nd May
There will be an array of boats, trade show stalls and boaters gathering at the festival this May bank holiday weekend.
All Day
£11.50
Four days of events about coffee with lots of different things happening throughout the weekend.
All Day
Whitechapel
£3.00
Visit one of the Geffrye's 18th-century almshouses which has been fully restored to its original condition.
Starts at 11am
Bethnal Green
£7.50
Explore archaeological secrets from beneath some of London’s most iconic buildings.
Starts at 11am
Monthly open day at one of London's more unusual, and delightful museums.
2pm to 5pm
More London events on Saturday 2nd May
Sunday 3rd May
There will be an array of boats, trade show stalls and boaters gathering at the festival this May bank holiday weekend.
All Day
£11.50
Four days of events about coffee with lots of different things happening throughout the weekend.
All Day
Whitechapel
Semi-occasional opening of the second biggest Conservatory in London.
11am to 5pm
This walking tour is part of Camden's celebrations of the London Borough's 50th anniversary this year.
11am to 1pm
Euston
The guided tour of the Albert Memorial gives you exclusive access inside the memorial railings,
Starts at 2pm
South Kensington
Come along with a lantern for a sunset walk followed by a night time lantern procession down the Meridian Line of River Lee Country Park.
8:45pm to 10:15pm
Waltham Abbey
More London events on Sunday 3rd May
Monday 4th May
There will be an array of boats, trade show stalls and boaters gathering at the festival this May bank holiday weekend.
All Day
Free
The best local artists, crafters, food producers and ethical businesses.
11am to 5pm
Highgate
A feast of food and drink on offer, plus craft stalls, bouncy castles and face painting
12pm to 5pm
Walthamstow
Free
There'll be a 62-round gun salute at the Tower to mark the birth of The Princess of Cambridge.
Starts at 2pm
More London events on Monday 4th May
Tuesday 5th May
Kureishi will be at the shop to talk about his book, its genesis and its afterlife,
Starts at 7pm
Cinesthesia will present the original film with a new LIVE experimental electronic score by Antwerp.
7:30pm to 2pm
Hackney
More London events on Tuesday 5th May
Wednesday 6th May
Lambeth Palace Garden will be open on the first Wednesday of the month between March and October,
12pm to 3pm
Southwark
A lecture about the German politician who unified Germany.
5pm to 7pm
Euston
6:30pm to 8pm
Camden
More London events on Wednesday 6th May
Thursday 7th May
Starts at 6pm
Holborn
£8.00
A screening of the classic sci-fi movie in a Planetarium
Starts at 7pm
More London events on Thursday 7th May
Friday 8th May
An exhibition of photos from the day London celebrated the end of World War II in Europe.
All Day
Trafalgar Square
A note that there will be searchlights at three locations in London to mark VE Day.
8:30pm to 11:59pm
More London events on Friday 8th May
Saturday 9th May
An exhibition of photos from the day London celebrated the end of World War II in Europe.
All Day
Trafalgar Square
This exhibition presents some of the most striking images of London and Londoners from the mid 1800s onwards
9:30am to 4:45pm
Open days at two Victorian buildings, now used for designers and crafts.
12pm to 5pm
Clerkenwell
Free
Celebrate the best science and arts on offer, though talks, tours, workshops, performances and hands-on demonstrations.
12pm to 6pm
The Notting Hill May Fair has been running for more than 25 years and is known for its traditional village games and stalls.
1pm to 5pm
Notting Hill
Presentations from the architect and mosaic conservator, followed by a visit to the site in Grand Depot Road.
1pm to 3pm
Woolwich
A note that there will be searchlights at three locations in London to mark VE Day.
8:30pm to 11:59pm
More London events on Saturday 9th May
Sunday 10th May
£8.40
Travel by boat through Islington tunnel on the Regent's Canal, opened in 1820, and around three quarters of a mile in length.
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An exhibition of photos from the day London celebrated the end of World War II in Europe.
All Day
Trafalgar Square
Annual march past by former and serving members of many cavalry regiments.
Starts at 10:45am
Kensington
Parade at 11am, church service at noon, then public puppet shows throughout the rest of the afternoon.
Starts at 11am
Covent Garden
From bouncy castles to beer tents, handmade children’s t-shirts to homemade cakes, designer jewellery to local photography,
Starts at 12pm
East Dulwich
Open days at two Victorian buildings, now used for designers and crafts.
12pm to 5pm
Clerkenwell
Free
Celebrate the best science and arts on offer, though talks, tours, workshops, performances and hands-on demonstrations.
12pm to 6pm
A vintage fair in the grounds of a mansion to celebrate VE Day.
12pm to 5pm
Finchley
In this two hour walk Rob Smith looks at the industrial heritage of the lower River Lea, and the Victorian architecture that remains.
Starts at 1pm
Stratford
As part of the VE day commemorations, there will be a military flypast over central London, followed by the Red Arrows.
1pm to 1pm
A talk about he first purpose-built amphitheatre playhouses, which were built in Shoreditch
Starts at 7:30pm
Clapton
A note that there will be searchlights at three locations in London to mark VE Day.
8:30pm to 11:59pm
More London events on Sunday 10th May
Monday 11th May
Free
7:40pm to 9pm
More London events on Monday 11th May
Tuesday 12th May
The annual open evening at the Honourable Artillery Company with plenty of displays of military prowess.
Starts at 5:30pm
Moorgate
Two of the world’s leading historians of modern Germany reflect on the ways in which our understanding of Nazi Germany has been transformed.
6:30pm to 8pm
Euston
More London events on Tuesday 12th May
Wednesday 13th May
This talk, focused on visual arts, considers archival images and new creative projects.
2pm to 3pm
Can selling sex be empowering, or a job like any other -- or should we try to 'end demand'?
7:30pm to 9pm
More London events on Wednesday 13th May
Thursday 14th May
Join Debbie Challis (UCL Petrie) at Cleopatra's Needle on the Embankment and a walk to Monument for a look at how Ancient Egyptian beliefs about capturing light has influenced more modern ideas.
2pm to 4pm
Free
Annual event where the church progresses around its parish marking out the boundaries.
Starts at 3:30pm
Visit all four floors of the House before enjoying a complimentary glass of wine.
5:30pm to 8pm
£10.00
A talk on the gruesome profession of the Resurrectionists, the men who supplied the dissecting rooms of London from the graves of the city.
Starts at 7pm
Jack Zipes, a world authority on the fairy tale, takes us on a fascinating journey into the world of the Grimms’ original fairy tales, and the reasons
Starts at 7pm
More London events on Thursday 14th May
Friday 15th May
£5.00
Tour the remains of the western gate of London’s Roman military fort, located beneath the streets next to the museum.
Starts at 2pm
6:30pm to 8pm
Camden
More London events on Friday 15th May
Saturday 16th May
The top attraction for many is the array of canal boats from across the country, with at least 100 craft of many types and histories.
All Day
Rickmansworth
A fair and procession through the town with over 60 local stalls and organisations.
8:45am to 1pm
Cheam
The tower at St John’s will be accessible during this time, allowing for panoramic views over Notting Hill and beyond.
11am to 3pm
Notting Hill
Annual open day at the Victorian Cemetery with guided tours of the crypt, the graves, and numerous stalls and displays.
11am to 5pm
Rare opportunity to visit this 42 acre jewel with many mature trees, 2 acre lake with water fowl, expansive lawns and a river walk.
12pm to 4pm
Fulham
Free
A number of traditional rowing cutters; including the Queen’s Row Barge GLORIANA will be rowing from Hampton Court Palace to the Tower of London.
12pm to 5pm
£1045.00
Trips around the royal docks in one of the Dunkirk boats ahead of their 75th anniversary commemorations.
6pm to 10pm
Victoria Dock
More London events on Saturday 16th May
Sunday 17th May
The top attraction for many is the array of canal boats from across the country, with at least 100 craft of many types and histories.
All Day
Rickmansworth
Free
Folk dancing and moris men, along with the Green Man at this traditional fete.
12pm to 5pm
Enfield Town
There will be access to ground floor displays about the history of the tower, and a chance to go up to the belfry.
3pm to 5pm
Erith
More London events on Sunday 17th May
Monday 18th May
More London events on Monday 18th May
Tuesday 19th May
Starts at 6pm
Barbican
A free talk about David Kirkaldy's Universal materials testing machine, a hidden gem of Southwark's heritage.
6:30pm to 7:30pm
Southwark
A talk about the improbability principle .
7:30pm to 9pm
More London events on Tuesday 19th May
Wednesday 20th May
A series of archaeology lectures on a number of topics related to the Crossrail archaeology programme.
Starts at 6pm
Barbican
A talk about Benjamin Franklin's initial views about the Stamp Act and its impact on the American War of Independence.
Starts at 6:30pm
This lecture marks the launch of a new collection of essays by Ralph Miliband. Professor Blackburn will examine how the British New Left understands the failings of the State.
6:30pm to 8pm
Holborn
This event will explore the relationship between the Chamberlains and the Churchills, and collaboration and conflict
7:30pm to 9pm
Islington
More London events on Wednesday 20th May
Thursday 21st May
Occasional tours of a nearly 300 year interior of a grand mansion house, now private members club.
Starts at 10am
Rickmansworth
Tour of the City of London's historic Guildhall, followed by attending the Common Council.
Starts at 10:45am
An opportunity to tour the new Park, looking at the way in which the site has been influenced by the River Lea.
5pm to 6pm
Olympic Park
Moderately rare chance to visit the gardens of the Archbishop of Canterbury in the evening.
5:50pm to 8pm
Southwark
£15.00
Join actors, musicians and Dr Matthew Green for an immersive whirlwind tour of 18th-century Covent Garden,
6:30pm to 8:15pm
Covent Garden
More London events on Thursday 21st May
Friday 22nd May
This festival consist of popular cultural exhibits, foods, crafts, and performances highlighting the diverse history of the region in Turkey,
All Day
Stoke Newington
6:30pm to 8pm
Camden
More London events on Friday 22nd May
Saturday 23rd May
This festival consist of popular cultural exhibits, foods, crafts, and performances highlighting the diverse history of the region in Turkey,
All Day
Stoke Newington
Come and meet your local societies, find out about current heritage projects and listen to talks on a range of subjects.
11am to 4:30pm
Wandsworth
More London events on Saturday 23rd May
Sunday 24th May
This festival consist of popular cultural exhibits, foods, crafts, and performances highlighting the diverse history of the region in Turkey,
All Day
Stoke Newington
More London events on Sunday 24th May
Monday 25th May
This festival consist of popular cultural exhibits, foods, crafts, and performances highlighting the diverse history of the region in Turkey,
All Day
Stoke Newington
More London events on Monday 25th May
Tuesday 26th May
No events are listed for today. Sorry.
More London events on Tuesday 26th May
Wednesday 27th May
A Gun Salute of 41 rounds will be fired from the Tower of London for the State Opening of Parliament.
Starts at 12pm
Starts at 6pm
Barbican
A talk about the individuals from Battersea’s past who have inspired true political and social change.
6pm to 7pm
Battersea
This illustrated talk by Dorian Gerhold will examine the mansions and villas which were an important feature of Putney from the 15th-19th centuries.
7pm to 8:30pm
Putney
A topical film, being shown inside a pharmacy.
7pm to 9pm
Poplar
More London events on Wednesday 27th May
Thursday 28th May
A look behind the scenes at Putney Library, built in 1898-99 and extended 1996-98.
11am to 12pm
Putney
This talk explores the development and, ultimately, the demise of decorated stationery.
6pm to 8pm
Free
A light hearted look at what it means to be human, and what the alternatives might be.
7pm to 8:30pm
Euston
Menno Schilthuize uncovers the ways the shapes and functions of genitalia have been molded by complex Darwinian struggles.
7:45pm to 10:30pm
City of London
More London events on Thursday 28th May
Friday 29th May
Free
The 355th Oak Apple Day to commemorate the anniversary of the day that King Charles II returned to London from exile overseas
All Day
This free NLA breakfast talk will launch a GVA report into London’s knowledge economy
Starts at 8:30am
More London events on Friday 29th May
Saturday 30th May
During a truly unique near 10 mile walk you will discover all of Fitzrovia's 110+ streets, mews, courts and other thoroughfares.
All Day
The semi-regular TfL funded series of free guided walks around London all weekend
All Day
Free
Delve deeper into the world of robots with Keith Piper’s interactive installation.
All Day
A tour of the beautiful memorials and historic catacombs of West Norwood Cemetery.
10:30am to 12:30pm
West Norwood
Free
Find out about Ilford on prehistoric times to the present day.
Starts at 10:30am
Ilford
An opportunity to visit parts of the restored church not normally accessible, such as the Bell Tower and the Crypt.
11am to 4pm
Streatham
A walking event along the route of some high-level disused railway sidings.
11am to 5pm
Peckham
Join Ken, the Cemetery Park Manager for a tour of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park.
Starts at 2:30pm
More London events on Saturday 30th May
Sunday 31st May
The semi-regular TfL funded series of free guided walks around London all weekend
All Day
Free
Delve deeper into the world of robots with Keith Piper’s interactive installation.
All Day
£6.50
Enjoy a day of nostalgia and living heritage with up 6 different breeds of heavy horse.
11am to 5pm
Monthly opening of the railway cutting based nature reserve.
1pm to 4pm
Forest Hill
