Unmissable Things to Do in London this May 2022
Maybe it’s because we’re Londoners, that we love London town! Maybe you’ve been waiting for our list of Unmissable Things To Do in London (and beyond) this May! Well, here it is…
Make your life fabulous by ticking off everything on this list – but do it safely!
Rebel Music | Various Lewisham Venues | Multiple Dates Through May | Prices Vary
Lewisham Borough of Culture has taken a while to get going but is on fire this month celebrating the borough’s musical heritage and bright future. Highlights include:
- LKJ: 50 Years of Activism (5 May): Legend Linton Kwesi Johnson is in conversation in Deptford’s Albany as he reflects on his 50 years of activism.
- The Black Obsidian Vogue Ball (14 May) A celebration of all things Afrofuturistic in Brockley’s out of this world Rivoli Ballroom.
- Rebel Music: Lewisham Sound System Trail (29 May) A treasure trail of sound systems placed in venues and outdoor locations across Deptford and New Cross, celebrating Lewisham’s role in sound system culture.
Peckham Fringe | Theatre Peckham | From 2 May | £11-£15
27 exciting new companies take over Theatre Peckham’s main space and studio.
UK Asian Film Festival | Various Venues | 4-15 May
Get closer South Asian culture, history, arts, storytelling, and self-expression with this eclectic film festival.
Flawa Festival | Multiple Venues | 5-14 May | Prices Vary
A festival showcasing film, music, literature and arts from Latin American women.
The Ministry of Lesbian Affairs | Soho Theatre | From 6 May | From £12
A queer comedy about a lesbian choir.
Dreamachine | Woolwich Public Market | From 10 May | FREE
A free, innovative and mind-blowing experience, which fills your mind with colours, shapes and music whilst your eyes are shut.
Lee Miller: Nurses | The Fitzrovia Chapel | From 11 May | FREE
Lee Miller’s photography is exhibited in the beautiful surrounds of the Fitzrovia Chapel.
Wild Card: Livia Rita – FUTURA Glitch | Sadler’s Wells | 12 & 13 May | From £17
A soft rave ritual will make for a night of unexpected wonder at Sadler’s Wells.
Anna B Savage + Hatis Noit | Kings Place | 13 May | £13.50
Unusual rhythms and vocals from Anna B Savage are a must-see.
Everyday | New Diorama Theatre | From 17 May | £19
Deaf women and non-binary people’s experiences of surviving abuse bubble up into a witches’ coven.
Much Ado About Nothing | Network Theatre | 18-21 May | £12
Shakespeare’s comedy is remixed into a lesbian couple reluctantly reuniting after a vicious break up and a fraught political campaign.
The Grotteaux | Woolwich Works | From 18 May | From £15.50
Woolwich’s cultural hub comes to life for summer with this cabaret spectacular.
ABBA in the Archives | The British Library | 25 May | £11
Delve deep into the ABBA archives with performance wunderkind Christopher Green ahead of the start of VOYAGE in the ABBA Arena near Stratford.
Queer Cowboys | Wilton’s Music Hall | 26 May | From £8
Two transgender cowboys are brought back to life with spoken word and live music.
Brockley Max | Multiple Venues | From 29 May
London’s loveliest suburb comes to life with arts.
Deptford Queer Soundsystem Day | shipwright | 29 May | FREE
A free chance to see the glorious riverside shipwright venue and celebrate queer music.
Did we miss any amazing, beautiful things to do in London (or beyond) this May?
We almost certainly did – please let us know in the comments below!
Occasionally the To Do List team are forced to work together.
Rupert likes: free, cheap & offbeat London, especially: cabaret, art, theatre, pop-ups, eating out, quirky films, museums, day trips, social enterprise & much more.
Stuart likes: nice pubs, film marathons, not doing real marathons, bad comedy, plays/musicals with shorter second halves, and the Oxford comma.
