11 Things to Do in London This Weekend (29–31 May 2026)
The final weekend of May is one of the best weekends of the year to be in London.
Festival season is underway.
Outdoor theatre is back.
Major exhibitions are filling museums and galleries.
The evenings are long enough for sunset walks and riverside dinners.
And with June just around the corner, the city feels like it's fully stepping into summer.
If you're wondering what to do in London this weekend, here are 11 of the best events, experiences and seasonal activities taking place from Friday 29 May to Sunday 31 May 2026.
1. Spend the Weekend at Mighty Hoopla
If there's one event dominating London's calendar this weekend, it's Mighty Hoopla, returning to Brockwell Park on 30–31 May. The festival has become one of London's biggest celebrations of pop music, nostalgia and inclusive festival culture.
Expect:
huge headline performances
singalong pop anthems
food traders
colourful outfits
one of the best festival atmospheres in the capital
For many Londoners, this is the biggest event of the weekend.
2. Celebrate Eid on the Square in Trafalgar Square
One of the weekend's biggest free events takes place on Saturday 30 May.
Eid on the Square returns to Trafalgar Square with live performances, cultural activities, food stalls and family-friendly entertainment. The annual celebration welcomes thousands of Londoners and visitors and is organised as one of the city's major community events.
Best of all?
It's completely free.
3. See a Show at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre
The Regent's Park Open Air Theatre season is now underway, making late May one of the best times to experience outdoor theatre in London.
Before the show:
wander through Queen Mary's Gardens
enjoy a picnic in the park
climb Primrose Hill
enjoy an early evening drink outdoors
Then settle into one of London's most unique theatre venues as the sun begins to set.
4. Visit the National Gallery's Major Zurbarán Exhibition
If you're looking for something cultural this weekend, one of London's biggest exhibitions is currently running at the National Gallery.
The exhibition explores the work of Spanish master Francisco de Zurbarán, bringing together important works rarely seen together in Britain. The exhibition runs throughout the summer and is one of London's major art events of 2026.
Ideal for:
art lovers
history enthusiasts
rainy-day plans
5. Explore Henry Moore Sculptures at Kew Gardens
Kew Gardens is beautiful at any time of year.
But this spring and summer visitors can also experience a major exhibition featuring works by Henry Moore, displayed throughout the gardens.
The combination of:
monumental sculpture
historic landscapes
late-spring flowers
expansive green space
makes this one of the most enjoyable outdoor cultural experiences in London right now.
6. Experience ABBA Voyage
Several years after opening, ABBA Voyage remains one of London's most remarkable entertainment experiences.
The purpose-built arena combines live musicians with cutting-edge digital technology to recreate ABBA on stage in extraordinary detail. Weekend performances continue to be among the most popular tickets in London.
Even people who aren't lifelong ABBA fans often leave impressed.
7. See the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibition
One of London's most consistently impressive exhibitions is currently on display.
The Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition showcases extraordinary images from photographers around the world, capturing wildlife, conservation stories and natural landscapes in remarkable detail.
Perfect for:
families
photographers
nature lovers
8. Walk the South Bank on a Summer Evening
Not everything needs a ticket.
Late May is one of the best times of year to explore London's South Bank.
Start near Westminster and walk east towards Tower Bridge.
Along the route you'll pass:
London Eye
Southbank Centre
National Theatre
Tate Modern
Shakespeare's Globe
HMS Belfast
Tower Bridge
The atmosphere on a warm Friday or Saturday evening is hard to beat.
9. Explore the City's Best Outdoor Food Markets
London's outdoor food scene is thriving right now.
Excellent options this weekend include:
Borough Market
The classic choice.
Maltby Street Market
Smaller, independent and packed with character.
Broadway Market
A favourite for food, coffee and people-watching.
Southbank Centre Food Market
Ideal if you're spending time near the Thames.
Come hungry.
Leave happy.
10. Visit Buckingham Palace's New Queen Elizabeth II Fashion Exhibition
One of London's most talked-about exhibitions this year is Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style at the King's Gallery, Buckingham Palace.
The exhibition brings together hundreds of garments and personal items, exploring the late Queen's life through fashion and design. Demand has been so strong that the exhibition has already been extended.
For royal-history enthusiasts, this is one of the standout exhibitions currently running in London.
11. Finish the Weekend with a Sunset View from Parliament Hill
If the weather behaves itself, there's no better way to end the weekend.
Head to Parliament Hill on Hampstead Heath and watch the city skyline begin to glow in the evening light.
From here you'll see:
The Shard
St Paul's Cathedral
Canary Wharf
the City skyline
all stretching across the horizon.
It's free.
It's beautiful.
And it's one of London's great views.
Quick Weekend Itinerary
Friday 29 May
South Bank walk
Dinner by the Thames
ABBA Voyage or Open Air Theatre
Saturday 30 May
Eid on the Square
Food market lunch
Mighty Hoopla
Sunday 31 May
Kew Gardens & Henry Moore exhibition
National Gallery
Sunset at Parliament Hill
Final Thoughts
The last weekend of May offers a brilliant mix of everything London does best.
Major festivals.
Outdoor theatre.
World-class exhibitions.
Food markets.
Parks.
River walks.
And long evenings that make you want to stay outside just a little longer.
Whether you're dancing at Mighty Hoopla, celebrating Eid in Trafalgar Square, exploring Kew Gardens or simply watching the sunset from Hampstead Heath, this weekend is packed with reasons to get out and enjoy the city.