April showers bring May flowers. As a result, we are happy to usher in the month of sunshine and scenic landscapes.  So why not capitalise on the weather, the weekends and the upcoming bank holidays, and see what is happening this month near you.   

Ironsides RFC Vs Northallerton RFC at Twickenham

Rally the troops and take some time out this bank weekend to show your support at the RFU Junior Vase Final on the 3rd of May. Tickets cost £5 for adults, £2 for children (15yrs and under) and free for babes in arm. They are available online here or at the gate from 10am onwards. Kick-off is at 11am.

North of the river

Canalway Cavalcade  

Make this bank holiday weekend one to remember with a family trip to Little Venice to watch the annual gathering of canal boats. The Inland Waterways Association’s annual gathering will see roughly 130 boats moored along a stretch of Grand Union Canal (between Blomfield Road, Warwick Avenue and Warwick Crescent) from the 2nd - 4th of May. Visitors can also expect waterborne homes dressed up and pageant ready, Morris dancers, a real ale tent, trade stalls, live music and children’s activities. Find out more information here.

ART15

The third edition of London’s global art fair will be taking place from the 21st - 23rd of May 2015 at the Olympia National. The fair promises to showcase more than 150 of the world’s most exciting art galleries, curated from over 40 different countries. Talks, panel discussions, tours, specifically created initiatives and evening events will take place in conjunction with the fair itself.  Also available will be eats from some of London’s most popular restaurants and a book store managed by leading art publishers and independent book shops. Ticket prices and times vary. See artfairslondon.com for more information.

The Anti-Aging Health & Beauty Show

Learn all about the most recent developments in health and beauty at the Anti-Aging Health & Beauty Show from 16th – 17th May 2015. Sample new products, enjoy talks by celebrity speakers, and learn about combatting both the initial and secondary signs of aging from international beauty and cosmetic specialists.  The event will be held at the Olympia National from 10am – 6pm on Saturday and 10am – 5pm on Sunday. Tickets start from £18.00. For more information, seelondon.anti-ageingshow.com.

Electric Run

Get a little fresh air in a unique fashion this May, by participating in London’s Electric Run; a 5km fun-run with a difference. Join the likes of roughly 15000 others who will walk, run or dance the illuminated Wembley Park race route. Runners with any energy left over can enjoy dancing it off at the glowing finish-line party along with live DJ’s. The run will take place on the 2nd of May and doors open at 7pm. Tickets cost between £29.50 - £40.00. For more information visitelectricrun.co.uk/London.

BeautyCon

The first international fashion and beauty summit of its kind, BeautyCon will take place at Olympia West this May. Internationally established content creators and celebrities alike will join in to help foster a community that serves to redefine beauty and discuss the things that matter. YouTube personalities, bloggers and beauty gurus including Tyler Oakley and Sprinkle of Glitter will be sharing their tips and tricks in exclusive discussions and Q&A’s. The event will take place on the 23rd of May 2015. Ticket prices and respective times vary. For more information go to www.beautycon.com.

O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire

April promises to be a marvellously entertaining month, with a variety of performances taking place at the O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire. See Cody Simpson, Hozier, Tyler Oakley, Death Cab for Cutie, Earl Sweatshirt and more.  Dates, times and ticket prices vary.

Eventim Apollo

Don’t miss a star studded line up at Eventim Apollo this May. You can enjoy performances such as ‘Bill Maher’, ‘An Evening with Pacino’, ‘Nick Cave’ and more. Show dates, times and ticket prices vary.

Fulham Palace

Visit Fulham Palace during May and enjoy events such as museum drop-ins, the young archaeologists’ club, and lunch in the Drawing Room Café. Visitors may also take part in monthly historical tours or garden walks to view the country residence of the Bishop of London, Lord of the Manor of Fulham, which in the last century became his only home.

Mall Galleries

Visit the Mall Galleries this May and tour the ‘Pink Lady Food Photography of the Year 2015’ or “The Art of a Nation” exhibitions. For a full show list, dates and times, see website.

St John’s Church

Looking for something fun to do this weekend? Visit the St John’s market on North End Road in Fulham. Browse through beautiful handmade crafts, gifts, new and old handbags, dress jewellery and much more - held weekly every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 8am until 2pm.

Brook Green Market

West London’s Brook Green Market at Addison Primary School in Addison Gardens is a one-stop-shop for fantastically fresh produce, on-trend street food, innovative master classes and maybe even somewhere to meet some new foodie friends!The market is open every Saturday from 10am-3pm.

Partridges Food Market

With 70 diverse stalls selling everything from cakes to speciality breads, and cheese to pies, this gourmet food market sees small producers, farmers and start-up businesses sharing their passion and expertise with the public. The market takes place every Saturday from 10am until 4pm at Duke of York Square.  It is a great place to buy lunch with international stalls selling sushi, Caribbean dishes, Moroccan cuisine and empanadas from Argentina. Stalls include The Ethiopian Coffee Company, Fatman Chilli, Comptoir Gourmand, the French Patisserie and The Pancake Man.

Comedy Store

As always you can enjoy the ‘Best in Stand Up’ at the Comedy Store every weekend this May. Show dates, times and ticket prices vary.

Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty

The exhibition will showcase McQueen’s visionary body of work. Spanning his 1992 MA graduate collection to his unfinished A/W 2010 collection, McQueen’s designs will be presented with the dramatic staging and sense of spectacle synonymous with his runway shows. This display runs until 2nd August 2015 at the Victoria and Albert Museum.

South of the river

Live Music in the Theatre

The Bedford Live brings a selection of the finest new acts to the stage up to 4 times a week. Find out which artists are performing on which days. Doors will open at 7.30pm. Entry is free.

The Piazza

Visit the Love Wimbledon Market at the Piazza this weekend from the 2nd – 3rd of May. Enjoy over 20 stalls, live music and other entertaining acts. Doors will open at 11am. Entry is free.

Polka Theatre

Take the kids out to see one of the many stories showing at the Polka Theatrethis month, including ‘Operation Magic Carpet’, ‘The Cosmic Dancer’, ‘World of Stories and Music’, ‘Shoe Kangaroo’, ‘Mrs McMoon’s Tea Party’ and ‘Shh… BANG’.  Show dates and times vary. Ticket prices start from £11.50.

Half Moon

The Half Moon will host performances every Friday, Saturday and Sunday this month. With artists such as ‘Penrose Foxes’, ‘Slim Chance’, ‘Terry Reid’ and ‘The Mods’ to name a few, audiences this month can look forward to unforgettable entertainment. Show times and ticket prices vary.

Venn Street Market 

Visit the Venn Street Market on the A3, just off the South Circular. Stop by for some locally sourced fresh seasonal fruit and veg; fresh Dorset fish from day boats; organic and free range meat, milk, eggs and poultry; artisan breads; award-winning cheeses; charcuterie; gluten free, vegan and vegetarian sweets and savouries; as well as pastries, cakes, tarts and brownies. Open every Saturday from 10am to 4pm.

Battersea Arts Centre

Enjoy a variety of shows this May at the Battersea Arts Centre - ‘Taking a Stand Season’, ‘The Siege’ and ‘Work Shy’ amongst many others. Find out more about the performances, dates, times and ticket prices here.

If there are any events you think we should know about, please don’t hesitate to let us know.