7 Things to Do in London this Spring

I hesitate to state, so boldly, that spring is finally here. After all, we know that just as soon as you’ve put your heavy coats away and got excited about the fact that you might be able to get away with wearing something other than winter boots on your feet for the first time in months, the heavens will open, that gentle breeze will suddenly turn into gale-force winds, and that fantasy of spending Sunday afternoon walking over Hampstead Heath will pale into obscurity against curling up at home under a blanket with a cup of tea in your hands.

So, spring might be here. How long it will stay, though, I don’t know. I do not have a degree in meteorology and can therefore not help with predicting what you might want to wear this weekend or, indeed, whether or not you should even bother venturing outside.

Regardless of all that, London’s got some pretty awesome things happening this spring and, you’ll be pleased to know, many of them don’t involve braving our often unpredictable British weather. So, whether you’re taking a spring break to the capital or you’re a London-dweller in need of a few diary-fillers, if you’re looking for things to do in London this spring, take your pick from our list below. Just don’t forget your brolly.

 London Spring 10K

Running in winter: too cold. Running in summer: too hot. Running in spring? Perfect! If you agree, you’ll be pleased to hear that London’s Spring 10K is back on this year for experienced and novice runners who fancy a Saturday morning run around Regent’s Park. Sign up now and pay £20 instead of the £24 fee on the day.

Regent’s Park, London, NW1 4RU
runbritain.com
Saturday, May 9, at 10.30 am

The London Coffee Festival

Coffee lovers rejoice! The London Coffee Festival is back for another year, featuring more than 250 stalls showcasing artisan coffee (plus food, coffee-based cocktails, and more!) at Brick Lane’s Old Truman Brewery. Tickets are £11.50 online, £14.50 on the door.

 Old Truman Brewery, 91 Brick Lane, London, E1 6QL
londoncoffeefestival.com
Thursday, April 30 – Sunday, May 3

 Canalway Cavalcade

May bank holiday weekend sees the canals of Little Venice come alive with color, music, and many beautiful narrow boats that gather on the canal for the annual Canalway Cavalcade. Head down for Morris dancing, market stalls, a bar selling real ale, and the highlight of the event: the illuminated procession of boats floating along the canal to the sounds of a brilliant live band.

 Little Venice, off Blomfield Road, Maida Vale, London, W2 1TH
waterways.org.uk
Saturday, May 2 – Monday, May 4

 RHS Chelsea Flower Show

It wouldn’t be spring in London without Chelsea Flower Show, the best place in London to see cutting-edge garden design, flowers and plants from all over the world, and get some inspiration for your own garden. Held in the grounds of the Royal Hospital in Chelsea, it’s the perfect excuse to step out in your favorite English garden party clothes. Left a bit late to get tickets? Don’t worry. There’s a range of events taking place all over London in conjunction with Chelsea Fringe, the “alternative garden festival,” now in its fourth year.

 Royal Hospital Chelsea, Royal Hospital Road, London SW3 4SR
rhs.org.uk
Tuesday May, 19 – Saturday, May 23

 Drink in a London beer garden

Once we’re sure we’ve seen the back of winter, there’s nothing Londoners like more than a bit of al fresco drinking. Enter: the British beer garden. Luckily, London is home to a few brilliant beer gardens which, if the sun’s out, are the perfect place to sip cider and enjoy the nicer weather. Try the Edinboro Castle in Camden, The Albion on Upper Street, or The Faltering Fullback in Finsbury Park, where the garden’s on the roof!

 We Are FSTVL

After a brilliant debut last year, We Are FSTVL, a two-day dance festival in Upminster, is back; and the line-up is definitely worth trying to get some last minute tickets for. Catch recent chart-toppers Disclosure, Duke Dumont and Gorgon City, as well as DJs like Carl Cox, Tall Paul, and Hannah Wants.

 Damyns Hall Aerodrome on Aveley Road,Upminster, RM14 2TN
wearefstvl.com
Saturday, May 30 – Sunday, May 31

 Museums at Night

Taking place in museums, libraries and heritage sites across the UK, Museums at Night is an annual weekend of late openings, special events, and sleepovers (yes, museum sleepovers!) and, in London specifically, there’s a whole host of events to look forward to. On May 15, London Transport Museum stays open late to host The Illustration Prize 2015 with a bar and live DJ. You can check out 5 museums in one fell swoop with the Museum Mile Walking Tour on the same day. On May 16, the William Morris Gallery host an “Expedition to Iceland” sleepover, which sounds almost too good to miss! For more events and ticket information visit the Museums at Night website.

 Various locations
museumsatnight.org.uk
Thursday, May 14 – Sunday, May 16

 Photo credits:

• London Coffee Festival: Pack Your Passport
• Chelsea Flower Show: Magnus_D(Flickr)
• The Faltering Fullback: Ewan Munro