Rosie Hewitson

May 2025:. London’s always-busy social calendar starts to fill up come May, with a bunch of music festivals taking place across the month, some key sporting fixtures and the opening of the city’s outdoor cinemas and rooftop bars as the weather heats up.  But in amongst all the warm weather fun, it’s certainly worth making time to check out some of the city’s most famous attractions before the tourist crowds descend come summer. And there are plenty of great things on across some of the city’s biggest visitor venues right now.  Visiting the British Museum? Fabric is hosting a free, one-off evening in its world-renowned galleries this month. Off to the National Gallery? Be sure to check out the newly refurbished Sainsbury Wing, which opens on May 10. Heading to the V&A? It’s blingy blockbuster Cartier exhibition is a hit. And you should definitely make time for a trip to the Barbican to see its fabulous Noah Davis exhibition before it closes, too.  With not one but two bank holidays coming up, who’s to say you can’t squeeze them all in? You absolute culture vulture. The London Eye. Hyde Park. Wembley. The Shard. London landmarks are iconic for a reason!  Even if you’ve lived here for years and pride yourself on steadfastly avoiding ‘tourist traps’, you really ought to check these places out at least once. Marvelling at the capital’s museums, galleries, monuments and parks is a London rite of passage, whether you’re a day-tripper visiting for the first time, or a lifelong local

Looking to make a splash with your next family day out? How about some wobbly water obstacle courses, chaotically fun wave machines and slides so long you’re not sure where they end? Waterparks come in all shapes and sizes in the UK, and luckily for us, most are open all year round – offering a great day trip to keep kids entertained for hours on end while you brush up your butterfly stroke. From epic outdoor inflatables to weather-proof indoor pools with flumes galore, you’ll find excellent waterparks dotted all over the country – and many of them feature standard swimming facilities and spas, too, as well as other child-friendly activities such as adventure parks. Time to blow up the armbands and grab your towel: these are the 14 best waterparks in the UK, updated with new additions for 2025. RECOMMENDED:☀️The best outdoor swimming pools in the UK🚴The most beautiful bike trails in the UK🌴The most stunning hidden beaches in the UK🏊The best waterparks in London

Want a drink? You've come to the right place. This is Time Out’s list of best bars in London, our curated guide to London’s drinking scene, featuring the buzziest booze dens in the capital right now. If it’s on this list, it’s excellent. These are the 50 places we'd recommend to a friend, because we love drinking in them and have done many times over. From classy cocktail joints to delightful dives, hotel bars, speakeasys, bottle shops, rooftops and wine bars, London's got them all. But what makes a truly good bar? Well, our critieria for inclusion on this list is simple; a menu of genius drinks is important, but so is overall vibe – there’s no point having the perfect paloma if you have to drink it in a bar that smells of bins. To make the Top 50, a bar has to be fun, inclusive, and full of lovely folk as well as looking the part.  April 2025: A rash of great new bars have opened in London over the past year or so and many of them have made the immediate jump to our hallowed Top 50. The latest additions to our list include rowdy sports bar meets 80s horror movie set Bloodsports in Covent Garden, whisky wonderland Dram Bar on Denmark Street, the hypnotic Bar Lotus in Dalston, Below Stone Nest in Chinatown, Rasputin’s by London Fields, and Bar Lina, an Italian aperitivo spot underneath a famous Soho deli. Now go forth and drink. RECOMMENDED: Like bars? Then you'll love London's best pubs.  Leonie Cooper is Time Out London’s Food and Drink Editor, and she'll have a gibson marti

May truly is one of London’s finest months if you ask us. Not only is the city pleasantly warm and bursting with colourful spring blooms, but everyone is giddy with the possibilities of the coming summer. And most excitingly of all, there are not one, but two bank holidays on which to embark on inaugural rooftop bar excursion of the summer, rock out at one of the year’s first music festivals, lounge about in your favourite park, check out all those must-see exhibitions you’ve been meaning to catch or escape the city on a day trip or mini-break. And if that isn’t enough to keep you entertained, here’s our guide to the best events, parties, pop-ups and things to do in May 2025 in London. You’re in for one sweet, sweet month.

Still reminiscing about all that sweet time off you had over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend? Well, there’s another one on the way. The early May bank holiday means we have a bumper three-day weekend coming up. Luckily, us Londoners have a city full of world-renowned restaurants, theatre, galleries and events to fill up that sweet time off, and if that means you need some help narrowing down what to do with your spare hours, Time Out is here to help.  Take in some culture by going to see the great Irish playwright Conor McPherson’s first original play since 2013, The Brightening Air. See Anthony Gormley’s early lead sculptures from the mid-1970s at a new White Cube Mason’s Yard exhibition. Or, head to the laugh-a-minute, technically impressive comedy show Weer from professional clown Natalie Palamides.  There’s plenty for music buffs waiting for festival season to get into full swing. Head to Brixton for the neighbourhood’s annual disco festival, listen to extreme metal at Incineration Festival, or watch DJs in a 360-degree arena surrounded by high-tech lights and speakers at spatial audio festival Polygon Live LDN. Get out there and have a beautiful bank holiday.  Start planning: here’s our roundup of the 25 best things to do in London in 2025 Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out London newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox.

There’s a springtime treat in store for us this weekend – the early May bank holiday, aka three whole days off work. Luckily, us Londoners have a city full of world-renowned restaurants, theatre, galleries and events to fill up that sweet time off, and if that means you need some help narrowing down what to do with your spare hours, Time Out is here to help.  Take in some culture by going to see the great Irish playwright Conor McPherson’s first original play since 2013, The Brightening Air. See Anthony Gormley’s early lead sculptures from the mid-1970s at a new White Cube Mason’s Yard exhibition. Or, head to the laugh-a-minute, technically impressive comedy show Weer from professional clown Natalie Palamides.  There’s plenty for music buffs waiting for festival season to get into full swing. Head to Brixton for the neighbourhood’s annual disco festival, listen to extreme metal at Incineration Festival, or watch DJs in a 360-degree arena surrounded by high-tech lights and speakers at spatial audio festival Polygon Live LDN. Get out there and have a beautiful bank holiday.  Start planning: here’s our roundup of the 25 best things to do in London in 2025 Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out London newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox.

Running 26.2 miles (twenty six point two!) across our great city dressed as a sandworm from Dune is a feat that the majority of us Londoners will probably never be brave enough to attempt. But some courageous souls who aren’t averse to hours of gruelling training willingly put themselves in the crosshairs of shin splints and runner’s knee and, for that, they should be applauded. So, when 50,000 of them take part in the London Marathon on Sunday April 27 2025, get yourself down to the route to cheer them on. Check out our route guide below to find the best spots to support those running from and track down nearby pubs and bars from when all that whooping and clapping leaves you feeling nearly as parched as the runners. Remember: your presence at this monumental sporting occasion means it is 100 per cent allowed to drink lager or rosé in the street at 10am. Keep in mind that you won’t be having a lie-in until lunchtime if you plan to attend. Everyone taking part laces up pretty early, with elite runners usually starting their slog around 8:30am before the masses join them from 10am. Here’s our winning guide to this year’s marathon. What landmarks can I spot on the London Marathon route? If you hadn’t noticed, the marathon route is loooooong. Starting in Greenwich Park in south-east London and finishing right by Buckingham Palace, there are loads of famous things to see along the way, especially when you’re a spectator. Here are some of the things to look out for: Mile 6: Cutty

Sure, summer might not technically start until June 21. But spiritually speaking, the late May bank holiday definitely feels like the beginning of summer in London. There’s at least a reasonably good chance that the sun will be out, turning the city into a bright, beautiful land of fun once more.  Consider these three days off work your chance to be reunited with Summer in the City™. Make the most of them and make a beeline to one of the capital’s best beer gardens, cool off with some outdoor swimming, dine alfresco, explore London’s lush green spaces or browse one of the city’s bustling markets.  Check out our guide to the best events and things to do across London for the Bank Holiday weekend falling betweeen Saturday May 3 to Monday May 5 2025.  RECOMMENDED: Read our full guide to the bank holiday in London

Dalston may be known for its buzzing bars and thriving nightlife, but its dining-out scene is just as thrilling. The area boasts killer kebabs – thanks to several of London’s best Turkish restaurants – alongside global cuisine and tons of excellent cafés serving up mouthwatering and hangover-curing breakfasts. From Angelina (a chic Italo-Japanese mash-up) and the Little Duck Picklery (a ‘fermenting kitchen’ related to Ducksoup) to Dusty Knuckle Bakery, there's something for everyone. Try reliable old faves: Andu Café (Ethiopian, vegan and BYO) and Del 74 (a garish, grungy Mexican bar/taqueria) if you don't know where to start your culinary quest.      RECOMMENDED: The very best restaurants in London.  Leonie Cooper is Time Out London’s Food and Drink Editor. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. So east London it hurts? Follow our Time Out East London WhatsApp channel for the latest news, openings and goss from the coolest bit of the capital. (Yeah, we said it.)

With a bounty of great parties happening in the capital this Easter bank holiday, you can dance till you drop. Here’s our round-up of the long weekend’s best parties from Thursday April 17 to Monday April 21 2025, from (hopefully) sun-soaked daytime soirees to late-night ragers at some of the city’s best clubs.  If you’ve got the stamina, you could turn Easter into a proper bender. Just don’t count on a quick resurrection in time for work on Tuesday. RECOMMENDED:The best Easter events and activities in LondonThe 50 best nights out in London

Easter is an underrated holiday. It doesn’t get anywhere near as much hype as Christmas, but is almost as good. Sure, you might not get sacks full of presents, but you still get an excuse to stuff your face with chocolate, tuck into a big roast dinner, and a whole four-day weekend to spend however you like. This year, this glorious double bank holiday lands between Good Friday on April 18 and Easter Monday on April 21. The only thing standing between you and a glorious four days of fun is figuring out how to fill all your extra time off. Don’t worry – as always, Time Out’s fun-loving editorial team have your back. There’s tons to do in the capital over Easter weekend, from checking out spring flowers and other kid-friendly activities to making the most of the spring sun (thankfully the weather isn’t lookimg too bad!) at one of London’s top rooftop bars and parks. You could also spend your time checking out a free art exhibition or, of course, treating yourself to a proper pub roast on Easter Sunday. Make the most of your extra-long weekend with our top things to do in London this Easter. Rosie Hewitson is Time Out’s Things to Do Editor. She’ll be spending the long weekend lounging around in Clissold Park with a bag of mini eggs, some tinnies and a good book. RECOMMENDED: Check out our eggcellent guide to Easter in London.

We all know that it costs an arm and a leg to enjoy a day out in London these days. Step out the front door and you’re probably already down a mysterious tenner. And once you’ve factored in transport, food, drinks and tickets for whatever takes your fancy, you’re looking at some serious damage to your poor old bank balance. But not all is lost: you’re in a cultural capital, for goodness’ sake. Let’s not forget that we can enjoy some world-class art in world-class galleries, right here on our doorstep, free of charge. Pretty much every major museum in London is free to enter, as well as every gallery – and while the temporary exhibitions will usually take a fee, you can still see some of the greats (we’re talking your Monets, Michelangelos and Emins) at places like the Tate Modern and National Gallery without splurging a penny of your hard-earned cash.  Below, you’ll find all of the free art and photography exhibitions happening in London right now, but that’s not everything: don’t miss out on the permanent collections of some fantastic free museums and galleries right here. Enjoy. RECOMMENDED:All of the free galleries and museums in LondonExplore our full guide to free LondonThe best art exhibitions in London

An expansive pub on the corner of Clissold Park, sporting a huge beer garden that gets sun throughout the day and fills up with sports fans on sunny weekends. On the bar you’ll find a solid mixture of local craft beers and commercial brews, while the kitchen serves up solid pizzas and a small menu of snacks and sharing platters, with a decent roast on Sundays.

London’s current infatuation with all things agave has spawned dozens of new bars specialising in the Mexican spirits du jour. But while you might find more extensive collections of tequila and mezcal elsewhere, few agave-focused bars can match the sophistication of this elegant Latin American-themed spot in the Grade II-listed former Police Station that now houses the NoMad hotel.  There’s an old-school gentleman’s club kind of grandeur to this low-lit space, decked out in dark wood booths, green leather seating, an imposing marble-topped bar and walls covered in vibrant photographs taken on the streets of London and Southern California. On the menu, you’ll find a seasonally-changing menu of half a dozen takes on the margarita, plus six bar classics and another dozen or so drinks categorised as ‘refreshing’ or ‘spirit forward’. Most cocktails are agave-based, but the menu also incorporates a host of trendy ingredients from across the globe, from yuzu and white miso to pandan and cachaça. And for beer drinkers, there’s the hotel’s own Mexican Sour, a collaboration with King’s Cross-based brewery Two Tribes. Alongside this, the bar serves up a solid menu of mostly Mexican bar snacks; zingy guac is served with a hefty pile of crunchy tortilla chips, creamy prawn croquettes come topped with salty, umami shavings of bonito and churros are accompanied by thick chocolate sauce and fudgey dulce de leche crema.  Order this On our visit, the star of the show was a chocolate mole marga

Austin’s music, film and media festival SXSW is renowned across the world for being the place to discover the next big thing. In previous years, superstars like Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa and Chappell Roan have all given early performances at the Texas event, while the likes of Steven Spielberg, Barack Obama and Malala Yousafzai have appeared at the conference arm of the festival. And now, following the festival’s expansion into Sydney, the week-long, multi-venue event is coming to London for the first time.  The inaugural SXSW London will take over various venues around Shoreditch – including Shoreditch Town Hall, XOYO and the Village Underground – over a week in June, and the line-up is absolutely massive. Conference attendees can take their pick from 420 talks and panels delving into the most pressing issues across business and tech, with keynotes delivered by everyone from actor Idris Elba, comedian Katherine Ryan and footballing legend Cesc Fàbregas to the CEOs of massive companies like OnlyFans, Monzo and Twitch. The film festival will feature 250 film screenings, including a whole bunch of international premieres, cutting edge ‘Expanded Reality’ work and debut screenings of some huge new TV shows.  And then there’s the music festival, featuring headline sets from Tems, Mabel, Sasha Keable Alice Glass and Nao, alongside more than 500 gigs. These featuring a whole bunch of emerging talents across just about every genre of music you can imagine, and tipped for success by mus

Outdoor spaces are big business come summer, and this seasonal pop-up between Waterloo and Westminster bridges is one of the biggest and best in London. Returning for its summer season from Thursday April 17, it boasting lovely views over the Thames and an eclectic programme of entertainment encompassing drag shows, DJs, live performances and themed club nights. What’s on at Between the Bridges? This summer’s events programme includes plenty of tried-and-tested favourites, from Barrioke with EastEnders actor Shaun Williamson (Friday May 9) and Taylor-themed party Swiftoggedon (Sunday May 25) to the Old Dirty Brasstards performing Abba (Friday June 6), Motown-themed immersive dining experience Soul Supper (various dates) and weekly bottomless brunches themed around everything from Whitney Houston to Dirty Dancing.  There’s plenty of free entertainment on too, including after-work drinks on Thursdays soundtracked by old-school hip hop and RnB from resident DJs, Friday night’s Dock Discos featuring contemporary house and disco tunes, and Guilty Pleasures featuring nostalgic 90s and noughties pop bangers every Saturday evening.  What food vendors are at Between the Bridges? The South Bank has long been a hub of great street food, and this year Time Out is getting in on the act, partnering with Between the Bridges to launch Time Out Eat Street, a mini food market featuring some of our favourite street food vendors from around the city, as selected by our Food & Drink Editor, Leoni

Head to Canary Wharf for a bit of shopping over the next few months and you may well be greeted by a slightly unusual site; a magnificent blue whale leaping out from the water on Wood Wharf. Crafted from masses of plastic waste collected from Hawaiian beaches, the spectacular four-storey-tall sculpture was inspired by the shocking fact that, pound for pound, there is more plastic waste swimming in the world’s oceans than there are whales; 150 million tonnes of the stuff. To highlight just how much of a problem plastic waste is, NYC-based design firm StudioKCA worked with the Hawaii Wildlife Fund to collect plastic litter and turn it into the 11-metre sculpture. Alongside recycled plastic, the sculpture incorporates recycled steel and a low-carbon concrete base incorporating spent coffee grounds sourced from the area’s bars and cafes. The clever installation is the latest addition to a series of more than 100 artworks featured around Canary Wharf in the UK’s largest free-to-visit public art collection, which includes pieces from the likes of Camille Walala, Henry Moore and Helaine Blumenfeld. For more information on the many artworks in the neighbourhood, visitors can download Canary Wharf’s Art Map, which is also available on the Bloomberg Connects app. 

This indie brewery and taproom styles itself as ‘Dalston’s backyard’, and fills up with hip hops-drinkers on sunny weekends. It benefits no end from its next door neighbours – live fire restaurant Acme Fire Cult. They offer a short version of their menu, alongside cocktails, cans and 10 taps pouring fresh beer that's brewed on-site. Signature beers include crisp golden lager Disco Pils and hazy IPA Dalston Sunrise. 

A decade after it first opened, Boxpark’s Shoreditch site looks set to close at some point in the not-too-distant future to make way for new development Bishopsgate Goodsyard, even if the OG branch of the open-air food hall chain has managed to secure a lease extension until the end of summer 2025.  Fortunately for the East End, its final months coincide with the opening of an exciting new concept from Boxpark. Taking over the Metropolitan Arcade, which first opened in 1912, Boxhall City is the first of a series of planned spin-off concepts branching out from the original Boxpark concept. Unlike existing venues, this 17,000-square-foot space isn’t made from shipping containers, but actual bricks and mortar. Taking inspiration from the popular Chelsea Market in Manhattan, it features 13 permanent retailers alongside a pop-up space, Kitchen No 8, and several bars, including a 3000 square foot roof terrace set to open later in the year. Current vendors include plant-based Mexican street food concept Club Mexicana, indie bakery Sourdough Sophia, Argentinian steak chain Gaucho, Singaporean street food spot Old Chang Kee and gourmet ice cream purveyor Soft Serve Society, while Dalston’s 40FT Brewery are a drinks partner. 

Munch your way through dishes from the great and the good of the capital’s restaurant scene at this sprawling culinary festival in the picturesque surroundings of central London’s Regent’s Park. Guy Ritchie’s gastropub Lore of the Land, Japanese-Korean joint Akira Back, masters of Pan-Pacific cuisine Los Mochis and cool Hackney wine bar Bambi are among the restaurants peddling plates and appearing at the event for the first time this year. If you’re not in a food coma by the end, there’ll also be kitchen masterclasses, chef talks and tastings to get involved with. Our advice? Have some Rennies on hand. 

After a successful first two years, this charming August bank holiday festival is making its return for a third time in 2025, transforming Battersea Park into a serene space to take in some majestic orchestral renditions of your favourite tunes.  This year’s line-up sees the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra perform two concerts. Symphonic Disco (Saturday August 23) traces the history of disco music from the heights of Studio 54 to contemporary chart-toppers, featuring a live disco band, singers and hits from the likes of Abba, Chic, Kool & The Gang, Donna Summer, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Dua Lipa. The following evening sees the Royal Philharmonic’s 60-piece concert orchestra return for A Night at the Movies (Sunday August 24), where they’ll perform soundtracks from some of the most iconic film franchises in history, from James Bond and Harry Potter to Star Wars and Pirates of the Caribbean, culminating in a magnificent firework display. The final evening of the three-day festival sees Jools Holland and his famous Rhythm and Blues Orchestra headline a full day of lazy afternoon jazz, accompanied by longstanding vocalists Louise Marshall and Sumudu Jayatilaka. As usual, spectators are invited to pack a blanket and some picky bits for a Bank Holiday picnic, with gourmet hampers, street food stalls and bars also available on the site, plus a kid’s area where you can entertain 3-10-year-olds with a variety of games and interactive activities. Grab your tickets here. 

Walthamstow’s mahoosive brewery and beer hall Big Penny Social is throwing a big ol’ day-to-night party to celebrate the arrival of the double bank holiday. They’ll be barbecuing up a storm in the spacious garden from 2pm (weather permitting) and live band Truly Medley Deeply playing a jukebox set featuring some unique medleys of your favourite disco classics, 90s boyband hits, stadium rock anthems and more, before DJs keep the party going until 2am. A dreamy start to your four days off!

It might be a bit of a trek compared to Kew Gardens or Vauxhall Park, but visitors making the journey up to north Hertfordshire to check out Hitchin Lavender are rewarded with a true purple paradise. Cadwell Farm in Ickleford has been managed by five generations for more than 100 years, and first planted lavender here back in 2000. The farm features plenty more attractions besides its 30 acres of indigo flowers, including a 17th-century barn housing a cafe, children’s play area and gift shop, a display field planted with over 60 varieties of lavender, a British wildflower meadow, a sunflower field and autumn pumpkin patch.  If you visit during the flowering season, you’ll even be able to pick some blooms to take home with you, while the shop is open year-round for you to stock up on pretty much any kind of lavender product imaginable, from candles, eye masks and aromatherapy oils to teas, jams and infused gins. It’s worth going the extra mile(s) for.

What’s better than a load of chocolate for Easter? A load of hard, cold cash of course! And that’s what Walthamstow’s expansive beer hall Big Penny Social is offering up this Easter Sunday when one lucky team in its Big Easter Quiz will be taking home the jackpot prize of £1000. And there’s plenty more to win, besides the wonga. Each team taking part will receive a chocolatey prize, and there’ll also be bar tabs, rounds of drinks and various other treats on the line. And we heard the Easter Bunny himself might put in an appearance. 

Fabric is one of London’s most famous and respected nightlife venues, drawing in crowds of ravers from all over the world, so it kind of makes sense that the venue is staging an event in partnership with another of London’s most iconic tourist attractions on its latest event: the British Museum.  Yeah, really. Having already staged music events at tourist attractions including St Paul’s Cathedral, the London Coliseum and The View From The Shard, the city’s most famous club is taking up residency at its most famous museum for a one-off evening off ambient music on Friday May 2.  The world-renowned museum’s majestic Reading Room, Room 17 – home of the ancient Lycian Nereid Monument – and the museum’s China and South Asia gallery will be the backdrop for a truly memorable ‘sonic experience’ that hopes to highlight electronic music’s relevance as a contemporary art form. Headlining the Friday night festivities will be A Guy Called Gerald, the Mancunian dance music legend behind 1989 hit ‘Voodoo Ray’, whose work was instrumental in sparking the acid house movement. Also on the line-up is vinyl selector and fabric resident Anna Wall, whose sets traverse dub techno, acid and classic house, and NIGHT manoeuvres, a new collaborative project from DJ and producer ABSOLUTE and London Grammar’s Dot Major, which promises to be a genre-bending journey through UK bass, dubstep and leftfield techno. Fancy raving among some ancient ruins? The unmissable event is free, but you’ll to reserve a

It’s been years in the making, but the wait is finally over! IKEA’s massive new Oxford Street store opens its doors tomorrow (Thursday May 1), just in time for any May bank holiday DIY projects you’ve got planned this weekend. Housed inside the Grade II-listed former Topshop flagship at 214 Oxford Street, the 5,800-square-metre IKEA store is the biggest new arrival on London’s most famous shopping street in years, and opens after a major renovations to the historic building, just shy of a decade after the project was first mooted. Planning a trip to the Swedish flatpack mecca? Here’s everything you need to know about IKEA Oxford Street, from the features and services offered across the store to some sneak previews of how it looks.  Full list of shop features at IKEA Oxford Street IKEA’s new city centre opening will offer both the ‘traditional IKEA experience’ that shoppers know and love (meatballs and throw cushions) alongside some brand-new areas and services. These include: The IKEA Showroom  Getting into an unreasonably heated argument with your significant other while browsing your way through a series of pretend kitchens is a core IKEA experience, with ‘roomsets’ inspired by local living situations central to every IKEA store around the world. At IKEA Oxford Street, the experience has been taken one step further, with spaces and roomsets co-created with real people based on their own homes in the capital. Londoners can get inspired by real life solutions to some of the

Since it was founded back in 2009, Capital FM’s Summertime Ball has been a major fixture in London’s jam-packed summer festival calendar, with recent iterations seeing the likes of Kylie Minogue, Calvin Harris, David Guetta, Sabrina Carpenter and Ed Sheeran performing sets filled with chart-toppers in front of a packed out Wembley Stadium.  So we’re thrilled to hear news of the 2025 lineup for the long-standing summer tradition, which is returning in June. Following announcement that the Capital FM-helmed event will be returning (it was announced on Friday April 25), yesterday and this morning (Monday April 28 and Tuesday April 29) we’ve had both batches of names on the lineup. And, fair warning, it’s looking huge.  None other than Mariah Carey will be leading the bill this year with Will Smith & DJ Jazzy Jeff, while also on the lineup are the likes of Tate McRae, Myles Smith, JADE, Benson Boone, KSI, Lola Young, Busted vs McFly and Rita Ora. See, we told you the lineup was massive. Capital FM’s breakfast show trio (Jordan North, Chris Stark and Siân Welby) will once again be at the helm. Here’s everything you need to know about the 2025 edition of Capital Summertime Ball, as well as the full lineup.  RECOMMENDED: The best music festivals in London to book for 2025. When is Capital’s Summertime Ball 2025? This summer’s edition of the Summertime Ball takes place on Sunday June 15, in the same slot as it has been for the previous few years.  Where is Capital’s Summertime Ball t

Huge news for anyone who has had the misfortune of having to schlep back from IKEA Wembley on public transport with a Kallax shelving unit, a Tjusig shoe rack, two houseplants, and a giant blue Frakta bag full of ‘kitchen bits’; Sweden’s blue-and-yellow flatpack mecca is finally opening its Oxford Street store this week.  Taking over the former Topshop flagship at 214 Oxford Street, the city centre outpost will offer the ‘traditional IKEA experience’ that we Brits all know and love, with three floors of showrooms, a market space stocking more than 3,500 items of bargain homeware and, of course, a 130-seater Swedish deli where you can unwind after your inevitable wardrobe-induced argument over meatballs with lingonberry jam and those iconic 75p hot dogs.  When is Oxford Street IKEA opening? IKEA announced this morning that the Oxford Street store will open tomorrow, Thursday May 1 2025. This follows the closure of the ‘Hus of Frakta’ pop-up, which celebrated the brand’s famous blue carrier bags and was installed on the building’s ground floor since last November. Photograph: Rosie Hewitson for Time Out What does Oxford Street IKEA look like inside? Here are a few exclusive preview snaps of what the multi-storey shop looks like inside.  Photograph: IKEA Photograph: IKEA Photograph: IKEA What’s inside the new IKEA? From the brand’s iconic showroom to its Swedish deli, expect several IKEA favourites at the Oxford Street store. However, there will also be new, exclusive-t

London might be enjoying a late April heatwave this week, but Spurs fans might be better off staying indoors this evening, because north London’s Gooner population will be out in force.  Having trounced current holders Real Madrid 5-1 on aggregate in the quarters earlier this month, Arsenal’s men’s team will be playing in their first Champions League semi-final since 2009 on Tuesday (April 29) evening, when they take on Paris Saint-Germain at the Emirates Stadium in the first of two legs.  The crucial fixture arrives just days after the women’s team overcame Lyon to secure their first European final in 18 years, only increasing the anticipation for the historic club’s biggest game in a generation.  Tickets to the 60,000-capacity Emirates are predictably hard to come by, so most fans will be heading to the boozers and beer gardens of north London to watch Rice, Saka and Ødegaard go toe to toe with Dembélé, Marquinhos and Donnarumma.  Looking for a lively atmosphere in which to catch all the action? Look no further than our roundup of London’s best Gooner pubs.  RECOMMENDED: London’s best football pubs. The Drayton Park A bar stool at the Drayton is basically as close as you can get to pitchside without a ticket. You can see the stadium from the window, and you’ll certainly hear the roar from inside if the home team score. This place has a pretty strict home crowd only policy, and predictably gets insanely busy before kick-off, before quieting down as the lucky ticket-holders h

If you’ve spent any time at all on social media in recent months, you’ve probably heard of ‘Dubai chocolate’. Inspired by the Middle Eastern dessert knafeh and created by Dubai chocolatier Fix Dessert, the decadent chocolate costs around £15 per bar, and features a vibrant green mixture of shredded filo pastry (or kataifi) and pistachio butter encased in milk chocolate. Apparently, it’s really, really good. So good that it’s been making waves on TikTok since at least last May. But in recent weeks, the viral sweet treat has really exploded in popularity, with dozens of TikTokers flocking to the platform to post their honest reviews, share attempts to recreate the chocolate bar from scratch or put a ‘Dubai chocolate’ spin on everything from brownies to tiramisu. So popular is the trend that it’s apparently causing a global uptick in holiday bookings, at least according to one luxury holiday site, Destination2, which has seen a 38 percent increase in Dubai bookings compared to the same time last year. Unsurprisingly, the original ‘Can’t Get Knafeh Of It’ bars by Fix Dessert are almost impossible to get your hands on, even if you happen to be making a trip to the UAE. But a trend this massive of course inspires copycats. From major supermarket chains to indie chocolatiers, here are a bunch of London businesses peddling ‘Dubai chocolate’ treats that you can try for yourself, ranked from most to least expensive. The 8 best places for Dubai chocolate in London Photograph: courtesy

2025 is shaping up to be a pretty special year for the London-born food hall chain Boxpark. Hot on the heels of a lease extension saving the brand’s OG Shoreditch site from closure comes the opening of Boxhall City in nearby Liverpool Street.  The first of a series of spin-off concepts planned by the brand, the 17,000 square-foot space isn’t made from shipping containers like the chain’s other locations but is instead a bricks-and-mortar venue that takes its inspiration from the ever-popular Chelsea Market in downtown Manhattan. First announced all the way back in 2022, Boxhall was originally slated to open in 2024, so we’re thoroughly excited to finally check it out.  Here’s everything you need to know about the buzzy new opening.  Where is Boxhall City? Boxhall City has taken over the historic Metropolitan Arcade, which first opened in 1912 and took its name from its location directly above the railway tracks of the Metropolitan Line. Located just around the corner from Liverpool Street station at Boxhall City is at 1-27 The Arcade, Liverpool Street, EC2M 7PN. Photograph: Boxpark Full list of food vendors and bars at Boxhall City Boxhall City features 13 food retail spaces, and encompasses a huge variety of global cuisines. The current vendors are: Club Mexicana – a well-regarded plant-based Mexican street food chain founded in Hackney in 2014 Farzi – a fine dining restaurant combining traditional Indian cuisine with British seasonal ingredients Gaucho – an outpost fo

A lot has been made of the ‘death’ of London nightlife over the last decade. And, sure, there’s no denying that the city’s nightlife spots have had a tough old time of it in recent years, what with rising rents, constant threats to licenses and the oft-touted claims that it’s impossible to go out in London past 1am and that Gen Z simply aren’t that keen on going out at all. In the last few years, we’ve seen more of our favourite venues than we care to recall threatened with closure – thoughts and prayers go out to Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club, Matchstick Piehouse and the Moth Club, to name a few – and said a final goodbye to legendary clubs like Printworks, G-A-Y Late and The Glory. Last April, it was announced that an astonishing 3,000 clubs, pubs and bars had closed since the pandemic. And yet, in 2025 there’s hope for the city’s late-night culture. Back in February, the Mayor of London launched a nightlife taskforce charged with figuring out how to boost the capital’s struggling nighttime economy. Last month, we published our fabulous (if we do say so ourselves) new list of the 50 best nights out in London, filled with everything from marathon raves and quirky karaoke sessions to supper clubs and spoken word nights. And now comes the exciting news of a brand new 750-capacity venue with a 24-hour license, opening in nightlife hotspot Brixton. The first venue in the area to be granted a 24-hour music and alcohol license, Brixton Storeys occupies the site formerly home to

There’s something seriously wonderful about rifling through a crate of cardboard-wrapped vinyls, and music fans all over London agree. That’s why this city is going all out for Record Store Day this Saturday April 12, with parties, gigs, and even a dedicated limited edition beer from hip craft brewery DEYA.  Founded back in 2007, this massive international event is all about showing a bit of love for vinyl records and the indie shops that peddle them, and many of London’s 50-odd record stores will be selling limited-edition vinyl records produced especially for the occasion. There are some big names involved, including Charlie xcx & Billie Eilish, Air, Black Sabbath, Tori Amos, and even Taylor Swift, but that ain’t all. Many of London’s record stores will also be laying on live music, DJ sets, free drinks and more to mark the occasion. Here’s where to get into the groove. London’s top 10 Record Store Day events in 2025 Miraval’s Mystery Vinyl Pop-Up Inject some excitement into the run-up to RSD courtesy of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s wine brand Miraval. It’s running a mystery vinyl pop-up at The Truman Brewery, which invites punters to pay a fiver to bag a brand-new surprise record, and get their hands on a glass of pink vino into the bargain. Can’t wait til you get home to find out what you reckon? Spin your brand new vinyl in a dedicated listening space, as well as browsing exclusive prints by artist Yinka Ilori, and checking out an acoustic set by vintage-inspired rocke

London is absolutely spoilt for choice when it comes to summer music festivals. Just when we think there couldn’t possibly be any more headliners to add to the already jam-packed line-ups of the city’s numerous major festies, another press release lands in our inbox, announcing the latest wave of musical talents to be gracing stages across the city in the next few months.  Hot off the heels of this morning’s SXSW London music line-up comes another announcement, of yet more acts joining Little Simz’s Meltdown at the Southbank Centre in June. And there are some major names in the mix.  The biggest name of the bunch is prolific Grammy- and Mercury-winning electronic artist and producer James Blake, who arrives at Royal Festival Hall with a solo piano show (Friday June 20). Also appearing at the Southbank Centre’s largest space are R&B singer-songwriter Mahalia (Friday June 13), Afrobeats legend Tiwa Savage (Saturday June 14) and Canadian instrumentalists BADBADNOTGOOD (Monday June 16). The Queen Elizabeth Hall, meanwhile, will play host to genre-defying London-based saxophonist Nubya Garcia (Thursday June 19) and neo-soul singer MEGA supported by rising star Jon Poppii (Friday June 20). Illinois-based singer-songwriter Kara Jackson will perform an intimate show in the Purcell Room (Tuesday June 17).  These join an already stacked line-up that includes gigs from The Streets, Ghetts, Sasha Keable, Lola Young and, of course, Little Simz herself, in a unique performance alongside th

World-renowned multi-disciplinary festival SXSW arrives in London in just a few short weeks, and we’re pretty excited about it. The likes of Steven Spielberg, Barack Obama and Malala Yousafzai have spoken at previous iterations of the Austin festival, which has also helped to launch the careers of numerous world-renowned acts including Amy Winehouse, Little Simz and Billie Eilish, so we’re expecting pretty big things from the first-ever European edition of Texas export.  Time Out is thrilled to be partnering with SXSW London for its inaugural edition to give both festival-goers and our culture-loving readers (that’s you!) a no-holds-barred insight into the epic affair, which features a whopping 600 talks, 600 gigs and 200 films screenings, all taking place around Shoreditch over six days this June. While details of the festival’s conference arm having been announced back in February, we’ve been eagerly waiting for more information on the musical line-up, which has been co-curated with a host of esteemed musical partners including The BRIT School, BBC Introducing, Sony Music, Abbey Road Music, Keep Hush, City Splash, Eastern Margins and Reform Radio. Joining previously-announced headliner, Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Tems, are the likes of Brit Award-winner Mabel, Crystal Castles’s Alice Glass, east London-based R&B artist NAO and rising south London star Sasha Keable. The full list of venues for the music festival has also been announced this morning, and it includes plent

London is never short when it comes to exhibitions, but this month is looking particularly great, packed with awe-inspiring art shows, brilliant photography and much more. Spring has most definitely sprung and Londoners are coming out of hibernation, seizing the city with both hands, milking it for all it has to offer. This month’s cultural calendar is appropriately packed, with a load of new exhibition openings set to add to all of the excellent ones already showing. From the brilliant but unsettling Ed Atkins at Tate Britain to multi-disciplinary works interrogating language at the ICA, to a blockbuster photography takeover of Somerset House and experimental bodily sculptures at White Cube Mason’s Yard, London is packed with plentiful opportunities for thought-provoking visual indulgence. These are the best exhibitions to see in London in April.  The best new London art exhibitions in April 2025 Photograph: Luke Hayes 1. ‘Splash! A Century of Swimming and Style’ at the Design Museum This one technically opened at the end of March, but we gave it a well-deserved four stars, so it would be a miss for us all not to include ‘Splash!’ in this round-up. The Design Museum is celebrating all things swimming – from Pamela Anderson’s Baywatch swimsuit, to a rainbow display of budgie smugglers – via the pool, the lido and nature, and features a selection of swimwear from throughout the ages as well as some pretty Wes Anderson-style photography. ‘Splash! A Century of Swimming and St