Exciting things to do during May half-term in Central London
May half-term in Central London is the perfect chance to turn an ordinary day into an unforgettable adventure. This year, the half-term runs from Monday, 25 May to Friday, 29 May, giving families and friends five exciting days to enjoy the city together. With lively streets and major things to do, Central London offers endless ways to spend quality time together.
Fun things to do with friends in Central London
1. The Crystal Maze Live Experience
Location: 22 – 32 Shaftesbury Ave, London W1D 7EU
Opening hours:
– Monday to Friday: 1 – 9 PM
– Weekends: 9 AM – 9 PM
Price range: from £39 per person
The Crystal Maze LIVE Experience brings the iconic British TV show to life through a series of challenge rooms and games. Inspired by the original series, visitors move through themed zones completing physical, mental and skill-based tasks before the final Crystal Dome challenge. The experience combines nostalgic entertainment with high-energy group activities, making it a fun and memorable option for families and friends.
This half term, The Crystal Maze is also offering 50% off Family Tickets, making it an even more exciting option for a family day out.
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2. Karaoke at Lucky Voice Soho
Location: 52 Poland St, London W1F 7NQ
Opening hours:
– Monday and Tuesday: 5 PM – 1 AM
– Wednesday to Friday: 5 PM – 2 AM
– Saturday: 12 PM – 2:30 AM
– Sunday: 2-11 PM
Price range: around £8
Lucky Voice Soho is one of London’s best-known private karaoke venues, located in the heart of Soho’s nightlife scene. Open since 2005, it was the city’s first dedicated private karaoke bar and is known for its colourful private singing rooms, huge song library and lively late-night atmosphere. With cocktails, food service and group-friendly spaces, it is a fun and energetic option for friends looking for entertainment during the May half term.
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3. Escape Hunt Oxford Street
Location: Basement and Ground Floor, 70-88 Oxford St, London W1D 1BP
Opening hours:
– Monday to Friday and Sunday: 10 AM – 10 PM
– Saturday: 10 AM – 11:30 PM
Price range: around £20 per person
Escape Hunt Oxford Street is one of the most popular escape room venues in central London, offering immersive adventures inspired by everything from spy missions and time travel to pirates and wild-west mysteries. Alongside its indoor escape rooms, the venue also features outdoor city hunt games across London and at-home experiences for groups wanting the challenge to continue beyond the venue itself. With cinematic set and teamwork-focused gameplay, it is a great option for families and friendship groups looking for an interactive half-term activity.
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May half-term shows, performances and events in Central London
4. Experience Sherlock Holmes at Regent’s Park open air theatre
Location: Regent’s Park, Inner Circle, Regent’s Park, NW1 4NU
Time: 2 May – 6 June 2026 (running throughout half-term week)
Price range: from £19 per person
The 2026 season at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre opens with the anticipated world premiere of Sherlock Holmes, a new mystery transporting audiences to Victorian London. There’s nowhere quite like this to catch a show during half-term. The outdoor theatre is located in the centre of Regent’s Park and hosts an extensive variety of entertaining musicals, plays, revivals and family-friendly shows each summer, with outdoor performances taking place whatever the weather.
5. Watch Prancer the Dancer’s DanceDanceDiscoPartyFunShow at Southbank Centre
Location: Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, London SE1 8XX
Time: 30 May 2026, 11;30 AM and 2:30 PM
Price range: free standard entry
Prancer the Dancer’s DanceDanceDiscoPartyFunShow at the Southbank Centre is a great weather-proof way for the kids, joining special guests from the worlds of cabaret and circus to learn dance routines together, with gymnastics ribbons aplenty. Best of all, it’s completely free. The Southbank Centre is one of the most welcoming cultural spaces in London, with wide open foyers, riverside views and a buzzy food market just downstairs. A perfect final-day treat that costs nothing and leaves everyone with aching feet in the best possible way.
Casual dining in Central London
1. KIN Cafe
Location: 22 Foley St, London W1W 6DT
Opening hours:
– Monday to Friday: 8:30 AM – 10:30 PM
– Weekends: 9:30 AM – 10:30 PM
Best items to try: miso aubergine, vegan pancakes, waffles
Price range: £10-20 per person
KIN Cafe is a vegetarian restaurant, drawing influence from modern European and wellness-style cuisine while focusing heavily on fresh, seasonal ingredients. The restaurant serves fresh, vegetarian- and vegan-friendly dishes inspired by modern European cuisine, with an emphasis on seasonal ingredients and homemade cooking. With warm interiors and a calm atmosphere, it has become a popular choice for brunch, coffee and casual lunches in Central London.
2. Faros Restaurant
Location: 22 Great Portland St, London W1W 8QS
Opening hours: Daily, 12 – 11 PM
Best items to try: beef ragu, truffle pasta, burrata salad
Price range: £30-70 per person
Faros Oxford Circus is a lively Italian restaurant bringing Mediterranean flavours to the heart of London. Known for its wood-fired pizzas, fresh pasta and indulgent cocktails, the restaurant combines traditional Italian comfort food with a stylish modern setting. The atmosphere is vibrant yet welcoming, making it ideal for group dinners, date nights and relaxed evening meals.
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3. Broken Eggs
Location: 24, 25 Foley St, London W1W 6DX
Opening hours:
– Monday: Closed
– Tuesday to Thursday: 12 – 10 PM
– Friday: 12 – 10:30 PM
– Saturday: 10:30 AM – 10:30 PM
– Sunday: 10:30 AM – 10:30 PM
Best items to try: chorizo, basque cheesecake, croquettes
Price range: £20-30 per person
Broken Eggs is a family-run Spanish restaurant specialising in authentic Spanish tortillas and comforting Mediterranean dishes. Inspired by traditional home cooking, the restaurant focuses on simple recipes made with quality ingredients and a homemade touch. Its intimate setting and relaxed atmosphere give the space a warm, casual charm that evokes a traditional Spanish kitchen.
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Best cafes in Central London to enjoy with friends
4. Kaffeine
Location: 15 Eastcastle St, London W1T 3AY
Opening hours:
– Monday to Friday: 7:30 AM – 5 PM
– Saturday: 8:30 AM – 5 PM
– Sunday: 9 AM – 5 PM
Best items to try: flat white, banana bread, latte, croissant
Price range: £1-10 per person
Inspired by Australian and New Zealand café culture, Kaffeine is one of Fitzrovia’s best-known speciality coffee spots. Open since 2009, the independent café is loved for its expertly made espresso, flat whites and fresh pastries served in a fast-paced yet welcoming space. Its relaxed atmosphere and reputation for quality coffee make it an ideal stop for a casual morning coffee or light brunch.
5. Hagen Espresso Bar (Hagen Fitzrovia)
Location: 29-32 Berners St, London W1T 3LR
Opening hours:
– Monday to Wednesday: 8 AM – 6 PM
– Thursday and Friday: 8 AM – 7 PM
– Saturday: 9 AM – 6 PM
– Sunday: Closed
Best items to try: flat white, cinnamon roll, banana bread
Price range: £1-10 per person
Hagen Espresso Bar is a speciality coffee shop inspired by Copenhagen espresso bars and Danish coffee traditions. The café is known for its carefully crafted coffee and Danish pastries served in a clean, modern setting. With its minimalist interiors and relaxed atmosphere, Hagen offers a stylish yet casual coffee stop that works perfectly for a slower break during the May half-term.
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6. WatchHouse Fitzrovia
Location: 256 Wells St, London W1T 3PT
Opening hours:
– Monday to Friday: 8 AM-5:30 PM
– Weekends: 9 AM – 5:30 PM
Best items to try: banana bread, coffee, matcha
Price range: £10-20 per person
WatchHouse Fitzrovia is a stylish speciality coffee house combining premium coffee with a contemporary all-day café setting. Known for its in-house roasted coffee and beautifully designed interiors, the café offers a more refined and spacious atmosphere compared with traditional coffee shops. With its bright modern décor and relaxed energy, it is a popular choice for families, shoppers and visitors looking for a comfortable coffee break during the May half term.
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Make the most of May half-term in Fitzrovia Quarter
Fitzrovia sits right in the heart of central London, and May half-term is the perfect time to explore it. World-class coffee, independent restaurants, and some of the city’s most exciting new attractions are all within walking distance in this charming corner of the West End. From family days out to catch-ups with friends, Fitzrovia has everything you need right on its doorstep.