The Best London Festivals & Fairs – May 2016

The UK’s bibliophiles will be bookmarking their calendars for May, in anticipation of the 59th London International Antiquarian Book Fair. Taking place over three days at Olympia, it’s one of the largest and most prestigious antiquarian book fairs in the world, welcoming over 180 dealers from 18+ countries. But don’t let the abundance of dust jackets fool you into thinking this is a fusty event; in addition to items for every budget (not just books, but also maps, prints, photographs, manuscripts, ephemera and original artwork spanning the centuries), there’ll be hands-on workshops and family-friendly activities, giving everyone the chance to explore the world of fine printing, bookbinding and even restoration. (Photo: The London International Antiquarian Book Fair)

Sartorialists have Fashion Week, hipsters have Design Week and now London’s maker community has Craft Week – a 5 day celebration of “the magical combination of imagination, individuality, passion and skill found in the best-made of things” (according to the event’s chairman). Taking place in multiple venues across the city, this year’s programme features 129 events and 214 makers discussing, demonstrating and exhibiting their wares and skills. Fifty five different disciplines will be explored, from diamond cutters to the makers of military bearskins, and almost 20 countries represented. But an analogue Etsy this is not; sponsored by Vacheron Constantin, Grosvenor and Mulberry, and featuring brands like CHANEL, Lalique and Rolls Royce, craft has never looked so classy. (Photo: Dovecot Studios at ACE Hotel)

Anyone nostalgic for the days when people took photographs with cameras rather than phones, and selfie sticks weren’t a best-selling item on Amazon, would do well to pay a visit to Photographica 2016. Organised by the Photographic Collectors Club of Great Britain and billed as “the biggest event in the British camera collector’s diary”, this year there will be around 135 tables for buying, selling and swapping antique cameras, not to mention lenses, accessories, film, paper, books and photographs themselves. Entry to the public and non-members is just £5 and the venue itself, The Royal Horticultural Halls, is highly photogenic – just do yourself a favour and don’t ask anyone where you might find an original Ludwig filter. (Photo: Photographica Fair)

Confirmed oenophile or someone whose knowledge of wine pairings comes from a novelty tea-towel? Either way, there’s something for everyone during London Wine Week. Now in its third year, the festival – from the folks behind Cocktail Week and Beer Week – opens the doors to some of London’s best wine bars and showcase their diverse wine offerings. This year sees more than 100 of the city’s most celebrated bars and restaurants taking part by offering £5 wine flights to those wearing a LWW wristband, plus a full schedule of wine events and offers, including pop-ups, parties, pairing dinners and special menus. We’ll drink to that. (Photo: London Wine Week)

Britain’s foodie revolution continues apace, with countless celebrations of the country’s ongoing culinary enlightenment held throughout the year. One such event is Foodies Festival, which takes place place in the venerable grounds of Syon Park, a 16th century house in west London that also stages an elite annual classic car show. The 3-day festival is a food-lover’s paradise, with a vast range of cuisines on offer, as well as masterclasses by celebrity chefs, an Artisan Producers Market, a Vintage Tea Room and pop-up bars serving ciders and cocktails. For those lacking fire in their belly, a Chilli-Eating Challenge offers the chance to set things right. (Photo: Foodies Festival)

Protected from the peaks and troughs of certain other economic sectors, art is widely considered a sound investment at any given time. Even more reason, then, to pop along to Art16, which returns to London Olympia this May, playing host to leading artists, galleries and collectors from over 30 countries. This year Art16 will be showing galleries from an assortment of far-away places, including Hong Kong, Tel Aviv, Tokyo, Miami and Seoul, adding an eclectic flavour to proceedings. The 2016 programme also includes a new service, ‘By Appointment’, offers visitors the chance to take bespoke tours of the Fair led by personal art advisors. Meanwhile those with a culinary, as well as artistic, eye, may be excited by Corbin & King’s involvement as the Fair’s official restaurant partner. (Photo: Art16)

Directions via public transport are pretty much redundant for this niche festival at The Old Truman Brewery in east London, which celebrates the increasingly popular past-time of two-wheeled transportation. Over 150 cycling brands will be on hand to present their latest products for seasoned velophiles (yes, they have a name) during the 3-day event. But more than just a shop floor, the festival also puts on art installations, bike film premieres, a kids’ test track, workshops on building bike frames, craft beer and street food, all served up to the backdrop of live music and DJ’s. Debuting in 2016 will also be The Summit, featuring speakers from across the cycling spectrum, all contributing to an open discussion of the past, present & future of cycling. (Photo: Spin – The Cycling Festival)

Delboy and Rodney helped put Peckham on the map in the iconic sitcom Only Fools & Horses, and now the southeast London district is getting a further boost to its profile with its own music festival, debuting this May. Taking place at venues across Peckham, the 3-day festival will celebrate the local music scene by bringing together the artists, labels and record shops that help make this one of London’s most buzzy corners. International names from the music world will also feature, lending the event an elective vibe, while there’ll also be free music production workshops and seminars for young people. Confirmed performers so far include MM/KM, Benji B, Wbeeza, Kade, as well as Radio 1 DJ Benji B, top producer Leif and Kassem Mosse. (Photo: Peckham Rye Music Festival)

As we reach a certain age, keeping our finger on the pulse of popular culture becomes an increasingly difficult task. But if you feel out of touch, there’s a chance to scratch up on what’s hot in the world of movies, television, gaming, comics and more in May in the shape of the MCM Comic Con. Throughout the year the show pops up in locations across the UK, with the London edition perhaps the biggest of them all. Notable highlights include live eSports matches and cosplay celebrations, experiential opportunities inspired by movies, live screenings, guest panel discussions, brand new games releases and signing sessions with stars from pop culture. There’s also a Comic Village for independent comic artists and VidFest for burgeoning YouTube stars. (Photo: London Comic Con)

Did you know that the earliest recorded evidence of the famous puppetry character “Punch” is from the 17th Century diarist Samuel Pepys? When it comes to impressing friends with obscure facts, it won’t get much better than that! The provenance of Punch and his sidekick Judy forms part of the celebrations each year at the Covent Garden May Fayre and Puppet Festival, which celebrates its 41st anniversary in 2016. Held at the Actor’s Church in Covent Garden – the location of Pepys’ first encounter with Punch way back in 1662 – the event features puppet shows and workshops, folk music, maypole dancing, clowns and refreshments. As an extra bonus, admission is free for all visitors. (Photo: Covent Garden May Fayre and Puppet Festival)