Sunshine and good times are definitely ahoy in the ‘hood, as a welcome sizzle to Mayday this year heralds the start of a long, bright and hot summer (we hope - probably jinxed it right there).

Kickstarting things in customary style, the annual Queen’s Yard Summer Party returns this Sat 3rd May, bringing more than 100 cutting edge DJs and live artists to perform all day-into-night and taking over 20 Hackney Wick venues in the process.

From the intimate dancefloors of The Goose canal boat (moored at Two More Years) for minimal house sounds, and the trance and prog takeover of Silo, to the huge outdoor garden party at Hackney Bridge, and inside the venue’s large Unit C space, there’s absolutely masses to keep you entertained.

One pass gets you access to everywhere so grab final tickets now.

Meanwhile, over on East Bank, the world’s largest festival of hip hop dance theatre Breakin’ Convention 2025 runs from Fri 2nd - Mon 5th May, promising jaw-dropping performances, live DJs, dance workshops, graffiti, emcees, and spontaneous cyphers all over Sadler’s Wells East.

Highlights to look out for include the opening party, Fierce Friday, featuring international waacking icon Mounia Nassangar, global b-boy crew The Ruggeds and carnival heroes Rampage Sound, plus a packed programme of impressive performances and workshops across four stages and studios over the weekend.

👩🏽‍🎨 Expect bold storytelling, emotional truths and an unapologetic celebration of Filipino identity and heritage at Bahala Ka Sa Buhay Mo, taking place at Fish Island’s Indra Gallery this weekend. There’s a launch party on Fri 2nd with live DJ, and a day of art workshops and a panel discussion on Sat 3rd.

🎨 The Art of Settling In is a community-led art show exploring how we create a sense of home through adaptation, imagination, and a little bit of chaos. Showcasing a diverse range of local artists this Sun 4th May at Indra Gallery, the event will feature a silent auction, with all proceeds donated to Medical Aid for Palestinians.

🖼️ The latest exhibition from Felstead Art can currently be seen at The Trampery Fish Island, featuring the work of Four East London-based artists - Anna Kolosova, Ben Wakeling, Graham Duncan Elder and Moisés Moreno. Gesture explores the language of abstraction and runs to the end of May.

🥻 Fashioning Frequencies explores fashion as a transmission of identity, agency, and history, and a force that reverberates through time, carrying memory, enacting resistance, and shaping possibility. The exhibition can currently be seen in the front gallery and foyer at UAL London College of Fashion.

🎭 Funny and provocative satire, Tambo and Bones, returns to the stage at Stratford East until 10th May. It plots our duo’s journey from comedy double-act, to hip-hop superstars, to activists in a future America, contending with the alarming repercussions of a nation torn apart by race.

📺 As part of Hackney History Festival, free talk Innovation on Historic Grounds will explore the legacy of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and Here East’s transformation from press and broadcast centre into today’s education and innovation hub. You’ll also hear from OnLondon and The Wick journalist and author, Dave Hill, about his book on the 2012 London Olympics, all at Here East on Wed 7th May.

🎷 Spend your Bank Holiday Mon 5th May in the company of Mike Burton, who’s distinctive soulful saxophone performances and vocal productions positively ooze with the influence of his native Jackson, Mississippi music culture. Catch him playing live, for one night only at Stratford’s Soul Mama.

🎧 Genre-bending DJ Freddie Graham returns to the decks to celebrate his latest release, ‘Become Who You Are’, playing an all-vinyl set and live sax combo at HWK this Fri 2nd May.

🌞 Daytime party-starters Ketoloco begin a summer-long celebration of 19 years that’s taken them dancing from Leeds to Ibiza and back. They’re taking over the open air terrace at Riverside East on Sat 10th May, installing a fat Martin Audio sound system and welcoming back Jaded resident afterparty icon Raymundo Rodriguez and Patterns Brighton resident Jack Osman for a free party limited to 300 tickets.

⚽ Go cheer on The Wickers, as Hackney Wick FC take on cup holders Harlow Town FC in the Thurlow Nunn League Challenge Cup Final this Mon 5th May at Parkside Stadium in Essex.

🏊🏾 It’s the second weekend of the Swim England Summer Championships 2025, taking place at the London Aquatics Centre from Sat 3rd - Mon 5th May, with heats and finals throughout the day and medals awarded to the fastest talent from London and the UK’s best swimming clubs.

⚽ Two teams battle it out to be promoted to the highest Futsal league in the UK at the Copper Box on Sun 4th May, as LDN Movements FC meet MK Mavericks.

🏃🏻‍♀️ The global Wings For Live World Run takes place this Sun 4th May, including a chance to join in the big event at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. It’s a unique race, where everyone starts at the same time worldwide, from professional athletes to fun runners and total beginners. All race against the virtual ‘Catcher Car’ - the moving finish line - which begins a pursuit 30 minutes after the start, passing runners and wheelchair users one after the other until the race is over, with 100% of all entry fees and donations going directly to spinal cord research.

🗣️ Register for free to join the first in a new series of inspirational lunchtime conversations. Social Founders Talk brings together two founders to discuss their experiences and personal journeys honestly, followed by a Q&A session with the online audience. First up, on Wed 21st May, Sarah Wren OBE, CEO of HILS - Health and Independent Living Support, will be sharing her story of taking HILS from its early years to a 10-million-pound charity. She’ll be chatting with Ali Kakande, CEO of Carib Eats, the grassroots London-based CIC set up during the pandemic.

♻️ Hackney Council want to hear from local residents, charities, and community groups to help shape the borough’s circular economy strategy by filling in their Making Things Last survey. It takes less than 10 minutes and you can give your views on repairing, upcycling, reusing, and sharing so the Council can better support local action on waste and climate change. You’ll be entered into a draw to win one of five £20 Growing Communities veg boxes.

👩🏻‍💼 Join business strategist and leadership coach, Felix Riley, for an evening of powerful insights and entrepreneurial inspiration at The Trampery Fish Island Village tomorrow night Thurs 1st May for the free event Brilliant Thinking: How to Think Bigger in Business (And in Life). Felix will help you break free from limited thinking, maximise opportunities, and unlock your creative potential via practical brainstorming techniques, motivating stories, and a chance to ask him your burning questions in a Q&A session.

👗 V&A East Museum, the exciting new East Bank cultural destination opening in 2026 is looking for a Senior Operations Manager to help deliver and lead a world-class visitor experience, with a particular focus on engaging a new audience of local 16-24-year-olds. Apply by 11th May.

🎨 Bow Arts is looking for a Client Facilities & Studio Coordinator to manage the commercial facilities and tenants at Royal Albert Wharf. You will manage both the commercial and creative facilities at one of the Trust’s key sites, situated in Newham’s docklands. Apply by 15th May.