The Book Club’s May Day Fete

East London cultural hotspot The Book Club is taking over the Leonard Street Car Park for another one of their epic outdoor parties. Their May Day Fete features Morris Dancers, folk bands, traditional games and delicious, freshly-foraged food from The Foragers. Entry to the fete, which runs between 12-9pm, is free. 5 May

The Rooftop Film Club at The Queen of Hoxton and Kensington Roof Gardens

The Rooftop Film Club returns for another year of great cinema under the stars in London. Visitors can watch a variety of cult, classic and modern films on the big screens, with night-time London providing a spectacular backdrop. Tickets are £12 at the Queen of Hoxton or £22 – including a hot snack – at Kensington Roof Gardens. Until 30 Sep

The Campo Viejo Streets of Spain Festival at the Southbank Centre

Immerse yourself in the flavours of modern Spain at this four-day festival, which brings the best of Spanish food, wine, art and culture to the Southbank Centre. Not only can you browse stalls from Barcelona’s famous La Boqueria food market, which is making an appearance in London for the first time, but you can also learn about Spanish winemaking, see live street art and watch acclaimed films from the Spanish Film Festival. In the evenings the festival will host a pop-up restaurant by Michelin-starred chef Angel Pascual. 3-6 May

The Make Believe Festival at the Islington Metal Works 

Combining the best of everything from steampunk to faerytales, the Make Believe Festival promises to be an immersive experience. It presents a different event on each of its three days, all of which combine elements of art, music, performance and fantasy. Events range from the Goblin King’s Masquerade Ball to a Steampunk Market, and tickets start at £5. 3-5 May

The Imperial Festival

Taking place at Imperial College London, the prestigious South Kensington university, the Imperial Festival returns for a second year of scientific discovery and fun. Not only can you chat to more than 200 scientists and get an exclusive look at their research facilities, but you can also take part in science demonstrations, try your hand at surgery or enjoy music, dance and science comedy. Entry is free. 3-4 May  

Canalway Cavalcade at Little Venice

Head to the pretty canals of Little Venice for this fun free festival, which celebrates the waterways and the canalboat community. Visitors can watch the pageant of boats, live bands and traditional Morris Dancers, as well as browse stalls, take part in kids’ activities and sip a traditional English pint from the real ale bar. 4-6 May

More London events

Daniele Tenerani got in touch this week to tell us about this video. Three weeks ago, Daniele visited London, and had a great time filming some different parts of the city.

Here’s the results: a great little film that takes you from Covent Garden to Little Venice, to the terraces at Upton Park and the banks of the Thames.

To see more great London videos, check out our YouTube channel.

This year’s Enjoy England Awards for Excellence are asking for your favourite quirky event that’s unique to England.

The winner will be announced in a ceremony on St George’s Day (24 April).

Visit London will shortly be submitting some of our favourite quirky London experiences in a bid to claim the top “Where Else but England” prize for the capital!

Here are some of our favourite unconventional London traditions:

The Christmas Day Peter Pan Swim in the Serpentine: brave members of the Serpentine Swimming Club take to near-freezing waters for this annual event in Hyde Park.

The IWA Canalway Cavalcade: hundreds of narrowboats fill the waters of Little Venice with colour, character and quintessential English on May bank holiday

The MP vs Media Parliamentary Pancake Race gives the two opposing teams the opportunity to battle it out in Victoria Tower Gardens carrying frying pans and pancakes

Horseman’s Sunday: the vicar of St. John’s Church in Hyde Park leads more than 100 horses and riders to the church in a celebration of horse riding in the capital.

A much-loved cockney tradition, Pearly Kings & Queens: dating from the 19th century when a young boy covered a suit with shiny buttons to attract attention in an effort to raise money for the poor. The tradition thrives to this day; particularly at the annual festival at St Martin-in-the Fields.

Twelfth Night: mixing ancient midwinter traditions with contemporary festivity, the Twelfth Night celebration on Bankside includes the extraordinary, pagan Holly Man, who, decked in evergreen foliage, appears from the Thames…

Do you have your own favourite quirky London event? Add your suggestions to the comments below for other top contenders!