May in London 2012

Presiding over the Olympic Park will be the Anish Kapoor-designed ArcelorMittal Orbit observation tower, which Mayor Boris Johnson described as that "something extra" needed to "distinguish the east London skyline" and "arouse the curiosity and wonder of Londoners and visitors". The 115m-high steel sculpture resembles a "continuously looping lattice" (The Independent) and will be the largest example of public art in the UK when completed by May 2012. The project is expected to cost around £20m, with most of the funding coming from the involvement of Britain's richest man, the Indian-born steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal, chairman of the ArcelorMittal steel company. Painted red and located between the Olympic Stadium and the Aquatics Centre, the Orbit promises to be "an icon to match the Eiffel Tower" according to Boris - which is perhaps a bit antagonistic towards the French capital city of Paris, which famously lost the 2012 Olympic bid to London. Co-designed by Cecil Balmond, Kapoor's Orbit will offer two-storey dining and a viewing gallery - accessible by a spiralling staircase or a lift - over the whole of the Olympic Park and beyond. The sculpture is a permanent structure and after the Games it will be part of the lasting legacy of the area as it continues to attract visitors to east London.

For anyone who follows fashion, French shoe designer Christian Louboutin is the height of sophistication. His famous red soled shoes, on display at the Design Museum, are so beautifully crafted they could be said to stretch the boundary between fashion and artistry, engineering and sculpture. This exhibition celebrates Louboutin's career to date - it's been twenty years since he opened his first shop in Paris - and reveals the theatricality of his shoe design from skyscraping stilettos to lace-up boots. Material from Christian Louboutin's personal archive reveals how he designs his shoes, the origins of the distinctive red sole - a Louboutin trademark - as well as the latest collections including handbags and a range for men. Given his long list of celebrity fans - Lady GaGa, Victoria Beckham, Sarah Jessica Parker and Madonna among them - this is a chance for the rest of us to see what's inside their closets.

The British public's fascination for George Michael never ceases, and as he nears the anniversary of thirty successful years in the music business he appears for one night of musical celebration at the Royal Albert Hall. His turbulent personal life and his recent battle with illness were well documented in the press and this date in May marks his welcome return to the stage. He is set to perform at The Royal Albert Hall with a collection of some of his favourite songs from a long and outstanding career. The much-loved pop figure has evolved his style through the decades and has sold over 100 million albums worldwide. Expect classics like 'Careless Whisper' and 'Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go' to get the crowd on their feet, this will be the first time fans get the chance to see the global icon since his last tour ended back in 2008.

One of the fastest team sports at the Olympics, the Hockey events will certainly provide rich entertainment come the summer. But if you aren't one of the lucky few to have been able to secure tickets, the test event at the newly built Hockey Centre in the Olympic Park is the next best thing. This is no simple practice occasion, however: the London International Hockey Tournament will take place over the four days, giving the world's best players a chance to test out the new Hockey Centre ahead of the summer's main event. The tournament will offer London crowds the chance to see world-class action at a top quality, 16,000 seater venue. Do note - this isn't hockey like the Americans or Canadians call it.

The country's leading portrait exhibition, the Royal Society of Portrait Painters Exhibition displays painted and drawn portrait submissions by both national and international artists, including high profile commissions and works by artists never before seen. With more than 200 pieces on display, it forms an ideal place for artists to be selected for commissions. In addition to this, portraits of the Queen will be displayed in order to commemorate her Diamond Jubilee. Awards and prizes will be given, including the Prince of Wales's Award for Portrait Drawing, the Changing Faces Commission Prize and the Society's Gold Medal for the most distinguished painting.

The British Museum has recently been fortunate enough to acquire the complete Vollard Suite - a set of 100 etchings produced by Picasso between 1930 and 1937. With Picasso arguably being the 20th century's most important artist, this generosity by the Hamish Parker Charitable Trust has put the British Museum in a unique position, offering the ability to display the pieces alongside classical sculptures that Picasso was inspired by. This will be the only complete Vollard Suite held by a public museum in the UK and it will join only a handful of museums in the world which hold a complete set. It will therefore be the first time a complete Vollard Suite has been shown in Britain in the past 50 years. The etchings represent a number of themes including Picasso's fascination with the Minotaur. Further influences seen in the artist's paintings include Rembrandt etchings and Goya prints.

Wheelchair Tennis has notable differences from regular Tennis in that the ball is allowed to bounce twice, with only the first bounce having to land within the court boundaries. Since its inception in the 1970s, wheelchair tennis has grown in popularity - there are now over 170 tournaments on the ITF Wheelchair Tennis Tour. London crowds will have two chances to see some action this summer, with the Paralympic event in September and the test event in May, both at Eton Manor (the only new permanent Paralympic venue) in the Olympic Park. Wheelchair Tennis is one of the fastest-growing participation sports in the UK and British players are among the best in the world.

Following on from the huge popularity of the National Gallery's blockbuster Leonardo Da Vinci: Painter At The Court Of Milan show, this exhibition at the Queen's Gallery at Buckingham Palace offers visitors another chance to see drawings by the great Renaissance artist and inventor. This time in Leonardo da Vinci: Anatomist it's his studies of the human body, owned by the Royal Collection, that are under the spotlight. Leonardo spent over twenty-five years investigating the workings of the human body and the drawings shown here represent his ground breaking research. A 1489 pen and ink study of a skull sectioned is displayed along with an intricate study of the coronary vessels and valves of the heart dating back to around 1511-13. There are fascinating annotated studies of the foetus in the womb - part of his prolonged investigation into reproduction - as well as studies of the muscles of the shoulder and arm, and the bones of the foot. This special exhibition, one of several held to mark The Queen's Diamond Jubilee, offers a rare chance to see the Royal Collection's largest ever exhibition of Leonardo da Vinci's studies of the human body.

The London Water Polo International will double as the test event for the Olympic Water Polo competition and will take place in the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park. A women's only event, consisting of Great Britain and three other international teams, the event will run over four days in May and will give London audiences the chance to witness the very best in thrilling, high-octane sport. Three days of preliminary matches will lead up to the finals day as the world's best players seek to gain valuable practice before the summer's main event. If you've never seen live water polo before, you're in for a treat - think of it perhaps as an aquatic version of rugby.

International Paralympic archers trial out standing and wheelchair events for individuals and teams in this four-day Olympic test event at the Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich. The event is part of the London Prepares series, which runs high-profile tests and trials all all London 2012 venues and for all events ahead of this summer's Olympic bonanza. The historic Barracks hosts the Olympic shooting competition as well as the Paralympic shooting and archery events - and for those who have not managed to snap up London 2012 tickets, this is the next best thing.

This year the Barbican will be showcasing the biggest Bauhaus exhibition in the UK for over 40 years; Bauhaus: Art as Life. The exhibition's name aptly describes the intension of what the world famous art school represented; the notion of creating an everyday relationship between art and life. The school diminished the traditional teaching method of student and teacher and instead encouraged the concept of a community of artists working together. This exhibition will feature an array of work including paintings, sculptures, photography, textiles and film from artists such as Walter Gropius, Anni Albers and Paul Klee, as well as lesser-known artists and Bauhaus students. There will also be a public programme including workshops, talks and performances, plus the Bauhaus Summer School; an intensive two-week school at the Barbican.

The very best of UK student athletics comes to the Olympic Stadium in May as they take part in track and field competitions as part of the British University and Colleges Sport Championships. The athletics events at the Olympics will surely by one of the most high profile occasions throughout the Games so it's vital to ensure that facilities and conditions at the Olympic Stadium are perfect. With the incredibly high demand on tickets to the athletics events for the Games, this is a perfect opportunity for those that are still keen to see the new stadium in all its splendour.

Head up to North London as the trailblazing Camden Crawl returns once again this spring. The first proper musical festival of the year, the Camden Crawl may be hit-and-miss with the weather - but always delivers with a cutting-edge list of up-and-coming local bands and established stars, performing in just about every important venue in Camden over two nights of music-fuelled abandon. What makes the Crawl so special is that exactly where and when the bands are playing often isn't announced until the last minute, creating a great buzz as you sprint from gig to gig (though around the 3am mark, sprinting starts to become a bit of a challenge). As this is an event for bands on the way up, it's never an obviously star-studded line-up, but the promoters have a consistent ability to spot the artists who are just on the point of going stratospheric and this is a great way to see them up close and personal before they start playing stadiums. Last year's acts included Tinchy Strider, Simian Mobile Disco and Ben Hoard. This year the festival takes place on May bank holiday weekend so there's an even bigger reason to get involved. For full line-up details and ticket information check their website.

This ground breaking opera marathon is gracing the stage once more, and with its rarity will be happily welcomed to the Barbican. Boosting director Robert Wilson and composer Philip Glass to international acclaim in 1976, Einstein on the Beach is an opera in Four Acts that spreads across an impressive five hours. The piece breaks the traditional conventions as instead of an orchestral arrangement Glass instead chose to compose the work for the synthesisers, woodwinds and voices of the Philip Glass Ensemble. The piece doesn't have a set narrative; it instead works using powerful recurrent images combined with abstract dance sequences and interconnected with short play intervals.

Meet Michelin star chefs, see live demonstrations and sample food from London's top restaurants at the Foodies Festival, taking place at both Hampton Court Palace and London Battersea Park. Cooking is made to look easy thanks to demos from top chefs and if the mere thought of all that makes you hungry then you can head to the restaurant tents where you can sample signature dishes from well known restaurants. Wash it all down with posh fizz from Veuve Clicquot and you can guarantee an atmosphere of bon viveur. Around 25,000 people are expected to attend which just goes to show the popularity of London's restaurants. Much like the 'Taste of London', these 'Foodies' events - which also take place in Bristol, Oxford and Edinburgh (coinciding with the Festival) - offer a winning combination of sampling, slurping and learning, all in the open air. A foodie's treat. The festival will take place at Hampton Court Palace on 5th-6th May then in London's Battersea Park on 17th-19th August.

The most famous cup competition in the world of football reaches its finale at Wembley Stadium as the two sides who have battled through to the final go all out to claim the last major trophy of the English season. Romantics will point to the fabled 'Magic of the Cup' in the hope that a surprise team makes a run to the final. Over the past decade, Wycombe Wanderers, Millwall, Barnsley and Cardiff have all come from nowhere to claim semi-final places, with some even making it all the way to Wembley. However, the last 'underdog' to actually win a Wembley final was Everton in 1995, who saw off the all-conquering Manchester United. Last season's final saw big-spending Manchester City claim the first trophy of their new cash-fuelled reign as one of English football's superpowers. They saw off a rugged Stoke City, beating them 1-0 after a Yaya Toure goal with fifteen minutes remaining. Check the official Wembley Stadium website and individual club websites for ticketing details.

What's boccia? Well, since you ask, let us explain: it's a sport unique to the Paralympic Games played by wheelchair athletes of either gender with cerebral palsy and related locomotor conditions. The aim is to throw leather balls towards a target ball, or jack, across a series of demanding 'ends', or sets, on a playing area measuring 12.5m by 6m. The strange thing about this Paralympic Boccia Test Event is that it does not take place at the ExCeL Centre, the venue that hosts the London 2012 Paralympic Boccia competition. Instead, it will take part at the new Basketball Arena in the Olympic Park in east London. Even so, this will be a chance for spectators to get a pre-taste of Olympic action - or perhaps simply brush up on the rules of an unfamiliar but enthralling sport ahead of the Summer Games.

This three-day festival, curated by Jonzi D, burst onto the scene in 2004 and it hasn't looked back since, showcasing some of the best hip hop dance from far and wide as well as fresh home-grown talent. Breakin' Convention at Sadler's Wells is a frenzy of cutting edge moves with one head-spinning act after another taking to the stage to wow audiences. Performers from all over the world join in the festival including Parisian b-boy outfit Phase T, Japanese duo Hilty & Bosch and Denmark's Big City Brains who include the Robot Boys, winners of Denmark's Got Talent in 2008. Alongside world class performances the weekend is packed with live aerosol jams, workshop programmes, DJ demos, freestyle circles and a world record attempt for the longest continuous popping wave. Throughout the three-day festival your host and curator is Jonzi D, who was active in bringing street culture to Britain in the early 80s.

Canalway Cavalcade is a distinctive waterway festival that takes place at the suitable location of Little Venice. Organised by Inland Waterways Association volunteers, there will be an array of boats, trade show stalls and boater gatherings making it a perfect festival for water lovers. As well as the boating activities there will also be Morris dancing, competitions, food, kids' activities and of course a real ale bar making it an enjoyable day out for families. Plus with the location being quaint Little Venice, this creates the perfect opportunity for a gentle stroll and an enjoyable view alongside your lunch and ale.

The multi-award winning Grand Designs Live show returns to ExCel Centre this spring. Based on the hugely popular Channel 4 TV series in which the general public aim to build their dream homes. Presented by design guru Kevin McCloud, the show is the perfect place to come for ideas and inspiration for the home with over 500 exhibitors, top TV celebrities, shopping and fabulous show features. Whether you're building a conservatory, renovating a new home or just trying to sort out your hideous living room, there will be something for you at this ultimate exhibition for people passionate about home and garden design.

The Night of 1000 Voices will again be treating audiences to the sight and sounds of the huge Massed Choir from all over the British Isles, with Stephen Disley playing the grand organ of the Royal Albert Hall and the City of London Philharmonic accompanying. In order to embrace the year of the Olympics and the Diamond Jubilee, the event will be celebrating the Best of British including some of the most requested songs from The Lion King, Jesus Christ Superstar and Les Miserables. The evening will once again be for the benefit of Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research.

Two years in the making, WildWorks and Battersea Arts Centre are coming together to present Babel. The show is part of World Stages London; a series of shows that will be bringing together leading London theatres including the Young Vic and the Lyric Hammersmith, in a unique collaboration. With only twelve performances but a cast of 500 professional and community performers, Babel is set to be a distinctive and intimate yet epic show. The performance at Caledonian Park tells the story of two tribes coming together to create a new city, a haven for strangers and a place to become the best of what you can be.

Every May sees Trafalgar Square transformed into to a colourful celebration to welcome in the Sikh New Year. The Vaisakhi Festival is truly a sight to behold with traditional and modern Asian music and dancing and an array of exotic culinary delights on offer. The official date for Vaisakhi is 13th April, but the 2012 Vaisakhi on the Square festival in Trafalgar Square will be held on Sunday 6th May. Commemorating 300 years of the consecration of Sri Guru Granth Sahib as the eternal Guru, the Vaisakhi includes performances of music such as Shabad Kirtin (religious hymns), as well as modern dance music and DJs. In previous years crowds of 30,000 have attended the celebrations, which end with a final prayer for the good and well-being of the whole of humanity. Vegetarian food prepared by the Sikh community will be offered during the afternoon.

East meets West in May as the streets of 'Banglatown' Brick Lane fill with the sounds of celebration as crowds gather to ring in the Bengali New Year, Boishakhi Mela. Famous for its curry houses, Brick Lane is the obvious choice of venue to celebrate Boishakhi Mela. The party kicks off with a colourful parade, traditional costumes, elephants, tigers and rituals. The festivities for this year's event begins in Allen Gardens and journeys slowly through Brick Lane with a parade led by musicians, dancers and local children in dazzling traditional dress. A Bengali tiger, peacock boat, bridal ride, and street entertainers all mingle together, and stages in Allen Gardens, Weavers Fields and along Brick Lane feature literally hundreds of musicians and dancers. You can also sample the famous spicy baltis, birianis and vindaloos from the numerous restaurants and stalls which put Brick Lane on the map. Date and location to be confirmed.

Prudes avert your eyes - for the London Burlesque Festival returns for the fifth year at Soho's Madame JoJo's and a number of other venues across the capital. Brought to you by the infamous King of Burlesque, Chaz Royal, the man behind the hilariously named 'Pavabotti - The Naked Tenor', this year's event is bigger and more glamorous than ever. What was initially a weekend of glitz, vaudeville and sizzling striptease is now a whole six nights of raucous exotic entertainment showcasing the very best in British burlesque and beyond. The week starts on a Tuesday night with an Around The World in 80 Minutes opening gala aboard the HMS President on the Embankment. The next three shows take place at Madame JoJo's with the Boylesk All Male Review (27th April), British Bombshells Best of the UK (28th April, early) and Twisted Cabaret (28th April, late). The Friday night show at Bush Hall in Shepherd's Bush is a key highlight as some unknown quantities take to the stage for the London Burlesque Newcomers Contest, before the festival concludes with a Saturday night glittering finale, Legends of the Stage Tribute & International Golden Gala, at The Coronet Theatre in Elephant & Castle. If you crave suspenders, stockings, whips, lace, red lips, lascivious ladies, pert posteriors and a bit of a slap 'n' tickle then this is the event for your spring diary. Check the official website for further details.

Following their staging of Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens the threesixty theatre company return to the same tented venue with The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, directed by Rupert Goold and Michael Fentiman. This re-telling of the popular C.S. Lewis story features puppetry - under the direction of Steve Tiplady, famous for his pioneering work at the Little Angel Marionette Theatre in London - and surround video as well as live performance. The story follows four siblings through the wardrobe on a great magical adventure in a tale that has inspired children since it was first published in 1950. In the theatre version, "Aslan is kind of big, kind of cool, and kind of terrifying when he gets his stalk on," according to his creator puppeteer Max Humphries. Children of all ages will be delighted to see their feline hero, the true king of Narnia animated on the stage. And, judging by their previous staging of Peter Pan, this production could well be extended to run at The O2 and tour to the US.

Coinciding with the E4 Udderbelly festival, the Southbank Centre will also see a spectacular showcase of events at London Wonderground. This brand new amusement ground will engulf the Southbank in a world of circus, sideshows and unusual surprises. The focal point of the park will be an enormous Spiegeltent that boasts an impressive programme of international cabaret, music and circus. The headlining production will be Australian circus hit, Cantina, specialising in sensational vaudeville and circus. It will feature Australia's top artists from La Clique, Circa, Tom Tom Crew and Circus Oz. Further events included in this five month spectacular will be: Alternative Eurovision, East End Cabaret and British comedy trio Fascinating Aida.

Sports lovers will be treated to a full day of Paralympic Athletics ahead of London 2012 with the London Disability Grand Prix meet, the final Test Event ahead of the Summer Games. Taking place in the new Olympic Stadium in the Olympic Park in Stratford, this is part of the London Prepares series that is acting as a dress rehearsal for all Olympic and Paralympic sports and venues ahead of London 2012. With this early May event just over two months before the Olympic Opening Ceremony, it will be the last chance for spectators to experience the Olympic Stadium in a competitive scenario before the final tweaks are made ahead of the Summer Games. It will also give international disabled athletes a superb opportunity to test out track and field facilities at the 80,000-capacity Olympic Stadium ahead of their final preparations for Paralympic glory.

French choreographer Angelin Preljocaj created this version of Snow White, a contemporary and romantic ballet, in 2008 and in May 2012 he returns to Sadler's Wells with his award-winning adaption of the Brothers Grimm fairytale. Set to a symphony by Gustav Malher with lavish costumes Jean Paul Gaultier and a dark and dramatic set designed by Thierry Leproust, the show premiered in September 2008 at the Biennale de la danse of Lyon. Performed by Angelin's Preljocaj company of 25 dancers, this contemporary ballet tells the classic story of the wicked queen who sets out to destroy her rival in a fairytale world of magic, drama and romance.

Over 500 horses and 800 international performers are to take part in the Diamond Jubilee Pageant in the grounds of Windsor Castle, a spectacular performance that pays tribute to 60 years of Her Majesty's reign. The pageant is just one of a number of special Diamond Jubilee events in 2012. This special event, which takes place over three evenings on 10th, 11th and 13th May, showcases dancers, musicians, military and equestrian performances from around the world. The seven acts represent different areas of the globe: Great Britain, Europe, The Americas, Australasia, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. The show opens and closes in Great Britain and demonstrates The Queen's connection with horses, from her racing interests to their ceremonial significance. The colourful display includes performances by the Kremlin Mounted Cossacks, the New Zealand Defence Force Band and Maoris, and representatives of the Masai, Samburu, Luo, Kamba and Kikuyo Tribes of Africa - all reflecting The Queen's State and Commonwealth interests. In addition, a series of educational events exploring the different cultures represented in the Pageant will take place in the 'Cultural Pavilion' in the showground during the day. Tickets to the Pageant also allow access to The Jubilee Royal Windsor Horse Show which takes place in the same showground (Home Park Private) during the day. Visitors are asked to take their seats at 8.30pm for the Royal Arrival. The performance starts at 8.45pm and lasts for 90 minutes.

Returning for its third year, the Channel 4 Comedy Gala will once again be lighting up the stage at the O2 Arena. In aid of Great Ormond St Hospital, a star studded comedy cast will be coming together for the UK's biggest stand-up show. The line-up sees Lee Evans, Michael McIntyre, Jonathan Ross, Micky Flanagan, Sean Lock, Kevin Bridges, Jo Brand, Jack Whitehall, Jack Dee, Jon Richardson, Seann Walsh, Lee Nelson, Josh Widdicombe and Paul Chowdhry all take to the stage. With one great comedian rolling in after another, it will be a fight to gain the biggest stomach aching laugh of the night.

The world's only Power Walking Marathon returns for its 15th Birthday. The MoonWalk attracts 15,000 participants and raises money for Walk the Walk, a breast cancer charity that makes grants available to support medical research but one that also funds emotional and physical care to those who already have cancer. This year's theme is Rockin' around the World, so expect the walkers to stride out in some blue suede shoes and bouffant hair; wearing a colourful decorated bra has become de rigueur on the walk, so look out for leather and studs in 2012. Those that join in the walk get a fantastic evening tour past London's architectural highlights as well as the satisfaction of raising money for charity and, as a reward, there's a party afterwards.

It may be his 350th birthday but Mr Punch is showing no signs of slowing down. This annual Covent Garden May Fayre and Puppet Festival celebrates the red nosed stick-wielding puppet, bringing together dozens of puppeteers in a colourful, highly entertaining afternoon. The Covent Garden location is appropriately close to the spot where Samuel Pepys first sighted Mr Punch on 9th May 1662 and recorded the fact in his diary - which is why the birthday celebrations fall on or near to 9th May. Puppeteers from all over the country are accompanied by folk music, dancers, clowns and jugglers. The day's events start with a toast to Mr Punch, and a brass band led Grand Procession starting at Church Garden, a beautiful little oasis in the city centre. There follows a special church service at St Paul's Church, with a sermon administered by Rev Mark Oakley and Mr Punch himself. An integral part of British heritage, the puppet with attitude is a wonderful, anarchic figure and this is a top traditional family day out.

To commemorate Rambert's 85th anniversary year, the dance company's artistic director Mark Baldwin has created What Wild Ecstasy, a modern-day take on Nijinsky's 100 year old L'Apres-midi d'un faune. London based composer, Gavin Higgins, has taken Debussy's harmonic palette as a starting point to create a piece of music, part of the New Music 20x12 Cultural Olympiad, to go alongside the original score. Both pieces will be set to new choreography for Rambert and together will form a new ballet to mark the centenary of the iconic L'apres-midi d'un faune. Rambert has a long history of performance of the original ballet, and possesses many evocative photographs in the archive. This Sadler's Wells staging includes the UK premiere of Sub by Israeli choreographer Itzik Galili, and Siobhan Davies' fast paced The Art of Touch. In a separate event, all twenty New Music 20x12 commissions - including Gavin Higgins' piece - will be presented in July, on the weekend of 13-15 July, at the Southbank Centre in a celebration of composing.

Hosted by House and Garden magazine the Spirit of Summer Fair at Olympia is the summer season version of their hugely popular annual Spirit of Christmas Fair. After making a successful first appearance in 2009 it's back in 2012 with lots of ideas for enjoying the summertime in style. There are over 200 stalls to browse around you can get your summer shopping done, from improvements to your home to stocking up on beachwear, all under one roof. Most of the exhibitors offer special finds and unique goods you won't get in the high street shops. Coupled with all that choice are workshops on homely things like flower arranging as well as useful tips on putting together the perfect picnic. It's a fun day out with friends, and an efficient way to get everything you need for the long, hot summer months.

If you've ever fancied the challenge of swimming in the Thames then this is your chance. The British Gas Great London Swim is available to all, no matter how adept they are at front crawl. The challenge is to swim one mile as fast as you can and there are organised swims taking place throughout the UK; in London, the Royal Victoria Dock - recently home to the London Triathlon - is the centre of activity. But most likely you'll just be trying to find your stroke. If you've already been making use of London's lakes and lidos, this is a great way to do more outdoor swimming. Spectators can follow the swimmers around the course and swimmers are safe in the knowledge that expert kayakers and safety boats are alongside them the entire way. Entry is £38 and includes an event pack, medal and t-shirt. Get your wetsuit out and get involved.

England kick off their international summer with the 1st Test match, sponsored by Investec, against the West Indies at Lord's, as they aim to build on their status as the number one side in the world. England play just six Test matches at home this year, three against the West Indies and three against the touring South Africans later in the summer. Last summer, England thrashed India, the then-number one side, 4-0 as they climbed to the summit of world cricket. From the depths of the post 2005 Ashes malaise and being dismissed for just 47 in Jamaica in 2009, coach Andy Flower and captain Andrew Strauss have built a remarkable team, packed full of world class and match-winning talent. At the top of the order, Alastair Cook continues to set record after record with his mammoth hundreds. The rest of the batting reads like a who's who of the world's best players: there's concentration from Jonathan Trott, flamboyance from Kevin Pietersen, panache from Ian Bell and belligerence from Matt Prior. It's much the same with the bowlers - James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann are masters of their art and whoever plays in the final fast bowler position comes with an equally high pedigree, whether it's Chris Tremlett, Tim Bresnan or Steven Finn. The West Indies are a far cry from their all-conquering sides of the 1970s and 80s and though they seem to be nurturing some talented young players at present, it'd be a huge surprise to see anything other than a confident England win - that is, if the weather decides to play along.

This is the 80th season for The Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, and seeing a play here is really an essential part of spending summer in London. With 2012 being a year of new and unique events, the world will be watching London. To embrace this, the theatre will be stepping away from their usual timetable of a sombre opening, large scale musical production and a kids' adaptation of Shakespeare; instead, they will be presenting two major productions. The season kicks off on 18th May with the Tony Award winning Ragtime; with Timothy Sheader and Liam Steel directing this musical set at the turn of the 20th century. The adaptation of EL Doctorow's novel follows three contrasting families who are brought closer by their love for Ragtime. The second of the performances opens on June 2nd with Shakespeare's Midsummer Night Dream; Timothy Sheader and Liam Steel will once again be directing and will be putting their own stamp on this Shakespeare comedy.  For more information go to the official website.

A literary goldmine, Words in the Park will feature three days worth of events with high profile names and original thinkers, all staged within the beautiful grounds of Holland Park. With around five events each day including book signings, talks, debates and readings from some of the biggest names in modern literature, this festival is a must-do for all literature aficionados and book fans. Taking place within the theatre created for the Opera Holland Park season, you can enjoy the very best of the festival in picturesque surroundings and all just a stones throw away from central London.

The dark and romantic 1895 Tchaikovsky ballet will be revived in London this May as Imperial Ice Stars take their interpretation to the Royal Albert Hall for Swan Lake on Ice. The fairytale nature of this most famous of ballets never goes out of fashion as the age-old question of whether love will prevail - throw in a prince in his castle and a spell by an evil magician - is enchantingly played out to Tchaikovsky's soaring score. The leads are performed with consummate grace by some of the world's most accomplished principal skaters; the European and National Championship skating cast hold more that 250 competition models between them. Along with Tony Mercer's new choreography made up of daring and innovative moves, lavish sets and a shimmering corps de ballet this has the potential to be a spine tingling show.

This annual campaign treats visitors to after-hours fun in some of London's finest museums, galleries and heritage sights. Expect twilight tours and midnight mystery in some of the most fascinating and historic locations the capital has to offer. The Museums at Night Weekend opens up our landmark museums for a weekend of special, exclusive viewings and events. The London Transport Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum and London's Royal Observatory have all participated in previous years along with around 70 other venues. If you think the idea of spending the night in a dusty old museum sounds a bit dull then think again, previous participants have enjoyed sunset hovercraft rides, live action cluedo, toy sleepovers and tunnel tours by lantern-light. One venue hosted a Thunderbirds themed night to exhibit rare models, complete with 1960s music, screenings of the TV show and an interview with a voice artist. Museums at Night is a great opportunity to create a more sociable atmosphere within London's culture and heritage scene. Take your friends, have a drink and let yourself be seriously entertained.

Canadian photographer Edward Burtynsky's 10-year study of the manufacture, distribution and use of oil is one of two exhibitions to mark the re-opening of the Photographers' Gallery which has been closed since autumn 2010 while undergoing a £8.9m redevelopment. In this exhibition, succinctly titled 'OIL', 30 large-scale images chronicle the effect that 'black gold ' has on humans, including production and distribution methods, and ultimately the end of oil. Some images are taken from an aerial perspective, showing the ravaged landscape of an oil field, and spagetti junction style roads ribboning across the landscape, strangely beautiful but ultimately a disturbing portrayal of man's addiction to oil. This exhibition runs in parallel with An Afternoon Unregistered on the Richter Scale, an exhibition by three Delhi-based artists, the Raqs Media Collective.

The fashion gallery at the Victoria and Albert Museum has been revamped and will be opening with the exhibition Ballgowns: Sixty Years of British Glamour. Events such as the recent Royal Wedding prove how a nation can become fixated on one item; a dress. This event will be showcasing and celebrating some famous ball gowns worn by celebrities including Princess Diana, Kate Moss and Elizabeth Hurley over the past sixty years. With designers Stella McCartney, Alexander McQueen and Gareth Pugh all having their creations displayed, this will be both a revival of fashion history and the opportunity to see these fashion masterpieces up close and personal.

The success of the famous San Diego Comic Con has been transferred across the pond and comes to London in the shape of the Kapow! Comic Convention. After the sell-out success of  the inaugural convention in 2011, sales for the 2012 instalment, at the Business Design Centre, are expected to be huge. A raft of the biggest names in comic-book, film, TV and gaming will be in attendance and fans will have the chance to meet their heroes, witness advanced screenings and book readings and, of course, fill out their autograph books with a host of signatures. Highlights of the first convention included a question and answer sessions with Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston, the two lead stars of Thor, exclusive footage from the film Green Lantern, the world premiere of Steven Spielberg's Falling Skies and Jonathan Ross' Comic Pros v Comic Fans game show. With an even bigger and better line-up promised for 2012, expect an action packed couple of days.

Spend the night at ZSL London Zoo and awake to the sound of the wildlife as you camp overnight in luxury conditions. Go behind the scenes and find out what happens at the famous London Zoo after hours as you enjoy a torch-lit tour, exclusive animal and conservation talks, food and drink and comfy beds. Wake up to the sound of the animals doing the same thing before enjoying a full English breakfast and a morning tour to see the animals as they rise. You can then spend the rest of the day enjoying the zoo or head home to start sharing your adventure. Available for just one week only - book your place quickly.

The operatic double bill of Ballo Della Regina / La Sylphide is set to wow London crowds in the summer as two technically brilliant productions come together to provide a feast of ballet and dance. George Balanchine's Ballo della regina, set to the music of Guiseppe Verdi's opera Don Carlos, is an explosion of pure dance and, married with Johan Kobborg's atmospheric drama La Sylphide, it creates the ultimate ballet experience. La Sylphide is one of the world's oldest surviving romantic ballets. Held at the Royal Opera House, the show runs throughout the end of May and into the first two weeks of June.

A unique trade-only event, London International Wine Fair focuses heavily on the discovery of new wines and spirits, emerging countries and regions and new vintage releases. 20,000 wines from some 35 countries will be put on show, giving buyers and traders the opportunity to discover new wines and new market trends. As trends in the UK are often a strong indication as to what will happen in other international markets, the London International Wine Fair is a must visit for international buyers. It's also free to visit, meaning numbers will be high.

Founded in 1913, the Chelsea Flower Show is an extraordinary event and famous all around the world. Eight hundred of the greatest exponents of imaginative garden design spend nearly a month creating a horticultural wonderland over an 11-acre site in Chelsea's Royal Hospital gardens. Most of London society, including the Queen, regards the Chelsea Flower Show as a highpoint of the London summer season, so if you get bored of the blooms you can have a great time celeb-spotting. The 20,000 glasses of Pimm's consumed over the five days confirm it as a very sociable, very British event. This beautiful and inspiring show is a real treat, even for non-gardeners. New to this year will be the Fresh Gardens and Trade stands where there will be the opportunity to see the latest in garden technology. If you are aiming to visit, please note that the first two days on Tuesday 22nd and Wednesday 23rd May 2011 are exclusive RHS members-only preview days.

Legendary singer-songwriter Elvis Costello (his real name is the slightly less punk Declan Patrick MacManus) is back on stage at the ripe old age of 57 as he returns to the Royal Albert Hall with this Revolver tour. This is a show like few others - after an overture of five rock and roll tunes announces Costello and his band, the Imposters, onto the stage, members of the audience are invited to spin a gigantic contraption in order to select the next song. And those fans stepping up to the plate will surely be hoping they are lucky enough to select such classic hits as Oliver's Army, Shipbuilding and Watching The Detectives. Costello and the band will also be performing selected tunes from other iconic artists including Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash and The Rolling Stones. The Los Angeles Times even felt moved enough to describe the show as "the kind of uniquely invigorating experience that warrants a buzzword all of its own."

Young Australian director Benedict Andrews brings his production of Albert Camus' Caligula to the London theatre scene. Composed by Detlev Glanert, this opera depicts the Roman emperor Caligula as he embarks upon a tale of sexual immorality and brutal cruelty. After the death of his adored sister, the emperor makes a realisation about the absurdity of life and sets off on his orgy of self-destruction. Andrews' depiction of the opera is set in a football stadium, as the dictator plays out his destructive political game. Running at the London Coliseum on six nights this spring/summer, be sure not to miss out on this powerful production.