Hey Neighbour,
Reading your feedback last week has honestly been one of my favourite things.
I usually go through it while working from a local café (by the way — what’s your favourite local café ? I’m always looking for new ones to explore) and one of the messages came from Aufa, who lives in N2.
She pointed out that my emails are packed with good stuff (guilty), and suggested I add a table of contents so you can skip straight to the bits you care about. It also helps me keep an eye out for more events in your area.
So thanks, Aufa and to everyone else, keep your feedback coming. I read every word.
For now, here’s what’s worth leaving the house for.
— Maryam
Skip to What You Like:
My North London Recommends
Crouch End Festival 2025 | 📍Various venues across Crouch End | 12–18 June Mostly free
A week-long celebration of local creativity, with events at Hornsey Town Hall, Hornsey Library, The ArtHouse, and more. Expect live music, art, film, theatre, workshops, and pop-ups all over the neighbourhood. Keep an eye out for surprise venues — and news of a new craft & food market coming soon.
🧠 Think you know your North London?
Well, let’s put it to the test shall we?
Source: A Lady In London
Where is this hidden gem tucked away?
Answer reveal at the bottom of email.
Want a Featured Event with a poster? Reach out. Want to add an event? Use this link.
What’s On: 13th-19th June 2025
Your guide to what’s happening in and out of North London this week. Events marked with (£) require a ticket in advance.
Friday 13th
🤣 Comedy
Johnny Ball: My Previous Life in Comedy | 📍Arts depot | 7:30–8:45 pm | (£)
Johnny Ball shares often unbelievable but perfectly true tales from his comedy career. From the man who robbed a bank and caught a bus home, to the time the Duke of Edinburgh suggested a wife swap (with photos to prove it).
🤣 Comedy
Glenn Moore Tries Out His New Radio 4 Series | 📍The Bill Murray | 6–7pm | (£)
Comedian Glenn Moore tests out two new episodes of Glenn Moore's Almanac — packed with sharp jokes and stories from his life. 18+ only.
Haringey Box Cup | 📍Alexandra Palace | 13–15 June | (£)
Europe’s largest amateur boxing event returns with three days of high-energy bouts and 300 fighters from across the UK and Europe. Ages 14+ (under 16s must be with an adult 21+)
Haringey Box Cup Instagram
All weekend: 14-15th June
🎪 Festival
Tower Music Festival | 📍St Mary’s Tower, Hornsey | Free
Two days of outdoor live music in the gardens of St Mary’s Tower. Saturday features a lineup of indie, folk, and rock bands with food and drink stalls on site. On Sunday, bring the family for a laid-back blues picnic with Jimmy C’s Blues Dragons.
🧺 Market
Shotengai Market at King’s Cross | 📍Coal Drops Yard | 12–15 June | Free
A Japanese-style market’s popping up at Coal Drops Yard. Inspired by Tokyo’s local Shotengai. Previous markets had Japanese pancakes (yum!).
Saturday 14th
Capture It for Dad | 📍The Spires | 11am–3pm | Free
Get creative this Father’s Day — snap a Polaroid and turn it into a personalised card for Dad at this free drop-in activity at The Spires.
Sunday 15th
💙 Father’s Day
Father’s Day Esports Event | 📍New Meta Gaming, Islington Square | 11am–3pm | Free
Celebrate Father’s Day with gaming tournaments, mini-games, and family-friendly challenges.
🎪 Festival
Bar Rioja Wine Festival | 📍King’s Cross | 2–6.30pm | (£)
Wine lovers, this one’s for you. Bar Rioja’s throwing its first-ever festival with 18 wines to taste, food tokens, live music and naturally, paella.
CommUnity Quilt Project | 📍Swan Lane Open Space | 2pm–3pm | Free
Over 100 local people have contributed to three handmade quilts in support of refugees and asylum seekers. Celebrate their work and walk with the quilts through Barnet in a peaceful, community-led show of unity.
🎙️ Talk
The Spanish Keats | Keats House | 2:00–3:00 pm | (£)
Discover the hidden connection between Keats and Spain through his sister Fanny, who married Spanish writer Valentín Llanos. Hear from translator Rafael Peñas Cruz and the Spanish Embassy’s Cultural Counsellor, and explore the house and its new exhibition.
Source: Keats House Foundation
Wednesday 18th
Camden & Islington Summer Volunteering Fair | 📍Camden Town Hall, King’s Cross | 12:00–2:00pm | Free
Drop in during lunch and meet 20 organisations offering a wide range of volunteer roles across Camden and Islington. A great way to explore new opportunities and give back to your community.
Learning Disability Week: Sports & Wellbeing Day | 📍Highbury Fields & Daylight Community Centre| 10:30am–3:30pm | Free
Hosted by Islington Learning Disabilities Partnership and The Elfrida Society, this community event includes sports, wellness activities, and creative workshops. Held as part of Learning Disability Week, this year’s theme is “Do You See Me?” — focusing on visibility and inclusion. Open to all, no booking required.
🆕 <30 Only
🎪 Festival
Upgrade Yourself Festival | 📍Somerset House | Fri 13 & Sat 14 June | Free
Talks, workshops, mentoring and live performances for 16 to 30 year olds.
Now in its 7th year, this two-day festival connects emerging creatives with artists and industry experts across music, media and the arts. Hosted by Betty Douglas. BSL interpretation available.
🎤 Open Mic
Speak Easy Open Mic | 📍Southbank Centre | Fri 20 June, from 5.30pm | Free
Dancer? Rapper? Poet with something on your chest? If you’re 16–30, Southbank wants to hear it. Part of Little Simz’ Meltdown Festival, this open mic was built by young London creatives to spotlight emerging talent. Expect live sets, creative workshops, and space to connect with fellow artists.
Source: somersethouse.org.uk
Is It Worth Leaving North London For?
I’m not sure either. But here’s what caught my eye.
Friday 13th
Soho Reading Series: Early Summer Gala | 📍Big Penny Social, Walthamstow | 6pm–1am | (£)
Live readings from writers like AK Blakemore, Susannah Dickey, and Roisin Lanigan. Fiction, essays, poetry — plus drinks and a great crowd. Just £3 on the door.
Saturday 14th
Military Flypast | 📍Over central London | 12:55–1:15pm | Free
Heads up, literally. Around 20 aircraft will fly across London for the King’s Birthday Parade, ending with the Red Arrows and their signature smoke show. Best viewed from Stratford to Buckingham Palace, especially south-side if it’s sunny.
Shopping 🛍️
SUPER JUMBLE | 📍Mercato Metropolitano | From 9.30am | Free
Traid, Beyond Retro, and Charity Super.Mkt are throwing a one-day-only secondhand super sale and you're invited.
🍿Film
Doctor Who: Dalek Invasion Screening + Q&A | 📍Riverside Studios | 1pm | (£)
Six classic episodes. Two expert superfans. One room full of Whovians. Riverside Studios is screening the full 1964 Dalek Invasion of Earth arc, filmed onsite during its BBC days, with intros and a live Q&A from longtime Doctor Who writers Gavin Rymill and James Goss.
World Naked Bike Ride | 📍Various London start points | from 1pm | Free
You might spot a sea of bare bums on bikes this Saturday — and no, it’s not a flash mob. The World Naked Bike Ride is back: a peaceful protest for cyclist safety, climate action, and body freedom.
Source: World Naked Bike Ride
Sunday 15th
BMW Classics: Open-Air Orchestra | 📍Trafalgar Square | 5–6.40pm | Free
The London Symphony Orchestra returns to Trafalgar Square for their free outdoor concert — no ticket needed. Expect opera classics from Verdi, Puccini, and Rossini, plus a world premiere by composer Isabella Gellis. Gates open at 3.45pm, so arrive early for a good spot.
🗝️ Trivia answer: Holly Village, Highgate
Built in 1865 by philanthropist Baroness Burdett-Coutts, Holly Village is one of London’s first gated communities, tucked just off Swain’s Lane.
Ever walked past it? Or live nearby? Hit reply. I’d love to hear.
Help a neighbour out:
👉 Best café to work from in Islington (name + street).
Thanks for reading!
