🦊 Things to do in North London June 6-12

Hey Neighbour,

Let me save you some time.

This week’s edition is a little different — it’s heavy on events, light on news.
(That part’s landing in your inbox tomorrow.)

Basically, I’m giving you a long list of reasons to leave the house.

Alright, let’s get into it.

— Maryam Bitege

Barnet Medieval Festival | 📍Lewis of London Ice Cream Farm, EN5 | 7–8 June | (£)

Step into the 1400s with live battle reenactments, gunners, archers, and mounted knights. There’ll be a medieval market, craft displays, and an exhibition of medieval art. This year it takes place at a new venue just north of Barnet — the Lewis of London ice cream farm.

Highgate Fair in the Square | 7-8 June | 📍Highgate Village | FREE 

One of Highgate’s best days out — stalls, music, food, and a proper village feel. Run by locals, for locals (and anyone else who wants in).

Speak Up! Speak Out! Writing Comp | 📍 Middlesex Uni | 1–30 June | Free

Got thoughts on the environment? Say it with 600 words.

This writing comp is open to young people who want to make a difference — whether through creative writing or citizen journalism.

Top entries get published in an e-book, plus prizes up for grabs. Bonus points if you keep it local and tie it to Barnet’s Net Zero goals.

DJ AG on Camden High Street | 📍Camden High Street (Buck St → Jamestown Rd) | Every Wednesday, 5–9pm | Free | Street sets, surprise guests, and good vibes — DJ AG brings live music and community energy to Camden every week.

Enfield Community Art Exhibition | 📍Devonshire Square | Weekends only, 7–28 June | 11am–4pm | Free | A group show exploring the theme of Home, with 60+ artists, live painting, meet & greets, and free creative workshops you can book in advance.

Your guide to what’s happening in and out of North London this week. Events marked with (£) require a ticket in advance.

Jamie Walton: Nettles & Petals | 📍Piazza Pavilion, British Library | (£)

Want to grow food without tearing up your garden? Jamie Walton (@NettlesAndPetals) shares how to use nettles, save seeds, and plant with purpose (even in a small space). In convo with garden writer Alice Vincent + book signing after.

The Night Garden Party | 📍British Library, Euston | (£)

A glowy, weird, wonderful night at the library — with plants, live music, DJs, and a headline set from Beth Orton. Your ticket also gets you into Unearthed: The Power of Gardening plus talks, art, and a DJ set to close the night.

Zoo Nights | 📍London Zoo, Regent’s Park | (£)

Ever wondered what the Zoo’s like without school trips, buggies, or queues? This is your chance. Adults-only Fridays are back with street food, bars, and 4 whole hours of wandering around animal enclosures like it’s no big deal. Every Friday night from 6 June to 25 July.

Party Night with The Silencerz | 📍Mill Hill Golf Club | (£)

A night of live ska, reggae, and sing-along soul — right here in Mill Hill. The Silencerz bring their brass, bounce, and Madness-inspired energy back to the stage, with support from local legends The Booze Brothers. Music kicks off at 8PM. BBQ if the weather holds. Bar fully stocked either way.

House of Haberdash | 📍Torriano Meeting House | 7 June –10 August | (£) + free options)

A poetic, DIY exhibition about scraps, stitching, and the stories we pass down. 30+ artists rework haberdashery into something bold, weird, and full of feeling. Open weekends. Proceeds support the space.

Hampstead Garden Suburb Dog Show | 📍Central Square | (£)
Fluffy chaos incoming. This Saturday, the dogs take centre stage — with categories like Mr & Miss Hampstead Garden Suburb, Best Rescue, Golden Oldie, and Best Child Handler. No need to book — just show up and register from 12:30pm. Dog show starts at 1PM. All part of the Central Square Summer Fair. Proceeds go to All Dogs Matter 🐾

Recorder and guitar take you across borders and centuries; from Grecian temples to North African rhythms. Performed by Lizzie Knatt and Declan Hickey. 

Birdsong: A Concert for Families | 📍St Mark's Church, Barnet Vale | 3pm start | Free

A playful hour of chamber music for families — perfect for curious kids (especially KS2). Expect familiar tunes like Peter and the Wolf and Papageno’s Song, brought to life by Hannah Gillingham and Luke Lally Maguire. Lasts about an hour.

Harry Garratt Memorial Football Tournament | 📍Haringey Borough FC | From 10AM | (£)
Now in its 4th year, this family-friendly tournament honours the legacy of Harry Garratt while raising funds to help more kids get into grassroots sport. Expect football, food, and a real community atmosphere. Clubs: DM @harrygarrattfoundation to enter.

Buzzing Barnet: Make a Buzz Stop | 📍Budgens, East Finchley | 2–4PM | Free

Craft your own “Buzz Stop” planter with pollinator-friendly herbs and flowers — then turn scrap into art by building your own bug with local upcycling artist Alison Sharpe. All part of Round The Square. Plants grown by local volunteers, using pots donated by the community. All ages welcome.

Best in Comedy: Harrow | 📍Harrow Arts Centre | 7:30PM | (£)

A solid comedy line-up with Lucy Beaumont (Taskmaster), Hal Cruttenden (Live at the Apollo), Emmanuel Sonubi (Comedy Central), and Cally Beaton (QI). Strictly 18+.

Grange Big Local Trail | 📍Archer Garden, East Finchley | 11AM–1:30PM | Free

Take a guided walk through East Finchley, led by the people who’ve helped shape it. You’ll stop at local landmarks, hear community stories, and end with free refreshments and a balm-making workshop. Part of the London Festival of Architecture.

Primrose Hill Summer Garden Party | 📍Chalcot Square, NW1 | 2–5PM | Free

Live music, kids' magic, tea and cake + Pimms, beer, and a good old-fashioned raffle. A laid-back Sunday in the square with neighbours, nibbles, and music all afternoon.

Libra Comedy | 📍Libra Theatre Café, Chalk Farm, NW1 | Sundays, 3–4:30PM | (£)

Chilled Sunday stand-up from London comics who are one Netflix special away from blowing up. Just £3 on the door — no stress, no drink minimum, just solid laughs before Monday rolls around.

Charles Dickens Museum | 📍48 Doughty Street  | One-Day Free Entry 

Celebrate Dickens’ legacy with free access to his former home for one day only. Descendants of the author will act as museum stewards, including Lucinda Hawksley, who’ll give a talk on his international travels. A rare, personal peek into literary history.

Exhibition at Alexandra Palace: East Court | 📍Alexandra Palace | Drop-in | Free

Wander through Ally Pally’s East Court for a free exhibition in one of the building’s most iconic spaces. No booking needed, just show up and soak in the history, architecture, and atmosphere. 

Shucked (UK Premiere) | 📍Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre  | 10–14 June, 7:45PM | (£)

A Tony Award-winning musical comedy about dying corn, fake heroes, and small-town pride with a country music twist. Final week in the open-air theatre.

Flower Arranging Course (Age UK Barnet) | 📍Friends Meeting House | Starts 11 June, 10:30–11:30AM | (£)
A relaxed, hands-on flower arranging course for over 55s in Barnet. No experience needed. Sessions run every two weeks (11 & 25 June, 9 & 23 July). Create something beautiful, meet new people, and pick up a new skill along the way.

📧 Book by emailing [email protected] or call 07384 466 840

Herbert Chapman Centenary Event | 📍St Mary’s Church | 3–7:30PM | Free

Celebrate the legacy of Arsenal’s most influential manager, 100 years after he first took charge. With talks, family-friendly activities, and an exhibition at the church where he’s buried — plus a pub quiz at The Greyhound from 7PM. All welcome

Adam Glasser at Googlies Jazz Supper Club | 📍Botany Bay Cricket Club, Enfield | 7–11PM | (£)

A night of jazz, harmonica, and South African soul with award-winning musician Adam Glasser. Known for collaborations with Dominic Miller and Zero 7 ( and once stepping in for Stevie Wonder). Supper available. Booking essential.

Jazz in the House: Jazz Samba | 📍Lauderdale House | 8–10PM | (£)

Brazilian rhythms meet jazz classics in this joyful tribute to the iconic Jazz Samba album. Expect bossa nova, ‘Desafinado’, with sax star Mark Crooks, award-winning guitarist Nigel Price, and a top-tier live band.

I’m not sure either. But here’s what caught my eye.

Design and Disability (New Exhibition) | 📍V&A Museum | Free

This new V&A exhibition explores how disabled, Deaf, and neurodiverse communities have influenced design, from mobility aids and everyday tools to fashion and tech. A timely look at how lived experience reshapes the way we create for everyone.

The LAN Party 6 | 📍3 Thorpe Close | 7pm | (£)

TLP6 is back with all-night gaming, free drinks early on (cheers DuppyShare), and classics like Call of Duty, Tekken 8, Street Fighter 6, Smash Bros, Mario Kart, and more. Food on site. Trash talk likely.

The Social Street Party | 📍Little Portland Street | 12 to 8PM | Free

The Social is throwing its street party again with music outside, bands downstairs, margaritas on tap, and probably someone dancing way too early. At 6PM they’re asking everyone to join hands and Clip The Social — yes, literally form a circle around the building. No tickets. Just turn up

Summer Pasta Festival | 📍 Emilia’s Canary Wharf, E14 | 🕛 Sun 8 June, 12–6pm | Free (ticket gets you 10% off pasta) Fresh pasta, riverside views, and DJ vibes. Emilia’s is throwing a street-food party with al fresco pasta stations, Italian pop hits, kids' activities, and pasta-making masterclasses (some free, some paid). Book ahead if you want to join a class — walk-in spots are limited.

Oklahoma Ambassadors of Music | 📍Victoria Embankment Gardens | 2:00pm | Free

A free open-air concert from a touring youth orchestra all the way from Oklahoma. Expect a lively mix of band music, big energy, and fresh talent — all in one of London's prettiest green spots.

Thanks for reading!