🦊 Things to do this weekend in North London August 16th- 17th

Parliament Hill Fields Lido isn’t just a swimming pool. It’s the smell of fresh coffee after your swim. It’s the regular who doesn’t need to order because the staff already know what they want. It’s the smile you give a stranger while queueing for ice cream.

Now there’s a plan on the table that could hand it to a corporate operator. And apparently kind that measures success in margins and minutes, not smiles and conversations.

That’s why locals are fighting to keep it in the hands of people who actually get the Heath because once you lose that, it may be hard to get it back.

The City of London is choosing who will run five park cafés next. Current teams can apply. New operators can also apply.

Menus can change. Prices can change.
Opening hours and staffing can change.
If a winning bidder invests, you might see upgrades.

Bottom line: Money can buy chairs, but people bring warmth. Money can upgrade kit, but people keep the feel. If investment replaces community with a spreadsheet, we lose more than a menu and that’s the part people are trying to protect.

Daniel Elkan, regular at the Lido Café Says.

Actor Benedict Cumberbatch agrees, calling it “about people and not profit” and urging support for “people who run businesses that serve the community.” (as reported by Ham&High).

Bids are scored on concept, community and social value, environmental practice, and finances. Aim stated by the City is long term clarity and investment.

Submissions. Evaluation. Decision.
Nothing changes overnight, but will watch how community value is weighted and whether today’s teams progress.

Official tender summary: how the process works and how bids are scored.
Save our local cafés petition: the community’s case and updates.

_{Nothing in this section is sponsored. They're just the things you need to know. I'll always let you know when something's sponsored.}

The RecFest | 📍The Mall, Wood Green N22 | 16 August | Free
An all-day, indoor music festival right in the middle of Wood Green’s shopping centre. 30+ live sets from local and global up-and-comers, DJs, workshops, art installations, hair braiding, face painting, and a mini market for food and local makers. Runs 11am–10:30pm,  free to wander in and hang out.

Tunes in the Park | 📍Waterlow Park, Archway N19 | 17 August | Free
Part of the Pop-Up Proms series, this Sunday’s set comes from Duo Tanwen — a harp and flute pairing from Wales. Expect a mix of Celtic folk tunes and 60s pop covers in honour of Camden Council’s 60th anniversary. Music runs 2:30–3:45pm.

Plus One: The Art of Being Extra | 📍BOTH Gallery, Highgate N6 | Opens 16 August | Free
Three artists, three media, one unapologetically bold exhibition. Photography, poetry, painting and sculpture collide in a joyful exploration of excess, contradiction and visual overload. Opening night is Saturday 16th August, 4–7pm. Runs daily 11am–6pm until 7 September.

Sunday Summer Sets | 📍Capel Manor Gardens, Enfield EN1 | 17 August | (£)
Afternoon of live music in the gardens at Capel Manor, with acts ranging from acoustic folk and indie to 80s/90s covers. Between sets, you can explore 30 acres of grounds, visit the mini zoo, get lost in the maze, or wander the Fairy Forest. Runs 1–6pm — bring a picnic blanket or low-back chair.

Daisy x Free People Pop-Up | 📍Free People, Hampstead NW3 | 16 August | Free
Jewellery brand Daisy is teaming up with Free People for a one-day “Summer Souvenir Cart” in the garden of their Hampstead store. Expect lucky dip prizes, limited-edition goodie bags (worth £110+), and plenty of jewellery, sunshine merch and Free People favourites. Runs 12–4pm

Upcoming events you should consider booking in advance or planning ahead for. In and out of North London. Events marked with (£) require a ticket in advance.

Sketch & Sip Life Drawing | 📍The Pantry Underwear, Islington N1 | 20 August | (£)
Evening life drawing session with artist Izy Dixon, open to all experience levels. All materials, drinks, and snacks provided — and you take your work home. Runs 7–9pm; £3 from each ticket goes to local women’s charity The Maya Centre.

Summer Forecast: Ada Lea, Robin Kester, Allegra Krieger | 📍The Lexington, Islington N1 | 21 August | (£)
Opening night of The Lexington’s three-day Summer Forecast series, showcasing indie, folk, and alt-pop from rising international artists. Thursday’s bill features Dutch chamber-pop songwriter Robin Kester, New York’s Allegra Krieger, and Montreal’s Ada Lea. Doors 7pm.

Classic & Vintage Car Show | 📍Capel Manor Gardens, Enfield EN1 | 31 August | (£)
Over 500 classic and vintage cars on display, from 1920s models to modern favourites, set against the backdrop of Capel Manor’s gardens. Live 60s music, brass band, trade stalls, and access to the gardens and mini zoo. Runs 10am–5pm (last entry 2:30pm).

After Hours at the RAF Museum | 📍RAF Museum, Colindale NW9 | 5 & 8 September | (£)
Evening tour with rare, behind-the-barriers access to Battle of Britain aircraft. Includes a look inside selected planes, plus talks and Q&As with an expert guide. Doors 5:30pm, over-18s only, limited tickets.

Procrastinators, this is your moment. Catch these events before they’re gone for good

Everyman on the Canal | 📍Granary Square, King’s Cross N1C | Ends 17 August | Free
Last chance for canal-side screenings at Granary Square. Highlights for the final weekend include Cruella, In the Heights, and Bob Marley: One Love. Bring a cushion for the steps and get there early — screenings finish by 10pm.

RollerLand Brent Cross | 📍John Lewis Car Park, Brent Cross NW4 | Ends 17 August | (£)
Final weekend for the open-air roller rink in the John Lewis car park. Daily skating, with live DJs on selected sessions. Beginners welcome,  staff are on hand to help and skate hire’s included in the ticket price if you don’t have your own.

King’s Cross Summer Sounds | 📍Coal Drops Yard, N1C | 16–17 August | Free
Final weekend of the free music festival at Coal Drops Yard. Saturday has opera performances; Sunday features live folk music. No booking needed, but seating is limited.

Women Who Paint Women | 📍New Art Projects, Angel N1 | 16 August | Free
Last day to see this group show exploring the female gaze and approaches to female portraiture, featuring several artists under 30. Works range from oils and acrylics to painted photography, with subjects from lovers and goddesses to mythical figures. Open 11am–6pm.

I don’t know, but here’s what caught my eye.

The Great East End Eats | 📍Various locations | 14–24 August | (£)
Ten-day food trail raising money for St Joseph’s Hospice. Fourteen cafés, pubs, and restaurants across Hackney, Tower Hamlets, the City, and Newham will each serve a one-off dish or drink, donating part of the profits. Expect everything from banana bread to birria tacos. Eat Club will add £3 for every in-app offer redeemed in these boroughs during the event. Map available online.

Free Summer Party with Pete Tong | 📍Victoria Park (East Stage, All Points East) E3 | 17 August | Free
All‑day, free DJ party at All Points East’s “In The Neighbourhood” day with Pete Tong headlining the East Stage spinning modern and classic anthems. Also on the line‑up: DJ Yoda presents 50 Years of Hip Hop, The Cuban Brothers, Kengo (DJ set), and The Tamashii Drummers.

Free Books Festival | 📍Big Penny Social, Walthamstow E17 | 17 August | Donation/free
All-day festival celebrating storytelling in all its forms books, theatre, TV, manga, gaming and more. With workshops, panels, demos, and plenty of freebies (including food and books). Runs 10am–9pm; tickets are donation-based, with proceeds going towards building a free community library in Senegal.