🦊 Things to do this weekend in North London August 9th- 10th

Yesterday I stumbled across the story of Len Dyke and Dudley Dryden, who started selling records out of boxes in 1965 and somehow ended up with a £5 million beauty empire.

Len was an ordained minister from Jamaica who brought his accordion to London and worked as a British Rail electrician. He teamed up with Dudley to sell Jamaican records from a shop on West Green Road in Tottenham.

The music was getting too vulgar for their taste, so they decided to quit the record business entirely. If they thought late 60s Jamaican music was too much, imagine what they'd make of today's music… 👀.

They switched to hair and beauty products instead. By the 1980s, they had built Britain's first Black multi-million pound business - entirely self-funded because banks wouldn't lend to Black entrepreneurs back then.

Every Black hair salon you see today exists because Len and Dudley proved it could work when nobody else believed it would.

They also launched the Afro Hair & Beauty Show in 1983, a trade event that’s still running today, even if most people don’t know the legacy behind it.

_{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.}

King's Cross Summer Sounds | 📍Coal Drops Yard, N1C | 7-17 August | Free
Free 11-day music festival celebrating its 10th anniversary with live concerts 6:30-8:30pm daily (plus Family Sundays 1-6pm). This weekend catch West End stars doing musical theatre hits on Saturday evening, Flamenco workshops Saturday afternoon (4-6pm), and Afrobeat legend Dele Sosimi on Sunday. No booking needed but seating is limited - turn up early for a spot.

Camden Market Mela | 📍Hawley Wharf, Camden NW1 | 9–10 August | Free
Camden’s doing a big South Asian Mela this weekend – music, dancing, food, henna, crafts, giant puppets, the lot. Good one to wander through if you're in the area. Runs 1–6:30pm both days.

Historic Highgate Walk | 📍Starts at Lauderdale House, N6 | 10 August | (£)
A guided stroll through one of North London’s prettiest (and oldest) neighbourhoods, from 17th-century pubs to Georgian mansions, historic churches and the old Highgate toll gate. Along the way you’ll hear stories about past residents like Coleridge, George Michael and Karl Marx. It starts at 11am (meet at 10:45am by the black door on Highgate Hill), and lasts about 90 minutes. This is the first one, so it might be a nice time to catch it.

Live Jazz Brunch | 📍Plaquemine Lock, Islington N1 | 10 August | Free ( or book for food)
Since you’re not going to New Orleans this weekend, why not bring New Orleans to you? Live Louisiana jazz from Al Dunn, seafood brunch (gumbo, po’boys, oysters, the works), and canal-side vibes in Islington. Music runs 12:30–3pm. Walk in for drinks, book ahead if you want to eat.

Bootyfull Car Boot | 📍William Ellis School, NW5 | 10 August | £1 entry fee
Car boot near Parliament Hill Fields with a mix of vintage, homeware, records, clothes and proper random finds. Runs 11am–2pm every Sunday. There's also toasted sourdough sandwiches, a quiet spot to sit, and a bit of a local following. Worth a look if you're in the area or fancy a good rummage.

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.

Curry Up! | 📍HIDEN, Finsbury Park N4 | 17 August | (£)
One for the food lovers—  Japanese curry and small plates paired with natural wines. HIDEN’s teaming up with sommelier Eric Li (Rumble Vines) for two chilled sittings (1pm & 3pm). It’s a cosy space and spots are limited, so book if you’re keen

Inverness Street Bloc Party | 📍Camden, NW1 | 23 August | Free
Camden’s throwing a street party with DJs playing club classics from the 80s and 90s — garage, rare groove, soul, and early dance. It’s on Inverness Street, 12–6pm. Free and easy to drop into if you’re nearby.

London Brick Festival | 📍Royal National Hotel, WC1 | 28 Sept | (£)
Into LEGO? This one-day festival has rare sets for sale, giant builds to explore, and a building zone for anyone who wants to get hands-on. Good for families, collectors, or anyone with a soft spot for minifigs. It runs 10–4 and usually sells out. Early bird tickets get you in an hour early, plus a free LEGO gift.

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

Big Smoke Festival | 📍Crystal Palace Bowl, SE19 | 9–10 August | (£)
Skepta’s two-day festival hits Crystal Palace this weekend. Saturday’s stacked with grime and rap — Skepta, Central Cee, JME, Chip and more. Sunday flips it to club and dance, with Maceo Plex, Lario Alicante, and back-to-back sets all day. Final tickets going fast, so move quickly if you're keen.

KicksnCoffee Sneaker Festival | 📍Big Penny Social, E17 | 10 August | (£)
Trainers, coffee, and a load of sneakerheads under one roof. Expect rare kicks, local sellers, and plenty of caffeine. Good one if you’re into collecting, swapping, or just checking out what’s new.

The London Taco Experience | 📍Riverside East, Stratford | 9 August | (£)
Tacos, margaritas, mezcal and DJs, it’s basically a full-day taco party in Stratford. Two sessions (11am–4pm or 5–10pm), rooftop views, hot sauce stalls, and a lot of good stuff to eat and drink. 18+ only, and you’ll need to book ahead.