🦊 Things to do this weekend in North London Feb 21-22

Bits and bobs worth knowing.

🦆 Hampstead Heath's got a tiny island... but it's for wildlife only: Small island in the Model Boating Pond (near Men's Bathing Pond) becoming wildlife sanctuary. City of London raised £50k to turn it into protected bird habitat. They're removing the little strip of land connecting it to shore so it becomes an island.
Mallards, coots, grebes and swans already nest there. Now adding reedbeds and wildflowers so they've got more cover. Temporary fencing while plants grow in. Island was created accidentally during flood work in 2016. Birds moved in straight away.

🏗️ Remember that Camden Film Quarter development in Kentish Town? Well residents are fighting it: Regis Road redevelopment plans for buildings up to 24 storeys (local area's 3-6 storeys). Residents say it's way too big. Main objections: blocks Parliament Hill to St Paul's views, cuts 50% of trees, puts recycling facility under flats (fire risk after recent Islington recycling centre fire), 20-metre-deep basement opposite primary school (400 kids walking past construction daily). Also strain on Kentish Town and Gospel Oak stations.


👀 Residents objecting to Holi festival planned for Kingsbury park: 2-day event proposed for Roe Green Park on 7-8 March. Up to 2,500 people, £5 tickets, live music, food stalls, beer. Celebrating Holi and International Women's Day. Residents say last year's event was chaotic. Cars driven over grass, parking nightmare, security rude. Worried about noise and alcohol this time. Organisers say they'll have 15 security guards, families attending. No on-site parking. Brent Council deciding on licence 25 Feb.

🏛️ Colindale and Edgware picked for London Festival of Architecture in June: Two Barnet neighbourhoods chosen as London Festival of Architecture 2026 locations. Events happening June around this year's theme "belonging." Colindale program focusing on RAF Museum, Cultivate Colindale creative space, local artists. Edgware highlighting town centre regeneration and public spaces. Part of Barnet's Light + Flight cultural program. Council says festival has engaged thousands of residents over past three years. Full event lineup announced soon.

North London Record Fair | 📍One Eighty One & The Horatia, N7 | 21 Feb | Free
Record fair taking over One Eighty One bar and The Horatia pub across the street. Sellers from around the country with rarities and pound bins. Dig through crates, something for every budget.

Ronnie's Lates: TUCAN | 📍The Post Bar, N15 | 21 Feb | (£)
Ronnie Scott's bringing their legendary Late Late Show to Tottenham. TUCAN playing contemporary jazz with soul, funk and R&B. They sell out Ronnie Scott's in central London so this is chance to see them somewhere smaller and slightly cheaper.

Camden Town's Lost Cinemas | 📍Mornington Crescent Station, NW1 | 22, Feb | (£)
Nigel Smith taking people around Camden's lost cinemas. He's a proper movie nerd who knows where they all used to be - the magnificent Hippodrome, the Plaza from the 80s/90s, the Odeon's quirky past. See what happened when TV and video killed them off (bingo halls, roller rinks). Ends at the Curzon showing there's hope for cinemas. Nigel runs Tufnell Park Film Club and works on BBC Radio 4's Screenshot.



Vintage Home Show | 📍Primrose Hill, NW3 | 21 Feb | (£)
Find unique stuff for your home at the Vintage Home Show in Primrose Hill. You’ll see UK dealers selling 1930s-1990s pieces. Teak sideboards, funky chairs, industrial lighting, retro artwork, atomic fabrics.

London Pop Up | 📍6:15 Studio, N1 | 22 Feb | Free
The Club Preloved doing pop-up on Regent's Canal during London Fashion Week. Seven small independent brands selling preloved, vintage and sustainable fashion. Levi's denim, vintage jewellery, watches.

Hackney Flea Market | 📍Abney Hall, N16 | 21-22 Feb | Free
Rummage through salvaged treasures at Hackney Flea Market. 50+ handpicked vintage traders selling 20th-century furniture, records, old clothes, French homeware, curiosities, Danish decor, industrial fixtures, lamps, unexpected finds.

Chinese New Year at Camden Market | 📍Hawley Wharf, NW1 | 21 Feb | Free
Year of the Horse celebrations at Camden Market.Lion dances, Beijing Opera, face-changing performers, giant panda installation. Traditional Chinese music throughout the day. Free workshops from 12:30pm: fan painting, calligraphy, lantern decorating. Just turn up. Chinese teas, steamed buns and hot food available.

Internet Cafe Exhibition | 📍Euston Tower, NW1 | Til 7 Mar | Free
Remember when the internet was weird and fun, not the collapse of civilization? Exhibition about Y2K nostalgia - landline phones, Yellow Pages, iPods, Furbies, Tamagotchis, videotape rentals. Things that quietly disappeared. "Moments we didn't realise marked the end." 17 artists bidding farewell to gadgets and gizmos with "a big kiss and a soothing hug." Painting, sculpture, photography, installation. There's also a panel talk and curator tour 28 Feb 3-6pm at different location.

An Evening Of Soul Jukebox | 📍Millfield Theatre, N18 | 21 Feb | (£)
Soul, Motown and R&B night where you choose the songs. Singer Wayne Hernandez with a live band playing timeless hits. Sold out last time, back at Millfield Theatre.

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.