Hey Neighbour,
Last week was a bit of a wash, literally. Anyone else feel like the weather had it out for our weekend plans?
Three events got cancelled between rain and illness, including the Lord Mayor's Hot Air Balloon Regatta (shout out to Kristy for the heads up on that one!). It's a good reminder that even the best-laid weekend plans can go sideways.
So here's your friendly reminder to double-check events, especially the night before. I've been sharing updates on my Instagram stories when I find out about cancellations. If you're not following yet, probably worth it for the last-minute saves alone.
— Maryam
Alright, lets get to it.
Plan Your Weekend:
My North London Top 5 Events
Stroud Green Mayoral Election | 📍Stapleton Tavern, N4 | 26 July | Free
The return of a 252-year-old tradition. Electing a fake mayor at the Stapleton Tavern like they did in 1773. It's not about politics, it's about music, pints, nonsense and getting the community together. Want to run for mayor? Let them know by Friday - campaigning not required but top hats encouraged. They're selling limited edition Stroud Green Jewel pins with proceeds going to a local charity.
Source: thatmikedurham.wordpress.com
Lord Mayor's Hot Air Balloon Regatta | 📍Battersea Park, Primrose Hill, or Parliament Hill | 27th July | Free
Cancelled last weekend due to weather, they're trying again one last time. Up to 50 hot air balloons launch from Battersea Park at 5am on Sunday morning, floating across central London for the Lord Mayor's Appeal. It's free to watch - best spots are Battersea Park itself, Primrose Hill, or Parliament Hill. Set your alarm early and bring a coffee. Fingers crossed for better conditions this time.
RollerLand Brent Cross | 📍John Lewis Car Park, Brent Cross | 25 July-17 August | (£)
They're turning the John Lewis car park into an open-air roller rink for three weeks. Daily skating with music and live DJs spinning bangers on selected weekend sessions. Suitable for beginners and seasoned skaters - there's a friendly crew to help you find your feet if you're new to it. Skate hire included in ticket price or bring your own.
Hustle Wrestling: Ambition Championship | 📍Karamel, Wood Green N22 | 27 July | (£)
Wrestling returns to the McQueen Theatre with bodyslams, powerbombs and pints. Doors 5:30pm, show starts 6pm next Sunday. Expect high-flying moves and fierce competition just 5 minutes from Wood Green tube.
Artful Dodger: Garage Royalty | 📍Queen of Hoxton, EC2A | 26 July | (£)
UK garage pioneers Artful Dodger headline at Queen of Hoxton this Saturday. They're the ones behind "Rewind" and "Movin' Too Fast" and have been shaping the garage scene for over two decades. Classic garage anthems in the basement with special guests, while upstairs the resident DJs spin hip hop and R&B.
Don’t gate keep the good stuff.
Got an event coming up or know someone who does?
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🎟️ Heads up
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.
Queen's Park Book Festival | 📍Queen's Park, NW6 | 30-31 August | TBC
A weekend of author talks and literary events in Queen's Park. This year's speakers include Naga Munchetty, Alan Hollinghurst, Hanif Kureishi and Lyse Doucet, plus emerging writers in the Community Tent. You can wander between events, grab a coffee, and actually chat to authors.
Camden Fringe | 📍Multiple venues, Camden | 28 July-24 August | (£)
The 19th Camden Fringe is on with 400+ performances across venues in Camden. Theatre, comedy, music and dance - everything from musical comedy about Rabbie Burns to satirical takes on Elon Musk lost in space. There's a bilingual Romeo and Juliet plus Power Power, a comedy about hospitality and superpowers.
Ronnie Scott's Street Party | 📍Frith Street, Soho | 2 August | Free
They're shutting down Frith Street for six hours of free jazz. Jazz Jamaica, Theon Cross, and Tomorrow's Warriors Youth Ensemble are playing, plus DJ AG kicks things off at 11am. Outdoor bars, street food, and live music spilling onto the streets of Soho until 5pm. No tickets needed, just turn up.
Berlioz Presents Deep In It | 📍Finsbury Park, N4 | 3 August | (£)
Day-long house and techno party in Finsbury Park with two stages and big sound systems. berlioz, Jacques Greene, Laurence Guy and others playing from 1pm-9:30pm. Street food, craft beers, and summer cocktails on tap. They've got VIP options and stage access passes if you want to splash out. Tickets selling fast so get moving if you're interested.
The Clocktower Festival - Dog Party | 📍Caledonian Park, N7 | 3 August | Free
Second annual dog party at Caledonian Park with a full day of competitions including cutest puppy, fastest sit, best dressed, and best party trick from 1-3pm. There's also dog racing, pet portraits, shopping from pet brands, plus bouncy castles, food stalls and live music for the humans. £1 from each competition entry goes to charity.
Whoopi Goldberg Live | 📍Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith | 4 September | (£)
Whoopi Goldberg hasn't done UK shows in nearly a decade. Now she's back for two nights only, telling stories from her life with that trademark wit you know from Sister Act and Ghost. There's a Q&A where she'll answer your questions. She's one of the few people with a Grammy, Tony, Golden Globe, and Oscar. Get tickets or regret it.
Young Barnet Foundation Charity Golf Day | 📍Hendon Golf Club, NW7 | 11 September | TBC
Last year's charity golf day raised over £16k for local kids and young people in Barnet, so they're doing it again. This time it's at Hendon Golf Club in September - good cause, and if you're into golf and fancy supporting youth work in the area, worth keeping an eye on. Details still coming but based on last year's turnout, it'll probably sell out.
What’s On This Weekend: 26th - 27th July 2025
Your guide to what’s happening in and out of North London this week. Events marked with (£) require a ticket in advance.
Saturday 26th
🎉 Festivals
Wray Crescent Festival | 📍Wray Crescent Park, N4 | 26 July | Free
Third year of this mini festival run by the Friends of Wray Crescent volunteers. Live entertainment from swing jazz and African drumming to ukulele bands, plus face painting, games, crafts, bouncy castle and food stalls. Runs 12noon-5pm on Saturday. Entry is free but donations are welcome to help cover costs and support their park work throughout the year.
Arnos Park Summer Sizzler | 📍Arnos Park Growing Space, N11 | 26 July | Free
Friends of Arnos Park are throwing a community festival from 2-8pm this Saturday. Creatures of Habit headline with The Sizzlers, Friday Project Band, and The Walker Box Beaters also performing. There's a barbecue, bar, DJ set and plenty more happening.
🌿 Community & Sustainable Fashion
Islington Clothes Swap | 📍Vibast Community Centre, EC1V | 26 July | Free
Bring up to 5 clean items, swap them for tokens to spend on other people's clothes. High street to designer, all sizes including kids. Drop-off 11:30am, swapping 12pm-4pm. Run by LOANHOOD - decent way to refresh your wardrobe for free.
Islington Clothes Swap
🏛️ History
Kenwood Dairy Open Day | 📍Kenwood House, NW3 | 26 July | Free
Rare chance to see inside the historic Dairy at Kenwood House from 11am-3pm this Saturday. You'll get to see the colourfully decorated octagonal tea room where the Earl's wife entertained guests, plus hopefully the historic settling room. There's also a Nature Interpretation Centre in the same building with wildlife specimens and info about what's happening across the Heath. English Heritage and Heath Hands are collaborating to open it up.
Sunday 27th
🎭 Theatre & Comedy
The Ghost of White Hart Lane | 📍Jacksons Lane, N6 | 27 July | (£)
The story of Spurs legend John White, killed by lightning at just 27 in 1964. This play follows his football career and his son Rob growing up without a father. Premiered at Tottenham Stadium last year before a sell-out Edinburgh Fringe run.
The Ghost of White Hart Lane
The Immigrant Comedy Show | 📍Camden Comedy Club, NW1 | 27 July | (£)
Stand-up comedy with a twist - foreign comedians complaining about the British instead of the other way around. Lineup from Argentina, South Korea, Lithuania, Romania, India and Russia performing in English at Camden Comedy Club this Sunday, 7pm.
🎥 Film & Art
Tottenham Shorts 25 | 📍The Beehive Pub, N17 | 27 July | (£)
Local filmmakers showing their short films on a big screen at The Beehive Pub. It's in the function room behind the main bar - doors 6:30pm, films start 7pm. Q&As with the people who made them afterwards. £3 minimum donation to keep it going. 18+ only.
Draw from Life | 📍Elvin Gardens, Wembley Park HA9 | 27 July | Free
Free outdoor life drawing class led by artist Laxmi Hussain from 10-11am next Sunday. All materials provided and it's suitable for any level - whether you've never picked up a pencil or you're brushing up your technique. The class explores figure and form using blue tones, which is Laxmi's signature style. Drop-in welcome but booking encouraged.
🎶 Music
The Big Sing | 📍Camden Market Hawley Wharf, NW1 | 27 July | Free
Britain's Got Talent contestants The Big Sing are performing at Camden Market this Sunday from 3-5pm, doing choral versions of well-known songs. It's part of Camden's summer of free events - just turn up at Market Place, Hawley Wharf.
Music in the Gardens | 📍Muswell Hill Methodist Church, N10 | 27 July | Free
Final Sunday of July's outdoor music series at Muswell Hill Methodist Church. London Metropolitan Brass are performing this week. Gardens open from 2pm, music starts around 3pm. Free entry with refreshments available for a small charge, plus there's a play area for kids. Bring a picnic if you like but no alcohol or dogs allowed.
Is It Worth Leaving North London for?
I don’t know, but here’s what caught my eye.
Black Eats Fest | 📍Hackney Bridge | Multiple dates | (£)
Award-winning festival celebrating 5 years of Black Eats returns to East London's biggest garden. Street food from Africa, the Caribbean and beyond, plus Havana Club cocktail bar with rotating guest menu. Live DJs, retail marketplace and bookshop. Daytime session (12-4pm) is all ages, nighttime (5-9pm) is 18+ only. Timeout calls it "the perfect way to support Black businesses" and a great reason to eat something delicious.
Mystery Movie Marathon | 📍Prince Charles Cinema, Leicester Square | 26 July | (£)
All-night mystery film screening starting 11:30pm Saturday, running until about 8am Sunday. Five mystery films back-to-back with no clues or hints - nothing linking them together, totally random picks. £20 for the all-nighter (£17.50 members). No admissions after midnight, 18+ only, and no outside alcohol allowed.
Wing Fest | 📍London Stadium, Stratford | 25-27 July | (£)
The world's largest chicken wing festival takes over London Stadium with 45 different street food traders, restaurants and BBQ teams serving their best wings. Tickets include live music, DJs, bands, entertainment, rides, games, axe throwing and eating competitions. Three days of wings and entertainment in Stratford. Arrive hungry.
How did today’s newsletter land with you?
Thanks for reading!
Now get out there and create new memories.
— Maryam