Hey Neighbour,
You know that feeling when your brain's running faster than your calendar?
That was me last weekend, I convinced myself the Angel Canal Festival was happening that day.
It wasn't. I'd shown up 24 hours early.
Instead of going home, I wandered into Graham Street Park where I found a few locals tending to their community garden by the canal. Next thing I know, someone's handing me their favourite gardening gloves (I felt ridiculously special about this) and I'm spending time digging, planting and getting to know the neighbourhood.
It wasn't the day I'd planned, but it was a day I needed. Sometimes life surprises you like that, being at the wrong place at the right time. Big thanks to the Friends of Graham Street Park for giving me special gloves, small spade, a branch of fresh mint and a warm welcome.
I bet loads of you are quietly doing things that make your neighbourhood special.
Maybe you're part of a local group, or maybe you recycle every week. Whatever your thing is, I want to know about it.
Hit reply and tell me about it.
In the meantime...
Plan Your Weekend:
A Walk Down Memory Lane
Interesting things I've found about the places we see every day.
The Palace That Made History on the High Road
It's 1908 and you're preparing for the social event of the week. You check your reflection one last time, gather your coat, and join the stream of excited neighbours heading down the High Road to the brand new Palace of Varieties.
As you take your seat, the anticipation builds. Then it happens, the platform opens and a magnificent organ rises from underneath the floor, filling the theatre with music. This is Saturday night entertainment in Tottenham, and there's nowhere else you'd rather be.
Source: Tottenham Palace, 1908. From the collections and © Bruce Castle Museum and Archive
That Palace Cathedral you walk past today is the only completely preserved theatre by architects Wylson & Long left in London. Wylson & Long were major theatre designers who built venues across the country, but this is the only one that remains intact.
The Palace was built with cinema projection equipment from 1908, making it one of only 20 theatres nationwide that could show both live acts and films from opening day. By the 1920s, Harry Champion was still packing audiences with his songs, but they were also screening films between acts.
Source: theatrestrust.org.uk
When audiences' tastes shifted, the Palace adapted again: cinema, bingo hall, even a church. Through it all, its Edwardian structure survived, remarkably intact.
Back then your ticket would have cost a few pence. Today that wouldn't even cover your bus fare there.
What local stories have caught your attention?
Round Up
Bits and bobs worth knowing.
📚 Muswell Hill Library finally reopens after 2+ year closure: The Queens Avenue library returns Monday 29 Sep with a reconfigured layout, new lighting, accessible toilet and lift, plus dedicated study space for young people. Original contractor went into liquidation, causing the lengthy delay.
🚧 St John Street transformation breaks ground this month: Major works start on the Clerkenwell stretch between Charterhouse Street and St John's Lane. Expect wider pavements, improved crossings, new trees, more seating, and a new cycle lane. Updates for residents throughout construction.
🎨 Step inside working studios this weekend in Wood Green: Cumberland Road Studios opens Sat 20 to Sun 21 Sep for behind-the-scenes access to filmmakers, painters, graphic designers, photographers and sculptors. Watch chairs, hats, logos and instruments being made, plus demos and workshops.
🎬 Free film festival celebrates recovery stories with Jason Flemyng: Recovery Street Film Festival at London Screen Academy, Highbury Grove on Sat 27 Sep, 1–5pm. Shortlisted films on addiction recovery, hosted by Jason Flemyng, standup from James Redmond, live music, and alcohol-free afterparty. Book here.
🐑 Sheep back on Hampstead Heath as natural lawnmowers: Grazing sheep have returned to the Heath as part of a conservation scheme, providing eco-friendly grounds maintenance while supporting local biodiversity.
My North London Top Events
The Big Woof Dog Festival | 📍King's Cross, N1C | 13-14 Sept | Free
Two-day dog festival from 10am-5pm both days with dog shows, breed meet-ups, fashion shows, and two huge ball pits just for dogs. The Big Woof Market offers new dog wardrobes and accessories, plus expert talks on training, health and nutrition. You can treat your dog to photography sessions, sketches, pamper treatments, or doggy ice cream. Free entry with plenty of opportunities to spoil your four-legged friend.
Source: Kingscross.co.uk
La Feria - Family & Culture | 📍Phoenix Pub Beer Garden, Alexandra Palace N22 | 13 Sept | Free
Full day of Latin American culture on Alexandra Palace's terrace from 12-8pm. Live performances including salsa, vallenatos, and traditional drumming from acts like Fuerza Vallenata and Ballet Cultural Bolivia. Five DJs spinning Latin beats, plus Latin American food stalls.
Barnet Food Festival 2025 | 📍RAF Museum, Grahame Park Way, NW9 | Sat 13 – Sun 14 Sept | (£)
Barnet’s biggest foodie weekender is back at the RAF Museum. Over 40 food stalls, global street eats, sweet treats, and a pop-up beach bar. ( kids go free).
Markfield Road Festival | 📍South Tottenham, N15 | 12-14 Sept | Free
Free arts festival celebrating local creatives across three days in South Tottenham. Open arts studios, short film screenings, life drawing sessions, and yoga with the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation. All ages welcome for this community celebration of art, music and discussion.
Wembley Park Wellness Festival | 📍Wembley Park, HA9 | 13 Sept | Free
Full day of free fitness classes and workshops from 9am-6pm across Wembley Park. Everything from yoga and boxing to dance and HYROX training. It's run by the local wellness community so expect a mix of different studios and instructors offering taster sessions. Good chance to try something new without paying for a full class.
Saw this on Reddit and had to laugh
Would you show up to this meeting?
🎟️ 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.
🚴♂️ Urban Hill Climb | 📍Swain's Lane, N6 | 27 September | (£)
Cycling event where you race up Swain's Lane hill as fast as you can - London's only hill climbing race. It's timed, starting from midday, but welcomes everyone from serious cyclists to families with kids, cargo bikes, and folding bikes. You collect your race number on the day and get emailed your start time the week before. Basically, if you can ride a bike up a steep hill, you can take part.
🎇 Alexandra Palace Fireworks | 📍Alexandra Palace, N22 | 31 October & 1 November | (£)
Ally Pally's famous fireworks return for two nights with a Halloween twist. The display combines fireworks with drone ghosts, vampires, and witches against the London skyline backdrop. There's also DJ Luck & MC Neat, Taylor Swift tribute acts, street food, ice disco, German beer festival, and bonfire.
What’s On This Weekend: 13th - 14th September 2025
Your guide to what’s happening in North London this week. Events marked with (£) require a ticket in advance.
🧺 Community & Markets
Market Tales Launch | 📍Seven Sisters Market, N15 | 13 September | Free
Seven Sisters Market (also known as Latin Village) has been famous for its Colombian and Latin American traders, but many were displaced over the years. Now they're back at Wards Corner and this celebration from 3-8pm marks their return.
Duck Pond Market | 📍Lauderdale House, N6 | 14 September | Free
Craft market at Lauderdale House from 11am-5pm. Local artists selling handmade stuff, plus food stalls and small businesses. It's been going since 2008 and happens four times a year. Free to wander around, no booking needed.
🖼️ Art & Exhibitions
Seen Photography Exhibition | 📍Grimaldi Building, N1 | 12-14 September | Free
RNIB hosts a powerful portrait exhibition featuring 22 photographs of blind and partially sighted people by Joshua Bratt. Over two years, he travelled the country capturing stories of people thriving in careers, pursuing passions, and overcoming barriers. The exhibition shows extraordinary lives beyond sight loss. Open 11am-4pm, but you need to book a time slot in advance.
'Hope Is' Pop-Up Art Exhibition | 📍Stokey Popup, N16 | 13-14 September | Free
Free art exhibition by London painter Mike Thebridge exploring themes of hope, self-reflection, and living with uncertainty. Features new mixed-media portraits on canvas and paper. Thebridge creates what he calls "dreamy" artwork examining the connection between mind, body, and the world around us. Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday 10am-5pm on Stoke Newington High Street.
🎙️Live Shows & Pop Culture
Islington Proms | 📍St James' Church, N1 | 12 September-2 October | (£)
Local music festival at St James' Church with different types of concerts over three weeks. Started with neighbours performing for neighbours in 2012, now features professional musicians. There's classical music, choir performances, jazz, plus children's workshops and an art exhibition.
Open [mic] Confessions | 📍Camden Art Centre, NW3 | 12-14 September | Free
Experimental sound installation by Abbas Zahedi and bill daggs in Gallery 3. Opens Friday with open-mic performances (5-10 minutes each, sign up on the night), then the installation continues Saturday-Sunday 2-5pm.
Sex In The City Quiz | 📍Big Chill House, N1 | 14 September | (£)
Sex and the City quiz at Big Chill House covering all six seasons from 12pm. Themed cocktails available, prizes for winner, runner-up and best dressed. Tables are first come first serve so arrive before 12:30pm when it starts.
London Podcast Festival | 📍Kings Place, N1 | Ends 14 September |(£)
Final weekend of the podcast festival at Kings Place. Various live recordings wrapping up the 11-day run including Empire Film Podcast and Wrong Turns with Jameela Jamil.
🪑 Design Spotlight
London Design Festival | 📍Multiple venues across London | 13-21 September | Varies
London's annual celebration of design takes over the city for nine days. The 23rd edition brings together designers, retailers, educators and exhibitions across multiple venues.
Is It Worth Leaving North London for?
I don’t know, but here’s what caught my eye.
🍔 Burger Fest UK | 📍Signature Brew Blackhorse Road, E17 | 13-14 September | (£)
London's only burger festival with the UK Burger Championships where you vote for your favourite. Over 10 traders including Meatcastles, Black Bear Burger, 7bone, and World Famous Gordos serving classic burgers (£10 or under) plus chef's specials. Everything from monster sharing burgers to sliders, washed down with Signature Brew beer on tap.
🎉 A Day on the Lane | 📍Marylebone Lane, W1U | 13 September | Free
Marylebone Lane goes traffic-free for one day from 10am-4pm with live music, creative workshops, fitness classes, and pop-up stalls. Plus special offers in local shops like Ottolenghi, Lina Stores, and The Ivy Café. Free workout classes with Third Space, hands-on workshops, and special menus throughout the day.
🇮🇪 Nancy's Festival | 📍Nancy Spains, Monument, EC3M | 13 September | (£)
Irish venue Nancy Spains celebrates being halfway to St Patrick's Day with 15 hours of Irish culture from 3pm-6am. Twelve live acts including The Peppered Aces, plus Irish snacks like spice bags, chicken fillet rolls, and chips with curry sauce. £10 ticket includes a pint of Murphy's, £25 gets you exclusive merch too. It's one of the only London venues serving Beamish Irish Stout.
HELP ME FIND THE GOOD STUFF!
Street food market? Your mate's coffee shop event? New launch? Festival? Art gallery? Nothing is too big or too small, send it all.
THANKS FOR READING!
Share this with someone who's still asking 'what's happening this weekend'