Welcome

Happy Bank Holiday weekend. This week we've got a smorgasbord of local festivals to get in your diary and a great local(ish) pub with two fabulous beer gardens.

Wonderful day yesterday at the first Windermere Play Street - great fun had by all.

🎪 Finchley Festival Guide '25

Summer's nearly here, check your calendar, get some tickets, festivals abound.

Here's our list of six local festive happenings, check them out.

1. Crouch End Festival (12-18th June)

The UK's biggest community arts festival is in its 14th year. This is a celebration of arts of all kinds, from street art to Irish punk bands to children's choirs to local history to craft markets. Insta.

2. East Finchley Festival (22nd June)

In its 51st year, this is an annual one-day free community event staged in Cherry Tree Wood, N2, on the Sunday closest to the Summer Solstice. The festival attracts up to 10,000 people over the day and is run entirely by volunteers. Insta.

3. East Barnet Festival (4^th – 5^th July)

This is North London’s largest free summer festival with endless music, a choir concer on Saturday, a dance festival on Sunday, and food and craft stalls. Tons of children’s activities, including Paws in the Park and Cars in the Park. A percentage of surplus funds is donated to Friends in Need, a support group based in East Barnet village. Insta.

4. Proms at St Jude's (21^st – 29^th June)

Hampstead Garden Suburb, London NW11

This is a world class festival of music and culture. There are evening concerts with top national and international artists, free lunchtime music recitals, a family day on Sunday 29^th June and a LitFest weekend. Insta.

5. Hampstead Summer Festival (22^nd June – 6^th July)

Grounds of Keats House, NW3

Five events over the summer including the Art Fair organised by the Hampstead School of Art, Open Air Theatre, Garden Party. It closes with the Big Fair on Health Street. Insta.

6. Wireless Festival (11 – 13^th July)

Finsbury Park, N4 2DH

This is a rap + hip-hop festival celebrating twenty years, with headliners Drake and PartyNextDoor, special guest Summer Walker, Burna Boy and Vybz Kartel. Insta.

Feel festive, Finchley and the surrounding areas. 🎪

Events

ARTS

Wednesday 7th May

Chipping Barnet Book Club | Wed, May. 07 | 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm | Chipping Barnet Library, 3 Stapylton Rdm EN5 4QT | Free | The book club is a chance to talk about a select book each month with other readers and members of staff who meet every First Wednesday of the month. This month's book is Cider with Rosie by Laurie Lee.

Thursday 8th May

Floral Art Demonstration At New Barnet Amateur Gardeners & Floral Art Society | Thu, May. 8 | 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm | Lyonsdown Hall, Lyonsdown Road, EN5 1JB | £3 members, £5 visitors | Gill McGregor, often described as "floral art royalty" will be demonstrating her floral art skills at the meeting on the 8th May. She is an experienced and recognised demonstrator and her theme will be Floral Mayhem.

Friday 16th May

Heiress: Sargent's American Portraits (at Kenwood) | Fri, May. 16 | 10:00 am to 5:00 pm | Kenwood House, Hampstead Lane | Heiress: Sargent’s American Portraits will reveal the real stories behind the fascinating American women who crossed the Atlantic to marry British aristocrats in an exchange of money for titles. These women include a war-time nurse, a helicopter pilot and the first sitting female MP.

COMMUNITY

Saturday 10th May

Wednesday 14th May

A walk through Finchley Church End Town Centre, Past, Present and Future | Wed, May. 14 | 10:30 am to 12:00 am | Meet at the entrance to St Mary-at-Finchley, 26 Hendon Lane, N3 1TR | Free | The walk is approximately 0.7 miles. There are a number of interesting sites within the town centre and we will stop along the way at 6 'points of interest' to explore these further, finishing the walk on Ballard's Lane, just before Victoria Park. There is some seating at approximately halfway.

Saturday 31st Mat

Hearts Of Arkley - Village Fayre Dog Show | Sat, May. 31 | 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm | Brickfield Lane, EN5 3LD | £1 (Free for under 16s) | A fantastic day out at the Arkley Village Fayre & Dog Show. Packed with exciting activities, stalls, delicious food, and of course, a showcase of furry friends in the ever-popular dog show, this event promises something for everyone.

MUSIC

Thursday 22nd May

THEATRE

Thursday 8th May

Cheshire Cats | Thu, May. 08 | 7:30 pm | Incognito Theatre, Friern Barnet, N11 3HB | £15 | This amateur production of “Cheshire Cats” is presented by arrangement with ConcordTheatricals Ltd. on behalf of Samuel French Ltd. This uplifting comedy tale tells the story of a group of friends on their journey doing the charity Moonwalk.

Friday 30th May

Improv Comedy at The Bull | Fri, May. 30 | 7:30 pm | The Bull Theatre, EN5 5SJ | £10 | An amazing night of first-class improvised comedy with internationally acclaimed improvisers: Inbal Lori (Berlin) and Tim Orr (San Francisco). Two hilarious shows as heard on BBC Sounds. Not to be missed. Recommended Age 16yrs+.

NATURE

Sunday 11th May

“Dawn Chorus” bird walk | Sun, May. 11 | 7:00 am to 9:00 am | Kenwood NW3 (Location revealed when booked) | £5 | Join a late Dawn Chorus walk around Kenwood. A 7:00 am start might sound a little early, but it’s a good time to hear the ‘dawn chorus’ of birds as they awaken on the Heath. Join our walk leader who will help with identifying as many species as possible by their birdsong.

Events - Book Ahead

Sunday 22nd June

East Finchley Festival 2025 | Sun, Jun. 22 | 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm | Cherry Tree Wood, East Finchley, N2 9QH | Free | East Finchley Festival is an inclusive free one-day community event produced for the benefit of the local community. East Finchley Festival features two music stages, a large selection of street food stalls, licensed bars, over 100 local artisans and makers, local community organisations, activities, and sports for all.

Thursday 26th June

Set Ready | Thu, Jun. 26 | Whittington Park Community Association, N19 4RS | Free | Free film and TV training for residents of Barnet, Camden, and Islington. Set Ready Training allows you to learn crucial skills for working on film and TV shoots. The two-day training is free, and no previous experience is necessary, you just need to be aged 18 or over and live in one of the three boroughs listed.

Thursday 3rd July

Raise the Mic for Max | Thu, Jul. 3 | 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm | King of Prussia, N3 | £30 | Local charity, Max's Foundation, is hosting a music night with a live band at the King of Prussia, N3 this July. Come along and enjoy the music and a big night out. All monies raised will go to the cardiac unit at GOSH.

Local Lowdown

Demolishing?

Victorian villa standoff. More than 200 residents have joined the Willesden Local History Society's petition. They want to save Altamira, a 150-year-old building. It's locally listed and at risk due to Brent Council's 'Hillside Corridor' project. The historic Stonebridge gem almost faced demolition before when the last planning permission ran out.

Winning

Buzzing Bees bounce back. Barnet FC smashed Aldershot 4-0, sealing their return to League Two after seven years away. With promotion in the bag, the BringBarnetBack crew are ramping up calls for a shiny new stadium at Underhill. Expect banners, celebrations, and a big push to bring the Bees home.

Batting

Bowled over. Cricket just got a glow-up. The new nets on the Heath Extension are almost ready. Final touches are being made this month. Cricket fans can save the date for late May. That’s when the updated facility opens for play.

Shopping

Bargain hunters rejoice. Lidl has set its sights on Finchley with not one but three potential new stores. The budget supermarket giant will invest £500 million across the country. Finchley Central, North, and East Finchley are on their list of 200 planned locations in London.

Not Shopping

Primark shutdown. Kilburn High Road's budget fashion hotspot is taking an extended break from April 27 until mid-July. A notice on the doors of Primark offers an apology for the nearly three-month closure. Bargain hunters will need to trek to alternative Primark locations for their affordable fashion fix this summer.

The Finchleyite: The Red Lion & Sun

A stone’s throw from Finchley, tucked away in the leafy charm of Highgate Village, The Red Lion & Sun is a North London gem that feels more countryside retreat than city pub.

Housed in a rustic farmhouse-style building, this award-winning gastropub boasts not one, but two lush beer gardens – complete with creeping vines, hanging wisteria, and a marquee-ready front space.

Just a stroll from Hampstead Heath and Highgate Cemetery, it’s known for its warm service, hearty Sunday roasts (tip: try the braised shank), and extensive New World wine list.

Regularly ranked in Estrella Damm’s Top 50 Gastropubs, it balances polished interiors with a relaxed, family-friendly vibe – dogs and kids welcome.

Whether you're popping in for a pint or a celebration, it’s Highgate’s go-to for outdoor sipping and unbeatable roasts. Booking ahead is a must. Perfect for a Bank Holiday Monday lunch.

Share the good news. Get rewarded.

Want your friends to feel more connected and more in the know?

Fabulous rewards are coming your way when you share Finchley Now. Spotify playlist, fridge magnets and the coveted Finchley Now mugs.

Next reward progress:

You've referred 0 people

0 of 3

You're just 3 referrals away from unlocking the Birthday shoutout in Finchley Now!

Because we love community, + we love you. Celebrate with us!

Share your unique link with your friends to refer them:

[RH_REFLINK GOES HERE]

Editors' Note - From Tessa

Davis Family members have headed all the way to Fylde this weekend, to (hopefully) see Barnet FC hit 100 points for the final game of the season.

Bees are goin' up!

Also, let us know about local events or local news. We curate our content to keep it a 5-minute read, so can't include everything we're sent.

You can now get a guaranteed (paid) listing for local events or local lowdown/news items.

And email us with any projects or ideas you'd like us to write about.

Tessa Davis

Sasha Frieze

Finchley Now

🗞️ The Best Summer Festivals In Town