FILM

Epic

From the creators of Ice Age and Rio, Epic tells the story of an ongoing battle between the forces of good, who keep the natural world alive, and the forces of evil, who wish to destroy it. When a teenage girl finds herself magically transported into this secret universe, she teams up with an elite band of warriors and a crew of comical, larger-than-life figures to save their world – and ours. Starring Beyonce Knowles and Colin Farrell.

  • Wyllyotts Theatre, Wyllyotts Place, Darkes Lane, Potters Bar from August 5-8 at 11am and 1.30pm. Details: 01707 645005, wyllyottstheatre.co.uk

Despicable Me 2

Gru, the girls, Dr Nefario and the unpredictably hilarious minions return, along with a whole host of new characters. Gru is recruited by the Anti-Villain League to help deal with a new super criminal.

  • Wyllyotts Theatre, Wyllyotts Place, Darkes Lane, Potters Bar from August 12-15 at 1.30pm. Details: 01707 645005, wyllyottstheatre.co.uk

Film workshops at The Phoenix

The Phoenix Cinema in East Finchley is hosting two summer holiday film workshops for youngsters, starting with Ready for Your Close-up? This is a two-day screen acting and short film project for aspiring actors and directors aged 11 to 14 is led by a professional screen actor and theatre practitioner. Exploring different film genres, you will use improvisation to devise your own script and then produce a short film.

Journey to Planet Phoenix is a sci-fi- themed day workshop for ages seven to 11, which will take you on a journey through time to futuristic cities. Explore classic science fiction films and have fun with costume and set design, soundscapes and performance.

  • The Phoemix Cinema, East Finchley, August 15 and 16 from 10am to 3pm, and August 23 from 10am to 3pm. Details: 020 8442 0442, phoenixcinema.co.uk

Monsters University

The much-anticipated sequel to the hit animated comedy Monsters Inc, unlocking the door to how Mike and Sully overcame their differences and became the best of friends.

  • Wyllyotts Theatre, Wyllyotts Place, Darkes Lane, Potters Bar from August 27-30 at 1.30pm. Details: 01707 645005, wyllyottstheatre.co.uk

DAYS OUT

Family Summer Fun

The RAF Museum in Hendon is holding a series of themed weeks throughout the summer dedicated to younger visitors and their families.

These include Wild Bird Week from July 29 to August 4, with thrice daily wild bird displays during which a few lucky children will be given the opportunity to act as falconers in training.

Storytelling Week, August 12-18, takes inspiration from the museum’s Airfix – Making History exhibition. A professional story-teller will narrate a series of tales about important historical figures that have inspired the people at Airfix to make models of them.

Land Army Week is from August 27 to September 1 and is a perfect experience for animal lovers and families with young children. Meet the various animals that the public were encouraged to keep during World War Two to ensure they had fresh produce such as eggs and milk.

There will also be two Airfix Weeks, from July 22-28 and August 5-11, which will consist of ‘make and take’ sessions – make and paint your own 1:72 scale aircraft.

  • RAF Museum, Grahame Park Way, Hendon throughout July and August. Details: 020 8205 2266, rafmuseum.org.uk

Party in the Park

All your summer fete favourites at the annual Party in the Park. There will be live music, books and bric-a-brac stalls, a tombola, food and craft stalls, and a family fun area where the kids can go crazy on the bouncy castle and try hula hooping.

  • Avenue House, East End Road, Finchley on Sunday, July 28 from 12pm to 5pm. Details: friendsofavenuehouse.org

Music to Watch the Flowers By

Chill out in the Walled Garden at Shenley for an all-day family picnic concert, children’s entertainment, BBQ, cakes and ice cream – bring your own picnics and drinks. The highlight of the day is the live music – jazz, easy listening and rock.

  • Walled Garden, Shenley Park, Radlett Lane, Shenley on Sunday, August 4 from 12noon to 6pm. Details: 01923 852629, shenleypark.co.uk

DRAMA

Arabian Nights Summer Workshop

Herts Inclusive Theatre is hosting a five-day drama and performance workshop based on the theme of the Arabian Nights stories. During the week, participants will learn acting, singing and movement skills. The week will culminate in a performance at The Ark Theatre for family and friends. The workshops are open to those aged six to 19.

  • The Ark Theatre, off Elstree Way, Borehamwood from Monday, August 5, with the live performance on Friday, August 9 at 2pm. Details: 020 8238 7288, thearktheatre.co.uk

THEATRE

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Midsummer night. An enchanted forest. Puck and his musical fairy band tell a tale of lovers, mechanicals and magical mayhem. The Pantaloons make their much-anticipated return to Shakespeare with this timeless comedy told, as ever, in their own distinctive and anarchic style and in the open air.

  • Shenley Park, Radlett Lane, Shenley on Saturday, July 27 at 7pm. Details: 01923 852629, shenleypark.co.uk

Captain Calamity’s Adventures in Storyland

Join Captain Calamity and his crew on a wonderful adventure full of magic, songs, bubbles and balloons, ideal for ages three and up. Plus, there will also be fun pirate and princess activities – enjoy face-painting, decorate a princess cake, make a pirate’s hat and build a castle.

  • Wyllyotts Theatre, Wyllyotts Place, Darkes Lane, Potters Bar on Friday, August 16 at 10.30am, 1pm and 3.30pm. Details: 01707 645005, wyllyottstheatre.co.uk

LIBRARIES

Storytelling

There will be storytelling workshops taking place at two libraries in the borough this summer holiday. Meet Professor Alexus Rose, the wandering storyteller, for ages six to 11.

  • Chipping Barnet Library, Stapylton Road, Barnet on Wednesday, August 7 from 2.30pm to 3.30pm, and at Osidge Library, Brunswick Park Road, East Barnet on Monday, August 12 from 2.30pm to 3.30pm. Details: Chipping Barnet Library 020 8359 4040, Osidge Library 020 8359 3920.

Creepy House Summer Reading Challenge

The theme of this year’s Summer Reading Challenge is Creepy House and all the libraries in the borough are going to town on it. The Challenge encourages all children aged between four and 12 to read six books during the holiday – fact books, joke books, picture books or audio books are all included, just as long as they are borrowed from the library. There will be creepy craft and awful art activities and scrapheap challenges taking place at a number of libraries, including Friern Barnet, Mill Hill, Osidge, Grahame Park, Church End, Golders Green, Chipping Barnet, East Finchley, East Barnet, North Finchley, Hendon, Edgware, Burnt Oak and Childs Hill.

  • Details: barnet.gov.uk/libraries