Rosy Moorhead rounds up the summer events going on in north west London

  • High Barnet Festival

The festival opens with Migrations, an intergenerational dance performance production at the Bull Theatre (see next page), and continues with children’s activities and nature trails at the Barnet Countryside Centre and a concert by the Parish Church Choir and the Barnet Youth Brass Band.

Families can enjoy the open garden and miniature railway, with cake and plant stalls, a tombola, Indian head massage, and an exhibition and sale by local artist David Britton; Susi Earnshaw Theatre School presents Red Alert, their end-of-year show; and soak up some jazz on Hadley Green West with Minnie’s Henhouse.

Barnet Museum's 75th anniversary event takes place in the gardens behind the museum, and there will be children’s entertainment including the U3A Ukelele Band, the U3A Singers, the Barnet Band, Choirs R Us, and youngsters singing and performing great British musicals.

Events round off with The Battle of Barnet: A Guided Walk around Hadley Green, exploring the famous Wars of the Roses battlefield of 1471, and Bravo Theatre company performing Phantom of the Opera at the Bull Theatre.

High Barnet Summer Festival, various venues, from Friday, June 21 to Monday, July 1. Details: barnetresidentsassociation.org.uk

  • East Finchley Festival

The East Finchley Festival returns to Cherry Tree Wood and the festival organising committee and East Finchley Community Trust think they have planned the best one yet, rebranded as the UandN2 Festival.

As usual, there will be live music and entertainment across three stages, all showcasing local talent, plus there will be the usual array of local businesses, organisations and food stalls. And of course, the festival wouldn’t be complete without the beer and food tents.

This year the focus is on really getting the audience involved – you’ll be encouraged to share your messages, comments and jokes which you can send in via Twitter (UandN2) or by text (07983 360834). 

Messages will be read out from the main stage, which this year will be hosted by MOBO award-winner and local resident Pat ‘Have Mercy’ Leacock.

There will also be a top secret record attempt – you will find out on the day what that’s all about.

The UandN2 Festival (East Finchley Festival) is at Cherry Tree Wood, East Finchley on Sunday, June 23 from 12pm to 6pm. Details: 07983 360834, iloven2.co.uk

  • Summer Soulstice

The original family soul all-dayer returns to Barnet – Summer Soulstice is back.

The seventh annual soul festival features 30 DJs in three music arenas, including Ash Selector, Fat Freddie M, Jake Holloway, Jeff Young, Niki Golding, and Richard Earnshaw.

Live performances come courtesy of the likes of Junior Giscombe, Natasha Watts, Glen Goldsmith, and Sing Baby Sing, performing a tribute to The Stylistics. There will be live percussion from Fistfunk, plus licensed bars, food outlets, a kids’ zone, stalls, and  marquees.

The famous, free, soul bus running to and from the event, will stop at drop-off points in Barnet.

Summer Soulstice is at Old Elizabethans Memorial Playing Fields, Gypsy Corner, Mays Lane, Barnet on Saturday, June 29 from 12noon to 11pm. Details: summersoulstice.co.uk

  • Hampstead Summer Festival

A week-long celebration of Hampstead’s unique and vibrant community, the Hampstead Summer Festival features art, theatre, music, dance, sport, animals, circus and fairground attractions, cars and boats, and a whole lot more.

For art lovers, there is Picture the Heath, a two-day fine art event from the Hampstead School of Art in which artists of all ages and levels are invited to paint or draw on Hampstead Heath on Saturday, June 29, and all entries will be exhibited on Sunday, June 30, and prizes given.

There is a chess tournament at Henderson Court Resource Centre, and Pentameters Theatre will be celebrating its 45th anniversary with a production of Friday When it Rains. And there are exhibitions taking place at Burgh House throughout the festival, and a summer literary quiz at Keats House, and an Idle Garden Party at Fenton House.

The Big Fair on Sunday, June 30 features art marquees, fairground attractions, unicorn and donkey rides, falconry, live music, sport, dance, street entertainment, classic cars, an art trail, model boats, and meditation.

Hampstead Summer Festival takes place at various venues from Sunday, June 30 to Saturday, July 6. Details: hampsteadsummerfestival.com