Camden summer guide 2019

2019

Your guide to free and low-cost things to do this summer

Family fun | Activities for children and young people | Community festivals | We Can Move | Arts and culture #WeMakeCamden @CamdenCouncil #WeMakeCamden @CamdenCouncil LBCamden camden.gov.uk/summer camden.gov.uk/summer LBCamden

2019

This summer there’s so many opportunities to get out and about in Camden. In this guide you’ll find free and low-cost activities for everyone, from family fun and community festivals, to ways to get moving more, and arts and culture on your doorstep.

#WeMakeCamden @CamdenCouncil LBCamden Our people and diverse communities make Camden the place it is. Share what you’re up to this summer, your memories and photos on social media, and help to celebrate the people behind the place.

Find out more about We Make Camden and read some of the stories shared so far: camden.gov.uk/wemakecamden

Make a difference to your community There’s lots of ways to help out local organisations and charities this summer, whatever your experience and time to spare.

Visit volunteercentrecamden.org.uk to find opportunities or drop into the Camden and Islington Volunteering Fair: Friday 21 June, 12 noon to 2pm.

Canopy Market under West Handyside Canopy, King’s Cross (just off Granary Square) N1C 4BH

All events are free unless otherwise stated. You may need to book for some activities.

Check the latest details with event organisers.

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© Dave Warren 2019 for The Reading Agency

Family fun

There’s plenty for families to do together over the summer.

Summer Reading Challenge Saturday 20 July to Saturday 7 September This year’s theme is Space Chase, an out-of-thisworld adventure inspired by the first moon landing.

Children aged four to 11 can sign up at Camden libraries, and receive exciting prizes including a certificate and medal when they read six books over the holidays. Look out for weekly activities in libraries.

Family Day: Build a Story – Deaf accessible event Saturday 22 June, 12 noon to 4pm Take part in an exciting family day for all ages inspired by storytelling.

Activities delivered in British Sign Language and spoken English.

All welcome.

British Library, 96 Euston Road NW1 2DB

© Jewish Museum London

camden.gov.uk/libraries 020 7974 4444

Stay and Play

bl.uk 020 7412 7797

Various locations and times Baby play (under ones), toddler time (under twos) and fun for all (under fives) sessions with songs, painting and more. Drop in. camden.gov.uk/childrenscentres 020 7974 4444

Sandal Sticks Theatre storytelling Rhyme Time Various locations and times (term-time only) Babies to pre-school aged children and parents can join in songs, rhymes and actions. 30-minute drop-in sessions. Check with your local library.

Sunday 14 July, 10.30am to 12 noon Experience interactive storytelling with a creative craft activity.

Booking essential.

Jewish Museum London, Raymond Burton House, 129-131 Albert Street NW1 7NB

camden.gov.uk/libraries 020 7974 4444

jewishmuseum.org.uk 020 7284 7384

National Playday at Coram’s Fields Wednesday 7 August, 1 to 4pm Celebrate children’s right to play, with fun activities including face painting, bouncy castle, sports, arts and crafts, and music.

Coram’s Fields, 93 Guildford Street WC1N 1DN coramsfields.org 020 7837 6138 3

Activities for children and young people

From filmmaking to football, discover a new passion with courses and schemes.

Holiday sports courses Various dates and times between Wednesday 24 July and Friday 23 August Ages four to seven (90-minute sessions) including gymnastics and trampolining. Ages eight to 14 (9am to 4.30pm) including bend, bop and bounce (gymnastics, dance and trampolining) and multisports (football, table tennis, dodgeball, cricket, football, trampolining and more). Prices vary on all courses, with concessions available. Booking essential.

Talacre Community Sports Centre, Dalby Street NW5 3AF camden.gov.uk/active sportsdevelopment@camden.gov.uk 020 7974 8754

Camden Summer University Thursday 25 July to Friday 23 August Over 70 free courses for young people aged 13 to 19 in arts, sports and life skills at top local venues. Book online from Wednesday 19 June, popular courses fill up fast. camden.gov.uk/summeruniversity 020 7974 6543

Camden Coding Club

Girls Get Moving Week

Saturday 15 June, Saturday 27 July, Saturday 24 August, 2 to 3.30pm Seven to 17-year-olds can learn to code in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. Booking essential.

Pancras Square Library, 5 Pancras Square N1C 4AG

Tuesday 27 August to Friday 30 August, 11am to 4pm Multisports scheme for girls and young women aged eight to 16, including trampolining, football, basketball, dance, cheerleading, tennis, table tennis, badminton and dodgeball. ÂŁ3.30 per day.

Booking essential.

Talacre Community Sports Centre, Dalby Street NW5 3AF

camden.gov.uk/codingclub

Find out about more activities and schemes for young people this summer at camden.gov.uk/youth

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Holiday play schemes Wednesday 24 July to Friday 30 August Arts, crafts, games, sports and day trips for four to 12-year-olds.

10 locations across the borough.

Dates and costs vary, concessions available. camden.gov.uk/play

camden.gov.uk/active active@camden.gov.uk 020 7974 6294

We Can

Moving more has huge benefits for our mental and physical wellbeing, with fun activities for all ages and abilities across Camden.

Outdoor gyms

Health walks

Camden Green Gym

Try one of our easy to use outdoor gyms for a free workout. Drop in or find sessions on our website.

If you have a health problem but want to get out more, join a relaxed and friendly walk. Arrive at the meeting point 10 minutes before the walk.

Parliament Hill Every Monday, 10 to 11am Meet at Parliament Hill Café, Highgate Road NW5 1QR

Try a new way to get moving and give back. Locations across the borough every Tuesday and Thursday between 10.45am and 2pm. No experience necessary. Booking essential.

Upcoming sessions include:

Move camden.gov.uk/outdoorgyms

Active for All Our leisure centres offer activities for people of all ages with a disability, including multisports sessions, gym, football, swimming and climbing. better.org.uk/camdenactiveforall

Regent’s Park – women’s walk Every Thursday, 10.30 to 11.30am Meet in Green Light Pharmacy, 62-64 Hampstead Road NW1 2NU camden.gov.uk/healthwalks 020 7974 4444

Tuesday 18 June Bee survey and summer solstice BBQ Waterlow Park (meet by the Lodge) N19 5JF Thursday 29 August Meadow mowing skills workshop Regent’s Park (meet at Iron Works Gate) NW1 4RU tcv.org.uk/camden gg-camden@tcv.org.uk 07768 710 359

Free swimming Young people under 16 Sign up for free swimming during the school holidays as part of our Energise and Get Wise programme. camden.gov.uk/childrenyoung-people Residents aged 60+ Swim for free on weekdays from 7am to 12 noon at our Better leisure centres across the borough with a Pay & Play membership card. Concessionary Pay & Play membership £5.50. better.org.uk/getswimming

Chair-based exercise for over 55s Every Monday and Friday, 10 to 11am Drop-in for light exercise to improve mobility, strength and heart health.

Suitable for all abilities. £1.

Queens Crescent Community Association, 45 Ashdown Crescent NW5 4QE qcca.org.uk 020 7267 6635

Cycling skills for children and adults Various dates in July and August Two-day group training courses for children and adults at two levels: ‘learn to cycle’ for beginners, and ‘building cycle confidence’ to prepare for riding on the road.

Individual cycle sessions for safe cycling in busy traffic.

Booking essential.

Haverstock School, 24 Haverstock Hill NW3 2BQ camden.gov.uk/cycleskills

Find even more activities and tips on how to move more at wecanmove.co.uk 5

Community festivals Join in the summer celebrations in your neighbourhood.

Family fun days We’ll be celebrating a century of council housing at events around Camden this summer – join us to build a council home of the future, discover your local estate and area with history talks and tours, and take part in sports and games, face painting, balloon modelling, dance performances and much more – free food provided.

Studholme Court Family Fun Day, NW3: Saturday 22 June, 3 to 6pm Abbey Road Housing Co-operative Summer Fun Day, NW6: Saturday 13 July, 12 noon to 5pm Ampthill Square Estate Festival, NW1: Saturday 14 September, 12 noon to 5pm

The Fair in the Square in Highgate Saturday 15 June, 12.30 to 5.30pm Entertainment, children’s rides, food, arts and crafts stalls and more.

Pond Square and South Grove, Highgate N6 fairinthesquare.co.uk

Mortimer Terrace Nature Reserve Summer Solstice Pageant Friday 21 June, 10am to 12 noon Come celebrate the summer solstice before joining the procession on a short tour of local green space.

Nature Reserve off Highgate Road NW5. Entrance on Wesleyan Place

Interfaith family picnic and Eid celebration Saturday 6 July, 12 noon to 4pm Bouncy castle, sports activities, music, face painting and henna.

Please bring your own picnics and mats. £1 suggested donation.

Swiss Cottage open space NW3 3NR

Alma Street Summer Fair Sunday 16 June, 12 noon to 7pm Featuring three live music stages, grand parades, children’s activities, arts and crafts, and food stalls.

Alma Street and Inkerman Road NW5 6

thewinch.org

Queen Square Fair Saturday 6 July, 12 noon to 5pm Live music, stalls, activities for children and adults and food.

Queen Square WC1

Jester Festival Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 July, 12 noon to 6pm Music and dance performances, street artists, a funfair, activities for children and a wide range of stalls from local organisations.

Fortune Green open space NW6 1EF jesterfestival.co.uk

NW5 Peckwater Neighbourhood Festival Saturday 6 July Family activities, workshops and music from a live DJ. Community Play Project, The Play Hut, Islip Street NW5 2TU peckwaterneighbour hoodfestival@hotmail.com

Big Fair in Heath Street

Give it a Go! Festival

Camden Unity Cup Festival

Sunday 7 July, 12 noon to 5pm Over 120 stalls, a funfair, birds of prey, donkey rides, circus school and a chess challenge, as well as music, dance and sports demonstrations.

Heath Street NW3 1DL

Sunday 14 July, 1 to 5pm Family-friendly festival showcasing free activities to promote health and wellbeing, including tennis, volleyball, athletics, boxing, tai chi, nature walks, polo, live music and a dog show.

Parliament Hill Fields NW5 1QR

Thursday 1 August, 9am to 4pm Youth football tournament and community festival with music, food and activities.

Coram’s Fields, 93 Guilford Street WC1 1DN

hampsteadsummerfestival.com

Somers Town Festival Saturday 13 July, 12 noon to 6.30pm Eclectic music on four stages from Chalton Street to the British Library Piazza, DJs, local stalls and food.

Chalton Street NW1 somerstownfestival.co.uk

Camden New Town Community Festival Saturday 13 July, 4 to 8pm (jazz, folk and poetry day) and Sunday 14 July, 12 to 7pm (family day) Music and dance, green corner, healthy living area, arts and crafts, stalls, and activities for children and young people.

Camden Square NW1 festival.mlcc@yahoo.co.uk

cityoflondon.gov.uk/ hampsteadheath

Camden Mela Sunday 21 July, 12 noon to 6pm Amazing entertainment, food, henna, face painting and lots of fun for the whole family, including activities for young people.

Coram’s Fields, 93 Guilford Street WC1 1DN camdenbangladeshmela.org

Hillview Festival Saturday 27 July, 2 to 9.30pm Live music, dance, poetry, puppetry, street arts, workshops and a community marketplace.

Whidborne Street WC1H hillviewfestival.co.uk

fya.org.uk

Fitzrovia Street Party and Community Dinner Saturday 31 August, 3 to 6pm Performances, activities and amazing food, all organised by young people.

Warren Play Area, Whitfield Street W1T 5JX fya.org.uk

York Rise Street Festival Sunday 8 September, 12 noon to 10pm Celebration featuring three stages of live music, stalls and activities for children.

York Rise NW5 facebook.com/ yorkrisestreetparty2014 7

Arts and culture

Enjoy performances, exhibitions and more on your doorstep.

Sundial Sundays

Dance for the Sea

Every Sunday from 16 June to 21 July, 2.30 to 4.30pm Live music, playing everything from jazz to indie, folk to klezmer.

Tea Lawn outside Lauderdale House, Waterlow Park, Highgate Hill N6 5HG

Monday 22 July to Sunday 28 July (Monday to Friday 8am to 12 noon, and Saturday and Sunday, 8am to 6pm) Unique underwater exhibition of photographs, exploring the environmental impact of plastic waste in our oceans, seas, rivers and waterways. Free with pool admission.

Willes Pool, Kentish Town Sports Centre, Grafton Road NW5 3DU

lauderdalehouse.org.uk 020 8348 8716

Game Over: retro games nights Friday 21 June and Friday 19 July at Swiss Cottage Library, Friday August 16 at Holborn Library, 7 to 11pm Get ready to be entertained with consoles such as Nintendo 64 and Sega Mega Drive, board games, music and pizza. £8 online or £10 on the door. Booking essential.

Swiss Cottage Library, 88 Avenue Road NW3 3HA Holborn Library, 32-38 Theobalds Road WC1X 8PA

Songhaven: Dementia-friendly concert series Saturday 29 June, Saturday 20 July and Saturday 24 August, 3 to 4pm 45-minute professional concert programme in a relaxed and inclusive atmosphere, followed by afternoon tea. Suggested donation £5. Booking essential.

Lumen Church and Café, 88 Tavistock Place WC1H 9RS songhaven.co.uk 020 7833 1080

eventbrite.co.uk (seach for ‘Game Over Camden’)

Until Monday 1 July Exhibition from London Quilters, a group of local quilt and textile art enthusiasts.

Swiss Cottage Gallery, 88 Avenue Road NW3 3HA

From Monday 8 July to Saturday 31 August Exhibition exploring themes of working together, sharing ideas and collaboration. Camden Alive is part of the Mayor’s London Borough of Culture and is a Mayor’s Cultural Impact Award winner.

Swiss Cottage Gallery, 88 Avenue Road NW3 3HA

camden.gov.uk/libraries 020 7974 4444

lovecamden.org/camdenalive 020 7974 4444

Share what you’re up to this summer: 8

WAWA Weekender Friday 26 to Sunday 28 July Wac Arts hosts its annual arts and events festival with performances, workshops, discussions and celebrations. Some events require booking.

Wac Arts, The Old Town Hall, 213 Haverstock Hill NW3 4QP wacarts.co.uk 020 7692 5800

The Camden Fringe

Camden Alive: Collaborate

Quilts at the Library

lovecamden.org/danceforthesea

#WeMakeCamden @CamdenCouncil LBCamden camden.gov.uk/summer

Monday 29 July to Sunday 25 August From musicals to sketch comedies, dance to drama, there’s a show for everyone at this local arts festival.

Prices for shows vary between £5 and £15. Booking essential. camdenfringe.com