HIGHGATE FESTIVAL PROGRAMME
13 - 21 JUNE 2026
Sat 13th June
Highgate Society Exhibition
11 – 3pm
In the Society's 60th year, this exhibition celebrates what the Society has achieved over the years to make Highgate such a vibrant community. Free. Highgate School Museum, Southwood Lane, N6 6BSwww.highgatesociety.com/
Fair in the Square
12.30 – 5.30pm
The Fair returns with over 100 stalls, entertainment, Dog Show and a fantastic Raffle.South Grove, N6 6BS. Free. www.fairinthesquare.co.uk
HLSI Open House Tour and Book Sale
12.30 – 4pm
A chance to visit this special building, library and archive. Some wonderful and rare books for sale too. HLSI, 11 South Grove, N6 6BS. Free. www.hlsi.org.uk
Katya Apekisheva Piano Recital
7.30 – 9pm
An evening of music by Haydn, Elena Langer, Beethoven and Schubert. The Red Hedgehog, 255 Archway Road, N6 5BS. £25/20 u18 £15/12 www.theredhedgehog.co.uk
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Sun 14th June
Boogaloo KidsCreate Workshop and Radio Takeover for Ages 2 - 12
12 – 2.30pm
Creative making-session and kids have a go on Boogaloo Radio. Come for the Gospel Brunch - kids eat free!
Boogaloo Pub, 312 Archway Road, N6 5AT. £12.
@kidscreateldn. www.theboogaloo.co.uk/
Historic Jewish Highgate Walk
2.30 – 4pm
Walk with local historian Peter Walton, who will share 350 years of local Jewish history. Meet at Cromwell House, 104 Highgate Hill, N6 5HE end in Pond Square.
£15 - Eventbrite. Cromwell House, 104 Highgate Hill, N6 5HE
The Poetic Piano’ Petros Moschos Piano Recital
3 – 4.30pm
An afternoon of Mozart, Brahms, Granados, Mompou, Chopin and poems by Scriabin.
The Red Hedgehog, 255 Archway Road, N6 5BS. £25/20 u18 £15/12 www.theredhedgehog.co.uk
Music in Pond Square – Vikas and Bob
5 – 6.30pm
Our festival favourites return, playing a mix of classic rock and pop. Grab a drink from a local pub and come along. Seating provided. Power kindly supplied by the Prince of Wales pub.
Free. Pond Square, N6 6BS (cancelled if raining)
An Actor’s Lament
7.30 – 8.45pm
Well-known actor, Harry Meacher, entertains with tales from his life and long career giving a rare insight into the highs and lows of an actor’s life.
£14.00 – please book: Upstairs at the Gatehouse
Mon 15th June
Highgate on Film
2 – 4pm and 4 - 6pm
Drop in for a screening of films about Highgate, including The White Flats, Our Northern Heights, Live at the Boogaloo and films from the Highgate Festival Film Unit. Refreshments kindly provided by Riverstone. Free. Riverstone Community Hub, 1 Hampstead Lane, N6 4RS
The Boogaloo presents: Spraytan
7 – 9pm
SPRAYTAN is a 6-piece alt rock band of secondary school students, inspired by Wolf Alice, Hole and Bikini Kill. Free. Boogaloo Pub. www.theboogaloo.co.uk/
LOVE at BOTH Launch – all welcome
6 – 8pm today and All Week
Inspired by George Michael LOVE invites participants to reflect on what it means to choose love in their own lives and communities. Please bring a quote or idea to write on the wall.
Free. BOTH Gallery, 323 Archway Road, N6 5AA
Tuesday 16th June
Coleridge - Ends and beginnings . . .
6 – 7.30pm
A journey through some of the decisive moments in the life of this major English poet/philosopher, led by actor/director Kenneth Michaels.
Free - contributions welcome. St Michael's Church, South Grove, Highgate N6 6BJ. www.thecoleridgetrust.com
Will Hutton: ‘Escaping the State We’re In’
8 – 9.15pm
Broken Britain? Join Will Hutton to hear his rationale for the changes needed to Britain’s politics and economy to build a more successful, fair and confident country.
£20 HLSI, South Grove, N6 6BS www.hlsi.org.uk
Klezmer with Rhapsodic Roots
8 – 9pm
Join Rhapsodic Roots for an evening of Klezmer music, characterised by its lively yet melancholic "happy-sad" sound.
£15/£12 Lauderdale House, Highgate Hill, N6 5HG
Wed 17th June
Highgate on Film
2 – 4pm
Drop in for the screening of films about Highgate, including The White Flats, Our Northern Heights, Live at the Boogaloo and films from the Highgate Festival Film Unit. Refreshments kindly provided by Riverstone.
Free. Riverstone Community Hub, 1 Hampstead Lane, N6 4RS
Special HLSI Library and building tour with Stuart Baines
2 – 3.30pm
Join Stuart for a lively tour of HLSI, the library and its special collections including works by and about Coleridge and Betjeman.
Free, please book; www.hlsi.org.uk/whats-on/hlsi-highgate-festival-2026/
An Inspector Calls Acting Workshop for over 16s
6.30 – 8pm
A directed scene workshop of a great 20th-century play, full of social commentary relevant to the period.
£15. The Red Hedgehog, 255 Archway Road, N6 5BS
Brave and Bold with Nell Frizzell
7 – 8.15pm
Nell Frizzell, a journalist, author, and former Heath lifeguard, discusses her new book, Brave and Bold, spanning a century of social change.
£5. Highgate Society, 10A South Grove, N6 6BS www.highgatesociety.com
Thurs 18th June
Power Station film – special Festival screening and exhibition
7 – 9pm
An award-winning documentary about two artists who set out to take their street off the grid. Also, a short video and exhibition about the recent eco-refurbishment of the library.
Free. Highgate Library Hall, Croftdown Road, NW5 1HB
www.fohl.org.uk/events www.power.film
LOVE Exhibition Opening – all welcome
7 – 8.30pm
Meet the artists exhibiting in LOVE, a homage to George Michael. Developed as an ongoing collaboration between BOTH Gallery, HAG (Highgate Arts Group), and the Highgate Festival, it celebrates the legacy of an artist whose voice was defined by compassion, generosity, and a willingness to speak out.
Free – see Lauderdale House website for opening times
Upper Gallery, Lauderdale House, Highgate Hill, N6 5HG
Swing into Summer with the Take Twenty Choir
7.30 – 9pm
Relax into a smooth and classy collection of pop, blues and jazz numbers.
£15 /£12 via www.taketwenty.co.uk/
United Reformed Church, Pond Square, N6 6BA
Piano with Love
7.30 – 9pm
Favourite classical works performed by piano enthusiasts living in London. If you would like to perform, please email programme@theredhedgehog.co.uk
£10/8. The Red Hedgehog, 255 Archway Road, N6 5BS
The Boogaloo presents: The Neckbreakers
8 – 10pm
The Palmer sisters craft catchy tracks with ’80s textures and subtle shades of Fleetwood Mac.
Free. The Boogaloo, 312 Archway Rd, London N6 5A
Fri 19th June
Vince Pope - Listening Party for 'Passages Home' with Q&A
7 – 9pm
Vince is an Ivor Novello, RTS, and BAFTA-winning composer who has made his name creating contemporary, cutting-edge scores. Sponsored by L’Acoustics.
Free; book via Eventbrite L’Acoustics, 67 Southwood Lane, N6 5EG
www.l-acoustics.com www.vincepope.london/
Anything Goes Community Cabaret – Open Call
7.30 – 9pm
An opportunity for locals to perform in an informal cabaret. Music, comedy, spoken word, acting. If you would like to take part please email anythinggoes@theredhedgehog.co.uk
The Red Hedgehog, 255 Archway Road, N6 5BS. Performers free then £10/8. www.theredhedgehog.co.uk
Tempomental
8 – 10pm
Join the ensemble of local medics who play a fusion of jazz and soul.
Free. The Boogaloo, 312 Archway Rd, London N6 5A
Sat 20th June
Brocante vintage market
10am - 4.pm
Find eclectic treasures, including antiques, bric-a-brac, modern vintage and clothing. Pond Square.
Highgate Newtown Community Centre Open House
11 – 4pm
Drop into the Highgate Newtown Community Partners (HNCP) award-winning new Community Centre. Events on the day include;
2pm Growing Green talk about the world of hedgehogs.
All day;
Advice from Camden Cyclists and Dr Bike who will do free safety checks and simple maintenance.
Our Patch, our local active travel group.
ClayTime will help you create your own clay hedgehog to take home
Artist in residence workshop inspired by hedgehogs and nature
Climbing wall, bouncy castle and soft play in the new gym hall
Delicious food and drink in our Community Cafe
Free. HNCP, 30 Bertram St, London N19 5DQ
www.hncp.org.uk https://www.growinggreen.org.uk/ https://camdencyclists.org.uk/ https://ourpatch.london/ https://www.claytime.london/
Highgate Art School proudly presents:
12 - 5pm
Salon Student Art Show [over two sites]
Highgate Art School ,162 Archway Road, N6 5BB,
St Augustine's Workshop, Langdon Park Road N6 5BH
Halfadozen Studio Open
St Augustine's Workshop, Langdon Park Road N6 5BH
Hornsey Lane Gardens Triangle Community Dig
2 – 4pm
A community effort to revitalise this local green space and get advice on how you make your garden nature-friendly; everyone welcome. Any questions, please email miltonsra@outlook.com
Free. Junction of Milton Road and Hornsey Lane Gardens, N6 5NY
The Lost Girls of Highgate Cemetery
3.30 – 4.30pm
Join Theatre in the Square at Hillcrest Estate for a talk plus performance extracts from their play ‘The Lost Girls of Highgate Cemetery’.
Free, please book www.theatreinthesquare.org/
Meet outside the Wrestlers pub, 98 North Road N6 4AA
Nervous System Yoga and Crystal Alignment with Jo Jo Yoga
4 – 5pm
A gentle, deeply restorative practice designed to calm your nervous system, release tension and reconnect you to your body. Bring your mat.
Free – sponsored by Solta-ra and Allergory, 68 Highgate High St, London N6 5HX.
Event venue: Tea lawn Lauderdale House, Highgate Hill, N6 5HG
www.lauderdalehouse.org.uk www.this-is-allegory.co.uk/ www.solta-ra.com
George Michael Sing-a-long in Pond Square
6 – 8pm
Ten years after his tragic death join us to sing and dance to some of George’s classics with help from local choirs. Power kindly supplied by the Prince of Wales. Free. Pond Square, N6 6BS (cancelled if raining)
An Evening of Cuban Jazz
8pm
An evening of exhilarating Cuban jazz from two internationally acclaimed virtuosos - Oman Puente on violin and Robert Mitchell on piano.
£25/20 u18 £15/12. The Red Hedgehog, 255 Archway Road, N6 5BS
Sun 21st June
Boogaloo KidsCreate Workshop and Radio Takeover Ages 2 - 12
12 – 2.30pm
Creative making-session and kids have a go on Boogaloo Radio. Come for the Gospel Brunch - kids eat free!
£12 Belle Star Lounge, Boogaloo Pub, N6 5AT. @kidscreateldn
‘Poetry in Motion’ Walk
2 - 3.30 pm
A relaxed, sociable circular walk with poetic pit stops around Highgate.
£7.50 (includes tea and cake; accompanied children under 16 free)
Meet at 10A South Grove, N6 6BS Book www.highgatesociety.com/events/
Waterlow Park Geotrail
3 - 3.45pm
A walk to learn how the geology of Waterlow Park relates to its layout and local development. Meet at the Highgate High Street Entrance to Waterlow Park, Highgate Hill, N6 5HG Free - please book via Eventbrite
Sundial Sundays – Camden Music Jazz Group
3 – 4.30pm
Bring a picnic or stop at the café and join us on the Tea Lawn of Lauderdale House for performances from some of Camden’s finest young musicians.
Free. Lauderdale House, Highgate Hill, N6 5HG. www.lauderdalehouse.org.uk
Music in Pond Square - Archway Mountain Lightnin’ Boys
5 – 6.30pm
Yes – they are back! Join us for a community shindig. Grab a drink from a nearby pub. Seating provided. Power supplied by the Prince of Wales pub.
Free. Pond Square, N6 6BS (cancelled if raining)
The Plague Pit - The Antiquities of Highgate
7 – 9pm
We will honour the victims of the Highgate Plague Pit by visiting the site of the pit, listen to readings and hear selected folk songs. Afterwards we will proceed to the Boogaloo for refreshment (free drink included).
Free. Meet corner of Wood Lane and Muswell Hill Road (or Boogaloo Belle Star room if raining). www/theboogaloo.co.uk/whats-on/
ALL FESTIVAL WEEK 13 - 21 June
Art Exhibitions
LOVE Exhibition at Lauderdale House 03 - 29 June
An exhibition by a group of local women artists connected to HAG (Highgate Art Group) invited to respond to this theme. Inspired by George Michael’s iconic ‘Choose Love’ T-shirt, their works explore ideas of care and activism.
Free - see Lauderdale House website for gallery opening times.
Upper Gallery, Lauderdale House, Highgate Hill, N6 5HG
LOVE at BOTH – participatory installation at BOTH Gallery
Thurs 18 – Sun 21; 12 – 4pm
Inspired by George Michael’s enduring message of compassion, courage, and humanity, LOVE invites participants to reflect on what it means to choose love in their own lives and communities. Please bring a quote or idea to write on the wall.
Free. BOTH Gallery, 323 Archway Road, N6 5AA. www.bothgallery.com/events
Art at The Winchester – Lara Sparey and G - on all June
12 – 6pm daily
Two local artists exhibit their work, one uses colour to evoke emotion, energy, and a sense of connection, the other explores the relationship between humans and the natural world.
Free. The Winchester, 206 Archway Rd, London N6 5BA
www.thewinchesterhighgate.co.uk/
Cabinet of Curiosities Exhibition
Celebrating the incredible talents of 69 Year 10 students from Parliament Hill and William Ellis Schools whose 276 bronze, clay and ceramic sculptures are exhibited in the Lauderdale House courtyard gallery and outside the house and are inspired by the natural world and the eccentric collections of former Lauderdale resident, James Yates. Thanks to John Lyon's Charity for funding this project.
Free – Lauderdale House website for gallery opening times. Lauderdale House, Highgate Hill, N6 5HG www.lauderdalehouse.org.uk
Highgate Festival Promotions
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'How to make a Mess - A totally Unauthorised Love Letter to Nigella Lawson'
7.30 – 9.30pm
A delicious celebration of feeding yourself in every sense, through the exploration of recipes and the stories they hold. With a score that blends classic Broadway warmth with quirky, contemporary storytelling, this freshly-baked new musical serves up a bittersweet helping of grief, joy, and the question of what we leave behind.
Enjoy a '20% Festival Discount' during the festival - just enter the code 'Highgate Festival' when buying tickets online.
Upstairs at the Gatehouse, 1 North Road N6 4BD
www.upstairsatthegatehouse.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows
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Angel and Red Lion and Sun
Just follow @highgatefestival instagram to be in to win a £100 voucher redeemeable at the Angel or the red Lion and Sun.
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Boogaloo Highgate Festival Pizza
Pop into the Boogaloo for 20% off Holy Joe’s amazing pizzas. Show something from the Highgate Festival eg. programme, flyer, ticket, this HitList email for your discount.
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