From youth theatre to jazz festivals and street parties – see what’s on: 3 July–29 August

Disco Inferno at National Youth Theatre

Thursday 3 July–Saturday 5 July
National Youth Theatre, 443–445, Holloway Road, N7 6LW

Join National Youth Theatre for a play about the life of music superstar Gemini Knight, those left behind trying to grapple with what it means to mourn an artist, a person – and the money they made. Disco Inferno explores grief through fandom, family and friendship, with movement, song and humour.

This show will include discussions of grief, death and mental health.

All tickets are pay what you can. Find out more and book Disco Inferno

Classical Pride: Voices of Joy and Sorrow

Friday 4 July, 7.30pm
Barbican Hall, The Barbican Centre, Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS

The big finale to 2025’s Classical Pride: The London Symphony Orchestra and conductor Oliver Zeffman’s vibrant programme celebrating LGBTQ+ voices in classical music.

Suitable for ages 16-plus. Tickets start at £15. Find out more and book Classical Pride

Cally Festival

Sunday 6 July, 12noon–6pm
Caledonian Road, N1 1EF

Head to Caledonian Road as it comes alive for one of Islington’s most exciting days of the year! Now in its fourteenth edition, The Cally Festival is a free, family-friendly street festival that celebrates the unique creativity, culture, and community spirit of the Cally area. Featuring:

• Two live music stages of local talent and global sounds
• Fun fair rides and classic games
• Boxing ring and sports zone with plenty of action
• Calm zone for wellbeing activities and mindful moments
• Artsy Block Party with arts, crafts and hands-on workshops
• Discovery zone full of science fun and exploration
• Story Street featuring poetry, spoken word and local voices
• Kids’ zone packed with creative activities for little ones
• Bus Stop Dance Floor – a crowd favourite with non-stop dancing
• Youth stage – curated by the amazing Copenhagen Youth Project
• Market – more than 60 stalls of goodies, crafts, info and activities

Free. Find out more on the Cally Festival website.

Islington Festival of Music and Art

Friday 11 July–Sunday 20 July
Across nine venues around Islington

The Islington Festival is a ten-day explosion of wonderful live music in venues across Islington. Born out of the local garden concerts organised after lockdown in the summer of 2020, it aims to recreate the community spirit that inspired us during that time, bringing people together to experience high-quality live music and art.

Free for children; other tickets start at £10.

Find out more on the Islington Festival website

De Beauvoir Jazz Festival

Friday 11 July, 7–11pm; Saturday 12 July, 9.30am–11pm
De Beauvoir Town

A family-friendly jazz festival featuring the biggest names in jazz from across the UK, internationally as well as stars from the area! Come together for two days of music making at the inaugural De Beauvoir Jazz Festival on the 11 and 12 of July – tell everyone you know!

Free and ticketed events available on 12 July. For more information, visit the De Beauvoir Jazz Festival website

Whitecross Street Party

Saturday 12 July – Sunday 13 July, 12noon–6pm
Whitecross Street, EC1A

The Whitecross Street Party returns this year for its 15th anniversary! Get ready to party like it’s your birthday as we celebrate the radical community of the local area with street art, performance, food and drink, hands-on art activities, a local market and much more.

Free. Find out more on the Whitecross Street Party website

From Ashes to Blossoms: 80 Years After Hiroshima

Tuesday 15 July–Sunday 31 August
Japanese Gallery Angel, 23 Camden Passage, N1 8EA

From Ashes to Blossoms: 80 Years after Hiroshima is a moving exhibition marking the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. Eight decades on, Hiroshima continues to speak powerfully to the world as a symbol of peace, resilience, and remembrance.

Curated by a third-generation survivor, the exhibition presents original press photographs, military documents, personal testimonies, and artworks by survivors, shining a light on the ongoing human cost of war. Visitors are invited to fold a paper crane as part of a collective installation for peace, bearing witness to a story of loss, survival, and the shared hope for a world without war.

Free entry. For more information, visit the Ezen Foundation website

Mimi’s Tiny Adventure: family exhibition at The Institute of Physics

Wednesday 23 July–Friday 29 August, weekdays, 10am–4pm
Institute of Physics, 37 Caledonian Road, N1 9BU

What’s the smallest thing you can think of? An insect? Bacteria? An atom? Discover a mini-verse of tiny adventures with Mimi at the Institute of Physics’ free summer exhibition. Power your imagination with hands-on physics experiments, demonstrations and puzzles. Get creative with craft activities and meet the Institute’s wonderful physicists to find out how some of the smallest things in the universe can make a big difference in our lives.

Other events in this series include:

• Family day: Tuesday 29 July 10–11am; quiet hour, 11am–1pm, 2–4pm
• Careers showcase family day:  Saturday 16 August, 10–11am; quiet hour, 11am–1pm and 2–4pm. Ideal for families with children ages seven to 11. Drop in any time during opening hours, no need to book.

Find out more about what’s on at The Institute of Physics and see additional information if you have any access requirements