Get stuck into theatre, live music, art and more this summer: 28 May–26 June

Museum of the Order of St John free family activity: Let’s Get Bubbly

Wednesday 28 May, 11am–2.30pm
Museum of the Order of St John, St John’s Gate 26 St John’s Lane, EC1M 4DA

Make your own bubbles and bubble wand as we discover some bubbly bugs in the Cloister Garden. Includes a chance to meet the St John Ambulance cadets!

Recommended for three to 10-year-olds, but siblings and babies are very welcome.

Find out more and book your free tickets

Timing is Divine by Vida Vojić

Friday 30 May, 8–9.30pm
Newington Green Meeting House, 39A Newington Green, N16 9PR

A performance of loudness, rhythm and drive! Inspired by rock stars, this 30-minute drum and vocal solo recites the poem The Thunder, Perfect Mind as well as cheesy love songs and Swedish folk music.

The Newington Green Meeting House is the home of New Unity, a radically inclusive community of love and justice. This event is part of New Unity’s arts programme, Arts on the Green.

Find out more and book your tickets

Drop-in puppet making session at Caledonian Park

Saturday 31 May, 12noon–3pm
Caledonian Park Heritage Centre

Come to the wonderful Caledonian Park Heritage Centre this May half term to help make giant puppets as a family. We will work together to create some dramatic faces out of paper mâché.

This free event has been supported by the Local Initiatives Fund.

Email helen@cutmoose.com for more information.

Key Changes positive mental health through music: music industry mentoring

Tuesdays, 11am–4pm
Islington Mind, 48 Despard Road, N19 5NW

Free music production and recording studio sessions promoting positive mental health. Pair up with a professional producer trained to support mental wellbeing:

• Write and record in one-to-one studio sessions
• Learn about the industry
• Create a digital release
• Open mic events
• Wellbeing network
• Volunteering opportunities

Free for Islington residents. Find out more and contact Key Changes to secure your place: referral@keychanges.org.uk

Be the Change Project

Every Thursday evening until May 2026, 6.30–8.30pm
The Lower Hall, Union Chapel, 19b Compton Terrace, N1 2UN

Join Islington People’s Theatre for Be the Change, a creative arts project designed for adults experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless, people in recovery from drug and alcohol abuse, and those seeking mental health services. Participants gain new friends, build confidence, wellbeing, and free theatre trips!

Free for Islington residents. Find out more and if you are interested in signing up for the project, email info@islingtonpeoplestheatre.co.uk

Mini Marvels at Estorick Collection

Wednesday 28 May, 10–11am; Wednesday 25 June, 10–11am; Wednesday 30 July, 10-11am; Thursday 31 August, 10–11am
Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art, 39a Canonbury Square, N1 2AN

Explore the Estorick Collection’s interactive and sensory play space designed for families with young children. The families’ area, found in the temporary exhibition galleries, includes all kinds of sensory and creative resources that will captivate and delight children under five.

Free for children accompanied by a paying adult. Advance booking is advised.

Find out more and book this activity

King of Pangea – an original musical

Saturday 7 June–Sunday 6 July
King’s Head Theatre, 116P Upper Street, N1 1QP

Welcome to the island of Pangea, where the sun never sets, the house band keeps the beat, and the loved ones you’ve lost could be right around the corner. Based on the author’s experience, this wholly original and soul-stirring folk musical is a celebration of the extraordinary power of hope.

Pay what you can scheme and £10 tickets for N1 workers and residents available.

Visit the King’s Head Theatre website for more information and to book

Family art day at Estorick Collection

Sunday 8 June, 10am–12noon; Sunday 27 July, 10am–12noon; Sunday 27 August, 10am–12noon
Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art, 39a Canonbury Square, N1 2AN

Join for a special out-of-hours gallery activity designed for children and families of all ages, including little creators aged five and under. Get creative with a ‘colour the senses’ family art activity: let your imagination flow with poetry and drawings inspired by sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell. How do your senses inspire you?

Free for children accompanied by a paying adult. Advance booking is advised.

Find out more and book family art day

Weekly puppet-making and performing classes

Saturday 14 June and Thursday 12 July, 12noon–1.30pm (ages eight to 11); 1.30–3pm (ages 12-plus)
Heritage Centre, Caledonian Park, Market Road, N7 9PL

Come along, make your own puppet and perform at a puppet show! Free for children aged eight-plus. Email helen@cutmoose.com for more information.

Life drawing

Monday 16 June, 6.30–8.30pm; Monday 14 July, 6.30–8.30pm; Monday 18 August, 6.30–8.30pm
Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art 39a, Canonbury Square, N1 2AN

Join Estorick Collection for an untutored life drawing session with a professional life model. Whether a beginner or experienced artist, join a friendly community of art lovers and nurture your creativity in our life drawing sessions. The museum can provide drawing boards and a selection of basic drawing materials.

Tickets from £5. Find out more and book life drawing session

Rainbow Streets: Then and Next exhibition

Tuesday 17 June, 1–2pm; Tuesday 24 June, 1–2pm
Union Chapel, 19b Compton Terrace, N1 2UN

Union Chapel’s Sunday School Stories Project has partnered with neighbours the Estorick Collection to bring you an exhibition of artwork, co-produced with local students, inspired by incredible LGBTQIA+ people, organisations, and movements throughout the ages. The artworks will be displayed from the ceiling of Union Chapel’s iconic Grade II listed Upper Hall (bar) to a soundtrack of songs, submitted by the public, of favourite and most inspirational LGBTQIA+ musical artists.

Free. Book exhibition tickets, submit your favourite tracks and be part of this community celebration.

London Symphony Orchestra on Film: The French Connection

Sunday 22 June, 7pm
Barbican Hall, The Barbican Centre, Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS

Since 1935, the London Symphony Orchestra has contributed soundtracks to more than two hundred films – including some of the greatest ever made. This summer, witness breathtaking music from the silver screen, live in concert and get an insight of the music from members of the orchestra. Discover soundtracks from a diverse mix of films, including Harry Potter, Asterix and Obelix, Black Beauty (2020) and Tess.

Recommended for ages seven and above. Ticket prices range from £18–£70. Ages 18 and under get £6 tickets.

Find out more and book London Symphony Orchestra on Film

London Symphony Orchestra discovery showcase

Thursday 26 June, 7.30pm
Barbican Hall, The Barbican Centre, Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS

LSO Discovery is London Symphony Orchestra’s learning and community programme. This showcase brings together the London Symphony Orchestra with people from across LSO Discovery’s work to explore the transformative power of music and the vital role of ‘the artist’ through music, singing and stories.

From £10 to £25. Visit the LSO website to find out more

Check out what cultural events are happening in July and August