Special Edition: The Islington Edit Summer Guide 2025
Your seasonal edit of local festivals, food and fun across Islington
With the first UK heatwave of the year well underway, it is time to plan some exciting summer activities! Whether you’re staying in London or heading off on holiday, having some local activities lined up is a great way to enjoy the summer. And honestly, the best part of writing this newsletter is discovering events I didn’t even know about - so this post is as much for me as it is for all of you!
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🎶 Music & Culture
Islington Festival of Music and Art
📅 When: 11-20 July
📍Where: multiple venues
￡Price: starting from £20 per event (£170 for full festival access)
🔗 Website
The Islington Festival of Music and Art is a lovely celebration of music, art and community all over the borough. What started as local garden concerts after the lockdown in the summer of 2020 is now a 10-day event where you can enjoy 43 performers and 15 concerts across 10 different venues. From a walking concert around Angel, to an evening of musicals, swing classes, and even yoga guided by a harpist - this promises to be a varied and joyful festival to check out!
De Beauvoir Jazz Festival
📅 When: 11-12 July
📍Where: On the street and in venues across The Beauvoir Town
￡Price: Day pass from £71. Individual gig tickets also available and some free performances on the 12th of July.
🔗 Website
One of the events I am really looking forward to is the first edition of De Beauvoir Jazz Festival. I find De Beauvoir one of the most charming corners of Islington with its lovely Jacobethan houses, nice pubs and some great independent shops. And they will serve as an excellent back drop to the many jazz performers that will play their hearts out on July 11 and 12. Performances will take place in churches, pubs, and even out on the street.
Camden Fringe
📅 When: 28 July - 24 August
📍Where: several venues across Islington and Camden
￡Price: Varies per show, starts from £5
🔗 Website
Not going to Edinburgh Fringe this year? Luckily, North London has its own version and it does not disappoint. While the name tells us this is not an exclusive Islington event per se, there are a number of Islington venues participating. Tickets are very reasonably priced and it’s a brilliant excuse to check out some of the lovely local Islington venues!
A few events (and venues) I’m excited about:
Not suitable for TV at The Hope Theatre
You’re not in the West End at The Hen & Chickens Theatre
The two gentlemen in Verona at The Little Angel Theatre
🍴 Food & Drink
National Geographic Traveller Food Festival
📅 When: 19-20 July
📍Where: Business Design Centre
￡Price: £18.75 general admission (per day) + add-on fees for events like tastings and workshops
🔗 Website
Food lovers, take note: the National Geographic Traveller Food Festival is back at the Business Design Centre. Expect live workshops, masterclasses, and Q&As with chefs like Ottolenghi and José Pizarro. Whether you’ve always wanted to master Indonesian street food or brush up on food photography, this one’s for you.
Angel Food Fortnight
📅 When: 14-26 July
📍Where: Many restaurants across Islington
￡Price: various discounts at venues
🔗 Website
Angel Islington BID is launching for the first time the Angel Food Fortnight - a two week event to celebrate all the amazing restaurants in the area. Restaurants like Bellanger, Noci and Sticks ‘n Sushi offer exclusive discounts on dishes, drinks or both - so the perfect opportunity to try a new restaurant or double down on your local favourite!
🏡 Neighbourhood events
The Cally Festival
📅 When: 6 July
📍Where: Caledonian Road
￡Price: Free entry
🔗 Website
The Cally Festival has been going for many years and it’s a great way to connect with neighbours through music, food, workshops and art. The whole neighbourhood gets involved - with local residents and businesses being encouraged to host workshops, sponsor or volunteer during the day. It truly is a celebration of one of Islington’s most diverse areas so make sure to pop by if you are around on July 6.
Angel Canal Festival
📅 When: 7 September
📍Where: Regent’s Canal
￡Price: Free entry
🔗 Website
Celebrating all things seafaring, the annual Angel Canal Festival offers something for everyone. Expect live music, art workshops, canoeing tasters, a craft market and even Morris dancers - it promises to be a fun day out for the whole family! All the festivities take place around Regent’s Canal at Graham Street Park gardens and City Road Basin.
Whitecross Street Party (WXSP)
📅 When: 12-13 July
📍Where: You guessed it, Whitecross Street
￡Price: Free entry
🔗 Website
The Whitecross Street Party started in 2010, inspired by the area’s radical heritage, and it has been bringing people together through art and performance ever since. Expect music, dance, spoken word and even live murals being created by dozens of street artists.
I hope you have a great summer - and do let me know if you try out any of the events mentioned in this newsletter!
Next week, I’ll be back with a regular edition of the Islington Edit.