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The sun has (intermittently) got its hat on, which means it's time for alfresco cinema, outdoor gigs, sipping on Pimm's and getting some much-needed vitamin D. You can cover all bases at Alexandra Palace's Summer Festival, which is returning to London for the second year running on July 23. And the best part? It's totally free entry, which means you can spend your hard-earned cash at the bar instead. Some activities do require paid tickets including the giant waterslide and London's latest family clubbing craze Big Fish Little Fish, which are now both now sold out. However, there’s still an epic outdoor cinema screening of ET and a secret woodland silent disco to grab tickets for, get yours quick as they’re selling out swiftly!
Here are five things you won't want to miss.
Outdoor cinema
No one wants to be stuck inside a stuffy old multiplex in summer, so sack it off and catch a movie beneath the stars instead. With a panoramic view of London as a backdrop, they’ll be showing Spielberg’s childhood classic ‘ET: The Extra Terrestrial’, so bring a sneaky packet of tissues as it’ll probably (by which we mean definitely) still make you cry.
Silent disco
Get ready to throw some shapes in a secret silent disco, tucked away beneath the trees. Whatever your taste in music, they've got something for everyone with seven different sessions throughout the day including a kids' lunch club, disco inferno and club classics. Bring your best moves and get ready to boogie.
Live music
If you need a break from silent disco-ing, go and listen to some live music at one of the three stages across the festival. Expect to hear everything from funk to swing throughout the day – and make sure you don't miss DJ Yoda who will be headlining the Stage on the Slope.
A giant waterslide
There's nothing that brings Londoners more joy than the prospect of a giant slide. Except maybe a giant waterslide. The organisers of Ally Pally's Summer Festival are making all our summery dreams come true with the return of the 100-metre waterslide. Although tickets have already been snapped up, you can still watch people hurtle down the hill on the huge waterslide.
Street food and craft beer
Between whizzing down the giant water slide and dancing around in the silent disco, you're definitely going to need some sustenance. Luckily, they've got that covered with an ace line-up of street-food vendors including Smokestak, Iberico Jack, Bodean's and Grill My Cheese. Keep yourself watered with cocktails, Pimm's and craft beer from the likes of Beavertown, Sierra Nevada and Tiny Rebel. Cheers to that.
Images: © Amy Read