Hampstead locals will be celebrating the joys of their quaint village in this annual fest. The main event is the Big Fair which kicks off the week-long celebration on Sunday June 30 (11am-5pm). The fair takes the form of a carnival-style street party complete with art, food and craft stalls, live music, family activities and community group performances. You might see a few famous Hampstead faces among the crowds (Emma Thompson and Ricky Gervais were spotted last year), but more importantly you will be able to donate to two local charities: Keats Community Library and Age UK Camden.
The rest of the week will focus on community competitions and small-scale events, among them 'Picture the Heath', a two-day fine art event in which artists of all ages and levels of skill are invited to paint or draw on the Heath on Saturday June 29, with the results being exhibited on June 30 (£12 registration fee); chess tournaments at Henderson Court Resource Centre (June 29-30); and the 'Idle Garden Party' (Fenton House 11 am-6 pm Sat July 6), featuring medieval and Renaissance music in Fenton’s orchard. For a full programme, see www.hampsteadsummerfestival.com.