Big Fair returns as 'grand finale' of 2023 Hampstead Summer Festival

Organisers promise the July 2 event will be "bigger than better than ever," after three years away during the pandemic. It will be the grand finale of the three week Hampstead Summer Festival, with art shows, open air Shakespeare, and a family fun day.

Els Bauer, one of the festival's founders 12 years ago, said: "We managed to run smaller events over the last three years, but so many people have asked about the Big Fair, and we are delighted to bring it back this year."

Children working on their canvas at last year's Art Street day (Image: Isabel Langtry)

Vicky Bobasch of Keats Community Library, one of two local charities that benefit from festival profits, said: "Its a very tough time for the School of Art and Keats Community Library, and the Big Fair is a wonderful way for people to come and enjoy themselves whilst helping us!"

Last year saw the first Art Street in Keats Grove. Organised by Hampstead School of Art, school groups and families decorated a dozen large scale canvases hung on the fence of Keats House - on the theme of the poet who once lived there.

Festival organisers promise even more canvases this year, with children adding to the community canvas, which will be on display for a fortnight.The family garden party at Keats House has become a regular event (Image: Courtesy of Hampstead Summer Festival)

The festival opens on June 18 with Hampstead School of Art’s Art Fair, in the garden of Keats House. It will include a children's activity table, affordable art to buy, a children’s art competition, and finalists of the Picture the Heath competition.

This year, Drama Impact bring their family-friendly open-air performance of Macbeth on June 23 an 24 also in the garden of Keats House. Audiences can bring a picnic, and wine and snacks will be available to buy.

On June 25 is the ever popular Keats Community Library Family Garden Party with rhyme-time, a magician, face-painting, Birds of Prey display, art activities and a ballet performance. Tea, cake and a wine bar will keep parents happy while the kids are entertained.

Finally the Big Fair promises more than 100 craft and food stalls, a funfair and music stage with performances to get everyone up on their feet. Children's activities include a circus school, sports zone, and Sparks Film School offering a chance to film the event.

Tedi Lena, one of the past entrants for the annual Picture the Heath competition (Image: Archant)

"It’s a wonderful day out for all the family," added Bauer.

Hampstead Summer Festival runs June 18 to July. http://www.hampsteadsummerfestival.com/