Hampstead's summer celebrations get underway on June 18 with two weekends of events culminating in the joyful Big Fair, which takes over Heath Street.

It's all organised and run by volunteers to benefit two "important and cherished community organisations that depend on the festival's support to continue their work" - Keats Community Library and Hampstead School of Art.

From open air Shakespeare to an art fair and family fun day, there's something for everyone. We round up the top five events of the Hampstead Summer Festival.

Ham & High: A previous participant in the Picture The Heath competitionA previous participant in the Picture The Heath competition (Image: Archant)

Art Fair Day, Sunday June 8 12pm to 5pm.

Organised by Hampstead School of Art it's an open exhibition of paintings and sculptures in a marquee at Keats House. The winners of the annual children's art competition and Picture The Heath prize to paint the iconic green space will also be on display and the free event includes a wine bar, kids' art activities and food. 

Ham & High: Children working on their community canvas as part of the art street in Keats Grove in a previous year.Children working on their community canvas as part of the art street in Keats Grove in a previous year. (Image: Isabel Langtry)

Art Street, Friday June 23.

Stroll along Keats Grove for a display of canvases made by local artists and schools. Hung along the wall of Keats House, they will stay on display until the end of the festival.

Macbeth June 23 at 7pm June 24 at 2pm and 6pm.

Open air Shakespeare specialists Drama Impact return to the festival and the garden of Keats House to enact Shakespeare's tragedy of murder, ambition and revenge with a cast of nine in Jacobean dress. Picnic food and wine will be sold. Tickets from eventbrite.

Ham & High: The family garden party is organised by Keats Community Library and a regular feature of Hampstead Summer FestivalThe family garden party is organised by Keats Community Library and a regular feature of Hampstead Summer Festival (Image: Courtesy of Hampstead Summer Festival)Family Garden Party, Sunday June 25, 2pm to 5pm.

Once again the garden at Keats House will be given over to a free afternoon of family fun. Entertainment includes a birds of prey display, magician, face-painting and rhyme time alongside mystical fairies, a ballet display and giant chess. Parents can enjoy tea, cake and wine while the kids have fun.

Big Fair Sunday July 2, 12pm to 5pm.

Back for the first time in three years, Heath Street will be turned over to 120 fabulous craft and food stalls, a fun fair, kids' circus school, SportZone, and music to get you dancing in the street. Free entry.