Hampstead Summer Festival 2023 raises thousands for charity

An art exhibition, family garden party, open air Shakespeare, and grand finale which took over Heath Street with more than 100 stalls and entertainment were all part of the 2023 Hampstead Summer Festival.

Back for the first time in three years the Big Fair took over Heath Street with stalls and entertainment (Image: Hampstead Summer Festival)

The volunteer-run celebration, held over two weekends, raised £21,000 for Keats Community Library and the Hampstead School of Art which a spokeswoman said reflected "the effort put in to support local craft people and artists as well as enjoyable events for the community."

Jama Elmi opened the Festival in a riot of colour. Voted "the best dressed man in the country" he picked a lime green suit and orange accessories to cut the ribbon at the Art Fair in the garden of Keats House Museum. He stayed on to present an art prize for one of the beautiful pictures on display.

Jama Elmi cut the ribbon on the first festival event, an art fair at Keats House Museum (Image: Hampstead Summer Festival)

A spokeswoman aded: "Hampstead Summer Festival was back in full swing with the return of the Big Fair in Heath Street."

Following the Art Fair, three sold-out performances of Macbeth and the delightful Family Garden Party, the Big Fair returned on July 2 after a three year absence, with colourful craft and food stalls, a funfair, circus school for kids and a rocking performance on the music stage from Mad Dog Bites."

Keats Grove became an 'art street' during the festival with giant canvas murals painted by local schools and community groups. (Image: Hampstead Summer Festival)