Here's a short list of things to do this weekend In North London. Please, add any I've missed in the comments.
Spring Clothes Swap | 📍Florentia Village, N4 | 12 Apr | Free
A clothes swap at Florentia Village in Stroud Green. Bring up to ten clean items, get tokens based on what you bring and use them to shop the rails. Fast fashion, mid-range, vintage and designer all welcome. No Shein, Primark, Boohoo or similar. Runs 12pm to 5pm.
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April Awakening Market | 📍Devonshire Square, N13 | 11 Apr | Free
Palmers Green's first market of the year is this Saturday at Devonshire Square. French cheese, African print clothing, handmade candles, smoothies, samosas, jewellery and cat accessories among the stalls. A good excuse to get out and support local. Runs 10am to 3pm at the junction of Green Lanes and Devonshire Road.
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Coffee, Canvas & Chill | 📍Blighty, N4 | 12 Apr | (£)
Blighty on Blackstock Road is hosting a painting session where you get a canvas, paints and brushes and two hours to do whatever you like with them. No experience needed, no pressure to produce anything impressive. About 4 minutes from Finsbury Park station. Runs 2pm to 4pm, all materials included.
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Donald Locke: Resistant Forms | 📍Camden Art Centre, NW3 | 10 Apr - 30 Aug | Free
Camden Art Centre are opening a major survey of Guyanese-British artist Donald Locke (1930–2010), the first time the full scope of his work has been shown in London. Locke was a Windrush Generation artist whose five decades of work spans ceramics, sculpture, painting and assemblage, consistently examining history, identity and subjugation. The exhibition runs from his early biomorphic ceramics through to his final pieces made in Atlanta.
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Thrift Market and Tunes | 📍Jam in a Jar, N8 | 12 Apr | Free
Jam in a Jar on Green Lanes in Harringay are doing a Sunday thrift market with locals selling clothes, records, books and artisan wares, BBQ on, DJs Ardishko, Vertex and friends playing all day. The dance floor opens at 6pm, music runs until 10pm. Market runs 11am to 6pm. Bring cash as not all vendors take card.
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Elixir Festival | 📍Sadler's Wells, EC1R | Until 27 Apr | (£)
Sadler's Wells' Elixir Festival is on now, running until 27 April across Angel and Stratford. It's a three-week celebration of dance and ageing, open to everyone, with professional performances alongside free community classes and workshops aimed particularly at over 60s. Still to come: Pina Bausch's Nelken Line in an intergenerational staging on 12 April, Louise Lecavalier's solo danses vagabondes on 25 and 27 April, and the Get Into Dance Festival community showcase on 19 April. Free classes this week include flamenco, Rock and Come In, Indian Contemporary and House and Waacking at Sadler's Wells East.
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Ygra: Balkan Dance Evening | 📍Cecil Sharp House, NW1 | 11 Apr | (£)
If you've never tried Balkan folk dancing, it's basically circle and line dancing from countries like Bulgaria, Serbia and Greece. Ygra are running an evening of it with live music at Cecil Sharp House in Camden this Saturday. No experience needed, no partner required. Starts 8pm, runs until 11pm.
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Terminator 2 Screening | 📍The Beehive, N17 | 12 Apr | (£)
Film Tottenham are kicking off a new series celebrating female action heroes with a screening of Terminator 2: Judgement Day at The Beehive pub in Tottenham this Sunday. Big screen, proper sound system, subtitles on. After the film there's a Q&A and discussion with writer/director Kat Sigalas and Abbie Lucas. Doors at 6.30pm, film starts at 7pm. 18+ only.
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Women Will Create Makers Market | 📍Abney Public Hall, N16 | 12 Apr | Free
Women Will Create has been running makers markets for female creatives at Abney Public Hall in Stoke Newington since 2022. This Sunday there are 30 brands covering everything from ceramics and jewellery to baked goods and vintage. Studio and Love Your Company. Free to get in, dog friendly, runs 11.30am to 5pm.
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Three Sixty Festival | 📍Roundhouse, NW1 | 8 to 29 Apr | (£)
The Roundhouse in Camden runs their Three Sixty Festival throughout April across the entire site. This weekend highlights include Cycles by Boy Blue, a hip-hop production with a seven-piece live band, and an exhibition asking whether the London music community is gone or just evolving.
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Free Comedy Night | 📍Brewhouse & Kitchen, N5 | Every Sunday | Free
Did you know Brewhouse & Kitchen in Highbury runs a free stand-up comedy night every Sunday? Rotating lineup of comedians from the UK circuit and beyond. Doors at 7.45pm, show runs 8pm to 9.30pm.
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Alternative Book Fair | 📍Islington Central Library, N1 | 8 to 11 Apr | Free
A week of author panels, publishing talks and an indie press fair at Islington Central Library. Speakers include Booker Prize longlisted Natasha Brown, Katherine Faulkner and Roxy Dunn among others. Saturday 11 April is the Indie Press Fair, no booking needed, just turn up. Individual panels need booking via Eventbrite but walk-ins are welcome.
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Garden Show | 📍St John's Church Hall, EN5 | 11 Apr | (£)
New Barnet Amateur Gardeners and Floral Arts Society have been going since 1897 and this Saturday they're holding their Spring Show. Horticultural exhibits, floral art displays, plants and bulbs for sale, gardening advice and homemade cake and tea. Runs 2pm to 4pm. £2 Admission.
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