Hampstead has a richer calendar of events than its size might suggest — the combination of Kenwood House, the Heath, the arts institutions, and the village's own community organisations produces a year-round programme worth planning around.
Kenwood Concerts — June to August
The outdoor classical and popular music concerts at Kenwood House are one of London's best summer traditions. The performances take place on the south-facing lawn below the house, with the audience on the grass; the house itself and the tree line form the backdrop. A fireworks finale closes many concerts. Tickets sell out months in advance for popular acts — book in December or January. Gates open several hours before the performance; most people bring a picnic. Worth it for the atmosphere alone.
Hampstead Festival — Various dates, May–June
The Hampstead Festival is a community arts festival running across several weekends in late spring, with exhibitions, open studios, walking tours, and performances in venues across the village. The open studios programme (usually in May) is particularly valuable — it gives access to working artists' spaces that are normally private and is the best way to see the full range of creative activity in the neighbourhood.
Open House Weekend — September
London's annual Open House Weekend opens architecturally significant buildings to the public for free. Hampstead typically has 15–20 buildings participating, including private Georgian houses, Modernist buildings from the 1930s (Erno Goldfinger's work particularly), and institutional buildings that are normally closed. The Hampstead listings are usually among the most interesting in London. Check the Open House London website for the annual programme from July onwards.
The Heath Fair — August Bank Holiday
The traditional funfair on the Heath at August Bank Holiday has been held continuously (with wartime interruptions) since the 1860s. It is not particularly sophisticated, but it is authentic — the rides, the stalls, the noise, and the crowds are genuinely part of the Heath's character. The Bank Holiday Monday is the main day; the fair runs for several days on both sides.
The Christmas Market
A small but well-curated Christmas market appears on the High Street and Perrin's Court area in the first three weekends of December. Local craftspeople, food producers, and artists. More interesting than most London Christmas markets and considerably less crowded.
## The festival calendar **Hampstead Heath Ponds New Year's Day Swim (1 January)** — the winter swimming clubs hold their annual New Year's Day gathering at the Mixed Pond, early morning. Non-members welcome for a dip, though the ponds are at their coldest (around 4°C). Afterwards, coffee at the Parliament Hill Lido. **Hampstead Arts Festival (early June)** — a ten-day festival of music, literature, and visual art spread across Burgh House, Fenton House, private studios, and the Hampstead Theatre. The Sunday afternoon recital series at Burgh House is the musical highlight; tickets sell out in early May. Programme published mid-March. **Hampstead Heath Conservation Open Day (late June)** — the City of London Corporation opens normally-restricted areas of the Heath for guided walks. Free. Ranger-led tours of the ancient woodland, the Kenwood kitchen garden, and the pond management infrastructure. **Kenwood Picnic Concerts (mid-July to mid-August)** — a summer institution. Orchestral and popular acts on the Kenwood south lawn, picnic blankets on the grass, fireworks finale at many concerts. Tickets £50 to £80 through English Heritage; bring a picnic, a blanket, and a bottle of wine. **Hampstead Theatre Season Opening (early September)** — the Theatre's autumn main-house slot is traditionally the season's strongest commission. Press night is the second Tuesday of the run; previews start around the 10th of the month. **Hampstead Open Studios (October half-term)** — working artists in the village open their studios to the public for a weekend. Free self-guided trail; map available from Burgh House. **Hampstead Christmas Market (first Saturday of December)** — a one-day market on the old Town Hall site with around 40 stalls. Craft, food, and locally-made gifts. Busy; arrive before 11am for the best stock. **St John-at-Hampstead Candlelit Christmas Service (Christmas Eve, 11:30pm)** — the midnight service at the parish church on Church Row. Free, no tickets; arrive by 10:45pm to get a seat. One of the most atmospheric Christmas services in London. ## Smaller but worth knowing The **Hampstead Ladies' Pond Swimming Club Regatta (September)** — a members' event with a small public spectator allowance. Ask at the Ladies' Pond booth in August for passes. The **Heath and Hampstead Society Annual Heath Walk (October)** — a guided 5-mile historical walk led by the Society's local historian, free for members, £5 for non-members. The **Hampstead Village Voice Book Festival (November)** — a small community book festival at Burgh House with around eight author events over a weekend. Tickets £8 to £15. ## Practical booking tips For ticketed events (Kenwood Concerts, Hampstead Theatre, Arts Festival), book direct through the organiser's website — no booking fees versus aggregator sites. Sign up for the Burgh House mailing list (on their website) for early notice of the Arts Festival programme; members get first access to the more popular recital slots.