Things to do in Islington this summer

In Islington, we have got thousands of hours of free activities and courses for children, families and young people – many including a free lunch – helping to keep our young people healthy, happy and safe.

Islington has:

• 11 adventure playgrounds
• 10 libraries
• 127 parks and green spaces
• 3 nature reserves
• 4 swimming pools and 7 leisure centres
• 63 community centres
• one urban farm
• dozens of youth hubs and clubs. 

Holiday activities with food

Our summer holiday programmes include free activities with food for some school-aged children and young people. They can make new friends and enjoy a free lunch while trying:

• archery
• art
• cooking
• football
• kayaking
• making music
• theatre

Young people who receive benefits-related free school meals can get free places on the programme. There are thousands of free places, but you must book ahead. Find out if your child can get a free place, register and book activities.

There are also many other free activities on offer in Islington this summer to check out.

Summerversity - free courses and activities for teenagers and young adults

Summerversity has more than 90 free courses and activities at 25 venues during the school holidays for ages 13 and over.

With opportunities to learn new skills, develop interests and talents, make new friends and have fun, there’s something new for everyone. Most activities are suitable for beginners, and you can get a free meal with a lot of them. 

Highlights include:

• sports leadership at Finsbury Park
• kayaking at Islington Boat Club
• animal care at Freightliners Farm
• backstage skills at London Screen Academy and the National Youth Theatre 
• a wide variety of music-making and production courses at Rose Bowl, SoapBox, Lift Youth Hub and Copenhagen Youth Project

You must register first before you can book anything.

Go out and get active

You know about our award-winning parks and green spaces. Now, even our streets have been transformed into greener, healthier spaces to explore. 

Closer to home, you could apply to close your own street to traffic for a few hours for free. You could hold a summer celebration with your neighbours and give children the freedom to have fun and play safely on their doorstep.

We are also offering more than 1,000 hours of free cycle training. If you want to take a new look at your area, we have walking maps to explore Islington in the summer weather.

Remember to help your children stay healthy through the holidays by checking in on their mental wellbeing and getting them immunised against serious diseases.

Culture, arts and events

Explore and connect with Islington’s united communities, vibrant high streets and buzzing cultural hubs all bursting with free or affordable events and festivals. Your creative summer could take in theatre, music and dance, arts, crafts and food. 

Our magazine for residents, Islington Life, has a list of cultural highlights for June to August – you can also follow for more summer inspiration on Twitter / X Islington council, Facebook Islington council and Instagram Islington council.

Remember our libraries because they offer free access to books, events and much more – drop-in, check the directory of events or follow Islington Libraries on Facebook Islington Libraries and Twitter / X Islington Libraries.

Skills, training and employment

Summerversity also puts on courses for those aged 16 and over to help them prepare for work, careers and further education, providing insight into different sectors including hospitality, leisure, creative industries and construction.

Register for an account and book onto a course or two – many offer accreditations leading to nationally-recognised qualifications, great for your career. 

Our Youth Employment Hubs offer a dedicated space for Islington young people aged 16-25 to gain guidance and support with progression into employment, education or training. 

The hubs offer one-to-one and small group advice and guidance sessions, and access to a range of ‘world of work’ activities, training opportunities and careers events. They can help you to find a job or apprenticeship, learn a new skill, get education and careers guidance, explore routes into employment, and take part in careers activities. Make an appointment, or just drop in. 

You can sign up for the weekly Islington Working youth bulletin that contains a range of opportunities including job vacancies, apprenticeships, training courses and programmes.

Post-exam support

Key Stage 5 (including A-Level) exam results will be announced on 13 August, with Key Stage 4 (GCSE) results a week later on 20 August.

After GCSE results day, you can visit us for advice and support at one of our drop-ins:

• Monday 24 August to Friday 28 August, 10am to 4pm at 222 Upper Street N1 1RX
• Tuesday 26 August and Thursday 27 August, 10am to 4pm at Islington West Library, Thornhill Square, 107 Bridgeman Road, N1 1BD

You can email or call our team of advisors at any time, all the way into autumn. We will help make sure you get the advice and guidance you need to help you continue your journey and make the most of your potential.

• Email: progress@islington.gov.uk
• Phone: 020 7527 7031

We understand this can be a stressful time and if you are worried about results day, there is free, safe and anonymous advice on Kooth.

Find more mental health support for young people. 

Go out and get active

As well as our wonderful parks and green spaces, our streets have been transformed into greener, healthier spaces to explore on foot or by wheel.

Closer to home, and also free, you could apply to close your own street to traffic for a few hours to hold a summer celebration with your neighbours and give children the freedom to have fun and play safely on their doorstep.

We're also offering more than 1,000 hours of free cycle training and walking maps to explore Islington to help make the most of your summer.

You can also help your children stay healthy by checking in on their mental wellbeing and getting them immunised against serious diseases. 

Safety 

Our mobile youth engagement hub will be visiting estates this summer – an open, welcome space to make connections with young people, on their doorstep. A friendly face or two will be happy to signpost to all the great opportunities available and to any support they might need.

If you can't make it along to any events, you can find support and advice on our targeted youth support pages or by emailing TYS@islington.gov.uk.

We can make children and young people safer on our streets by reducing the number of knives being carried. Knife bins are a safe and secure place for people to dispose of a knife, blade or tool. There are 10 knife bins around the borough, and you can find your nearest one here.

FazAmnesty will also be bringing their mobile weapon surrender van to Finsbury Park and Archway on Thursday 6 August. This will be a special opportunity for young people to hear from a survivor of knife crime in person and to hand over any weapons, no questions asked.

For the under-5s

There’s all sorts going on for the under-5s in our free Bright Start activities programme, including indoor and outdoor stay-and-play sessions and activities in parks and community venues.

Family Hubs

Whatever you need support with, our three welcoming Family Hubs are your 'front door’ to dedicated support and information, with everything in one place for families with children aged 0 to 19, or up to 25 for special educational needs and disabilities.

Childcare this summer holiday

We can help you find suitable holiday childcare.

Get in contact by 

• phone on 020 7527 5959
• email at FIS@islington.gov.uk.