Dear Hampsteadians,
I hope you’ve had a great week… and as we enter the final week of the month, any January blues are disappearing. As ever I’ve put together a breakdown of what’s happening at our local venues this week. It’s full of intimate concerts and theatre with plenty of options for the family too. I hope you find something of interest…
Theatre & Film
Hampstead Comedy Night — The Old White Bear, Hampstead (NW3)An evening of stand-up comedy featuring a lineup of local and visiting comics in one of Hampstead’s friendliest pub rooms. Fri 30 Jan (19:30–21:30). LINK
Cohen, Bernstein, Joni & Me (one-woman show) — Upstairs at the Gatehouse, Highgate (N6)
An intimate, humorous and musical autobiographical performance by Deb Filler that traces her life from a Jewish immigrant childhood through encounters with icons like Leonard Cohen, Leonard Bernstein and Joni Mitchell — blending storytelling, song and theatre in a fringe setting. Tue 27 Jan–Sun 1 Feb (various performance times; runs until 1 Feb).
LINK
C&MP — Comedy & Music Party (hosted by Debra Tammer) — Circle & Star Theatre, Hampstead (NW3)
A monthly comedy and music night in an intimate 50-seat theatre space featuring short comedy sets woven with live musical moments — lively, informal and perfect if you want something off-beat midweek. Thu 29 Jan 2026 (Doors 19:30; Show 20:00–22:00).
LINK
The Ghost of White Hart Lane (theatre) — Jacksons Lane, Highgate (N6)
A one-man story of Spurs legend John White, and a thoughtful look at grief and growing up. Mon 26–Sat 31 Jan, 19:30 nightly. LINK
Tufnell Park Film Club: Daisy Miller (1974) — The Vine, Highgate Road (NW5)
Local film night at a neighbourhood pub venue. Tue 27 Jan, 20:00–22:00. LINK
Dorothea Magonet: De-Composition — Beauty on the Edge of Nothingness — Burgh House, Hampstead (NW3)
A Hampstead gallery pick with a defined run (28 Jan – 8 Feb 2026)
https://www.burghhouse.org.uk/whats-on/whats-on-in-january-2026
Hampstead Artists, Residents, and History (display) — Burgh House, Hampstead (NW3) Ongoing local-history focused display (great if you’ve got visitors).
https://www.burghhouse.org.uk/whats-on/whats-on-in-january-2026
Holding Time (exhibition) — Lauderdale House, Highgate (N6)
Local gallery programme in a lovely building (winter run).
https://www.lauderdalehouse.org.uk/whats-on/
Nat Faulkner: Strong water — Camden Art Centre, Finchley Road area (NW3)
Large-scale painting / material-heavy work. Runs 16 Jan – 22 Mar 2026 (free entry).
https://camdenartcentre.org/whats-on/nat-faulkner
A look at the weather for the week ahead - https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2647553
Local music events
Hugh Lawrence Trio (jazz + blues + soul) — Lauderdale House, Highgate (N6)
An evening of relaxed, soulful music blending jazz, blues, Latin and popular sounds from an experienced trio featuring keyboard, drums and bass — ideal for a Friday night in Highgate. Fri 30 Jan (20:00).
Link: https://www.lauderdalehouse.org.uk/whats-on/hugh-lawrence-trio
Mad Song play Steve Reich (contemporary ensemble concert) — The Red Hedgehog, Highgate (N6)
A concert exploring repetition in contemporary music, including works by Michael Finnissy, Missy Mazzoli, Nico Muhly and Steve Reich’s Double Sextet — intimate evening of adventurous programming in a small local venue. Sat 31 Jan (19:30–21:30).
Link: https://www.theredhedgehog.co.uk/260131MadSong.html
Piano Sing Along — The King William IV (Hampstead, NW3)
Classic pub piano singalong night — a very local, friendly evening where tunes are shared and sung together. Thu 29 Jan (20:00).
Link: https://thekingwillie.co.uk/
Hot Vox: Prom Night + guests — The Fiddler’s Elbow, Kentish Town (NW5)
A small-venue live night in Kentish Town.
https://www.thefiddlerselbow.co.uk
Live Italian Music Night (with Claudio & Rafialle) — Rossella (NW5)
An evening of authentic Italian music with Claudio on accordion and Rafialle on mandolino, playing traditional melodies and lively classics to accompany food, wine and local atmosphere. Mon 26 Jan 2026 (19:30–21:00) (guests welcome from 18:30, tickets £5; set menu available).
Link: https://rossella.co.uk/blogs/news/live-italian-music-night-with-claudio-rafialle-1
Interesting fact of the week
Belsize Park is home to a massive hidden WWII air-raid shelter… located 30 meters beneath the station that was built to house 8,000 people and features two miles of tunnels still used for storage today!
Local markets
Queen’s Crescent Market — Kentish Town (NW5)
Big, properly local street market. Thu 29 Jan + Sat 31 Jan, 10:00–16:30. LINK
Parliament Hill Farmers’ Market — Gospel Oak / Parliament Hill (NW5)
Strong produce stop by the Heath. Sat 31 Jan, 10:00–14:00. LINK
West Hampstead Farmers’ Market — West Hampstead (NW6, very close for NW3/NW5)
Good Saturday staples. Every Saturday, 10:00–14:00 (so 31 Jan). LINK
Swiss Cottage Market (incl. Wednesday farmers market) — Eton Avenue (NW3)
Handy local market by the station; Camden notes a Wednesday farmers market 10:00–15:00. LINK
Parliament hill Farmers Market - Sat 10am - 2pm LINK
Deals and Discounts for Locals
EXCLUSIVE DEAL FOR READERS - 20% OFF JEWELLERY
20% off the beautiful jewellery of Atelier Modernista, a local designer that makes Bauhaus and modernist art inspired jewellery. Code at checkout - Hampsteadian20
Things to do with the family
Out of the Hat (family-friendly magic show) — The Well Walk Theatre, Hampstead (NW3)
A “good for adults too” family magic show. Sat 31 Jan & Sun 1 Feb, 14:00 and 16:00.
https://www.thewellwalktheatre.com/shows
The Zoo that Comes to You (puppetry + live music) — Jacksons Lane, Highgate (N6) Conservation-themed puppet animals, designed for younger audiences. Sun 1 Feb, 11:00 & 14:00.
https://www.jacksonslane.org.uk/events/the-zoo-that-comes-to-you/
Little Yoga Art Club (kids) — Lauderdale House, Highgate (N6)
A relaxed, creative session format for little ones (check ages/booking).
https://www.lauderdalehouse.org.uk/whats-on/
Mini Mozart (babies + toddlers) — Lauderdale House, Highgate (N6)
Music session for the tiniest locals (check times/age bands on listing).
https://www.lauderdalehouse.org.uk/whats-on/
Hampstead Heath London Fun Puzzle Treasure Hunt — A family friendly outdoor treasure hunt across Hampstead Heath solving riddles and cracking codes… a great way to explore the park in a playful way. Sun 1 Feb (10:30–13:00).
That’s all for this week. Thank you so much for reading, I hope you’ve found something you’re interested in. Have a great week and I’ll be back same time next week with an update.
I really appreciate you subscribing and it would mean a lot to me if you would help me grow this community by telling your friends and neighbours about us…
All the best, Tom
