Art, live music, spectacular art installations, creative workshops, films, and more are coming to Finchley this November, as Barnet prepares for a free festival celebrating the borough’s creativity, communities, and culture.
On Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 November, the Light + Flight Festival will transform Finchley Lakeside , Squires Lane, N3 2QT into a vibrant cultural destination, bringing together artists, musicians, makers, and residents for two days of arts, culture, and collective celebration.
For the first time, the extraordinary five-storey venue will open to the public for a full festival weekend, with a packed programme of exhibitions, live performances, hands-on workshops, film screenings, food, and more.
And best of all? It’s completely free, with something for visitors of all ages to enjoy.
The festival marks the culmination of Light + Flight, a year-long cultural programme presented by Art in Barnet that has brought together artists, communities, and local stories to celebrate the borough’s rich heritage, creativity and diversity.
A spectacular new artwork lights up Finchley Lakeside
At the heart of the festival is Ascendance, an ambitious new public artwork by artist Matthew Rosier, presented with public art organisation UP Projects.
As the sun sets over Finchley Lakeside, the building’s five-storey atrium will be transformed by a monumental projection and sound installation created with more than 140 Barnet residents.
Large-scale video portraits of local young people will appear to float through the atrium, accompanied by older residents’ stories of migration, recordings of local birdsong, and an original musical score.
The result is an immersive celebration of Barnet as a place of arrival, connection and belonging, bringing together generations and experiences in one extraordinary shared artwork.
Ascendance will illuminate the atrium at sunset on both festival days.
Visitors who can’t make the weekend, or who want to return for another look, can also experience Ascendance and explore the festival exhibitions when Finchley Lakeside reopens as a pop-up gallery from 18–22 November, 4–8pm.
Music, making, and much more
Across the weekend, visitors can explore an eclectic programme of music, art, film, food, and creative activities taking place throughout the site.
Music lovers can enjoy live DJs and performances from Touching Bass, Basket of Light, Voices Radio, and local musicians, with sounds spanning jazz, soul, global influences and experimental music.
A special musical highlight will see young musicians and communities from across Barnet come together to perform Praying for Time, the iconic song by Barnet-born George Michael, in a new arrangement by acclaimed composer David Arnold.
For those who love to get creative, artist-led workshops will offer opportunities to experiment with fashion, photography, printmaking, light and sculpture. Visitors can also join Maxability for Made Together, a collective ceramic artwork featuring The Great Pottery Throw Down judge Keith Brymer Jones on Sunday.
Throughout Finchley Lakeside, exhibitions and art installations will showcase the work of local and internationally recognised artists. Highlights include kinetic sculptures by Jeanne Harignordoquy, Grown Up in Barnet by the Museum of Youth Culture, and Solidarities, a new art installation by Barnet-based artist Becky Lyon with bill daggs.
Elsewhere, a former swimming pool will become a space for film, animation, and moving image, featuring work from creative organisations including Counterpoints Arts, Phoenix Cinema, Take2 Collective, Middlesex University, and Woven Ink.
Visitors can also enjoy food and drink from local vendors, browse the curated Light + Flight Shop featuring independent makers and artists, and discover something unexpected around every corner.
With the festival taking place indoors, there’s plenty to explore whatever the November weather brings.
A celebration shaped by Barnet
More than a weekend of performances and exhibitions, Light + Flight is a celebration of the people and stories that make Barnet unique.
Throughout 2026, artists, cultural organisations and residents have collaborated on projects exploring local heritage, migration, creativity and connection.
From artworks created with young people and older residents to exhibitions celebrating the borough’s communities and histories, the festival brings many of these collaborations together in one place.
The programme reflects Barnet’s identity as a borough shaped by many cultures, generations and experiences, while creating new opportunities for residents to connect through art.
The celebrations continue across the borough
The following weekend, Light + Flight continues with more opportunities to get involved at two of Barnet’s cultural destinations.
On Saturday 21 November, the RAF Museum London in Hendon will host From Barnet with Love, a free day of creative activities, storytelling, music and local history inspired by Barnet’s fascinating postal and aviation heritage.
Created by artist Emma Tominey, From Barnet with Love explores the borough’s stories of communication and connection, inviting visitors of all ages to discover local heritage through hands-on activities and shared experiences.
Meanwhile, artsdepot in North Finchley will host LIT/UP on 21–22 November, a weekend of music, movement and performance.
Highlights include Lighthouse, a euphoric live performance by musician and composer Jez Colborne and Mind the Gap, combining music, light and immersive sound. Families can also join Flying High with Big Beat Playground, an all-ages day rave featuring music, dancing, confetti, and plenty of fun.
Join the celebration! (*artsdepot events are ticketed)
Whether you’re looking to discover extraordinary art, enjoy live music, try something creative, or simply experience a new side of Barnet, Light + Flight promises a weekend full of things to see, hear, make and explore.
Light + Flight Festival
Weekend One:
Saturday 14 November: 12pm–9pm
Sunday 15 November: 11am–7pm
Location: Finchley Lakeside, Squires Lane, N3 2QT
Admission: FREE – all welcome!
Visitors are encouraged to reserve their free spot in advance, although drop-ins and walk-ups are also welcome.
Reserve your FREE spot and explore the full programme at lightandflight.co.uk/festival.
Light + Flight Pop-up Gallery
Wednesday 18 November
Thursday 19 November
Friday 20 November
Saturday 21 November
Sunday 22 November
4-8pm each day, one hour slots
Location: Finchley Lakeside, Squires Lane, N3 2QT
Tickets: Reserve your FREE spot here: Light + Flight Pop-up gallery
Weekend Two:
Saturday 21 November: 10am-3:30pm
Location: RAF Museum, Hangers 1+2
Admission: Free! Drop in, no booking required.
Saturday 21 November + Sunday 22 November
Location: artsdepot
Admissision: Ticketed – get your ticket at artsdepot.co.uk
Light + Flight is presented by Art in Barnet, the London Borough of Barnet’s arts and culture initiative. It is fully funded by external sources – including a Cultural Impact Award, part of the Mayor’s London Borough of Culture programme, with additional support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England.
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