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King’s Cross Summer Sounds 2022 | Free music festival returns to N1
Local and international artists will perform over 12 days.
King’s Cross Summer Sounds returns on 10 August 2022
King’s Cross will be filled with the sounds of music this August as its annual free music festival returns. Previously known as Cubitt Sessions, the King’s Cross Summer Sounds sees 12 days of festivities from local and international artists at Coal Drops Yard, kick starting on 10 August.
The 2022 theme, Connected Communities, embraces the cultural diversity of the London district. Visitors can enjoy music every evening from 6.30pm-8.30pm and on Sundays from 1pm-6pm.
Opening the festival is celebrated Flamenco composer and guitarist Paco Peña and Friends. Other festival highlights include folk quartet Tacla; alternative pop duo APRE; and an Evening of Songs from the Shows featuring Danial Boys. Closing out the festival on 21 August is the world-renowned London Community Gospel Choir.
King’s Cross Summer Sounds Programme:
• Wed 10 Aug – Paco Peña & Friends
• Thu 11 Aug – Tacla, Gypsy jazzers from North Wales
• Fri 12 Aug – APRE pop duo supported by Zola Courtney
• Sat 13 Aug – Evening of Songs from the Shows, Danial Boys & Guests. Read the rest of this entry
Try your hand at curling as ‘Club Curling’ pops up at King’s Cross
Synthetic curling rinks will be appearing at Coal Drops Yard until 27 February 2022.
Club Curling comes to Coal Drops Yard this festive season
Ever watched the Winter Olympics and found yourself getting curious about curling? Well, this winter, you’ll have the chance to try the sport with the launch of Club Curling at King’s Cross.
Popping up at Coal Drops Yard from 11 November 2021, friends, families and couples will be able to aim for the targets on the six synthetic ice rinks. Club Curling will be running through the festive season against the backdrop of the Victorian arches and yards of Coal Drops Yard, a shopping and entertainment destination.
As well as trying out your curling skills on the rinks, you can also enjoy a Christmas cocktail at the adjacent Club Curling Cocktail Bar. Visitors are advised to pre-book, but Club Curling is also open to walk-ups subject to availability.
- Club Curling runs from 11 November – 27 February 2022. At Coal Drops Yard, King’s Cross, N1C 4DQ. Nearest station: King’s Cross St Pancras. Open daily 11am-9pm. Tickets (45 minute sessions): Adults £5, Children under 12 free. For more information and booking, visit the King’s Cross website.
Find out what else is on in London this season
Shop back in time as the Classic Car Boot Sale returns to King’s Cross
The vintage shopping extravaganza comes to Granary Square, Coal Drops Yard and Lewis Cubitt Square on 7 – 8 August 2021.
The Classic Car Boot Sale returns to King’s Cross
Fans of vintage and upcycled shopping are in for a treat this August as the Classic Car Boot Sale returns to King’s Cross. The mini festival will be taking over Granary Square, Coal Drops Yard and Lewis Cubitt Square on 7 – 8 August 2021. As well as over 100 stalls selling homewares, art, fashion and accessories, there will also be classic vehicles, DJs, a vintage Routemaster bar and food stalls.
A variety of goods will be on sale, from repurposed to pre-loved, retro pieces, including: prints, artwork, accessories, ceramics, vinyl records, fashion, jewellery, homewares, and textiles. Among the stallholders will be Vinyl Underground Herbie Mensah, Woowoo Boutique and Hang Up Vintage.
Petrolheads will have plenty of opportunities to gaze at some stunning old motors from Afro Classics Register and Dream Cars, as well as some classic bikes, scooters and vans.
Meanwhile, there will be plenty to keep you fed and water during your retro retail therapy, with many street food vendors and drinks on sale from the vintage Routemaster bus. Nearby, 60s Tiki specialist Martin Green and WAG club DJ Chris Sullivan will be spinning their best soul, funk, reggae and disco vinyl.
The event has been curated by design studio HemingwayDesign, famous for The Vintage Festival. Visitors are invited to embrace the past and dress up in their favourite vintage ware should they wish to look the part.
- Classic Car Boot Sale takes place on 7 – 8 August 2021. Open 10am-6pm. Tickets: £5, free entry for under 12s. Granary Square, Lewis Cubitt Square and Coal Drops Yard, King’s Cross, N1C. Nearest station: King’s Cross St Pancras. For more information, visit the Classic Car Boot Sale website.
- NB: The event has been rescheduled to 7-8 August from its original date of 17-18 July.
Find out what else is on in London this August.
Appetise your wanderlust at the Travel Photographer of the Year awards 2020 exhibition
Winning images are going on show in London’s Coal Drops Yard from 12 May 2021.
The Travel Photographer of the Year (TPOTY) 2020 exhibition is going on display at Coal Drops Yard
(© Paul Samsome/www.tpoty.com)
Thanks to the ongoing pandemic, cases of wanderlust are certainly strong amongst many of us as we continue to live and work in smaller environments. If you’re one of those gagging to put your passport to use again, why not treat yourself to some inspirational travel imagery in the meanwhile? On show in London this spring will be the winning images from the international Travel Photographer of the Year (TPOTY) Awards 2020.
A free exhibition in Coal Drops Yard in King’s Cross will display 160 photographs from 12 May – 10 June 2021. The exhibition will be open 24 hours a day and easy to enjoy in the safety of the open-air. The collection will showcase a huge range of subjects, from landscapes to people, from architecture to the natural world, taken by both professional and amateur photographers. The COVID-19 pandemic hugely impacted the 2020 awards, with any entries taken by stranded travellers spending longer at their destination than planned, or by those closer to home as their travel was restricted.
After checking out the stunning imagery, visitors can vote for their favourite photographs online, with the additional chance to be entered into a prize draw, with a one-day private photography lesson from TPOTY founder Chris Coe among the prizes. Meanwhile, the TPOTY team will be hosting a series of Fujifilm-supported tutored photography walks around Coal Drops Yard and the King’s Cross/Regents Canal area during the latter period of the exhibition, when the pandemic restrictions allow.
- The Travel Photographer of the Year (TPOTY) 2020 exhibition is on display from 12 May – 10 June 2021. Free. Coal Drops Yard, Stable Street, King’s Cross, N1C 4DQ. Nearest station: King’s Cross St Pancras. For more information, visit the TPOTY website.
Find out what’s on in London in June 2021 here.
Read more on London’s art displays and photography
‘Traditionally untraditional’ Christmas lights up King’s Cross with three spectacular trees
A trio of alternative Christmas trees are on display until the new year.
The Terrarium Tree in Coal Drops Yard is one of King’s Cross’ Christmas installations
© John Sturrock
As we’re just a month away from Christmas, it’s time for London’s sights to be transformed with festive lights. Offering something different from the typical spruces are three alternative Christmas trees for the ‘traditionally untraditional’ Christmas at King’s Cross. After such an unusual year, why not take a different approach to festive decorations?
Unveiled on 23 November and on show until the new year are three different interpretation of the traditional Christmas tree. All the light installations have been dotted throughout the 67 acres of open space in King’s Cross so spectators can safely enjoy them while socially distancing.
The Electric Nemeton Tree in Granary Square has been designed by local architecture practice Sam Jacob Studio. The 36ft high tree is a futuristic metal construction inspired by the origins of the Christmas tree tradition. Surrounded by water fountains, the structure can be admired from the side and below.
The Terrarium Tree in Coal Drops Yard has been created by the Botanical Boys. The 28ft tree is comprised of 70 terrariums containing miniature gardens and 168 mirror baubles. Following the close of the festive period, the terrariums will be rehomed in the new year.
The People’s Tree at Battle Bridge Place is a multi-coloured, interactive tree. The lights are powered by people with censors picking up vibrations from nearby footprints or people’s movements. The dynamic light installation is located just moments from the popular IFO (Identified Flying Object), aka ‘the birdcage’.
- The King’s Cross’ ‘Untraditional’ Christmas is on show now until 4 January 2021. Installations on show at Coal Drops Yard, Battle Bridge Place and Granary Square, King’s Cross, NC1. Nearest station: King’s Cross St Pancras. For more information, visit the King’s Cross website.
Find out what’s on in London in December 2020 here.
There’s a giant snow globe coming to London (and the chance to win a car!)
Jump into a giant snow globe for the chance to win a Mini
© Actimel
Rather predictably, the recent snow flurries to hit the capital didn’t stay long. However, this week, Londoners will be given the chance to experience ‘real’ winter weather while in a bid to win a car.
On 15 and 16 February, a giant snow globe will be popping up at King’s Cross as part of a experiential event. Londoners will be invited to get inside and battle the elements in the hope of winning a Mini Convertible.
If you need some new wheels and think you’ve got what it takes, head down to the station and take part for free.
The Actimel Snow Globe will be at inside King’s Cross railway station, Euston Road, King’s Cross, N1 9AL. Nearest station: King’s Cross St Pancras. From 7am-7pm on 15 – 16 February 2017. Visit www.actimel.co.uk for more information.
For a guide to what else is on in London in February, click here.
Check out the Twitter machine as TFL celebrates ‘Metroland’ at designjunction 2016
Florian Dussopt’s Twitter Machine will be on show at DesignJunction during London Design Festival
Returning this month as part of the London Design Festival is designjunction. The flagship show hosts design exhibitions at its new site in Granary Square in Kings Cross. For the fifth year in a row, Transport for London are celebrating their design heritage at designjunction. This year, TfL will be launching a series of products to mark the 2016 theme ‘Metroland’, as well as hosting a fun fair installation and a Twitter machine.
Florian Dussopt has designed a machine in the shape of the TfL roundel, which prints out tweets in the iconic Johnston typeface designed by Edward Johnston (1872-1944). The Underground Group’s Frank Pick commissioned Johnston to create the script in 1916.
The theme of this year’s TfL collaboration with designjunction is ‘Metroland’, a marketing term used to describe the suburbs of north-west London which sprung up near the newly extended Metropolitan line. London Transport’s property division Country Estates attempt to lure Londoners away from the frantic city to the green suburbs such as Wembley Park, Neasden, Pinner, Rayners Lane, Rickmansworth, Ruislip and Amersham in the 1910s and 1920s.
Among the companies taking part is online retailer Made.com, which has been inspired by TfL’s archives to create a unique collection of furniture, lighting and accessories. Kirkby Design has created new versions of the Piccadilly textile design, while Loris & Livia have created a collection of tablemats and coasters made from rubber train flooring. Meanwhile, Finnish brand Vallila have created prints, tea towels, cushions and tote bags featuring iconic scenes of London life, inspired by London Transport’s advertising poster archives.
- Designjunction is at Granary Square, King’s Cross, N1C 4AA. Nearest station: King’s Cross St Pancras. Takes place from 22 September – 25 September 2016. For more information, visit the designjunction website. The London Design Festival runs from 17 – 25 September 2016. For more information, visit the LDF website.
For a guide to what else is on in London in September, click here.
London A Cappella Festival 2016: World class vocal groups brighten up January
Grammy-winning vocal group The Swingles will be performing at the A Cappella Festival
© Nedim Nazerali
Following the success of Glee and the Pitch Perfect movies, a cappella is bigger than ever. Returning to brighten up this gloomy January is the London A Cappella Festival. Now in its 7th year, the three-day festival is bringing some of the top a cappella groups from around the world to our capital.
Country music group Home Free are flying over from Minnesota, USA to make their UK debut
This year’s festival at Kings Place in Kings Cross is curated by five-time Grammy-winning vocal group The Swingles and Ikon Arts Management. There won’t be an instrument in the place as singers come together with only their voices creating the music. The festival forms part of BBC’s Great Creative event, which celebrates British arts, culture and creativity.
Among the highlights of this year’s festival include co-hosts The Swingles, performing ‘Winter Tales’, inspired by the cold season. Country music group Home Free are flying over from Minnesota, USA to make their UK debut, while Tenebrae Consort will be singing as they launch their new album Sun, Moon, Sea And Stars. Other acts performing included supergroup Naturally 7 and Shlomo & the Vocal Orchestra. There will also be workshops, foyer showcases, talks and free interactive events.
- The London A Cappella Festival runs from 28 – 30 January 2016. It takes place at Kings Place, 90 York Way, King’s Cross, N1 9AG. Nearest station: King’s Cross St Pancras. Tickets start from £9.50. For more information, visit the London A Capella Festival.
For a guide to what else is on in London in January, click here.
Memoirs Of A Metro Girl 