Proms at St Jude’s is a nine day summer festival of world-class music, literary events, culture and fun that takes place every June/July in the heart of the Hampstead Garden Suburb community, centring in and around Central Square – St Jude-on-the-Hill, The Henrietta Barnett School, the Free Church, the Minyan. About 150 volunteers work tirelessly – some all year long – to make the Festival happen. All profits go to two outstanding charities – Toynbee Hall and North London Hospice. Proms has raised over £1 million for charity and typically welcomes over 4,000 visitors annually.
Concerts feature an exceptional array of classical, operatic, jazz and lighter entertainment and have featured some of the biggest names in the musical world. Weekday lunchtime concerts are free, provide opportunities for aspiring young musicians and are important to many people in our community.
During the first weekend there is a LitFest that features stimulating and varied authors speaking about their recently published works. There is a pop-up bookshop and café, where audience members can have their books signed and buy drinks, meals or homemade treats.
Heritage Walks, which take place every day during the Festival, cover Hampstead Garden Suburb and other interesting parts of London with historical and social significance such as the East End, Hampstead and the new Brent Cross Town.
Education and family activities are fundamental to Proms at St Jude’s and every year hundreds of children are introduced to live musical performance through family concerts, pre-school activities and a dedicated School’s Prom.
Late-Night Comedy rounds out the programme and food is available on the Square during the second weekend.
