Barnet’s first ever summer festival will kick off with the opening of an outdoor cinema in just over a week’s time.

The screen in Finchley will broadcast family-friendly films, outdoor fitness activities and live events such as Wimbledon and the Euros, opening with Finding Nemo from 11am-12.30pm on Friday July 2.

While most of the programme schedule is free for everyone, some screenings will be ticketed. There will be a charge of £5 to see three of the movies – Bohemian Rhapsody, Beetlejuice and Black Panther – but under-12s will be allowed in for free.

The outdoor cinema in Victoria Park is the first of a series of borough-wide big events being staged as part of Barnet Council’s Discover Barnet Presents summer festival.

They will include roaming street performances, family-friendly entertainers and artisan food markets in town centres, community carnivals in North Finchley and Edgware, featuring music, theatre, food, drink, activity workshops and more, and Barnet Summertime – a community-focussed festival on Barnet’s doorstep taking place over the August bank holiday weekend.

Council leader Dan Thomas said: “The last year has been difficult for everyone. We hope that through our summer festival, we’ll be able to support the economic recovery of the borough while celebrating our wonderful parks and open spaces.

"Our Discover Barnet campaign has drawn shoppers back into our high streets. And now, with the Discover Barnet Presents summer festival, it’s only going to get better for Barnet. We hope you enjoy our many events and activities in the months ahead."

The event is being delivered in line with Government guidelines.

The Discover Barnet campaign is funded in part by the European Regional Development Fund and HM Government.

For the full programme and to book tickets to events, visit www.engage.barnet.gov.uk/discoverbarnetpresents.

Barnet Council is also seeking local performers, traders and organisations who’d like to become part of the Discover Barnet Presents summer festival programme. For more information on how to take part click here.