A rainy local street scene with umbrellas, warm lights, and cosy indoor plans

Top Picks

Rainy Day Picks This Weekend in Barnet

10 picks around Barnet, from 9 local venues. The map pin is doing actual work here.

25–26 July Near Barnet

Not every listing gets a golden ticket

We check the usual frankly silly number of local websites, then look for events that feel rainy-day friendly: cinemas, theatres, talks, workshops, galleries, concerts, cosy venues, and anything less likely to involve standing in a muddy field making brave weather noises.

Happening Saturday 25 July to Sunday 26 July.
Picked for Barnet, not somewhere halfway across the county.
Only Local Gems and Curated venues make the cut, because standards are still a thing.
Listings with proper descriptions get bumped up the list. Three words and a shrug will not do.

Our 10 picks near Barnet

Summer Circus1

Summer Circus

at Elstree View Care Home

Step right up and join us at Southampton Manor for our Summer Circus, a fun-filled afternoon of entertainment, games and summer celebrations for the whole community to enjoy. Enjoy live entertainment from Louis Bibbins singing summer classics, alongside a BBQ, summer refreshments, circus-themed games, stalls, a tombola and plenty of fun throughout the afternoon. Guests will also have the opportunity to take a personal tour of the home and discover what life is like at Southampton Manor. We will also be raising money in support of Mountbatten during the event.

0.9 milesSun 26 Jul
Local gemSee the details→
Community
Play In A Day2Free! (worth double-checking)

Play In A Day

at Museum of Enfield

10am -4pm Young people aged (12-17) will work with two professional theatre creatives to create an original performance inspired by their own stories and ideas. Location: Dugdale Arts Centre Who is it for? Young people aged 11–17 years. What to expect - A full day creative theatre workshop with two professional facilitators. - Devising an original performance using theatre, spoken word, and movement. - A live public showcase the following day. - A youth-led celebration of storytelling, creativity, and community. Theme “What makes Enfield home?” Participants will explore identity, culture, belonging, and community, creating a performance that reflects their experiences and perspectives. This is an opportunity for young people to share their voices and help shape how their community is seen. Whether you’re taking part, supporting someone, or coming to watch, join us in celebrating the creativity and talent of Enfield’s young people. Come and experience a brand new performance, created in just one day and shared with the community the next! Day 2 Sunday 26 July 2026

8.1 milesSat 25 Jul11:00
Local gemSee the details→
Theatre

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Well-Crafted - Hand-Painted Fans In celebration of Pride Month, design your own hand-painted fan: a functional piece...3

Well-Crafted - Hand-Painted Fans In celebration of Pride Month, design your own hand-painted fan: a functional piece...

at Sunbeam Studios

Patron Tickets £25 In celebration of Pride Month, design your own hand-painted fan: a functional piece that doubles as a personal statement. Inspired by movement and expression, you’ll explore colour and composition to create something bold or refined. Hosted by Alexandra, founder of Well–Crafted. Drinks provided by Wednesday’s Domaine. During the Workshop, You Will: Explore colour palettes and decorative motifs. Learn foundational brush techniques for fabric or paper surfaces. Experiment with pattern, negative space and fine detailing. Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes Materials: All supplies provided

8.6 milesSun 26 Jul£35
Local gemSee the details→
Festivals & Events
Summer Circus4

Summer Circus

at Chorleywood Manor Care Home

Step right up and join us at Southampton Manor for our Summer Circus, a fun-filled afternoon of entertainment, games and summer celebrations for the whole community to enjoy. Enjoy live entertainment from Louis Bibbins singing summer classics, alongside a BBQ, summer refreshments, circus-themed games, stalls, a tombola and plenty of fun throughout the afternoon. Guests will also have the opportunity to take a personal tour of the home and discover what life is like at Southampton Manor. We will also be raising money in support of Mountbatten during the event.

9.8 milesSun 26 Jul
Local gemSee the details→
Community
Stained Glass5

Stained Glass

at Rainbow Glass Studios

Below are stained glass panels produced by students on the one day beginners class T’s & C’s: NB. because the classes are always full and booked well in advance all cancellations or re-bookings require 4 weeks notice, (even in emergencies or adverse weather conditions) and 75% refund with 3 weeks notice unless there is someone on the waiting list who is able to take the space at short notice. We recommend you organise your own insurance for this eventuality. It is possible to rebook onto another class within 12 months of booking but further cancellations or re-bookings will forfeit any refund. In this class you will be working with glass, lead and heat from soldering irons, by booking you accept these inherent risks and take responsibility for your own health. In the interest of participant privacy I’m afraid no filming is allowed during class

9.9 milesSat 25 Jul£175
Local gemSee the details→
Community
Workshops Events6

Workshops Events

at Samya Studios

Join Almira Alidon (The Sound Shift), Felicity Menteath & Dominique Bulgin for 3-hour immersive workshop designed to gently revitalise the nervous system and support ease through the height of summer. Together, we’ll move through an intentional dialogue between sound, movement, touch and scent - exploring practices that help the body find it’s sweet spot. The session will include: Grounding and energising Qi Gong movement with Dominique Guided self-massage rituals using neuro-attuned skincare by Menteath skincare A carefully held sonic landscape by The Sound Shift Moments of rest, reflection and sensory exploration Closing sound meditation Chilled cacao Led with nervous system awareness and care throughout, this session is an invitation to slow down, reconnect with the body, and settle into a more spacious summer state.

9.9 milesSat 25 Jul
Local gemSee the details→
Community
Workshops Events7

Workshops Events

at Samya Studios

Join Almira Alidon (The Sound Shift), Felicity Menteath & Dominique Bulgin for 3-hour immersive workshop designed to gently revitalise the nervous system and support ease through the height of summer. Together, we’ll move through an intentional dialogue between sound, movement, touch and scent - exploring practices that help the body find it’s sweet spot. The session will include: Grounding and energising Qi Gong movement with Dominique Guided self-massage rituals using neuro-attuned skincare by Menteath skincare A carefully held sonic landscape by The Sound Shift Moments of rest, reflection and sensory exploration Closing sound meditation Chilled cacao Led with nervous system awareness and care throughout, this session is an invitation to slow down, reconnect with the body, and settle into a more spacious summer state.

9.9 milesSun 26 Jul
Local gemSee the details→
Community
Watford Fringe - Humdinger Words for Whippersnappers and Guttersnipes8

Watford Fringe - Humdinger Words for Whippersnappers and Guttersnipes

at Watford Palace Workshop

This is an interactive comedy-cabaret poetry show for curious kids and their grown-ups, led by neurospicy stage hypnotist-turned-school teacher Ben Dali. Framed as a school day with an unusually entertaining supply teacher, it’s a fast-paced, imaginative hour packed with sharp wordplay, mind-blowing trivia, visual gags and improvised rhyming magic.

5.6 milesSat 25 Jul
Local gemSee the details→
Community
religion-spirituality9

Solemn Mass - Sunday

at St Matthew's

The Solemn Mass is the principle act of worship at St Matthew's. With traditional hymns played from the organ, and incense filling the air, we lift our voices in adoration to Our Lord for all the good things he has done. A Sunday School also runs during our service; children are most welcome to join in with all the activities we have in store.

7.1 milesSun 26 Jul11:00
Local gemSee the details→
Religion & Spirituality
Open Church10

Open Church

at St Andrew's, Thornhill Square

Every Saturday from 11am-1pm, the church building is open for anyone to drop in. Come in and say hello! Find out about local history at our exhibition, discover a new favourite read at our book swap, give your children the space to get creative with our kids' crafts in the welcome area and take part in our clothes swap. The church is open for quiet reflection. A priest is usually available from 11:30am-12:30pm. Tea, coffee and refreshments provided. Donations welcome.

9.7 milesSat 25 Jul11:00
Local gemSee the details→
Religion & Spirituality

More Top Picks

Keep the good ideas rolling

If this page has done the trick, there is more where that came from.

Round-upFamilies This WeekendTen family-friendly picks with proper details, decent venues, and no mystery listings that leave you guessing.Round-upFree Things This WeekendA smarter list of local free picks for the weekend, chosen for quality, clarity, and the sort of detail that saves a wasted journey.All PicksBack to Top PicksSee all our curated round-ups in one place.