Camden Council says you don't have to pay for street parties this year

To help residents get in the party mood, Camden Council is waving its fees for community events and street parties taking place this year.

So far over 21 street parties and events have been organised to celebrate the Queen's Jubilee and the Big Lunch, along with a further 23 community festivals taking place across the borough. These range from the annual Kilburn Festival to a 200th anniversary festival at Camley Street Nature Park celebrating the founding of the Regent's Canal.

Caren Owen, manager of the Kilburn Festival, said "Kilburn Festival 2012 is shaping up to be a fantastic event. Kilburn has a vibrant and diverse heritage and the festival reflects this. We work with local organisations and venues to enable all local residents to taste some of the best that Kilburn has to offer from dance and film to food and sport for all ages." Kilburn festival annually attracts audiences of 10,000 people.

Roma Backhouse, Bloomsbury Festival, said "It is really positive that Camden understands the value of community festivals and provides continuing support. With over 150 free events, from dance, to music, arts, performance, walks, readings, and participatory programming, many of which take place in public spaces, the Festival sees the area come alive and enables us to bring people together from all different parts of the community".

So, what are your plans for the summer? If you're planning your own event to as part of the Big Lunch or to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee on the weekend of 3rd June, Camden Council need to hear from you by Monday 30th April 2012. For more information on how to organise your own event over the summer either for the Jubilee weekend or for the Olympics please visit Camden Councils website www.camden.gov.uk or contact the arts and tourism team at arts.tourism@camden.gov.uk or 020 7974 4444.