MAPPED: 10 of the best festivals in south east London and north Kent in 2015

Brockley Max, May 29 to June 6

Brockley will be abuzz for nine days stuffed full of community fun, much of it free.

More than 70 events will bring Brockley, Crofton Park, Honor Oak and Ladywell to life. Highlights include Brockley Brewery’s Beer Festival on June 3, a paint-along supper on June 4 and Brockleywood Nights, where locally made short films will be shown under the stars on June 5.

It culminates in an evening of New York-style cabaret at a pop-up piano bar. Go to brockleymax.co.uk

Crystal Palace Overground Festival, June 24 to 28

Now in its ninth year, the five-day celebration of all things musical and arty and Crystal Palace is set to be another triumph. There’s a festival fringe from June 24 to 28 before a main event at Westow Park on June 28.

Go to crystalpalacefestival.org

Greenwich Music Time, July 23 to 25

Following a successful run last year, the series of open air concerts returns to the grand riverside surroundings of the Old Royal Naval College.

Ray Davies, flamenco stars Gipsy Kings and ten-time Grammy winner George Benson are 2015’s headliners.

Go to greenwichmusictime.co.uk

Hither Green Festival, May 16 to 24

Stacks of community events will make Hither Green a hive of activity. It all starts with a World Food, Arts and Crafts Fayre at the Clock Tower Piazza on Sunday and includes – among others - parties, a teddy bear’s picnic, guided walks and bike rides, a film screening of The Theory of Everything, fitness classes and music. Go to ourhithergreen.com

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Innocent Unplugged, May 23 and 24

For those that believe life is too connected these days there is the chance to switch off for a weekend at a secret location in Kent, thought to be in Kemsing. As well as music, there’s a spa under the sky and a forest banquet. Go to innocentunplugged.com

Greenwich Book Festival, May 22 to 24

A must-visit for book lovers, the inaugural Greenwich Book Festival features a staggering line-up of authors who will talk about their work in the buildings and grounds of the Royal Naval College. Among them are Jon Ronson, Jessie Burton, Victoria Hislop and The Gruffalo writer Axel Schleffer. Go to greenwichbookfest.com

OnBlackheath, September 12 and 13

Madness, Elbow, Manic Street Preachers, Kelis and the magician Dynamo are the marquee names at the John Lewis-sponsored two-day festival on Blackheath.

There are a few stages of music, one for magic, some impressive food and a playground section with lots of activities for kids. Go to onblackheath.com

Dartford Festival, July 18 and 19

The massive free festival in Central Park will this year feature the Ivor Novello-winning, Brit nominated band The Feeling as well as The Selecter and tribute band From the Jam. Go to Dartford.gov.uk/festival

BluesFest, November 6 to 8

For its fifth year, BluesFest has moved to Greenwich’s O2 for three days of big names and blues favourites. Tom Jones and Van Morrison are co-headliners on November 8 and will play individual solo sets, while it is anticipated they’ll perform together too.

Dave Matthews Band, Matt Schofield and Tedeschi Trucks Band are among the other names on the bill. Go to prudentialbluesfest.co.uk

British Summer Time at Hyde Park, June 18 to 28

One of the capital’s biggest festivals turns the royal park into a playground of music, food and fun. This year’s stellar headliners include The Who, Taylor Swift, Blur, Kylie and The Strokes with the likes of Beck, Union J, Mr Tumble, Dick and Dom, Grace Jones, Chic featuring Nile Rodgers, Paul Weller, Ellie Goulding and John Newman are also set to perform across the staggering line up of events.

Midweek, the site will host some big names in comedy such as Ed Byrne, Ardal O’Hanlon and Rich Hall. Go to bst-hydepark.com