Join young Creatives from All Change’s B Creative arts activism programme for young women, to create original affirmation bracelets and black-out poetry. Express and share messages of hope and positivity for ourselves and our community.

Bring a splash of colour to your day with our face painting corner! From roaring tigers to sparkling butterflies, our artists will transform little faces (and grown-up ones too!) with fun, creative designs. Drop in, pick your favourite look, and leave with a smile.

Join award-winning poet and writer Laurie Bolger for a heartfelt workshop all about celebrating kindness. Through creative prompts and gentle guidance, Laurie will help you craft your own uplifting “messages of kindness” to share. The session will close with a special reading of one of Laurie’s poems, reminding us of the power of words to connect, comfort, and inspire.

Step into a soulful, uplifting evening that blends live music, conversation, and community. For Those Who Need Hugs is more than a performance, it’s an intimate experience where artistry meets connection. Expect powerful vocals, raw emotion, and moments that will stay with you long after the night ends.

Performed by Eva Gerretsen, representing the Boats Bring Bonds collective, this meditative spoken word piece explores the cultural and ecological significance of the oyster to London, reflecting on ideas of “watery commons” and multispecies care.

Get hands-on and creative at the SoulPrint Crafts Corner! Drop in anytime to try out different activities. From making your own paper shoes using recycled materials and fabrics, to exploring fun and imaginative drawing and painting. It’s a welcoming space for all ages to experiment, make something unique, and enjoy the joy of crafting together. Bring your own t-shirt or tote bag and upcycle!

We’re kicking off Bartholomew Fayre with a proper Friday night feast! Our friends at Cloth Restaurant will be serving up something special for the community. The menu will feature a mouth-watering hog roast, generously donated by Smithfield Market, a true nod to the area’s history, and yummy veggie and vegan options alongside a pay bar.

Get ready for Disco Loco – Hackney Showroom’s wild and wonderful family party! Perfect for families with young children, this high-energy session brings everyone together on the dance floor. With a live DJ spinning fun tunes and an MC leading the way, expect plenty of dance floor games, hula hoop fun, and colourful ribbons to wave around.

Come and try Laughter Yoga, a fun and gentle activity that helps you feel good, relax, and connect with others. This playful workshop uses simple breathing and laughter exercises to show how a pretend laugh can quickly turn into real laughter when shared in a group. It’s easy to join in, suitable for all ages, and can lift your mood, reduce stress, and bring people together.

Treat yourself at Bartholomew Fayre with a well-deserved pamper stop! Hannah B Manicures will be bringing a Pop-Up Nail Bar to the heart of the festivities. Visitors can enjoy quick and stylish express manicures, the perfect way to add a little extra sparkle to your day. Take a seat, relax, and let Hannah work her magic. First come first served!

Guided architect's tour of newly built, sociable housing development as part of Mayor of London's & TFL Small Sites delivery of sustainable new homes in the area.

Stolon Studio, 2025

Join Dan O'Brien, Cassandra Ellis, Soroush Pourhashemi and Irenie Cossey at the Atelier Ellis showroom for a panel discussion hosted by Leanne Cloudsdale from Concrete Communities. Together, they'll explore what makes a home truly remarkable, from colour, materiality and atmosphere to the strategic design choices that create lasting value.

Camden Inspire: Green Loop Takeover is one-day festival taking place in Camden on Saturday 20th September that challenges our obsession with the “new”. Join Camden’s makers, artists & designers for hands-on workshops, upcycling, talks, pop-up cinema and panel discussions.

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A striking exhibition celebrating the world’s leading jazz photography, capturing the spirit, passion, and energy of artists on and off stage.

Explore drawing a new design for an arrival point at East Croydon station as part of the Build/Play/Wear/Draw Croydon event. This is a fun and relaxed event – with the Croydon Urban Room team, you will draw your designs and ideas for what would improve your arrival at East Croydon Station and encourage you to travel into the centre of Croydon. This is a drop-in drawing activity for all ages.

To celebrate the historic southern part of Soho, designated Chinatown 40 years ago, celebrate the art and culture that Chinese Heritage Communities have brought and shared with Londoners. The Soho Open House Neighbourhood Festival will be officially opened my the Lord Mayor of Westminster at 1pm. Here you will also find information, directions and maps to explore the neighbourhood.

Richard Frith, 1680

Join the Elevate Youth Board as they share the stories behind east London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park - where community and youth empowerment drive its regeneration. Explore the Park’s cultural spaces, knowledge hub, and co-designed areas that reflect local voices, and leave with your own connection to the Park.

The Purpose of Light, Misan Harriman’s landmark photographic exhibition, bears witness to significant moments, not with judgment or ideology, but with a deep and unflinching empathy for the human condition. Featuring 110 unique photographs, this exhibition is a call not for division, but for togetherness.

Greenview House is a contemporary, low-energy home that prioritises thermal performance, spatial quality, and occupant comfort. The design of the house is underpinned by a commitment to offset the environmental impact of its construction. A fabric-first approach, supported by green technologies, keeps energy use low and significantly reduces the building’s long-term operational carbon footprint.

Paper House Project, 2024

Explore drawing in Croydon’s Queens Gardens in a fun and relaxed Charcoal Drawing event run by local artist Neal Vaughan. We'll draw the buildings and nature together, reflecting on what it is like to live in a city like Croydon. For all ages.

Discover the fascinating stories and characters behind this iconic district and gain a whole new perspective on London’s Chinatown! Our trained volunteer History Champions can’t wait to take you on a journey through this area’s complex, nuanced and fascinating evolution. Places are funded by Westminster City Council to allow Open House festival goers to enjoy the tour for free.

Community engagement is promised in every regeneration project, but how often do locals truly shape their spaces? Do professionals know best, or should power be shared? Join us at The Priory Church of St Bartholomew the Great for the Accelerate Debate, where bold thinkers explore the ethics, risks and rewards of co-design.

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Art and architectural activities spread across three exciting City venues, tailored to families with children aged 3-13. Including map-making, colour and craft activities, building blocks, dressing up and more!

Richard Gilbert Scott, 1999

Artist Samia Tossio invites children to create wearable “architectural hats” representing Croydon landmarks such as the NLA tower (lovingly referred to as the 50p building) or skylines, using recycled and upcycled materials. We will provide easy print-outs of Croydon specific, London specific, and famous London buildings for younger children.