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!

Join us for arts, crafts and play activities led by the London Museum as part of their intergenerational Play Cycles programme.

Join Assemblage Collective for this manifesto zine-making workshop, all about expressing yourself and your ideas for a better world! Learn how to craft a zine (like a mini book, from the word maga-zine), then use a range of materials to draw, collage, stamp, write and create a playful manifesto for the future.