What’s ON

There are hundreds of events happening across the year. Here are some highlights to look forward to from live music and dance to family fun for all ages.

From babies to great-grandparents – there’s something for everyone

Are there any acts you’re particularly looking forward to seeing?

There’s an artist called Koder. I’ve loved watching his journey – he’s not just a rapper, he is a visual artist and is planning a very dramatic and exciting set. I can’t wait to see how that comes together!

What’s the best thing about People’s Day?

Obviously fantastic music is top of my list. But I also love that it’s inclusive and free. From babies to great-grandparents – there’s something for everyone. How many other festivals can say that? I can’t wait to soak it all up – see you there!

Until 10 July

T M Sun & Sea

Watch from above as a day at the beach unfolds into a musical exploration of our relationship with our planet. This award-winner from the 2019 Venice Biennale transforms the Albany into an indoor beach, with audiences watching from the balcony above.

The Albany, Douglas Way, SE8 4AG £.

Until 10 July

Va Airbourne and Drawing Air

Drop in to see two free artworks from artists Sarah Stirk and Gina Allen, exploring the damaging effects of air pollution in London. The Albany, Douglas Way, SE8 4AG FREE.

16 July

F FF M O People’s Day

South East London’s longest running FREE outdoor festival is back with its biggest line up yet. Expect great music from headliners Tippa Irie, Hollie Cook, Novelist and more; plus art, food and family fun.

Mountsfield Park, Catford, SE6 1AN. FREE.

18 July

Va WS Community Mural

Join other residents to paint a mural at Lewisham Local’s community space at PLACE/Ladywell. Contributions to the mural have come from people of all ages to represent our wonderful diverse borough. Contact Bettina@lewishamlocal. com to sign up.

Lewisham Local, Unit C, Place/ Ladywell, 261 Lewisham High St, SE13 6NJ. FREE.

24 July FF M O Flower Power Family Rave with Big Fish Little Fish Dance in the Horniman Gardens with your whole family surrounded by butterflies, bees, beats and bubbles. London DJs spin the best in acid house, hip hop and drum n bass in a family friendly environment with food, bars, craft activities, storytelling, bubbles and more. The Horniman Museum & Gardens, 100 London Rd, SE23 3PQ. £.

Liberty Festival

22–24 July

22 July

1–9 September

T O Moving Day

Performed on the streets of Lewisham, this sitespecific performance asks how we can be supported to grow older as valued members of a community. Devised and performed by Glorious Age – an Entelechy Arts performance company made up of local residents aged 65+. Locations to be confirmed. FREE.

16–25 Sept

F FF Deptford X Festival artist Dryden Goodwin invites us to imagine a clean air future for all. Across the borough. FREE.

F FF

A free festival of creative experiences by D/deaf, disabled and neurodiverse artists, presented by the Mayor of London. Expect music, dance, theatre and art, indoors and outdoors, in an accessible and inclusive environment. Drop in and make a day of it. Everyone is welcome. Multiple locations, FREE.

O C Touretteshero: Stand Up Comedy Comedy from Jess Thom –writer, performer and part time superhero. Jess has Tourettes Syndrome and co-founded Touretteshero as a creative response to her experience of living with the condition. Jess has written for The Guardian, The Observer and Disability Now. Giffin Square (Deptford), FREE.

22 – 24 July

O FF Captioning Lewisham

A series of sound captions by Nina Thomas placed in public spaces. Follow the trail to explore and uncover the local history of Lewisham. Maps for the trail will be available to help you explore. Deptford High Street, FREE.

Climate Home: Festival of Action & Resistance

11 July – 20 August

F YP O Young people aged 8–25 take centre stage at Lewisham’s new pop-up venue, Climate Home. This six-week festival features creative workshops, performances, adventure play, art, music and talks on creativity and climate justice.

Richard MacVicar Deptford Adventure Playground, New King St, SE8 3JB. FREE and £.

13 July – 10 August

YP WS O

Fashion Futures: Workshops

Free workshops for ages 10–16. Join Climate Home’s resident fashion designer every Wednesday 4.30–7pm to learn new skills and create new designs for the catwalk, leading up to the festival fashion show on Saturday 13 August. FREE.

6 August

YP SW O Triple Bill: Words An evening of work in progress text-based performances exploring issues facing young people today from cancel culture to navigating the online world. FREE.

10 September

F FF M O

Naked City Festival

Mark the end of summer with a day out in an idyllic setting. Five stages with a diverse line-up of music from jazz and house to afro, dub and disco. Plus food, cocktails and a kids’ area with storytelling, face-painting and more.

Beckenham Place Park, BR3 1SY. £.

Ten days of art, performance and community centred activities taking over Deptford’s vibrant high street. Check out deptfordx.org for details of the exciting line-up. Deptford High Street. FREE.

Until November

O Va Breathe: 2022

Look out for this striking public artwork appearing on walls and bridges close to the South Circular Road. Featuring over 1,000 drawings of six local activists, Lewisham resident and

Beyond Borders

12–27 August

M FF Discover this series of global music gigs, suitable for all ages. Join us to celebrate how Lewisham’s diverse communities have influenced its musical output – from the borough’s explosive jazz scene to South East Asian and West African contemporary music. Multiple venues. £.

21 August M FF Jerk Cookout Family activities, live music and jerk, vegan and vegetarian food cooked by top Caribbean chefs take over the Horniman Gardens to celebrate Jamaica’s 60th anniversary of independence.

The Horniman Museum & Gardens, 100 London Rd SE23 3PQ. £.

Until 31 Dec

Va FF Taking Care of Business

From the food we eat to the clothes we wear, our lives wouldn’t be the same without migrant entrepreneurs. Bring the whole family to this immersive exhibition and hear hundreds of personal stories brought to life in creative ways.

Migration Museum, Lewisham Shopping Centre, SE13 7HB, FREE.

27 August M FF Global Local Present Daytimers: Going South

The legendary Daytimers collective curate an afternoon of free music celebrating contemporary South Asian music in the grounds of the Horniman Museum and Gardens. With dance, DJs and food. The Horniman Museum & Gardens, 100 London Rd SE23 3PQ. FREE.