Puppet and Storytelling Festival: Free Storytelling and Puppet Making
Free family drop-in craft with storytelling. Listen to an Anansi with Storyteller Baden Prince Jr then create your own tiger puppet and find out how to bring it to life!
Families can make their own fearsome Big Cat hand puppet with Frog Morris to bring to our finale event on 12 July. All materials are provided.
Storytelling is suitable for all ages and lasts 20 minutes. Storytimes: 12.30, 1.30and 2.30
All puppets made at this event can be used at at our grand finale celebration in Bermondsey Spa Gardens on 12th July. Put the date in your diary!
Baden Prince Jnr
Baden Prince Jnr is a dynamic poet, performer and storyteller with decades of experience in live literature and an impressive reputation. His repertoire incorporates “traditional” tales from the Caribbean and all over the world, as well as original, self-penned material. As a writer and performer Baden engages reader and audience with a style that is warm, self-assured with an entertaining blend of insight and humour. https://antiguanherald.com/articles/2026/02/27/antiguan-born-poet-baden-prince-earns-honorary-literary-recognition-in-uk.html
Bermondsey Puppet & Storytelling Festival 2026
A new family-friendly community festival is coming to Bermondsey in summer 2026. Bermondsey Puppet & Storytelling Festival will feature free puppetry and storytelling workshops across local schools, community venues and public spaces, leading to a lively outdoor celebration in Bermondsey Spa Gardens on Sunday 12 July, 12–5pm.
The finale will showcase community-made puppets alongside headline performances from internationally renowned storytellers including Usifu Jalloh, Emily Hanna, Marrianna Portello and Bernadette Russell. All events are free and open to all ages.
Find out more:
https://bermondsey.london/events/puppet-storytelling-festival-2026-bermondsey/
What to expect at the workshops
Free public workshops will take place across local venues and outdoor spaces, including sessions at The Blue Market and the finale in Bermondsey Spa Gardens. Led by professional storytellers and puppeteers, these hands-on sessions invite people of all ages to create puppets, share stories and learn the techniques that bring puppetry and storytelling to life. Participants can contribute ideas and creations towards the final community celebration. No experience is needed — just curiosity and imagination. Take home your creations and then bring them along to Bermondsey Spa Gardens on Sunday 12 July 12 – 5pm and join in with our finale show!
- Free drop-in workshop activity 12pm – 3pm
- Free storytelling performance : 12.30, 1.30and 2.30
- All ages welcome
- Disabled accessible
- Seating available
- Market open with places to eat and drink nearby
How to get there?
By bus
1, 381, P12
By train
South Bermondsey, Canada Water
By tube
Bermondsey
By car
Parking on St James Road (2 hour maximum). Free street parking available at weekends, please check signs for local restrictions.
Accessibility
Blue Market is an outdoor space all on one level with wide entrances, suitable for pushchair, wheelchairs and mobility vehicles. Seating available. Disabled access toilets in Blue Anchor Library.