Puppet & Storytelling Festival: Forest-Themed Drop-In Puppet-Making Workshop

Learn how to make and operate your own animal puppets using recycled materials with puppetmaker Gemma Kawaja (as seen at Norwich Puppet Theatre). Bring your creature creations along to Bermondsey Spa Gardens on 12 July to create a wild woodland scene for our finale celebration show.

Our professional artist, Gemma Kawaja, is ready to help you make a magical puppet from tissue and rods.  All materials are provided.

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!

About the workshop

Step into a world of woodland wonder with our Forest-Themed Drop-In Puppet-Making Workshop at Bermondsey Blue Market! Presented by Crooked Timber Theatre!

This relaxed, all-ages session invites you to create your own puppet inspired by the forest—think curious creatures, tiny insects, or anything that might be hiding among the trees. You can join at any time and take part at your own pace, with guidance available to help you build a simple puppet structure.

Once your puppet has taken shape, explore a wide range of materials to bring your woodland character to life. A selection of finished demonstration puppets will be on display to spark ideas and inspire your creations.

Part of our puppet and storytelling festival, this is a welcoming, hands-on experience for all the family- come along, get creative, and leave with a unique puppet and a story to tell.

Gemma Khawaja – Crooked Timber Theatre

Gemma Khawaja is a professional puppeteer and folk singer and also makes puppets too. Gemma has performed in puppet shows produced by leading companies such as Norwich Puppet Theatre, Horse & Bamboo Theatre, Little Angel Theatre, Monstro Theatre and Manchester’s Factory International, as well as being a workshop leader for Norwich Puppet Theatre for many years.

Bermondsey Puppet & Story Festival 2026

A new family-friendly community festival is coming to Bermondsey in summer 2026. Bermondsey Puppet & Story Fest 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.

Find out more:https://bermondsey.london/events/puppet-storytelling-festival-2026-bermondsey/

All events are free and open to all ages.

Supported by Blue Bermondsey BID, Connection With Wonder and Southwark Cultural Celebration Fund, the festival is brought to you by the team behind London Dreamtime Storytelling and Illuminate Bermondsey & Rotherhithe.

What to expect from at the workshops

Free public workshops will take place across local venues and outdoor spaces, including weekly sessions at The Blue Market from May – July. 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!