BERMONDSEY.LONDON

Bermondsey Puppetry & Storytelling Festival: Free Storytelling and Making
2026-06-27 12:00 - 15:00 (Europe/London) | Rouel Road Community Gardens & Orchard, Rouel Road Community Gardens and Orchard,, London, SE16 3XU
Free outdoor storytelling sessions with Bernadette Russell. Venture into the magical forests of the world, find out all about BATS… and make some bunting for our grand finale celebration in Bermondsey Spa Gardens on 12th July. This event is run in association with Trees For Bermondsey and Bermondsey Literature Festival.
Storytimes: 12.15, 1.15 and 2.15
Outside in Rouel Road Gardens and Community Orchard (3 minutes walk from The Blue across St James Rd)
Reserve a spot

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!

Live performance 12.15, 1.15 and 2.15
Free workshop activity
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
This 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.

Armed Forces Day
2026-06-27 12:00 - 17:00 | The Blue Market, Market Place, London, SE16 3UQ, United Kingdom
Armed Forces Day is the UK’s annual events to celebrate and thank the men and women who serve in the British Armed Forces, and it takes place on the last Saturday in June. The celebration culminates during Armed Forces Week, where the public shows appreciation for current personnel, reservists, veterans, cadets, and their families.

Key Aspects of Armed Forces Day:

Purpose:

To recognise and thank the service of those in the Royal Navy, Army, and Royal Air Force.

Timing:

It is held on the last Saturday of June, marking the end of Armed Forces Week.

Community:

The celebration includes everyone in the Armed Forces community:

Serving personnel

Reservists

Veterans

Cadets

Service families

Puppet & Storytelling Festival Free Workshop: Make forest sprites and fairy puppets.
2026-07-04 12:00 - 15:00 | The Blue Market, Market Place, London, SE16 3UQ, United Kingdom
Free family drop-in craft.
Inspired by tales of folklore, make your own forest fairy puppets in this workshop with international artist and performer Kaeridwyn Eftelya. Bring your magical sprites along to Bermondsey Spa Gardens on 12 July and join in with a performance by Irish storyteller Emily Hanna.
All ages welcome
Our professional artist, Kaeridwyn Eftelya, is ready to help you make a magical puppet from recycled fabrics. All materials are provided.
Reserve a spot
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!

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 workshop activity 12 – 3pm
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
This 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.

Puppet & Storytelling Festival - Decorate the Puppet Theatre
2026-07-11 12:00 - 15:00 | The Blue Market, Market Place, London, SE16 3UQ, United Kingdom
A FREE, open-to-all workshop.
Help us complete our puppet festival by decorating our new Bermondsey puppet theatre and making last minute props and puppets and pack up the van ready for the big show with artist Frog Morris
Everything made at this event will be used at at our grand finale celebration in Bermondsey Spa Gardens on 12th July.

Puppet & Storytelling Festival Finale: Bermondsey Spa Gardens
2026-07-12 12:00 - 17:00 | Bermondsey Spa Gardens, 15 Spa Rd, London, SE1 3EU
A joyful free celebration in Bermondsey Spa Gardens, bringing renowned storytellers from around the world together with artists and puppeteers to share stories inspired by the local area. Our theme is FORESTS!
If you have made a puppet in one of our community workshops, be sure to bring it along for the story.
You will also have the chance to make something on the day.
An inclusive, accessible celebration with performances, workshops, music, face painting and food and drink.
Main stage timetable (exact times might vary) :
12 noon Bernadette Russell (Trees for Bermondsey)
12.45 Richard Handley (“Mr Bones”)
1.15 Emily Hanna (Irish Storytelling) Bring your faeries!
2pm Marianna Portella (Brazillian Storytelling) with live music by George Hoyle ) Bring your birds!
2.45 Community Performance A live story and puppet performance with students from City of London Academy, Harris Academy Bermondsey and participation from Bede Centre and OBC youth club. Facilitated by Minnie Wilkinson and Simon Lyshon.
3.30 Usifu Jalloh and Saidi Kanda (African storytelling and music) Bring your bugs!
The finale of our first Festival of Puppetry and Storytelling.

Bermondset Latino
2026-07-18 11:00 - 17:00 | The Blue Market, Market Place, London, SE16 3UQ, United Kingdom
Get ready for two unforgettable Saturdays filled with the energy, warmth and celebration of Latin America right in the heart of Bermondsey. More than a market, Bermondsey Latino is a lively cultural experience where the whole community can come together to enjoy the spirit, flavours and creativity of Latin America in a welcoming pedestrianised square.
Expect a joyful day packed with delicious discoveries, colourful stalls, live performances and free family workshops with activities for all ages – the perfect way to spend a Saturday with friends and family in South London.
There will also be live performances and free family workshops with activities for all ages, creating a festive atmosphere where music, dance and creativity bring everyone together.
It’s free, it’s local, and it’s full of corazón. Don’t miss the return of Bermondsey’s favourite cultural market!
FOOD AND DRINK STALLS
Bermondsey Latino is a colourful celebration of Latin American culture taking place at The Blue Market. Enjoy authentic Latin street food, live music, dance, and community stalls from across Latin America.
We highlight the cuisine and culture of a different country – from Colombian arepas and coffee to Mexican tacos and Peruvian empanadas, this is a place to let your tastebuds explore the bold, rich flavours of the Latin American continent. Expect upbeat music, live dance performances, workshops, friendly vibes, and a family-friendly atmosphere.
Come hungry and curious – discover something new, support local traders, and be part of this growing cultural event in the heart of Bermondsey.
ART AND CRAFTS WORKSHOPS
Make your own musical instruments and join in with the perfromances!
LIVE PERFORMANCES
Music and Dance from 12 noon

Brotherhood Games TCG
2026-08-29 11:00 - 16:00 | The Blue Market, Market Place, London, SE16 3UQ, United Kingdom

Bermondsey Carnival
2026-08-31 12:00 - 20:00 | Southwark Park, SE16 2TX

Halloween In The Blue
2026-10-31 12:00 - 15:00 | The Blue Market, Market Place, London, SE16 3UQ, United Kingdom

Illuminate Bermondsey Procession
2026-11-20 17:00 - 19:00 | The Blue Market, Market Place, London, SE16 3UQ, United Kingdom
