A summer of stories, creativity, and community: made in Bermondsey!
From May to July 2026, Bermondsey will come alive with stories, imagination, and hands-on creativity as the Bermondsey Puppet and Story Festival brings people together to create something truly special. Our 2026 theme is “Forests”.
This is not just a festival to watch (although you can if you want) – it’s a festival you can be involved in. Sign up below and add the dates below to your phones calendar automatically!
What’s happening?
Free Community Workshops at The Blue
Join us at The Blue Market for a series of 8 free public workshops where families and local residents can:
- Create puppets and characters
- Explore storytelling from different cultures
- Take part in fun, creative activities led by professional artists
No experience needed – just come along and get involved.
Schedule
12 – 3pm Saturday 16 May 2026
Storyteller Rez Kabir & Marionnette Workshop
The Blue Market, South Bermondsey SE16 3UQ
Bangladeshi born storyteller Rez Kabir performs in the Marketplace.
Make your own Tree Spirit Marionnette puppet with artists Sarah Sparkes and find out about how you can join in with our finale event in July.
All ages welcome
Find out more… | Reserve a spot
12 – 3pm Saturday 23 May 2026
Storyteller Baden Prince Jr & Handpuppet Workshop
The Blue Market, South Bermondsey SE16 3UQ
All ages welcomeStoryteller Baden Prince Jr brings Anansi stories to the Marketplace. Families can make their own fearsome Big Cat hand puppet with Frog Morris to bring to our finale event on 12 July.
Find out more… | Reserve a spot
12 – 3pm Saturday 30 May 2026
Jumping Jack workshop & Let’s Make Music & Dance
The Blue Market, South Bermondsey SE16 3UQ
Make your own Jumping Jack puppet with artists and puppet maker Sarah Sparkes and dance along to live music in the Market Place with Unity Music Arts Trust.
All ages welcome
Find out more… | Reserve a spot
12 – 3pm Saturday 6 June 2026
Bird Puppet Workshop with Phylida Hickish
The Blue Market, South Bermondsey SE16 3UQ
Make your own winged birds with puppet and animation expert Phylida Hickish. Bring your new flapping feathered friends along to Bermondsey Spa Gardens on 12 July and join in with a performance by Brazilian storyteller Marianna Portella.
All ages welcome
Find out more… | Reserve a spot
12 – 3pm Saturday 13 June 2026
Animal Puppet Workshop Gemma Kawaja
The Blue Market, South Bermondsey SE16 3UQ
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.
All ages welcome
Find out more… | Reserve a spot
7 – 9pm Thursday 18 June 2026
Shadow Puppet Show & Tell
The Arch, Railway arch 616 Drummond road (enter site next to pocket storage). London SE16 4DG
Join us for a special afterdark workshop and performances in Blue Bermondsey BID’s new workspace at The Biscuit Factory. Make your own Shadow Puppets with artist Sarah Sparkes and then join us for a special Show & Tell where you can present your shadow puppet or bring your own optical tricks and illusions to share on the screen.
Ages 11+ / Adults
Find out more… | Reserve a spot
Saturday 20th June 2026
Laura Sampson – Bermondsey Literary Festival
London Bubble Theatre, 5 Elephant Ln, London SE16 4JD
Laura Sampson is an author and performer from British/Trinidaian heritage who will bring to life here books of fairy tales in Bubble Theatre to celebrate Bermondsey Literary Festival.
All ages are welcome, especially the very young and very old.
Find out more…
11am – 3pm Saturday 20th June 2026
Okinawa Day
The Blue Market, South Bermondsey SE16 3UQ
Make traditional Japanese Eisa Dancing Puppets with artist Miyuki Kasanara and enjoy live music, performance, food and unique culture from Okinawa, the southernmost islands of Japan.
All ages welcome
Find out more… | Reserve a spot | Okinawa Day
12am – 3pm Saturday 27th June 2026
Bernadette Russell – Bermondsey Literary Festival
Rouel Road Community Orchard, Lynton Rd, London SE1 5RF
Join local storyteller Bernadette Russell amongst the plants and flowers with Rouel Road Gardeners in their allotment for a special outdoor storytelling. This is a special session in collaboration with Bermondsey Literary Festival and Trees for Bermondsey. Afterwards, join us in the Market Place for an Armed Forces Day.
Suitable for all ages, especially the very young
Find out more… | Reserve a spot
12 – 3pm Saturday 4 July 2026
Fairy Puppet Workshop with Kaeridwyn Eftelya
The Blue Market, South Bermondsey SE16 3UQ
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
Find out more…. | Reserve a spot
12 – 3pm Saturday 11 July 2026
Puppet Theatre Workshop
Help us complete our puppet festival by decorating our new Bermondsey puppet theatre and making last minute props and puppets and then load up the van ready for the big show in Bermondsey Spa Gardens
All ages welcome
Find out more…
11am – 5pm Sunday 12th July 2026
Bermondsey Puppet and Story Festival
Bermondsey Spa Gardens Spa Rd, London SE1 3EU
A day of storytelling and puppetry in Spa Park, Bermondsey. Featuring puppets and performances made by the community, with dazzling headline performances by Storytellers from around the word alongside puppet making workshops, facepainting, market, food & drinks and relaxing in the summer sunshine with family and friends.
12 noon Bernadette Russell – Trees for Bermondsey storyteller
12.45 Mr Bones – Puppet Show
1.15 Emily Hanna – Irish storytelling
2pm Marianna Portelo – Brazilian Storytelling
2.45 Community Performance – City of London Academy, Bede Centre, Harris Academy, Appleby Blue, St James Primary School with Simon Lyshon and Minnie Wilkinson.
3.30 Usifu Jalloh – Sierra Leone Storytelling
Times will vary
Reserve a spot
Working with Local Schools & Community Groups
We’re partnering with schools, youth groups, and community organisations across Bermondsey to co-create the festival, including:
- Story-sharing with older residents
- Puppet-making and performance workshops
- Creative sessions with children and young people
- Inclusive workshops with people with learning disabilities
Together, these groups will help shape the stories and performances at the heart of the festival.
🌳 Grand Finale: Bermondsey Spa Gardens
Sunday 12 July 2026 12 – 5pm
Everything builds towards a joyful, family-friendly celebration in Bermondsey Spa Gardens, featuring:
- Live performances created by local participants
- Drop-in creative workshops
- Art tents and interactive activities
- Food stalls and a welcoming festival atmosphere
Expect colour, creativity, and stories from across the community brought to life.
Who is it for?
Everyone.
Whether you’re:
- A parent looking for free activities
- A young person wanting to get creative
- Someone who loves stories and performance
- Or simply curious to try something new
You’re invited.
Why it matters
This festival is about bringing people together.
By working with the community over several weeks in schools, community spaces, and public places. We’re creating something that reflects Bermondsey’s voices, cultures, and creativity.
It’s about participation, pride, and shared experience.
Get involved
- Drop into a workshop at The Blue
- Look out for sessions in local schools and community spaces
- Join us for the Grand Finale in July
More details and dates will be announced soon.
About Bermondsey Puppet and Story Festival
We are delighted to present a day of storytelling and puppetry in Spa Gardens, Bermondsey. Featuring puppets and performances made by the community, with dazzling headline performances by Storytellers from around the word. Bring your puppets or make one on the day!
A new family-friendly community festival is coming to Southwark in summer 2026 and everyone is invited to take part. Bermondsey Puppet & Story Fest will start this May with a programme of free puppetry and storytelling workshops leading to a large outdoor finale event in Bermondsey Spa Gardens featuring Usifu Jalloh, Emily Hanna, Marrianna Portello and Bernadette Russell on 12 – 5pm Sunday 12 July 2026.
Free hands-on workshops will take place in schools, community venues and public spaces, giving people of all ages and abilities the chance to make puppets, share stories and learn the secrets of puppetry and storytelling. Ideas and creations from these sessions will contribute towards the final show in in Bermondsey Spa Gardens on Sunday 12 July 2026 and everyone will be invited to join in on the day. We will be working with Appleby Blue, Bede House, City of London Academy, Harris Academy Bermondsey, St James Primary School and many more local groups, please check newsletters for details.
The festival will also feature free drop-in workshops and performances at The Blue Market, running alongside its summer events programme, including Russell Dryden Day (30 May) and Okinawa Days (20 June).
Our team of internationally renowned artists, puppeteers and storyteller will reveal the secrets of their trade during a series of workshops and demonstrations. All ages and abilities can get involved – tell a tale about life in South London, make your own puppets, learn the puppeteer’s secrets that bring a show to life or just be our appreciative audience – we have something for everyone to do.
The programme will culminate in a large-scale, free outdoor celebration in Bermondsey Spa Gardens, bringing together internationally renowned storytellers from around the world alongside local artists to share stories inspired by Bermondsey and South London.
Designed to be inclusive and accessible, the festival celebrates storytelling and puppetry as art forms that cross language, cultural and generational boundaries. All events will be free to attend, with step-free access and a welcoming, community-focused atmosphere.
Supported by
Supported by Blue Bermondsey BID, Connection With Wonder, Collaborative Arts CIC and Southwark Cultural Celebration Fund, Bermondsey Puppet & Story Fest builds on a strong track record of delivering successful cultural events in Southwark. The festival is brought to you by the team behind London Dreamtime Storytelling and Illuminate Bermondsey & Rotherhithe.
FAQs
Do I need to book a ticket?
Don’t worry if you haven’t booked, this is a free drop-in activity and we usually have some space for walk-ups and passersby on the day. Booking helps us plan a good event for you, if we know you are coming we can ensure we have enough space and supplies for you and can notify you about any changes.
Can I keep the puppet I made?
Yes! Please take home your creations and then bring them along to Bermondsey Spa Gardens on Sunday 12 July 12pm – 5pm and join in with our finale show!
Is this event disabled accessible?
It is an outdoor space all on one level with wide entrances, suitable for pushchair, wheelchairs and mobility vehicles. Seating available. Disables toilets in Blue Anchor Library.
Is there parking nearby?
Limited free street parking is available at weekends, please check signs for local restrictions. We recommend travelling on foot or bicycle or by public transport. There stations and buses a short walk from each venue.
What happens if the weather is bad?
This is an outdoor event, please wear suitable clothing and footwear for the weather and remember to bring your water bottle and stay hydrated. There plenty are cafes and places nearby where you can get refreshments and shelter from the weather. In the rare event of extreme conditions (eg. gale force winds blowing all our puppets away) we will have to make changes to ensure safety, please listen to stewards when you arrive.
I don’t live in Bermondsey / I can’t tell stories / I can’t do arts and crafts, can I still join in?
Yes! Everyone is welcome. No experience is needed — just curiosity. Bermondsey Puppet and Story Fest is proud to feature performers from around the world and people of all ages and abilities.
For updates, follow:
@Bermondsey.London
@BermondseyBlueBID
@ConnectionWithWonder
Enquiries:
events@bluebermondsey.co.uk
Let’s make something together, Bermondsey.
