Barking Folk Festival
The Barking Folk Festival is one of the key events in our Summer of festivals’ programme.
Saturday 8 June and Sunday 9 June 2019
11am to 4pm (Abbey Green)
4pm to 9.30pm (Abbey Ruins)
A free family festival celebrating the best in English and World folk music and dance plus poetry, street theatre, art and family fun!
Saturday's programme in the Abbey Ruins explores 'Rebels in the Ruins' and Sunday's programme is dedicated to World Folk Music.
Activities include:
- live music, crafts and carnival workshops
- crafters and stalls
- street theatre and circus shows
- delicious street food
Festival locations include:
- Gathering on the Green - 11am to 4pm
- Abbey Ruins Live - 4pm to 9.30pm
Further information to follow soon.
Parking
Parking is available at Bobby Moore Way and London Road Multistorey Car Park.
Local parking charges apply.
Keep up to date with the Barking Folk Festival
Community projects Toggle accordion
Flower Folk
Part of #thisisme
Be part of our community project to create handmade flowers for the festivals that symbolises your personality.
Flowers can be knitted or made from recycled plastic bottles or why not knit lengths of beautiful festival bunting.
We want the whole community to take part!
Deliver your flowers to our Drop Off Points at Barking Learning Centre or Dagenham Library.
For your school, club or family to take part contact us at summeroffestivals@lbbd.gov.uk
The Knitting Project
The Ageing Well Programme is a fantastic group that meets weekly enjoying social activities such as bingo and crafts including knitting. The girls of the programme decided to combine their love for knitting and the borough and formed The Knitting Project!
The idea initially was to create dressing for one or two trees in the venue for the Barking Folk Festival, but as time ticked on more knitters joined the party and more trees got a makeover.
To mark the 100th anniversary of suffrage the group decided it would be fitting to dress the Three Lamps, the infamous meeting place for suffragettes in East London. The lamps have been crocheted in the suffragette colours and each ‘granny square’ has been created with love for their grandmothers that won them the vote!
Thank you to all the knitters and artists for their time, their art and their passion!
Access and facilities Toggle accordion
Parking
There is no public car parking on site but parking is available at Bobby Moore Way and London Road Multistorey Car Park, only a short walk away from site.
Local parking charges apply (RINGO) for council car parks.
Blue Badge Holders
Within council car parks, Blue Badge holders are entitled to four hours free parking in the disabled designated bays.
We have a number of parking bays reserved for Blue Badge holders who can also park (without restriction) in resident permit bays.
Public Transport
Barking has great transport connections via Barking station which is only a five minute walk from the venue. The station is serviced by District and Hammersmith & City underground lines, National Rail services via C2C and London Overground Gospel Oak to Barking line.
Accessibility
Abbey Green is a relatively flat site on grass with hard standing paths.
The Abbey Ruins is on two levels, with the main entrance point via the Curfew Tower (off Broadway) which services the majority of facilities including a good viewing area and toilets including one accessible toilet and one adult changing area. Steps lead to the lower level where the caterers and the bar is located.
Facilities
Both sites have toilets, baby change and adult changing areas.
For assistance during the event, please visit the Information Point.
First Aid on site is located near the Information Point.
Families attending are encouraged to visit the Information Point in order to gain a wristband in case children or vulnerable adults become separated from your group.
Local Accommodation
There is no accommodation on site, however, we have a number of local accommodation within walking distance.
Entry conditions Toggle accordion
Searches including bags will be carried out as you enter the venue.
You can bring:
- food, or this can be purchased
- sealed soft drinks or water
- folding chairs or picnic rugs
- your ticket, or show on phone
Please do not bring:
- alcohol or unsealed soft drinks
- glass
- BBQs or gazebos
- weapons, drugs or legal highs
- uncontrolled or dangerous dogs (please keep dogs on leads)
Official event photography and filming will take place and will be used for all marketing and communication purposes. Photo consent forms will be completed for close-up shots of children. Please contact the Information Point if you have any concerns.
We look forward to welcoming you to our family friendly festival!