Summer of festivals
In 2015 we held a number of events across the borough to celebrate our 50th anniversary.
They were so well received, and enjoyed by around 100,000 people, that we made 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 even bigger and better.
We will be bringing our festivals back in 2021 and plan to make it the best year yet!
One summer.
Over 10 free events.
Have the time of your life!
Photos/film of individuals/groups, where they are the focus of the photo/film, will require consent forms. This is not the case for crowd shots.
Keep up to date with all the events
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Following the government’s latest advice around preventing the spread of coronavirus, we have decided to postpone and reschedule a number of our community events and cultural programmes, including our Summer of festivals. We hope you understand that we haven’t taken this decision lightly but are following current government guidelines. The safety of our community members, volunteers and staff is our main priority.
We will be rescheduling our entire programme to 2021 and will continue to issue updates on this. At this stage the situation is changing daily, but any decisions we make will be in accordance with the government’s advice at the time and will be done with the health of our residents and staff at the forefront. Please continue to refer to this page for any updates on cancellations and rescheduling related to our cultural and community events. Keep safe and well,
LBBD’s Summer of festivals and Culture Team
Council events
Following the government's guidelines, after lockdown has finished and it is safe to do so, we will be holding the B&D Thank You Festival. Please help us celebrate our strong community, the incredible NHS, key workers, volunteers and carers as we thank you all for staying strong and safe in the current challenging time. The festival will be a huge borough celebration and will feature entertainment from all your favourite Summer of festivals' programme including Barking Folk Festival, Steam & Cider Fair, One Borough Festival, Roundhouse Music Festival and Youth Parade. The festival will include a big thank you parade to kick off the festival - we hope you can join us on this important day.
Barking Folk Festival
A family-friendly festival celebrating folk music and dance from around the globe, complete with workshops, family fun and sensational street theatre. The concert showcases the best names in folk music.
Steam and Cider Fair
Enjoy traditional entertainment and attractions to reflect the borough’s rural and industrial heritage with steam engines, a classic car show, animals, arena acts and the popular Cider Stage featuring Country and Western favourites.
One Borough Festival
This community focused event is back and promises to be even bigger and better.
Thrilling entertainment, dance, street theatre, family fun, and more; you name it we have something for all the family.
Roundhouse Music Festival
A retro 70s rock concert with a modern twist to celebrate the rich musical history of the borough’s Roundhouse pub which has played host to some of the world’s most famous rock bands.
Don’t miss our BIG headliner, unbelievable tribute acts and the final of the Roundhouse Unsigned Competition.
Youth Parade
Our seventh annual youth parade to celebrate the borough’s inspirational young people and the positive contribution they make.
The parade culminates with a great family friendly event showcasing a number of clubs, groups and activities aimed at young people.
The event is also jammed packed with free family entertainment, workshops, rides and attractions.
Get involved
How to get involved at our events, plan a street party or hire a park for your event.
Stay@Home with the Summer of festivals Toggle accordion
As we continue to practice social distancing, we still need to keep ourselves busy and active. We are therefore offering our Stay@Home with the Summer of festivals pack to help you with this. In the pack, you will find some great competitions to enter as well as opportunities to be part of the Folks & Dreams project.
We are proud that over 1,000 free craft kits have been distributed to local families and older residents who have been referred to us.
Rainbow logo competition Toggle accordion
Can you design a logo that we can use for our new Thank You Festival?
Enter our competition to see your design featured in the Thank You Festival and all over the Borough in the coming months.
Contest open to all children from Barking and Dagenham - logo must feature a rainbow and the words ‘Thank You’.
- Win four match day tickets and hospitality for a football match of your choice in the English Premiership, donated by West Ham United’s Mark Noble; and £50 voucher for Amazon or Smyths Toys.
- Two runner up prizes of two match day tickets for a football home match of your choice in the English Premiership, donated by West Ham United’s Mark Noble.
- Winner and both runners up also get a West Ham United football shirt signed by a West Ham United player of your choice, donated by West Ham United’s Mark Noble.
Please note that the football match day would be when it is safe for spectators to go watch a match.
Email your entry to summeroffestivals@lbbd.gov.uk by Monday 8 June.
Friend for Sofia competition Toggle accordion
Sofia, the unicorn, needs your help, she is looking for a friend!
Enter our junk modelling competition and create your own creature made out of recycled household items (toilet rolls, boxes, bottles, etc).
Your model should be decorated and colourful. Open to all children from Barking and Dagenham.
Your model will inspire our new Summer of festivals’ mascot, a friend for Sofia.
Win a £50 voucher for Amazon or Smyths Toys.
Email your entry by 1 July to summeroffestivals@lbbd.gov.uk
Folks & Dreams - Dream circle and Poetry competitions Toggle accordion
Express your hopes and dreams for you, your borough and your world by creating a dream circle or by writing a poem showcased at future festivals.
Dream circles
Get creative and make your own dream circle using recycled materials.
Your dream circle must be waterproof for outdoor display, made from,where possible, recycled materials (old hula hoops, old records and CDs), inner design can be weaved, knitted or crocheted and can be any shape and design you want in order to express your hopes and dreams.
Deliver your dream circles by Tuesday 1 September to our drop off points at Barking Learning Centre and Dagenham Library.
Poetry competition
Are you the next big thing in poetry? Capture your hopes and dreams through words to be in with a chance of winning a Kindle Fire 7 in the adult, secondary school and primary school categories.
Folks & Dreams Poetry Competiton - T&Cs_0.docx
Email your poem to summeroffestivals@lbbd.gov.uk by Wednesday 1 July.
Exhibiting at our events Toggle accordion
We have great opportunities for you to promote your business/organisation at our events or an opportunity for you to sell your products to our residents. If you are interested in having a stall at our events, please complete the attached form and send back to summeroffestivals@lbbd.gov.uk:
Catering at our events Toggle accordion
If you would like to cater at our events please complete the application form and checklist and send to summeroffestivals@lbbd.gov.uk along with the following:
- Food Safety Management System based on HACCP Principles (SFBB or equivalent)
- Risk assessment document for the operation of all catering units
- Public Liability insurance (£5 million minimum)
- Proof of local authority registration of all units and current hygiene rating
- Food hygiene certificates for all staff handling food
- Price list
- Photos of food and catering unit
Creative Commissions Toggle accordion
This year we are commissioning creative workshops, parades, poetry workshops and open air theatre performances for Barking Folk Festival and One Borough Festival. If you would like to get involved, please complete the attached form and return to summeroffestivals@lbbd.gov.uk:
Expression of Interest – Performers and performance groups Toggle accordion
Would you like the chance to perform at one or more of our festivals this year?
If you are a 60s performer, rock n roller or a folk star in the making, then we have an event for you to showcase your talent. If you are interested in performing, please complete the below form and send to summeroffestivals@lbbd.gov.uk
Sponsorship opportunities Toggle accordion
The Summer of festivals event programme will be confirmed shortly and there are some great opportunities for businesses to get involved.
We can offer a range of sponsorship packages and are also always happy to discuss bespoke requests.
Summer of Festivals sponsors brochure 2019 (PDF, 866 KB)
Find out more
Please contact us to arrange a meeting.
Julia Pearson
020 8227 5247
or
Sarah Belchambers
020 8227 3192
Our 2019 sponsors
Once again, we would like to thank all of our 2018 sponsors and partners who, through their support, helped create a very memorable year – we hope to work with you all again.
Hire a park for your proposed event Toggle accordion
The Events team will consider a wide range of event applications for all types of events including:
- fun days
- concerts
- sports events
- festivals
Funfair and circus applications are welcome and are reviewed by the Parks Team.
Organisers can be commercial companies or charitable organisations.
Please note that for large scale events (5,000 people or more), the application window is between September and February.
Events guidance pack (DOCX, 5.72 MB)
To apply to hire a park for your proposed event
Complete the application form and return along with your application fee.
Park hire application form (DOCX, 63.15 KB)
Once your application has been agreed in principle, the following forms must be completed along with your Event Management Plan (EMP).
Designated Premises Supervisor consent form (DOCX, 60.06 KB)
Emergency services event summary sheet (DOCX, 13.96 KB)
Risk assessment template (DOCX, 68.03 KB)
Send completed forms to:
Applications are subject to approval by the council including the Licensing and the Safety Advisory Group.
Street parties Toggle accordion
Street parties are a great way to get to know your neighbours, improve community spirit and have a fun day right on your doorstep - what’s not to like?
Meet your neighbours in a fun way and let everyone join in.
With more independent lives we don’t have many chances to bump into people.
Holding a street party is easier than you might think.
If you are considering planning a street party, please ensure you complete the application form in full providing all the information requested.
Street party application pack (DOCX, 628.13 KB)
Send your completed forms to:
The Events Team
Julia Pearson. Barking Learning Centre, 2 Town Square, Barking, Essex, IG11 7NB
020 8227 5247