Bermondsey Puppet and Storytelling Festival 2026

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!

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What’s happening?

Free Community Workshops at The Blue

Join us at The Blue Market for a series of weekly 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

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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.

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🌳 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

For updates, follow:

@Bermondsey.London
@BermondseyBlueBID
@ConnectionWithWonder

Enquiries:
events@bluebermondsey.co.uk

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Let’s make something together, Bermondsey.