A series of 'Fun Palaces' will spring up over London early this October, bringing with them community-led events celebrating creativity in all its forms.
The concept of a Fun Palace was conceived in 1961 by the playwright Joan Littlewood and architect Cedric Price, who imagined a 'laboratory of fun' accessible to all, including those who wouldn’t normally go to arts venues or centres of learning.
Littlewood and Price never built their own Fun Palace, but in 2013, the first were finally made a reality, and since then they've been inspiring, informing and entertaining countless folk up and down the country.
A long weekend of Fun Palace activity takes place across the UK from Friday 2 to Sunday 4 October 2026, with a number of events in the capital.
The programme is still evolving as we write — and most announced events so far are taking place on the Saturday — but among those confirmed are:
🤡 A day of crafting, circus and gardening for kids (3 October, Bethnal Green)
🎭 A series of drama workshops and zine making (3 October, Homerton)
🌸 Alpona, a form of floral Bengali folk art painting (3 October, Isle of Dogs)
🎪 A 'market place' where groups can exchange activities; plus a heritage trail led by the Sydenham Society (3 October, Sydenham)
To find a Fun Palace near you, browse this map.
Fun Palaces, London-wide, 2-4 October 2026, free
