Looking for local things to do to kick off the bank holiday weekend? Well look no further than the Queen’s Gardens Party (see what they did there with the name) which takes place this Friday and Saturday, 23 and 24 August, in (you guessed it) Queen’s Gardens in Central Croydon.

What is it? Well it’s a free party popping up in Queen’s Gardens over two days, with many flowery activities which will be bringing our most central park to life. Everyone is welcome, there’s no need to book, all activities are free and all materials will be provided. A nice and relaxed start to the weekend – that’s what we like. If it rains (surely not on a bank holiday weekend?) most of the activities will be relocated to the Clocktower.

Here’s just a few activities and happenings from the packed itinerary that caught our eye.

A giant flower painting (with sand!)
Fri 23 – Sat 24 Aug, 11am-3pm

The sand writer Blom (by Gijs van Bon) draws in the streets. Sand comes out of his long arm and decorates the ground with a large flowery carpet. We are invited to come and help colour them in. We’re intrigued. 

Bowjangles music performance
Sat 24 Oct | 11:30am-12pm and 1:30-2:10pm

A string quartet with a difference, Bowjangles brings together music with physical theatre, lively storytelling and comedy in a way we won’t have seen before. 

High Tea (With A Twist)
Fri 23 – Sat 24 Aug, 12:30-pm and 3-3:30pm

Presented by Levantes Dance Theatre, the Canapé Art twins (what a name!) will perform dance and acrobatics in glam costumes, above a tastefully laid tea table, before pausing for selfies and a cuppa. We hope they don’t spill the tea… 

The Flower People
Fri 23 – Sat 24 Aug

Presented by Theatre Illumiere, there’ll be ‘flower’ people wandering around Queen’s Gardens! We think the picture says it all (see top) – Arcimboldo, eat your heart out.

The Cabezonas
Fri 23 – Sat 24 Aug

Off to Notting Hill Carnival later on this weekend? If so, why not get in the mood with Cusan Theatre’s Latin American carnivalesque characters inspired by different female figures from Frida Kalho to Mother Earth. And created with all things recycled…

There’ll also be storytelling, face painting, stilt-walkers, jewellery making and more over the two day party. Check out the full schedule on the This Is Croydon website.

The Queen’s Gardens Party takes place Friday 23 – Saturday 24 August 2024, 11am-4pm. Find Queen’s Gardens on Park Lane, Croydon CR0 1YT. 

Photos courtesy of the Croydon Council Culture team. From top: The Flower People by Theatre Illumiere; Blom by Gijs van Bon; High Tea with a Twist – Photo by Roswitha Chesher; Cabezonas by Cusan Theatre.

Posted by Julia