Free Summer in the Park festivals to be held in Bexley and Greenwich

This summer from June to October, Greenwich and Bexley in south east London are both set to host a calendar of free festivals as part of the Summer in the Park events hosted by Arts Trust.

Taking place in the squares of Greenwich and Bexley this summer, the event will celebrate the arts, culture and humanities and is funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, National Lottery Heritage Fund and Peabody Trust, and supported by Go London.

The event will celebrate the arts, culture and humanities. (Image: Sundae Communications)

Summer in the Park is a series of outdoor dance classes, festival events and community park picnics, full of music, dance, theatrical performances and physical activity for people of all ages; held in Greenwich Park, Maryon Park, Queenscroft Park, Charlton House, Cygnet Square and St Osyth Priory.

The events will take place at Greenwich Park, Charlton House, Maryon Park, Queenscroft Park and Cygnet Square in south east London and will feature a line-up of free performances, workshops and experiences for all the family.

The events will take place at Greenwich Park, Charlton House, Maryon Park, Queenscroft Park and Cygnet Square in south east London. (Image: Roswitha Chesher)

Summer in the Park will feature the return of the popular Park Picnics – a community-led and created series of events to highlight local green spaces, with musicians including Ceilidh Tree and local artists like Sally McKay.

For the children there will also be a performance from Doris Drake and Daria the Dragon, who will use puppetry and visual theatre to take spectators on an education workshop focusing on climate awareness.

The events will feature a line-up of free performances, workshops and experiences for all the family. (Image: Sundae Communications)

The event will also feature a program of sports and fitness events run by Charlton Athletic Football Club and tennis coaching by Greenwich Get Active, for anyone looking to improve their fitness.

For those interested in learning a new skill, there will also be a programme of free classes ranging from Tai Chi to Tango held in the beautiful surroundings of Greenwich Park, with the aim of addressing loneliness, isolation and wellbeing in the local community.

There will also be a chance for locals to get their skates on quite literally and try their hand at skating, with a family-friendly Silent Disco Jams skating lesson held by Vibes on Vibes.

There will also be a chance for locals to try their hand at skating. (Image: Roswitha Chesher)

Summer in the Park will also feature two brand-new festivals in partnership with Royal Parks Charity held at Greenwich Park, celebrating the park’s restoration with a programme of music ranging from jazz to pop.

Martin Collins, founder of Arts Trust Productions said: "It is with a heavy heart that we acknowledge the closure of Greenwich Dance, our partner in bringing 'Summer in the Park' to life over the years. Their dedication to the arts and the community has been inspirational, and they leave a lasting legacy.

"We are excited about the future of 'Summer in the Park'. Our local partnerships are stronger than ever, and we are committed to growing and enriching the festival experience for everyone involved. We believe this year's programme will not only honour the past but also pave the way for an even brighter future."