Big Catford Weekender
Usually the last weekend in June
A weekend of free live performances, music, food, crafts and community events taking place in a few areas of Catford’s town centre including the Broadway, Jubilee Ground and Catford Bridge Station. Celebrating the local community with a variety of events and activities, whether you’re exploring crafty stalls, having fun with the family-friendly activities or enjoying delicious street food, there’s something for everyone.
lewisham.gov.uk

Brockley Max Festival
Typically around 9 days in late May/early June
A celebration of Brockley’s creativity, with a mix of art, music, comedy, film and photography events, backed up by the festival’s own radio station, Brockley Max FM. Spread around about 30 venues, there’s a popular opening night, Brockleywood Nights and Art in The Park events too.
brockleymax.co.uk

Catford Beer Festival
Usually a weekend in late May
More than 40 beers, perries and ciders, live music and street food.
Catford Bridge Tavern, Station Approach, Catford SE6 4RE; catfordtavern.com

Charlton and Woolwich Free Film Festival
Typically in September
Film showings in venues that may include General Gordon Square, Charlton House, The White Swan, The Blue Nile, Bunker 51, The Stables.
freefilmfestivals.org

Deptford Literature Festival
Typically a Thursday to Sunday in late March
Celebrating the diversity and creativity of Deptford and Lewisham through words, stories and performance. It is a festival with the local community and accessibility at its heart. There are live performances and music, open mic sessions, children and young people’s programming, talks and workshops, zine and book making, walking tours and more. Venues include The Albany Deptford, Deptford Lounge and Catford Library.
spreadtheword.org.uk

Deptford X
Typically around 18 days in July, biennially from 2025
A free festival with more than 500 participating artists in 100+ artist-led Fringe projects, eight new artist commissions and a participatory street parade created with schools of Lewisham. Highlighting the sheer diversity and breadth of artistic practice by artists connected to the area, it showcases ambitious new work in exhibitions, performances, open studios, workshops, participatory events and tours. Set across multiple sites that include artist-led spaces, university venues, shops, cafes, restaurants, community spaces, libraries and a former college building.
deptfordx.org

Dulwich Festival
Usually around nine days in May
Music, art, performances, walks, fairs, talks, quizzes and a festival funday.
dulwichfestival.co.uk

Greenwich and Docklands International Festival
Typically in late August to early September
London’s leading festival of free outdoor theatre and performing arts, with more than 100 performances by dozens of national and international companies with more than 50,000 people attending shows in a range of public spaces in Greenwich, East London and the City of London.
festival.org

Greenwich Comedy Festival
Typically four days in mid-to-late September
Some of the biggest names in comedy come to this ever-popular tented event.
National Maritime Museum, Park Row, Greenwich SE10 9NF; greenwichcomedyfestival.co.uk

Herne Hill Free Film Festival
Typically in late April/earlyMay
Film showings in venues that could include Station Square, Prince Regent Pub, Effra Space, Lido Cafe.
freefilmfestivals.org

Hilly Fields Midsummer Fayre
Typically a Saturday in June, 12-5pm
There may be a performance by a local school, a brass or steel band, a martial arts demonstration, tea and cakes, bric a brac, children’s rides, arts and crafts, a dog show, prize draw etc
Hilly Fields, Hilly Fields Crescent, Brockey SE4 1QA; brockleysociety.org

Manor House Gardens Festival
Typically a Saturday in late June, noon to 8pm; free entry
Music, arts, food, drink, fun fair, stalls
Manor House Gardens, Taunton Road, Lee SE13 5SU; friendsofmanorhousegardens.com

New Cross and Deptford Free Film Festival
Typically late April/early May
Film presentations in venues that may include The Duke pub, Deptford Lounge, New Cross Learning, London Velo, New Cross Inn.
freefilmfestivals.org

Parksfest
Typically throughout June, July and August
Parksfest is a festival of open air and free cultural entertainment in Royal Greenwich’s splendid parks and open spaces, held around Blackheath, Charlton, Eltham, Greenwich, Plumstead, Shooters Hill and Westcombe. An exciting programme of live music, dance and theatre performances by local artists and groups at outdoor spaces across the borough. Parksfest is for local people regardless of age, ethnicity and disability and seeks to make the attractions of parks and open spaces more accessible to those who live within their reach. The festival is planned, organised and delivered by local residents who are committed to the public use and enjoyment of Greenwich’s much valued parks and open spaces.
Events in Hornfair Park, Eltham Park South, Charlton Park, Bostall Gardens, Shrewsbury Park, Mycenae House and Gardens, Plumstead Gardens, East Greenwich Pleasaunce and Southwood Park; parkfest.org

Peckham and Nunhead Free Film Festival
Typically held in late August/early September
Film showings in venues that may include Nunhead Cemetery, PeckhamPlex, The Ivy House, Northfield Houseand Ledbury Estate.
freefilmfestivals.org

Peckham Festival
Typically a weekend in mid-September
This free annual cultural festival features numerous artistic events, from music to film screenings to workshops, and draws thousands of attendees.
peckhamfestival.org

Plumstead Make Merry
Typically a Saturday in early June, noon-6pm
The longest-running community festival in the Royal Borough of Greenwich, with thousands of people coming along to enjoy a packed day of music, arts and activities that celebrate the history of the area and its diverse community. With up to 90 different stalls from local groups and businesses, there is plenty on offer including food and activities for all the family.
Plumstead Common; plumsteadmakemerry.co.uk

South Facing Festival
August
An open-air concert series at The Crystal Palace Bowl welcoming a mix of high-profile artists across multiple genres to the legendary Crystal Palace Bowl. Past artistes have included London Grammar, The Streets, Jungle, Becky Hill, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, James, Richard Ashcroft, Max Richter and the English National Opera. The Crystal Palace Bowl is an iconic South London venue with a rich musical tradition, stretching back more than 150 years. The first-ever festival, celebrating the works of Handel, took place in 1857.
Crystal Palace Bowl, Crystal Palace Park, SE19 2BA; southfacingfestival.com

St Dunstan’s Festival
Typically over 13 days from late June to early July
Events for everyone — performances, competitions, exhibitions, talks and workshops, a celebration of creativity, community, and collaboration. Running across both the main College campus and the school’s dedicated festival site at the Jubilee Grounds, the festival is open to all members of the public.
St Dunstan’s Colege, Stanstead Road, Catford SE6 4TY; stdunstans.org.uk

Telegraph Hill Festival
Typically two weeks in late March to mid-April
Two weeks of events organised by and for the community. Expect the likes of interactive walks, learning tech skills, music, film, theatre and performance.
telegraphhillfestival.org.uk

Uptown Blackheath
Typically a Sunday in late July
A family-friendly commercial music festival with largely heritage acts.
london.uptownfestival.co.uk

Urban Village Fete
Typically a Sunday in mid/late May
Takes place in the Greenwich Peninsula, this event, curated by Hemingway Design, celebrates the best in design, music, art, innovative events and modern craftsmanship. It draws on local suppliers, designers and performers as well as offering a forum for top local talent, all set against a range of established design stalls and food trucks with an international flavour. As well as live music sets, there are discussions, unique pop-ups, walkabout entertainment, art and design workshops for all the family, a designers marketplace and street food and fresh food traders.
Greenwich Peninsula, Greenwich SE10 OER; greenwichpeninsula.co.uk