Celebrate the gifts of Harvest in a weekend of food, folk and faith!
Croydon Harvest featuring The Walnut Fair will take over the town centre on Saturday 5 & Sunday 6 October with free performances, puppetry, live music, dance, storytelling, farm animals and more.
What’s On
- Witness Croydon’s historic Walnut Fair come to life in miniature toy form from our partners at Pollock’s Toy Museum and Croydon Natural History and Scientific Society
- Say hello to the animals from Vauxhall City Farm.
- Enjoy farmyard frolics with Plucky, the enormous chicken, and Farrah the fantastic 5 metre high fox who will be speeding in town on her scooter.
- Meet the Let’s Grow Nannies, who invite you to meet their adorable vegetable babies and join them for a game of hide & seek in The Magic Shed and Pop-up allotment.
- Visit the Museum of Memorable Trees and discover a collection of stories and exhibits at this mobile museum on wheels.
- Get creative and make your own hand-puppets inspired by foxes and chickens, transform a kitchen wooden spoon into a work of art and get your face painted as your favourite woodland creature!
- Feast on flavours from across the globe at the Surrey Street Food Market, listen to enchanting folk stories and music and enjoy magical arts performances.
The History of The Walnut Fair
The Walnut Fair is an annual tradition which took place in Croydon Town Centre, starting in 1314.
By 1644, travellers flocked from the East End and beyond to buy walnuts by the hundreds. Customs of the October fair also included a variety of entertainment such as travelling theatre and circus, and popular goods sold included oysters and gingerbread.
The fair attracted large crowds to the Fair Fields, until it was finally closed down in 1868 for being too bawdy!
Read more about the fascinating history of The Walnut Fair in this article by Will Noble for Londonist: Croydon Edit.
Applications open for traders
We would like to welcome traders who reflect the theme of our event to showcase an array of natural or handmade products from craft items, gifts, food and drink, wildlife and nature inspired designs, flowers and more. We would also welcome food trucks and traders, and information stalls from relevant organisations, community groups or charities. More information and apply here.