Pack your picnic and join us outdoors in The Queen’s Gardens for a free party for all the family.
Make your own garden inspired jewellery and craft, hear magical stories that bring the park to life and colour in a giant artwork. Plus, look out for walking flowers, face painting and other performances.
Everyone is welcome – no need to book, just drop in.
All activities are completely free. Materials for all workshops provided.
Due to the rain forecast for Saturday, The Queen’s Gardens Party will relocate to Croydon Clocktower. All activities apart from the giant flower painting, Blom, can move indoors.
Please note that photography will be taking place.
HELP CREATE A GIANT FLOWER PAINTING
Fri 23 – Sat 24 Aug, 11am-3pm
Katharine Street and The Queen’s Gardens
Ever painted with sand? Slowly moving backward, the sand writer Blom draws in the streets. Sand comes out of his long arm and decorates the ground with a large flowery carpet. Come and help colour them in, adding your own creative touch. Blom is created by Gijs van Bon. Just drop in! For all ages.
MAKE A FLOWER CROWN
Fri 23 – Sat 24 Aug, 11am – 1pm
The Queen’s Gardens
Join Jessica Meehan to celebrate nature and the blooms of summer by making wearable art! Families are invited to make bright and bold paper flower crowns to adorn their heads. Play with shapes, colour and 3D collage to create something beautiful. Just drop in! For ages 4+
HEAR A STORY: CREATURES OF THE GARDEN
Fri 23 Aug, 11:15am, 1pm and 3:30pm
Sat 24 Aug, 11am, 1pm and 3:30pm
The Queen’s Gardens
Join Bernadette Russell for funny, heart warming stories about the magical creatures of the garden including wise trees, friendly bees, dancing foxes and clever pigeons! Bernadette is the author of six books and has created story shows at the National Theatre, Southbank Centre and Royal Albert Hall. Just drop in. For all ages.
HEAR A STORY: ROALD DAHL’S ‘BILLY AND THE MINPINS’
Fri 23 Aug, 12pm and 2:30pm
Sat 24 Aug, 12pm and 2:15pm
The Queen’s Gardens
Join Andy Copps on an exciting adventure into Billy’s world, that will leave you holding your breath and laughing out loud. Expect plenty of interaction and opportunities to participate! Just drop in. For all ages.
Licensed by the Roald Dahl Company for Andy Copps.
GET YOUR FACE PAINTED
Fri 23 – Sat 24 Aug, 11am-1:15pm and 1:45am-4pm
The Queen’s Gardens
Have your face painted with a beautiful, summer design. Both adults and children are welcome. Face painting will be done by the multi-talented, Turkish artist Atelier Arzu who will be bringing her creativity, skill and passion to The Queen’s Gardens Party. Just drop in! For all ages.
DESIGN YOUR OWN FLOWER JEWELLERY
Fri 23 Aug, 11:30am-1:30pm
The Queen’s Gardens
Join artist Alexandra Baker to design and create your own flower themed jewellery to take home. With pictures to spark inspiration and a wide assortment of beads and stretchy strings to choose from, you’ll experiment and learn techniques in a relaxed and supportive environment. Just drop in! Ages 6+
ENJOY A HIGH ENERGY MUSIC PERFORMANCE
Sat 24 Oct | 11:30am-12pm and 1:30-2:10pm
The Queen’s Gardens
Forget everything you think you know about string quartets. Stop by for a fabulously fun music performance by talented musicians who don’t like to sit still. Bowjangles brings together music with physical theatre, lively storytelling and comedy in a way you’ve never seen before. For all ages.
EXPERIENCE HIGH TEA (WITH A TWIST)
Fri 23 – Sat 24 Aug, 12:30-pm and 3-3:30pm
The Queen’s Gardens
Watch the Canapé Art twins as they perform dance and acrobatics above a tastefully laid tea table, before pausing for selfies and a cuppa. Expect glittery cakes, outrageous costumes and theatrical high jinx in an explosion of bright colour and silliness. Presented by Levantes Dance Theatre. For all ages.
MAKE A BLOOMING SPOON
Fri 23 – Sat 24 Aug, 2pm – 4pm
The Queen’s Gardens
Join Jess Meehan and transform a kitchen wooden spoon into a blooming work of art! Families are invited to create bold and fun flower crafts. Using collage, we will play with how we can make something beautiful, bright and full of character from an ordinary wooden spoon. Just drop in! For ages 4+
MEET THE BLUE BELLES
Fri 23 – Sat 24 Aug
In and around The Queen’s Gardens
Summer is in the air! Catch sight of the charming Blue Belles as they visit The Queen’s Gardens. Based on our famous native bluebell flower, these stilt walkers will bring a touch of magic to your picnic, as well as a great family photo opportunity. Presented by An Act Above. For all ages.
MEET THE FLOWER PEOPLE
Fri 23 – Sat 24 Aug
In and around The Queen’s Gardens
Have a tree hug with some amazing real life Living Topiary! Straight from the pages of a fairy story, these human shaped plants have come to life to walk and talk around The Queen’s Gardens. Presented by Theatre Illumiere. For all ages.
MEET THE CABEZONAS
Fri 23 – Sat 24 Aug
In and around The Queen’s Gardens
Meet our Latin American carnivalesque characters, made with all things recycled and inspired by a variety of female figures from Frida Kalho to Mother Earth. Presented by Cusan Theatre. For all ages.