Get involved in Bankside’s cultural programme

Bankside has always had a distinct identity – and this year’s cultural programme celebrates the area’s spirit of otherness. There are plenty of opportunities for local businesses, workers and residents to get involved and explore what makes Bankside unique.

Here is a flavour of what to expect. For Better Bankside’s member businesses, there is no cost for participating in the programme, and where we can, we will help with staffing costs, material costs, and venue hire. For more information, contact Emma Charter, ec@betterbankside.co.uk

June

• Frida Kahlo: To coincide with Tate Modern’s exhibition and our mural trail, we are helping member businesses celebrate this iconic woman. If you are a restaurant or cafe, why not take advantage of our Frida-inspired colouring sheets for your younger customers; if you are a pub, host a “drink and draw” for adults. Or if you are creative organisation, you could host a Frida workshop.

July

• Bankside Big Lunches: We are encouraging Banksiders to get together, share food, and make connections. We will be rolling out our pink tables and chairs for everyone to enjoy lunch together. If you are a hospitality business, why not get involved by providing samples or tasters?

September

• Open House Festival: A London-wide festival that opens up and celebrates the city’s built environment. Every year, hundreds of normally inaccessible buildings, homes, and public spaces  open their doors to the public for free. This could include curated tours, behind the scenes, or special events. Do you have a hidden space that you would like to unveil?
• Heritage Open Days: Celebrate Bankside’s fantastic history and culture. Would you like to launch a new event or activity to celebrate our area’s rich history?

October

• The Big Draw: The Big Draw Festival is the world’s largest celebration of drawing, bringing people together through the power of creativity, and Better Bankside is encouraging members to host everything from hands-on workshops and exhibitions to large-scale collaborative projects. Do you have space which could be used for a creative session? Or are you a creative agency with an idea for a workshop?

December

• Christmas: Share your Christmas menus, special deals or gift packages with us, or get in touch if you want to take part in our “Twelves days of Christmas” social media series.

January

• Frost Fair: This flagship event in our calendar pays tribute to the days when the Thames used to freeze over. Join us for music, dance, and lots of Frost Fair themed activity. Are you able to host a musician? Or could you provide actors for our street performances?

Better Bankside recognises the importance of our cultural programme and believe in the value it brings to our community. Our programme is designed to amplify Bankside’s distinct identity to attract visitors, and through these events and our creative campaigns and marketing support, we aim to help increase footfall and spend in the area.

We are very excited about what this next year will bring, so get in touch if you want to find out more about any of our activities.

This year’s programme is a chance to come together with fellow Banksiders and enjoy everything that makes this corner of London so special. Get in touch to find out more.