Creative Barking and Dagenham

Mark your calendar. Two big things are coming up this month. Saturday 23rd May: Dagenham Farm open day. A short film screening followed by a Q&A with the local artist Abel himself, free food made using fresh produce on site and a properly relaxed Saturday morning at the farm. 11am to 2pm. Rainham Road North, RM10 7TJ. Free. Tickets are available via the link in our bio. Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st May: Imagine Galleon Together Weekender. Two days of free workshops, food, music, dance, art and creativity, all happening inside Galleon Arts Centre, Boundary Road, Barking IG11 7JR. Free. If you've been searching for free things to do in Barking and Dagenham this May, free events in East London, or somewhere good to spend the next couple of Saturdays, we've got two weekends covered. Save the dates. We hope to see you at one. Or both. 📸 Photo by @jimmylphotography

It’s been a month… and we’re still thinking about this ✨ Those cold February nights didn’t feel so cold. Not when the streets were full of light, music and people coming together. From handmade lanterns to shared moments along the routes, Winter Lights wasn’t just something you watched - it was something you felt. It brought neighbours together, lit up familiar places in new ways, and reminded us what can happen when a community creates something side by side. If you were there, you’ll know. And if you weren’t - this is a glimpse of what it felt like. #WinterLights #BarkingAndDagenham #CommunityMoments #CreativeBD #TogetherWeCreate

As we reflect on Winter Lights Festival 2026, we’re incredibly proud of what was created across Barking & Dagenham. Over five days in February, the borough was transformed through light, performance and shared experience - made possible by an extraordinary collective effort. Thank you to our partners, artists, producers, volunteers and local communities who brought this to life. With special thanks to Arts Council England and the L&Q Foundation for their support, alongside Barking Riverside Limited, Hill Group UK, Home Décor GB Ltd, MPD FM, Peabody and all of our delivery partners across the borough. From schools and community centres to parade routes and public spaces, this was a true collaboration at every level. Watch the full film to see the scale of what was achieved together via our YouTube Channel which can be found via our link in bio. #WinterLights #BarkingAndDagenham #CreativePartnerships #ArtsAndCulture #CreativeCommunities

Ready to share your idea? We’re looking for event ideas for Galleon Arts Centre (30–31 May 2026) - and they could come from you. Whether it’s a workshop, performance, creative session or something completely new, we want ideas that: - bring people together - celebrate culture - nurture creativity - share skills No long application needed - send us up to 300 words or up to 2 minutes of audio/video. All submissions will be reviewed by the Imagine Galleon Together Citizens’ Panel who are helping shape the future of Galleon Arts Centre. Shortlisted ideas receive £200 to develop Selected events receive up to £3,000 to make them happen 🗓 Deadline: Thursday 26 March, 6pm Head to the link in bio for full details & how to apply.

You're invited to share your idea for an event that could take place at Galleon Arts Centre on Boundary Road in Barking for Sat 30 and/or Sun 31 May 2026. We’re looking for ideas that bring people together, celebrate culture, share skills or spark creativity. This is a chance to help shape how the space is used by different communities across Barking and Dagenham. You don’t need to write a long proposal. Just submit: • Up to 300 words OR • Up to 2 minutes of audio or video Shortlisted ideas will receive a £200 development fee. Selected events will receive between £1,000 and £3,000, plus support to bring them to life. Every submitted idea will be reviewed by the Imagine Galleon Together Citizens’ Panel. The citizens’ panel was selected by lottery and is made up of a broad cross-section of people from across Barking and Dagenham. The Citizens’ Panel is helping to shape the future of Galleon Arts Centre and all decisions will be made by them. Key dates: Thu 26 March – Deadline to submit your idea Mon 30 March – Shortlisted ideas notified Sat 25 April – Present developed ideas to the panel Mon 27 April – Successful applicants notified Sat 30 and/or Sun 31 May – Events take place For more information and to submit your idea please go to the link in our bio.

Thank you for being part of the Creative Barking and Dagenham Winter Light Festival. Over the past week, we saw lantern parades, pop up performances and creative workshops bring neighbours together across the borough. Your energy, participation and support helped make the festival what it was. Now we would love to invite you to our Winter Light Festival Reflection Session. This is an opportunity to come together once more, share your experiences and help shape future creative events in Barking and Dagenham. Whether you attended a lantern making workshop, joined a parade or watched one of the performances, your feedback matters. As a thank you for your time, attendees at the reflection session will receive a £20 Love2shop voucher. One voucher per household. Event details: Wednesday 4 March 2026 4:00pm to 6:00pm Barking Learning Centre, 2 Town Square, Barking, IG11 7NB The session is open to everyone who took part in the festival. Join us to reflect, connect and look ahead to what comes next. Find full details and register via our website.

As we look back on the Winter Light Festival, we want to say a big thank you. Thank you to our community for showing up, taking part and filling each space with warmth and energy. Thank you to @worldbeatersmusic who brought light, sound and movement to our streets. Thank you to the team of local people, artists, event professionals, volunteers and partners who worked behind the scenes to make it all happen. A special thank you to Arts Council England @aceagrams and L&Q Foundation @LQHomes for supporting this event and helping us bring the festival to life. From handmade lanterns to shared moments along the parade routes, these evenings were shaped by collective effort and creativity. Swipe through to revisit some of the highlights and celebrate what we created together. A massive thank you to @jimmy_lee_portraits for the photos of the events.

When sound meets light, magic happens. Barking Lantern Parade 2026 #barking #london #lights #sounds #parade

Four days. Countless smiles. One community shining bright ✨ The Winter Light Festival has filled our streets with rhythm, colour and joy! From dancing families to glowing lanterns and the electrifying energy of SPARK! Barking & Dagenham, you’ve been incredible so far. 💜 Now it’s time for the final chapter! 🏮 Barking Lantern Parade 📅 Sunday 22 February 🕠 17:30 Registration | 18:30 Start 📍 Town Square, Barking, IG11 7LU Let’s light up the borough one last time. Don’t miss the grand finale. ✨

Join us today for the final event of the Winter Light Festival in Barking Town Centre. This evening’s lantern parade begins and ends in Town Square, bringing the festival to a close with light, community and celebration. Event details: Sunday 22 February 17:30 registration 18:30 parade start Start and finish: Town Square, Barking, IG11 7LU Come along, gather with neighbours and be part of the final celebration. Free to attend.

There’s nothing better than seeing the community light up ✨ Yesterday we had little ones dancing in the street & the glow of the SPARK! drummers lighting up the night - what a special atmosphere across Thames View and Rivergate Square 💜 These are the moments the Winter Light Festival is made for. Don’t miss out on today’s shows! 📅 Saturday 21 February 🎭 Dagenham Heathway Show - 16:00 📍 Dagenham, RM10 8RE 🎭 Valence Library Show - 19:00 📍 Becontree Avenue, Dagenham, RM8 3HT Bring the family, wrap up warm and come and join us ✨

Dagenham Heathway Show and Valence Library Show The Winter Light Festival continues today with two shows in Dagenham. Join us this afternoon at Dagenham Heathway and again this evening outside Valence Library for performances that bring communities together through light and creativity. Event details: Saturday 21 February Dagenham Heathway Show 16:00 performance Dagenham Heathway, RM10 8RE Saturday 21 February Valence Library Show 19:00 performance Becontree Avenue, Dagenham, RM8 3HT We look forward to seeing you there. Free to attend.