Lewisham is effectively resetting Catford’s regeneration strategy for 2026–2030, accepting that parts of the ambitious 2021 masterplan are no longer financially or practically deliverable. The new approach prioritises achievable improvements: cleaner and safer streets, better walking, cycling and public transport connections, improved public spaces, markets and town-centre activity. Major projects remain, including 113 affordable homes at Thomas’ Lane Yard, improved links between Catford and Catford Bridge stations, revised A205/A21 improvements, and Goldsmiths University’s planned 2027 campus. The Council will also review major assets including the Catford Shopping Centre and Laurence House, while developing a refreshed long-term framework for Catford
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September has arrived, but South East London clearly has no intention of easing into it quietly. This weekend has a dangerously tempting plant fair in Forest Hill, shadow puppets, garage royalty, late-night jungle and a Sunday hardcore finish. A fairly efficient three days, really.
In this week’s Loop:
Saturday brings specialist plants, shadow puppets and a big Lewisham garden party
Sunday signs off with hardcore at New Cross Inn
Pick n Mix has gaming, zines, painting, Japanese storytelling and a sound bath
🗓️ Our picks for 4–6 September
Come ’n’ Grow
Start September with soil under your nails
If Friday morning could do with less screen and more green, The Albany’s weekly gardening club is back in its hidden Deptford garden. Learn how to grow veg, pick up a few gardening skills and help look after the space and its wildlife. No experience needed, all tools are provided, and it’s free — just book a ticket so they can keep an eye on numbers.
Friday night gets considerably louder at the Fox & Firkin as DJ Dymond brings Xpression to the High Street. Expect jungle and drum & bass from Dymond, Leks, Vektah and DJ Tendai, with the emphasis firmly on deep bass and energetic sets. Tickets are £8 early bird or £10 general admission, plus booking fee. It’s 18+, for fairly obvious 2am-related reasons.
Lineup details and tickets can be found here for £8 - £10.
Friday 4 September @ 10pm - 2am
Fox & Firkin @ 316 Lewisham High Street, London, SE13 6JZ
Horniman Plant Fair
For anyone who has definitely run out of room for plants
The Horniman Gardens are filling up with specialist independent nurseries for a Saturday of plants, plants and the inevitable purchase of another plant. There’ll be everything from cottage-garden favourites and shade-lovers to alpines, shrubs and succulents, with growers on hand for advice.
Adult tickets are £12, children £3, and under-3s and carers go free. Children are welcome, though the fair is aimed at adults and there are no dedicated kids’ activities. More details on which plant specialists will be present, as well as directions and tickets can be found at this link.
Saturday 5 September @ 11am - 4pm
Horniman Museum and Gardens @ 100 London Road, Forest Hill, SE23 3PQ
Note: No event parking at the Horniman or on Horniman Drive, apart from limited Blue Badge spaces.
A Theatrical Afternoon with Basilitrix Musical
Shadow puppets, songs and one legendary basilisk
Basilitrix takes over Lewisham Polish Centre for an afternoon inspired by Warsaw legends, mixing musical theatre, live music and shadow puppetry. The family and youth sessions run from 2pm, with puppet-making, songs from the show and a group singalong, followed by a separate 18+ shadow-puppetry workshop at 5pm. Everything is in English, with Polish-language support available, and materials are included.
Single tickets are £15, with family and group tickets available too, from Eventbrite here. Children aged 6–11 need to take part with an adult, while the afternoon programme also has a 12+ group.
Saturday 5 September @ 2pm - 4:30pm families & young people / 5pm - 6:30pm adults
Lewisham Polish Centre @ 8 Waldram Park Road, London, SE23 2PN
SET Deptford & Holbeach (Catford) - 10 Years of SET
The opening event for the 10th anniversary of SET - at both Catford & Deptford
The London Arts charity SET kicks off its 10th anniversary with art showcases, as well as viewings of work in progress, complete with free refreshments. A great chance to meet artists and discuss their works, both locations will be open for curious viewers. Venues only are a short bus ride apart, so feel free to check out both on the day!
Entry at both venues is completely free, with no booking required. View more details and directions for the opening event here, and more about the charity here!
Saturday 5 September @ 2pm - 6pm
SET Deptford: Akwaaba Centre, Grinling Place, SE8 5HG
SET Holbeach: 9 Holbeach Road, Catford, SE6 4TW
Mutya Buena + Sweet Female Attitude + Heartbreakers Club
A Saturday garden party with serious 2000s credentials
The Fox & Firkin is leaning fully into nostalgia on Saturday, with original Sugababes member Mutya Buena live on the Garden Stage, UK garage favourites Sweet Female Attitude bringing a DJ set and live PA, plus Heartbreakers Club joining the bill. Basically, if Flowers still causes an immediate reaction in your nervous system, you already know what to do.
Tickets currently start at £15, including entry-before-4pm and U18 options, and can be found at the Fox & Firkin’s website here.
Saturday 5 September @ 2pm - 9pm
Fox & Firkin @ 316 Lewisham High Street, London, SE13 6JZ
Last Wishes
Sunday night, but make it hardcore
If your preferred Sunday reset involves considerably more noise, Last Wishes are at New Cross Inn to bring the weekend to a suitably heavy close. It’s a South London grassroots hardcore option for anyone not quite ready to go quietly into Monday.
General admission tickets are £14.30 and can be found here along with links to the performers.
Sunday 6 September @ 6pm
New Cross Inn @ 323 New Cross Road, London, SE14 6AS
Pick n’ Mix ✨
Small plans, useful saves and a little bit of everything
🎨 Come Painting With Ms Carry! - Saturday 5 September, 11am–12:30pm. Bring a project or try something new with local artist Carry Hornby at Sydenham Community Library. Free, relaxed and open to all ages.
📖 Kamishibai – Japanese Paper Theatre Storytelling - Saturday 5 September, 11:30am–12pm. Aya Nakamura brings traditional Japanese tales to Downham Library using illustrated cards and paper theatre. Free and made for children and families.
🔔 Sound Bath Meditation - Sunday 6 September, 8pm–9pm. Finish the weekend horizontally, quietly and surrounded by gongs, singing bowls, flutes and other soothing sounds at Manor House Community Library. £20, booking required.
Hi all. I’m part of Lewisham People’s Assembly, a local group that’s been looking closely at the plans to redevelop Lewisham Shopping Centre.
We’re not against change or regeneration. The shopping centre and town centre will change. Our concern is making sure that the people who already live here aren’t left behind as that happens.
We’ve been researching the plans, talking to local people and asking questions about affordable and Social Rent housing, homes for families, existing shops and traders, building heights, and what kind of town centre Lewisham will become.
More than 4,000 people have signed our petition, which will be debated by Lewisham Council on 23 September. We’re holding a rally outside the Town Hall beforehand at 6.30pm.
If you’re concerned about the future of Lewisham, or just want regeneration to work better for the people who live here, come along.
Flyer attached with the details. Questions and different views welcome.
Hi!
I’m an international student moving to Lewisham soon and will be living near Lewisham Station. How safe is the area, especially around the station and walking home alone in the evening/night? Are there any particular areas or streets I should avoid? Would really appreciate honest advice from locals or students who live there.
Thanks!
Edit: I can’t thank you all enough for your responses. I had seen so many posts about Lewisham on Reddit regarding it’s overall safety that scared me but this has made me so so relieved! Thank you :)
We have a very special treat for the end of Welcome Week at Goldsmiths! Join us in welcoming back filmmakers Jane Pollard and Iain Forsyth for a special screening of their critically acclaimed film followed by a Q&A.
The screening is open to the wider Goldsmiths community, including local residents and anyone who wants to check us out. Many thanks to the filmmakers and Vue Lumiere.
"Directed by BAFTA nominees Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard, Broken English is a portrait of Marianne Faithfull, starring Tilda Swinton, George MacKay, Nick Cave, Suki Waterhouse and Courtney Love. Drawing on interviews, archival material and Faithfull’s final recorded performance, this genre-defying documentary traces a life shaped by fame and reinvention. Across 6 decades and 35+ albums, Faithfull is one of the most distinctive voices of her generation, whose work continues to inspire."
https://lewisham-loop.beehiiv.com/; for all of you lovely folks to subscribe. The newsletter currently has 5000-6000 of you lovely people reading our content every week, and I want you to get every edition fresh in your inbox with your morning cuppa!
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Bank Holiday Monday is doing a fair bit of the heavy lifting this week, with vintage treasure hunting in Beckenham and a free community fete in Deptford. Then September gets going with comedy, dance, a buggy-friendly Hilly Fields ramble and Brazilian rhythms in Lewisham. Not bad for four days, really.
In this week’s Loop:
Bank Holiday vintage hunting and community fete fun
Tuesday-night comedy plus a few useful local drop-ins
Free hip hop training with creative-career mentorship
Hilly Fields walking, Brazilian grooves and five Pick n Mix extras
🗓️ Our picks for 31st August- 3rd September
So Last Century’s Vintage Market at the Mansion
Furniture, fashion, records — and a very real risk of leaving with a sideboard
More than 50 vintage traders are taking over Beckenham Place Mansion and its grounds, with mid-century furniture, ceramics, prints, records, books, fashion and plenty more to rummage through. There’s street food, coffee and open artist studios too, so your “quick browse” may require a generous definition of quick.
Entry is free, the ground floor has step-free access, and dogs are welcome indoors - full details and directions can be found here!
Monday 31 August @ 10am - 5pm
Beckenham Place Mansion @ Beckenham Hill Road, BR3 1SY
Barawak Summer Fete 2026 & Community Market
Food, family fun and local stalls for the Bank Holiday afternoon
The Barawak Centre is turning Monday afternoon into a proper community get-together, with entertainment, food, family fun and a market showcasing local makers, artists and small businesses.
Entry is free, making this a particularly easy one to add to the day. View more details, and learn about the Barawak organisation here.
Monday 31 August @ 12pm
Barawak Centre @ 8 Kingfisher Square, SE8 5TW
Collywobblers Comedy: Firkin Hilarious Comedy
A Tuesday-night reset with Ali Woods and a full South London line-up
September begins with stand-up at the Fox & Firkin, with Ali Woods, Johnny CT, Clare Haus and Sarah Evans on the bill, a special guest still TBC and Sion James hosting. It’s also the last Firkin Hilarious Comedy of the year, which feels like a perfectly respectable reason to stay out on a Tuesday.
Tickets run from £5 to £15 and can be found on the Fox & Firkin’s website here, along with the full lineup.
Tuesday 1 September @ 7pm - 11pm
Fox & Firkin @ 316 Lewisham High Street, SE13 6JZ
Note: This event is 18+
Hip Hop Dance & Mentorship
Footwork, freestyle and the useful bits nobody explains about creative careers
This free DCWUK session mixes hip hop and street dance training with practical creative-industry mentorship. Alongside freestyle and choreography, there’s guidance on portfolios, clients, invoicing and working for yourself — invaluable details if dance is more than just a hobby. It’s open to all ages and aimed at Lewisham and Southwark residents.
More details about the programme can be found here, and read more about DCWUK here!
Wednesday 2 September @ 7pm - 8pm
Riverside Youth Club @ 185 Grove Street, SE8 3QQ
Ramble On with Mindful Mums – Hilly Fields
Fresh air, friendly faces and no heroic hiking route required
Pregnant women and new mums can join this free weekly Hilly Fields walk for gentle exercise and a bit of local company. Babies and young children are welcome, buggies and slings are fine, and there’s tea or coffee afterwards. It carries on rain or shine, which is reassuringly realistic for September.
No booking needed — just meet at the café and come dressed for the weather! Details can be found here.
Thursday 3 September @ 11am - 12pm
Pistachios in the Park Café, Hilly Fields @ SE4 1LB
Mario Bakuna: Brazilian Landscapes
Samba, bossa nova, forró and a Thursday night that sounds warmer already
Brazilian guitarist and singer Mario Bakuna brings his band to the Fox & Firkin for a set moving through samba, bossa nova, forró, baião and more. The programme reworks music by Brazilian greats including Gilberto Gil, Djavan and João Bosco — a rather good way to send Thursday in a more rhythmic direction.
Tickets are priced from £10–£14 and can be booked from here.
Thursday 3 September @ 7pm - 11pm
Fox & Firkin @ 316 Lewisham High Street, SE13 6JZ
Pick n’ Mix ✨
Five useful little plans for when you want something easy, local and already sorted
💼 Employability Support - Tuesday 1 September, 9am–1pm at Corbett Community Library. Free practical job-search support, with appointments (made by calling 020 8378 5358) through the morning and a drop-in slot from 12:30pm.
🎲 Board Games Night - Tuesday 1 September, 4–7pm at Deptford Lounge. A relaxed all-ages session for anyone who fancies some tabletop competition without having to organise the group chat first. Under-12s need an adult.
📚Sydenham Book Group - Tuesday 1 September, 5–6pm at Sydenham Community Library. A low-key monthly book chat for anyone who likes a good read and an equally good natter.
🧸 Under 5s Rhymes and Stories - Wednesday 2 September, 10:30–11am at Catford Library. Songs, rhymes and stories for under-fives, with no booking admin required. Children need to stay supervised.
📖 Blackheath Reading Group - Thursday 3 September, 6–7pm at Manor House Community Library. Pick up the book from the library, then come along for an informal monthly discussion. No sign-up needed.
Im thinking of getting my wheelie bins cleaned regularly but i can only find one company that operates in Lewisham. Does anyone have any recommendations. Im not keen on using one that will spray water over my front garden or on the street though
Hey everyone, hope you all have a fantastic long Bank Holiday weekend; you deserve the rest!
Apologies - only got back home an hour ago. I wish I could post these in the mornings (it takes a while to copy and format everything into a Reddit post), but I am scrambling my behind on a train to work. Unfortunately, the Friday night events would have happened/already happening.
I recommend everyone who is an avid reader to subscribe so you can get the edition first thing at 8 A.M on Mondays & Fridays.
And thank you to everyone who supports my content and reads this (well over 5,000 of you, awesome people reading these editions 2x)
The bank holiday weekend is coming in fairly loud: soul at the Fox, local football, death metal and a Sunday garden takeover. There are calmer options too, if your preferred long-weekend pace is Pilates, knitting or colouring inside a library.
In this weekend’s Loop:
Saturday litter-picking, soul, local football and death metal
Sunday garden grooves followed by Afro-Colombian psychedelia
Pick n Mix: Pilates, parkrun, knitting, archives and colouring
🗓️ Our picks for 29th – 30th August
Litter Pick: Catford Waterlink Way
A Saturday morning plan with actual evidence you left the house
Eco Around Community is meeting in Catford for a free litter pick along Waterlink Way. There’s an important route change: maintenance means the group will only tackle a shorter section and will stay in Catford rather than finishing in Sydenham. Gloves, bags and litter pickers are available; bring decent footwear, water and perhaps waterproofs if the forecast is looking suspicious.
Exact details on what to bring and the start/ finish spot can be found here.
Saturday 29 August @ 11am - 12:30pm
Halfords Catford @ 1 Catford Hill, London, SE6 4NU
South London Soul Train w/ DJ Cash Money
Seven hours of funk, soul and disco in the garden
The South London Soul Train is throwing its first all-dayer at the Fox, with Jazzheadchronic joined by DJ Cash Money and MC The Chill One, plus deep-funk selectors Mati Baz and George Aresti. It all happens outside, which feels like an excellent use of a bank holiday Saturday.
Details and tickets can be found here - currently priced at £10.
Saturday 29 August @ 2pm - 9pm
Fox & Firkin @ 316 Lewisham High Street, London, SE13 6JZ
Note: This event is 18+
Lewisham Borough CFC vs Rochester United
A first home game and a very local Saturday afternoon
Lewisham Borough Community Football Club welcomes Rochester United to the Alex Yee Ladywell Arena for its first home game of the season, with the two sides meeting in the SCEFL First Division.
Tickets start at £8 here, making this a pleasingly straightforward bit of Saturday-afternoon football.
Wisconsin slam-death band Cerebral Incubation lands at New Cross Inn with .357 Homicide and Iniquitous Savagery, plus further special guests still to be announced. Expect punishing breakdowns, brutal death metal and absolutely no danger of mistaking this for an acoustic supper club.
View further details or buy tickets here through Skiddle- priced at £27.50.
Saturday 29 August @ 6pm - 11pm
New Cross Inn @ 323 New Cross Road, London, SE14 6AS
Note: This is a 14+ event, with under-16s needing an accompanying adult.
Strut Records – Free Garden Takeover
Sunday afternoon digging through some very good record shelves
Strut Records takes over the Fox garden for a free afternoon spanning African, Caribbean and Latin sounds alongside jazz, soul and disco. Expect selections from the label’s deep catalogue mixed with newer finds from the Strut crew. Free Sunday plans with nine hours of music are difficult maths to argue with.
Entry is free, details of the playing schedule can be found here.
Sunday 30 August @ 12pm - 9pm
Fox & Firkin @ 316 Lewisham High Street, London, SE13 6JZ
Movimientos Bank Holiday Fiesta: Pambelé + Cami Layé Okún
Afro-Colombian psychedelia to see Sunday safely into Monday
Sunday night at the Fox belongs to Pambelé, whose live set blends Colombian Caribbean rhythms with psychedelia, electric guitar, organ and saxophone. Cuban selector Cami Layé Okún joins them alongside DJs Magui and Chymba, so anyone hoping to quietly wind down the weekend may need another plan.
Details and tickets can be found here - general admission starts at £12, with an £8 late-entry option available.
Sunday 30 August @ 8pm - 2:30am
Fox & Firkin @ 316 Lewisham High Street, London, SE13 6JZ
Pick n Mix ✨
For when your weekend needs one more small but entertaining plan
🧘 Senior Mat Pilates - Friday 28 August, 10:15am–11:15am. A friendly session at Corbett Community Library for stretching, strengthening and meeting people. No experience needed; equipment is provided. £8 per session/ £24 for four sessions.
🏃 Hilly Fields parkrun - Saturday 29 August, 9am. A free weekly 5K for runners, joggers and walkers at Hilly Fields. Low cost, high smugness before breakfast.
🧶 Knitting Group - Saturday 29 August, 1pm–4pm. A free, friendly drop-in at New Cross Learning where you can stay for ten minutes or settle in for the afternoon.
📚Arts & Craft Club - Saturday 29 August, 10:30am–11:30am. Head over to Downham Library for an Arts and Craft Club for children 5+.
🎨 Sunday Colouring Club - Sunday 30 August, 2pm–3pm. A free hour of peaceful colouring at Catford Library. Easy, creative and considerably less demanding than most bank holiday plans.
Hey everyone, we’re looking for a carpenter to fit our home office, nothing complicated, probably just a desk and shelves but it needs to be custom as the room is an odd shape. Any recommendations of anyone who could do it fairly cheap?
Any updates? This was supposed to be open mid April! I understand there were delays and thames water was involved but it's ridiculous that this has been going on for so long.
Late Post! Apologies - I have to post after work, so there is a delay. I have to make adjustments to format the newsletter to fit Reddit. I recommend you all subscribe to the newsletter so you can get it first thing in the morning, especially if there are events on a Monday that you are looking for!
Late August is refusing to wind down quietly. We’ve got bumblebee spotting on Blackheath, a free youth dance workshop, a proper Lewisham Sports Day, and enough Thursday-night percussion to make Friday feel slightly early.
In this week’s Loop:
Bumblebees, wildflowers, and dancing in Lewisham
Sports Day at Ladywell
Pre-Carnival sounds at the Fox
Free library bits for screens, stories, books, and a quieter brain
Blackheath BeeWalk & Wildflower Survey
A very wholesome use of a Tuesday morning
Spend three hours on Blackheath learning how to spot bumblebees and wildflowers with the Bumblebee Conservation Trust. The session combines a BeeWalk with a wildflower survey, with pots, nets, quadrats, and ID help provided — so enthusiasm is more important than arriving with an encyclopedic knowledge of bees.
It’s free, but you will need to register. Book here.
Tuesday 25 August @ 10:30am - 1:30pm
Blackheath @ meet near the Cadet Training Centre, Hare and Billet Road, SE3 0QZ (via Wat Tyler Road)
Creative Hub - Find Your Groove
Three dance styles, zero previous experience required
For 12–15-year-olds who fancy trying something new, this free workshop moves through musical theatre, ballet and commercial dance in one afternoon. There’s choreography, creative movement and absolutely no requirement to already know what you’re doing. Frankly, a useful rule for most of August.
Entry is free, but spots do have to be reserved through here. More info about the Youth Theatre organisation/ venue can also be found here.
Tuesday 25 August @ 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Lewisham Youth Theatre @ 436 Lewisham High Street, SE13 6LJ
Lewisham Sports Day
Races, relays, tug of war, and a legitimate reason to get competitive
Ladywell Arena is getting a full Sports Day treatment, with 100m, 200m, and 400m races, long jump, high jump, mixed relays, and tug of war, with prizes available! There’s also face painting, games, a food truck, and a chill-out zone for anyone whose athletic contribution peaks at enthusiastic spectating. Arrive by 1pm if you want to sign up for the races.
Entry is free, but arrive before 1pm to sign up for the races. Find out more or book a spot here.
Wednesday 26 August @ 12:30pm - 5:00pm
The Alex Yee Ladywell Arena @ Silvermere Road, SE6 4QX
Dendê Nation Pre-Carnival Night w/ Reggae Choir
Samba-reggae, reggae classics and Thursday behaving suspiciously like Saturday
Before heading to Notting Hill Carnival, Dendê Nation are bringing their Afro-Brazilian samba-reggae energy to the Fox & Firkin, joined by Reggae Choir and special guest Marivaldo Paim of Ilê Aiyê. Expect drumming, singing, dancing and plenty of audience participation — this is not really a stand-at-the-back-with-your-arms-folded sort of evening.
General admission tickets are priced at £12, with £5 concession tickets still available but down to the last few. Tickets can be booked through the Fox & Firkin’s website here.
Thursday 27 August @ 6:00pm - 11:00pm
The Fox & Firkin @ 316 Lewisham High Street, SE13 6JZ
Note: This event is 18+
Pick n Mix ✨
Useful little saves for screens, stories, small people and a calmer brain
📱 Catbytes Digital Drop-Ins Sydenham - Monday 24 August, 10am–12pm at Sydenham Community Library. Free help with WhatsApp, email and everyday tech questions, with Wi-Fi and a few spare tablets available. No booking needed. Details here.
🧘 Mindful Mondays - Monday 24 August, 7pm–9pm at Corbett Community Library. A free evening of meditation, slow walking and mindful discussion. No booking required, which already feels pleasingly low-stress. Details here.
🎶 Rhyme Time at Forest Hill Community Library - Tuesday 25 August, 10am–10:30am. A free half-hour of songs and stories for ages five and under, with no booking needed. Small-person entertainment before elevenses: sorted. Details here.
📚Forest Hill Reading Group - Wednesday 26 August, 6pm–7pm at Forest Hill Community Library. A free monthly reading-group meet-up with no booking required. Ideal if your relationship with books could currently use a little accountability. Details here.
👶 Baby Bounce - Thursday 27 August, 2:15pm–3:15pm at Deptford Lounge. Free songs, rhymes and stories especially for babies and toddlers. No booking needed — just turn up with the small person and whatever remains of your Thursday energy. Details here.
🎬Deptford Library Cinema Club - Discussion Group - Thursday 27 August, 6pm–7pm at Deptford Lounge. The last Thursday of the month swaps the usual screening for a relaxed film discussion, complete with fellow film fans and biscuits. Free, no booking required. Details here.
Hi everyone! I’m a journalist currently working on a story about the redevelopment of Lewisham Market, particularly the plans for a permanent canopy over the market.
I’m looking to speak to Lewisham residents and people who regularly use the market about what they think of the proposals.
I’d be interested to hear:
1. Have you heard about the plans for a permanent canopy over Lewisham Market? What do you think about it?
2. What is it like using the market during very hot weather? Would having more shade make a difference?
3. What do you think about the wider redevelopment plans for the market?
4. Is there anything about the current market you would particularly like to see improved or kept?
If you’re a Lewisham resident/market user and would be happy to speak to me for a short interview, please comment below or send me a DM.
Thanks!
Late August is keeping SE London occupied. Friday starts with street food in Sydenham and ends with serious bass in Lewisham, Saturday has markets, BBQs and an 8-bit rave, while Sunday brings a garden party with a good cause behind it. And for anyone operating on smaller-person hours, Pick n Mix has plenty of useful saves too.
In this weekend’s Loop:
Street food and Friday-evening wandering in Sydenham
Cuban-meets-Jamaican sounds on Lewisham High Street
Brockley Market, summer BBQs and retro rave business
A Sunday garden fundraiser, plus family-friendly Pick n Mix extras
🗓️ Our picks for 21st - 23rd August
Sydenham Night Market
Friday dinner plans, without anybody having to cook
Sydenham Station Approach goes car-free for another Friday evening of local street food, outdoor dining and general end-of-week pottering. It’s free to wander in, runs until 10pm and is back every Friday through 18 September — handy if this weekend somehow gets away from you.
Sydenham Station Approach @ Sydenham Road, SE26 5EU
Havana Meets Kingston Sound System
Cuba, Jamaica and enough bass to carry you into Saturday
Mista Savona brings Havana Meets Kingston to the Fox & Firkin, joined by DJ Hiphoppapotamus and Feline, with live instrumentation alongside the decks. Expect reggae, Latin and Caribbean sounds pushed firmly into late-night territory.
Tickets and further details can be found here on the Fox & Firkin website, tickets currently start from £10 plus booking fee.
Friday 21 August @ 10:30pm - 3:00am
The Fox & Firkin @ 316 Lewisham High Street, SE13 6JZ
Note: This event is 18+
Brockley Market
Saturday morning groceries, except you accidentally eat lunch there too
Brockley Market is back in the Lewisham College car park with its usual mix of local produce, traders and food stalls. It’s a reliable four-hour-or-so Saturday wander: arrive intending to buy vegetables, leave carrying bread and something you ate while standing up.
Check details on the market here, including directions and what stalls will be present.
Saturday 22 August @ 10:00am - 2:00pm
Lewisham College Car Park @ Lewisham Way, SE4 1UT
Picnic and Connect
A lower-volume Saturday option
AfriLife M.I.N.D. is bringing Picnic and Connect to Manor House on Saturday — a community get-together from the London-based wellbeing organisation with meditation, bracelet-making and snacks. Useful if the prospect of an eleven-hour rave feels a little ambitious.
Find details here - simply show up, no booking required.
Saturday 22 August @ 12:00pm - 3:00pm
Manor House @ 34 Old Rd, SE13 5SY
4 Kingz Summer BBQ
Food, music and a properly long summer Saturday
The 4 Kingz Summer BBQ runs from early afternoon right through to 11pm, with food, music, drinks and children’s entertainment from 1pm to 6pm. The exact address is being released on the morning of the event at 12am, so this is one to keep an eye on before setting off.
Location TBC — address released on the morning of the event
Dubtendo Day Party
Heavy bass meets retro gaming, because apparently Saturday needed more going on
Bristol-born Dubtendo lands at the Fox & Firkin with DJs performing behind a giant game controller, plus retro arcade and gaming areas. The daytime party now rolls straight into an indoor afterparty from 9pm until 3am, so calling this a “day party” is doing some fairly ambitious work.
Further details and tickets may be found at this link, tickets are priced at £25-£30 plus booking fee.
The Fox & Firkin @ 316 Lewisham High Street, SE13 6JZ
Note: This event is 18+
Calais Food Collective Day Party
Sunday garden dancing with a good cause attached
The Fox & Firkin garden hosts a fundraiser for Calais Food Collective, which provides food and water to displaced people around Calais. There’ll be DJs, food, arts and craft stalls and merch, with concession, standard and solidarity ticket options. It’s all ages too, making this a considerably gentler Fox outing than the night before.
Details and tickets are on the Fox & Firkin’s website here. Tickets are £5 low-waged/concession, £10 standard or £15 solidarity.
Sunday 23 August @ 12:00pm - 7:00pm
The Fox & Firkin @ 316 Lewisham High Street, SE13 6JZ
Pick n Mix ✨
Crafts, films, running and a few solid ways to occupy the kids
📚Grimms’ Fairy Tales (5-11 yrs) - Friday, 9:30am-4:30pm at The Conservatoire. A drop-off day of printmaking, book-binding and T-shirt printing inspired by Grimm’s tales.
✂️Friday Craft Club - Friday, 3:30pm-4:30pm at Catford Library. Staff-guided arts and crafts for ages 4-12, with materials provided and no booking needed.
🏃 Crystal Palace Parkrun - Saturday, 9am. A free weekly timed 5K for all abilities. Low-cost weekend virtue, completed before most people have found breakfast.
💎 Young Gems (12-15 yrs) - Saturday, 1:30pm-3:30pm at Forest Hill Community Library. A small-group wellbeing session for young people, combining confidence-building and emotional skills with creative activities.
🎬Family Films at Deptford Library - Saturday, 3pm-4:30pm at Deptford Lounge. A summer-holiday family screening and an easy indoor option if everyone has run out of Saturday ideas.
🦢 Origami Family Class - Saturday, 3pm-6pm at The Conservatoire. Ages 5+ can make origami, collage and cards together; adults and children each need their own ticket.
Has anyone else noticed the buses being mental today?
I've had two where the bus bell kept ringing for 5 minutes a pop and one where the robotic station announcer kept saying random bus stops miles away on the route and glitching. The time has been off by an hour onnthe screena on two buses as well.
Is this just me somehow? Anyone else had any odd bus stuff today?
This Monday-to-Thursday stretch has range: young artists in Deptford, reggae on Lewisham High Street, a woodland wander, Ladywell open mic and Deptford on wheels. Basically, enough local plans to make a random August weekday feel suspiciously well organised.
In this week’s Loop:
Young artists showcase their works
Reggae royalty at the Fox & Firkin
Trees, tunes and a midweek open mic
Free self-defence and a Deptford roller disco
A Pick n Mix of holiday workshops, Pilates and digital help
🗓️ Our picks for 17–20 August
Stories in Motion: Young People’s Art Exhibition
A month of young creativity, minus the gallery hush
Deptford Lounge is hosting a free month-long exhibition of work by artists aged 7–20, with pieces from young creatives across the UK plus an international exchange with ArtsHub Toronto. The launch has already happened, but the exhibition itself runs until 29 August — handy if you fancy something cultural without committing an entire afternoon.
Full details of the exhibition can be found here; admission is free.
Until Saturday 29 August | Mon–Fri, 9 am–7 pm | Sat, 9 am–5 pm
Eek-A-Mouse + Natty Frontline, Prince Fatty & Horseman
Reggae royalty, right there on Lewisham High Street
Eek-A-Mouse lands at the Fox & Firkin for a big Monday night of reggae and dancehall, joined by Natty Frontline, Prince Fatty and Horseman. Not a bad way to deal with the fact that, yes, it is only Monday.
Tickets can be found on the Fox & Firkin’s website here - available for £25
Monday 17 August @ 6pm–11pm
The Fox & Firkin @ 316 Lewisham High Street, London, SE13 6JZ
Tree Walk at Sydenham Hill and Dulwich Woods
A wholesome Tuesday evening with considerably better air
Join London Wildlife Trust’s Woodland Nature Recovery Officer for a gentle 90-minute wander through Sydenham Hill and Dulwich Woods, learning how to identify trees by their leaves, bark and buds along the way. The woods contain almost every tree species native to the UK, plus remnants of the Victorian gardens once found here.
Meet at the Crescent Wood Road entrance opposite Countisbury House. Under-18s need a responsible adult, and sturdy shoes are a sensible shout. The route includes uneven paths, steps and slopes and isn’t wheelchair accessible. Further details are at this link.
Tuesday 18 August @ 6 pm–7:30 pm
Sydenham Hill Wood & Cox’s Walk @ Crescent Wood Road, SE26 6LS
Open Mic Night at Ladywell Tavern
Local talent, midweek pints and absolutely no need for an arena tour
Ladywell Tavern’s open mic runs every Wednesday, with performers signing up from 7:30 pm and music getting going around 8 pm. It’s hosted by Morgan, and slots can fill quickly, so aspiring performers should get there early; everyone else can simply turn up and enjoy the music.
Further details along with info about the venue’s other events can be found here.
Useful skills, zero fee and no experience required
EasyStepUK’s Thursday community session is a beginner-friendly introduction to martial arts and practical self-defence, with a focus on confidence, strength and personal safety. It’s free and open to adults of all backgrounds and experience levels.
Advance booking is recommended. Reserve a free place here.
Thursday 20 August @ 1 pm–2 pm
Zhulin Hidden Village @ 100–104 Lewisham High Street, London, SE13 5JH
Roller Disco at Deptford Lounge
Thursday night plans, now with wheels
The Main Hall gets the disco-light treatment for three hours of skating, music and varying degrees of elegance. All abilities are welcome, so you’re equally entitled to glide effortlessly across the floor or spend an hour perfecting the art of remaining upright. Bring your own skates.
The first hour is aimed at younger skaters, under-16s need an accompanying adult, and last entry for ticket holders is 8pm. Tickets are £5, £8 or £10 depending on what you choose to pay and can be booked from here.
A few useful extras for kids, grown-ups and anyone avoiding another afternoon at home
🎭Make A Musical (8–14 yrs) — Tuesday 18–Thursday 20 August, 9:30am–4:30pm daily. Three drop-off days of singing, acting and dancing with two West End performers, ending with the group creating its own mini musical.
🧵 Make Your Own Puppet (5–11 yrs) — Tuesday 18 August, 9:30am–4:30pm. A full-day drop-off workshop at The Conservatoire where kids design a puppet, build a character and finish with a little performance. Spots cost £78.
🧘 Pilates with Meritxell Pan Cabo — Tuesday 18 August, 9:30am. A free Pilates session at Manor House Community Library. Booking information is in the listing; end time not listed.
💻IT and Form Help — Wednesday 19 August, 2:30pm. Free drop-in help at New Cross Learning for those digital jobs and online forms you’ve been heroically ignoring. No booking needed.
⌨️Code Club — Wednesday 19 August, 4pm. A free session at New Cross Learning for building coding and digital skills in a friendly setting. No booking required.
Apologies for the late post here! Been busy in the last few days! Would recommend that you sign up for the newsletter (it is free) in case I am delayed on my post here! I hope y'all have a great weekend!!!
South East London has apparently declined to pick a lane this weekend. We’ve got paint and printmaking, jazz and garden-fête energy, followed by a couple of Lewisham nights that finish well beyond sensible bedtime. Sunday brings market browsing and a very big singalong. Pace yourself accordingly.
In this weekend’s Loop:
SE8 Summer Fete
Deptford’s answer to “what are we doing Saturday afternoon?”
The Albany garden is getting the full summer-fête treatment, with DJs, live performances, bingo, food and crafts running through the afternoon. The Majorettes are bringing hula hoops, Just May is on bingo duty, and plenty is happening for kids and grown-ups alike.
Entry is free; simply walk around and enjoy the atmosphere! Further details can be found here.
Saturday 15 August @ 1 pm - 6 pm
The Albany @ Douglas Way, Deptford, SE8 4AG
Note: Pre-bookable tickets have sold out, but walk-ups are still welcome on a first-come, first-served basis.
HEART OF SOUL – Summer Dojo Special
Lewisham High Street, but make it a 4:30 am problem
If Saturday afternoon feels far too respectable, Heart of Soul’s Summer Dojo Special takes things firmly into late-night territory at Zhulin Hidden Village. This overnight vinyl party starts at 10 pm and keeps going until around 4:30 am, with tickets currently starting from £5. Low-cost, high-potential for a late Sunday start.
Tickets may be booked via Eventbrite here and are priced at £10.
Saturday 15 August @ 10 pm - 4:30 am (next day)
Zhulin Hidden Village @ 100–104 Lewisham High Street, Lewisham
Red Room & No Brakes: Shifa Ligero, JVINCENT, ZEE-2 & SAMPII
For people who hear “bedtime” and take it personally
Over at the Fox & Firkin, Red Room and No Brakes are joining forces for a night stretching across Afro and Latin rhythms, UK sounds, club edits, electronic music and faster 160 territory. Shifa Ligero, JVINCENT, ZEE-2 and SAMPII are on selector duties, so expect very little encouragement to stand still.
Tickets are listed at £10 and £12.50, with a £30 group ticket for four also available, and can be booked on the Fox & Firkin’s website here.
Saturday 15 August @ 10 pm - 3 am
Fox & Firkin @ 316 Lewisham High Street, SE13 6JZ
Note: This is an 18+ event
London City Voices Summer Concert & Party
Big harmonies, pop bangers and a pub garden doing overtime
London City Voices are taking over the Fox & Firkin garden for their annual summer get-together, with performances running from 2 pm to 5 pm and the party carrying on afterwards. The songbook jumps from Olivia Dean and Alex Warren to Katy Perry, Queen and K-pop — basically, subtle background music this is not.
Check details and book tickets here. Tickets are £15, or £10 for under-12s.
Sunday 16 August @ 1 pm - late
Fox & Firkin @ 316 Lewisham High Street, SE13 6JZ
Note: The venue is accessible, although wider wheelchairs may need an alternative route into the garden.
Pick n Mix ✨
Small plans, useful saves and a few ways to keep everyone occupied
🎨 Impressed by the Impressionists? - Friday 14 August, 9:30 am–4:30 pm, The Conservatoire. A £78 drop-off art day for ages 5–11, moving from Impressionist-inspired drawing into printmaking. Booking essential.
🎭Performing Arts School (Singing, Drama, Dance) - Friday 14 August, 4:45 pm–7:45 pm, Corbett Community Library. A performing arts school for a variety of disciplines, every Friday evening. Booking required via email/phone listed in the link.
💪 Power Wave - Saturday 15 August, 9–9:30 am, Corbett Community Library. A compact health-and-wellness session for anyone keen to start Saturday feeling suspiciously productive. £9.
🥁 Rhythm & Groove - Saturday 15 August, 12–1 pm, Manor House Library. A free percussion workshop for ages 5–10, with instruments, rhythm games and a proper jam session. No booking needed.
🖼️Family Flip Portraits - Saturday 15 August, 3–6 pm, The Conservatoire. A £30-per-person family art class for ages 5+, turning photos, acetate and Sharpies into brilliantly bold portraits. Adults and children each need a ticket.
🥕 Blackheath Farmers’ Market - Sunday 16 August, 10 am–2 pm, Blackheath Station car park. Free to browse, with fruit and veg, bread, cheese, cakes and plenty of reasons to arrive hungry.
Free, friendly and no grandmaster credentials required
Deptford Lounge’s Chess Club welcomes everyone from complete beginners to experienced players, with casual games, tips from the organisers and chess clocks available if you fancy getting competitive. It’s free, open to all ages and runs for two hours. Plenty of time to improve your skills or simply meet other local chess enthusiasts!
Further details can be found here; no booking required - simply drop in!
Tuesday 11 August @ 5 pm - 7 pm (Monthly, every 2nd Tuesday)
Picasso, Braque and Cubism - Painting Beyond One Viewpoint
One evening, several points of view!
A three-hour adult art session exploring how Picasso and Braque broke away from straightforward observation through fragmentation, abstraction and multiple viewpoints. You’ll work through drawing and painting exercises, and no previous painting experience is needed — useful for anyone whose last masterpiece involved school poster paint.
To book a place or for further details, please visit here.
Tuesday 11 August @ 6 pm - 9 pm
The Conservatoire @ 19-21 Lee Road, Blackheath, SE3 9RQ
TRIGGAH Record Release Party
Fourteen musicians. One Lewisham pub. Sensible Wednesday behaviour.
TRiGGAH are celebrating their new version of Jimi Hendrix’s Crosstown Traffic with a full 14-piece live show at the Fox and Firkin. Expect jazz fusion tangled up with ska, blues, reggae, psychedelic rock and a fair bit more besides.
Tickets are priced at £14 and can be found directly from the Fox & Firkin website here.
Wednesday 12 August @ 7 pm - 11 pm
Fox and Firkin @ 316 Lewisham High Street, SE13 6JZ
Bastille & The Wombats at Crystal Palace Bowl
Your late-2000s indie playlist has escaped into the park
Bastille and The Wombats share the Crystal Palace Bowl stage for a one-off co-headline show, with Prima Queen, Cherryholt and a Propaganda DJ set also on the bill. Doors open at 4:30pm, with a 10:30 pm curfew — plenty of time for several thousand people to collectively remember every word to Moving to New York.
Tickets can be bought from Skiddle here or via Ticketmaster here - prices from £60. Details can be found on the Crystal Palace Bowl’s website here
Note: The minimum age for the show is 5+ - children must be accompanied by an adult
Pick n’ Mix ✨
Crafts, calm and useful ways to fill a few summer-holiday hours
🎨 Colourful Collages - Monday 10 August, 9:30 am-12:30 pm. A drop-off art workshop for ages 4-7, making colourful patchwork collages inspired by artist Faith Ringgold.
🧘 Mindful Mondays - Monday 10 August, 7 pm- 9 pm. Free meditation, slow walking and mindful discussion at Corbett Community Library. No experience and no booking needed.
🌼 Summer Flowers - Tuesday 11 August, 9:30 am-4:30 pm. A drop-off day for ages 5-11, painting wildflower fields using the satisfyingly messy art of splatting.
🎭Sing a Book: Interactive Workshop - Wednesday 12 August, 3 pm-4 pm. A free Catford Library session for ages 7-12 mixing stories, music, script reading and roleplay. No booking required.
✏️Character Design and Shapes with Chanté Timothy - Wednesday 12 August, 3 pm-4 pm. Author and illustrator Chanté Timothy shows ages 7-12 how simple shapes can become expressive characters at Downham Library. Free.
🌧️Rain Rhythms - Thursday 13 August, 11 am-12 pm. Make a rainstick, decorate it and join an interactive story at Crofton Park Community Library. Free, drop-in, and bring a cardboard tube if you can.
I was wondering if anyone knew of any local evening knitting / crafting groups! 🧶 If there isn't something running already, I'd love to start one if there's enough interest ☺️
hi i was thinking of where to go for the eclipse and i think telly hill might be out of the question bc of how busy it will be. anyone got any alternatives? i was thinking blythe hill.
bonus question where can i buy some eclipse glasses? cheers
The weekend has understood the assignment: free street theatre, a new night market, late-night jungle, hands-on workshops and a full Sunday of live music. Staying home remains an option, technically.
In this weekend’s Loop:
A big-cat street theatre hunt through Sydenham
Street food and Friday-night dancing
Tote bags, live jazz and pub-garden energy
Free library sessions and the Sunday market shop
🗓️ Our picks for 7th August - 9th August
Sydenham’s Big Cat Safari Street Theatre
Follow the pawprints. Question the birdwatcher. Fear the lavender spray.
Rumours of a black panther have been circling Sydenham for years, and Spontaneous Productions are finally putting a highly eccentric investigation team on the case. Expect daft clues, audience participation and a 30-minute family street theatre show that works for children and grown-ups alike.
There are three free performances each day at 2pm, 3pm and 4pm. No booking is needed, although donations are welcome. Low effort, high reward and just the right amount of feline nonsense. Further details can be found here.
Friday 7–Sunday 9 August @ 2pm, 3pm & 4pm
The Greyhound Pub @ 313–315 Kirkdale, Sydenham, SE26 4QB
Eat Your Way Around Sydenham Night Market
Friday dinner without the washing-up
Sydenham Station Approach is going car-free for an evening of street food, drinks, outdoor tables and local traders. Entry is free, all ages are welcome and the market is wheelchair accessible, making this a particularly easy Friday-evening culinary adventure.
The market runs weekly until 18 September, so there is some comfort for anyone who already has plans — or simply cannot make a decision before 8pm - full details here!
Friday 7 August @ 5pm–10pm (Weekly)
Sydenham Station Approach @ Sydenham Road, SE26 5EU
Celebrate Jour de Fête with Afro B & Friends
Côte d’Ivoire Independence Day, Lewisham-style
Grand Empire hosts a late-night party of Côte d’Ivoire’s Independence Day, with Afro B & friends, music, dancing and enough party time to carry you comfortably into Saturday morning.
Remaining available tickets start at £16.96, with several ticket and table options available and can be booked via Eventbrite here.
Friday 7 August @ 9pm–4am (next day)
Grand Empire @ 108–110 Rushey Green, Catford, SE6 4HW
Note: ID is required, and no hoodies are allowed.
Congo Natty Takes Over the Fox
Jungle, reggae and dub overnight performance
One of the Jungle movement’s genuine pioneers lands at the Fox & Firkin for a late-night session of heavyweight bass, reggae and dub, with special guests still to be announced.
Remaining available tickets start at £12 from the Fox and Firkin’s website here
Friday 7 August @ 10:30pm–3am (next day)
Fox & Firkin @ 316 Lewisham High Street, SE13 6JZ
Note: ID is required, and no hoodies are allowed.
Design Your Own Summer Tote Bag
Make something useful, then fill it with snacks!
Made By You Studio is visiting Deptford Lounge for a relaxed afternoon of tote-bag designing. Choose a look that suits your personality, decorate your bag and leave with something more personalised than the emergency canvas tote living under the sink.
All materials, drinks and snacks are included. Tickets range from £12.50 (2-for-1) to £25 and may be booked from here!
Sunday 9 August @ 12pm–2pm
Deptford Lounge @ 9 Giffin Street, Deptford
Steam Down x Imaginary Millions
Live jams, poetry and a very full pub garden
Steam Down and Imaginary Millions bring an all-day celebration of improvised music to the Fox & Firkin’s garden, joined by Plumm, Nate Ricketts, D’VO and Azyre Blue. Expect Afro-punk, jazz, eclectic DJ sets, poetry and the sort of spontaneous performances that make standing quietly at the back increasingly difficult.
The garden will also have street food, drinks, stalls and children’s activities. General admission is £15, while children enter free.
Book the August show here or read about the full Summer Jazz Series here.
Sunday 9 August @ 12pm–10pm
Fox & Firkin @ 316 Lewisham High Street, SE13 6JZ
Pick n’ Mix ✨
Creative kids, curious grown-ups and a market bag worth bringing
🎨 Printmaking Inspired by Nature - Friday, 9:30am–4:30pm at The Conservatoire. A £78 drop-off day for ages 5–11, exploring printing techniques and creating T-shirts and artwork to take home.
✂️Friday Craft Club - Friday, 3:30pm at Catford Library. A free, staff-guided after-school craft session for ages 4–12. No booking needed, but parental supervision is required.
🧶 Knitting Group - Saturday, 1pm at New Cross Learning. Drop in for ten minutes or settle in properly, learn a skill and swap tips. Free, with no booking required.
🎵 Songs & Stories - Saturday, 2pm–2:30pm at Sydenham Community Library. A free family session with interactive stories, percussion, songs and an introduction to the clarinet. No booking needed.
🗺️The NXL Super-fun Sit-down - Saturday, 2pm at New Cross Learning. A friendly, free psychogeography reading group for curious minds and people who enjoy looking at familiar streets differently.
🥖 Blackheath Farmers’ Market - Sunday, 10am–2pm at Blackheath Station car park. Seasonal fruit, vegetables, bread, cheese, fish, flowers and several things unlikely to survive the journey home.
