With two months left to go as London Borough of Culture, there is still lots to see and do in Croydon.
It’s been a big hit so far with local communities and visitors alike, with audiences of over 500,000 (289,000 in person and 228,000 online) and over 14,000 development, employment and performance opportunities for young people, with more than 600 volunteers and 104 (out of 123) local schools involved.
What’s coming up
Immerse yourself in Journey of a Refugee – a beautiful blend of puppetry and performance from the internationally renowned Theatre-Rites with Agudo Dance Company. Suitable for ages 8+ the show runs from 3-18 February – book tickets to see Journey of a Refugee.
Exclusive to Croydon, Pollock's Toy Museum is popping-up every Saturday, offering craft activities for all ages, old-style live performances of Victorian and modern toy theatre, puppetry, magic lanterns and story-telling. Open from 11am to 4pm – find out more about Pollock's Toy Museum.
You can also enjoy a brand-new exhibition celebrating Croydon’s rich history of music. Rewind: This Is Croydon’s Music opens on 8 February; running alongside it is a series of concerts and music events, from jazz fusion to classical, gospel, punk, soul, hip-hop and R&B. Book tickets for Rewind: This Is Croydon’s Music.
Lots more fantastic music, along with DJ sets, drag performances, book launches and film nights can be enjoyed as part of Queer Croydon – launched as part of London Borough of Culture, and dedicated to promoting and programming local queer events - check listings on the Queer Croydon website.
Another fantastic opportunity for young people is on 24 February with Rewire - an exciting day of workshops and positive conversations exploring mental health. This free one-day event will explore how creativity and culture can help tackle the acute mental health crisis that young people are facing. Book your free tickets for Rewire.
The final weekend of Croydon’s London Borough of Culture year will feature a joyful performance from the Young Croydon Composers on 23 March. Led by award-winning musicians Shri Sririam and Dennis Rollins MBE, the group will perform original compositions and specially commissioned pieces, in what looks set to be an incredible night. Find out more about Croydon Young Composers.
For more information, follow the team @CultureCroydon on social media channels.