Starts: 9 September 2023, 6:00
Ends: 10 September 2023, 17:00
Location: Erith
This year’s FREE festival includes an array of activities and events, brought to you by the Erith Town Partnership. This year’s festival includes exhibitions, markets, family friendly activities, history tours, live music and much more.
RIVERSIDE SHOPPING CENTRE
Pop Up Market By CC Events 10am-3pm
Join CC Events for a spectacular market takeover of Erith’s Riverside Shopping Centre!
Check out some of the fantastic goods for sale, be sure to head over to the FREE Glitter Tattoos which will be available throughout, and catch a visit from the one and only Peter Rabbit between 10-11am.
LONDON SOUTH EAST COLLEGE
Open Day + Erith Made Logo Exhibition 10am-1pm
Head over to LSEC to meet staff and students, explore the campus and the vast range of courses they have available, and be sure to check out the Erith Made Logo exhibition made up of this year’s submissions from some very talented students.
RIVERSIDE GARDENS
Erith Made Fun Day 10am-4pm
Check out the brilliant array of independent stalls and their great products for sale. Enjoy some old school family fun, hook a duck or two, take part in martial arts workshops with Kuk Sool Won and some football fun with the Slade Green Knights.
Animal Encounters 1-4pm
Don’t miss out on this one-of-a-kind experience brought to you by Our Amazing Animal World Animal Sanctuary. This animal sanctuary gives a forever home to rescued animals and brings those animals out to safe events to meet people, and to help raise money to continue their incredible work. This is a first for Erith and one not to be missed!
RUNNING HORSES
Erith Made Fun Day continues! 10am-4pm
The Erith Made Fun Day continues with activities and stalls organised by The Running Horses. These include face painting, jeep rides, a bouncy castle, a chance to see the inside of a fire engine, stalls, performances from Shaun West and Re:Discover, Caribbean food by Jam Paradise and more.
Live Music from T&T 6-8pm
Grab a drink and enjoy a live set from the brilliant T&T including some Motown, Soul, Reggae and all of the favourites
A Night of Drag with Miss Dotcom 8.30pm-late, Adults only
Come along to Erith Made’s first Drag performance! Hosted by The Running Horses with the fabulous Miss Dotcom, this event is sure to have you laughing and entertained from start to finish.
ERITH PLAYHOUSE
Theatre Tours 12-4pm, Tours run every half hour
Join Erith Playhouse members for a unique opportunity to explore our local, amateur dramatics theatre. See the wonder of the theatre and how the magic of their shows is put together, and be sure to say hello to one of the members and find out how you can get involved.
THE EXCHANGE
Kiduku Afrobeat Dance Workshop 11am-12pm
Kick off the day with an exciting and energetic afrobeat dance class for all abilities. This session is delivered by Kiduku Rhythms, who are all about good vibes and learning together in a friendly, supportive and positive atmosphere.
Ghanaian + River Themed Costume Making Workshop 11am-4pm
Join artist Janice Morre for a drop-in children’s costume making workshop. Children will explore their inner artist, creating costumes inspired by Ghanaian street festivals and the River Thames. The children will then take part in Sunday’s parade – starting at 11am at Pier Square – showcasing their amazing work, accompanied by live Steel Pans!
Sarah’s Braiding Salon 12-4pm
Ready to make a statement for Autumn? Look no further than the North Room and let braider, Sarah Woode, make you over! Historically, Braids were used to signify status, age and even wealth. What story will yours tell? To book, head over to www.theexchangeerith.com
Patti Sloley’s Story of Spice 1-3pm
Join Ghanaian Fusion Chef, Patti Sloley, on a flavour exploration on the complex history of spices, of kingdoms and how it all began… You will explore a range of spice groups paired with poetry, storytelling and music. Food and drink samples will be provided.
Kente Weaving 1-4pm
Try your hand at some weaving with textile artist Sara Kelly. Kente is a particular kind of woven cloth – made in Ghana, it is richly coloured and intricately patterned, filled with symbolism and philosophical meaning. Join us for an afternoon of weaving, and learn about this cultural heritage.
Johnny Mensah Curates: Akwaaba Live Lounge 7-11pm
Close out your day with music curated by the talented performer Johnny Mensah. Anticipate electrifying performances from a line-up featuring: Esther Durin, Boy Nash, Nina Rose, K Soul, and the man himself, Johnny Mensah. This promises to be an unforgettable evening you won’t want to miss.
PIER SQUARE
Children’s Costume Parade 11-11.30am
Come, see and celebrate the wonderful costumes Erith’s children have made with the support of artist Janice Morre. Inspired by Ghanaian street festivals and the River Thames, these costumes will flow and give flare to a parade that will move from Pier Square up London’s longest Pier, all accompanied by a live Steel Pan band.
Riverside Live Lounge 12-5pm
Sit back and enjoy a brilliant assortment of live music on offer at Pier Square. Grab refreshments from the fantastic stalls, have your photo taken in the free photo booth and dance the afternoon away. Live performances from local musicians The 286, Ceri James & The Red Flames, The Worry People and soloists from Theatre Box’s Voices of The Makers Choir.
ST JOHN’S CHURCH
Church History Tour 1-2.10pm
Explore this wonderful ancient church and graveyard and take a step into Erith’s history. Discover the story of the church, the people, the alterations, and restoration. Free refreshments provided afterwards.
Brass Rubbing + Bell Plate Workshop 2.15 – 4.15pm
Join some of the amazing volunteers from St John’s Church as they lead a Brass Rubbing Workshop of the ancient brass artefacts and tablets nestled in the beautifully crafted walls of the ancient Church.
THE EXCHANGE
Marsh Mellow 1-4pm
Local community arts project Three Rivers take over the Town Square at The Exchange with “Marsh Mellow” – an afternoon of free, drop-in family making, drawing and performing workshops inspired by the unique natural environments of Crossness and Erith Marshes, organised in collaboration with guest artists, ecologists and local environmental groups.
Garden Room Live Lounge 12 – 4pm
Head to the Garden Room for an afternoon of live music in a peaceful setting surrounded by plants. This will include Wilf Kirk’s Steel Pan Band and a fun and lively set of Soul, Funk, Blues, Pop and Jazz from the wonderful Clyde and Sophia.
CHRIST CHURCH
An Evening of Live Music 5.30-7.30pm
Enjoy live music from a collection of experienced choirs, vocalists and musicians in the stunning, historic surroundings of Christ Church. Come and support this new-to-Erith-Made venue with performances from Leoa Academic Male Voice Choir, Theatre Box’s Voices of The Makers Choir, Live Saxophonists and more!
WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK
You can grab something to eat and/or drink at the following locations:
The Running Horses Public House + Sunday Carvery
Starburger Cafe
The Garden Room at The Exchange