In 2015 we held a number of events across the borough to celebrate our 50th anniversary. They were so well received, and enjoyed by around 100,000 people, that our free events programme Summer of festivals was born. Starting in 2016 with each year getting bigger and better.

One summer.
Two locations - Barking and Dagenham.
Free events for the entire family!

Planning for Summer of festivals 2024 is underway, updates to follow.

Keep up to date with all the events

Follow us on social media - 

Summer of festivals on Facebook.

Summer of festivals on Twitter.

Summer of festivals on Insta

Upcoming events

Get involved

Exhibiting at our events

We have great opportunities for you to promote your business/organisation at our events or an opportunity for you to sell your products to our residents.

If you are interested in having a stall at our events, please complete the form below and return to summeroffestivals@lbbd.gov.uk by Wednesday 12 April 2023:

2023 Stallholders Guidance Pack (docx, 70.3KB)

2023 Stallholders Application Form (docx, 503KB)

Expression of Interest – Performers and performance groups

Would you like the chance to perform or showcase your programmes or projects at one or more of our festivals this year?

If you are interested in performing, please complete the below form and send to summeroffestivals@lbbd.gov.uk by Wednesday 12 April 2023: 

SOF 2023 Performers EOI Tech Requirements Form (docx, 120KB)

Catering at our events

If you would like to cater at our events please complete the below form and submit with the below to summeroffestivals@lbbd.gov.uk. You will need to provide documentation on the following:

  • Food Safety Management System based on HACCP Principles (SFBB or equivalent)
  • Risk assessment document for the operation of all catering units
  • Public Liability insurance (£5 million minimum)
  • Proof of local authority registration of all units and current hygiene rating
  • Food hygiene certificates for all staff handling food
  • Price list
  • Photos of food and catering unit

 

Hire a park for your proposed event

The Events team will consider a wide range of event applications for all types of events including:

  • fun days
  • concerts
  • sports events
  • festivals

Funfair and circus applications are welcome and are reviewed by the Parks Team.

Organisers can be commercial companies or charitable organisations.

Please note that for medium to large scale event applications (1,000 people or more), must be submitted four months prior to the event date.

For all other events, we require at least eight weeks notice unless otherwise agreed with the council.

Events guidance pack (DOCX, 5.7MB)

To apply to hire a park for your proposed event

Complete the application form and return along with your application fee. Please note updated fees and charges for 2023.

Park hire application form (DOCX, 900.68 KB)

Once your application has been agreed in principle, the following forms must be completed along with your Event Management Plan (EMP), if applicable:

Customer set up form (DOCX, 93.21 KB)

Designated Premises Supervisor consent form (DOCX, 60KB)

Risk assessment template (DOCX, 68KB)

Send completed forms to:

events@lbbd.gov.uk

Applications are subject to approval by the council including the Licensing team and the Safety Advisory Group including Public Health.

Sponsorship opportunities

The Summer of festivals 2023 event programme is back and there are some great opportunities for businesses to get involved.

We can offer a range of sponsorship packages and are also always happy to discuss bespoke requests.

Find out more

Please see below link to see how your business can get involved and promote your brand at our family packed events:

2023 Sponsorship leaflet (PDF, 833.76 KB)

Please contact us to arrange a meeting:

Julia Pearson/Gurvinder Bhaker

07968 511 927 / 07977 018821

events@lbbd.gov.uk

Our 2022 sponsors