A New Free Arts Festival is Coming To East London

Lamenting the end of festival season? Fear not: it’s not over just yet, thanks to a brand-new launch from creative studio and social enterprise Social Convention, ArtParty Weekender.

Taking place this September in east London’s Canning Town, the free festival will be a celebration of the diverse creative talent the capital has to offer – from live jazz to drag and performance art. It’s all about the fun factor: bringing together ‘the curious, the moment-makers and the party-starters, to appreciate the next wave of culture leaders, and have a bloody good time whilst doing it’. 

The eclectic line-up includes a show from famed drag queen Séayoncé, a live acoustic set from Finnish-Iranian Kurd musician Marouf Majidi, a Sunday day party hosted by DJ collective Step-To, and an immersive art installation from digital artist Thomas Buckley. Also not to be missed is a headline set from London-based DJ Mera Bhai, who will showcase his unique take on the dance genre which is influenced by Indian Carnatic music. 

Theo McInees

To keep festival goers fuelled, there will be a host of plant-based food stalls, plus cocktails from Pernod Ricard and Franklin & Sons, alongside beers from the Greenwich Meantime Timekeepers initiative. 

ArtParty Weekender is running in partnership with The Royal Docks. Following the festival, the concept will continue with monthly events, exhibitions and digs at the Social Convention hub in east London. 

Founded by Cimeon Ellerton-Kay and Natalie V Hall, Social Convention has years of experience in hosting inclusive, unique events. The company is the producer of queer cabaret Blunderland – which had a headline spot at the famed Underbelly Festival – and in 2020 it organised an immersive music festival called Array.

ArtParty Weekender runs from 23 – 25 September 2022. The festival is free to attend, you can register for tickets here.

MORE FESTIVALS:

Boutique Music Festivals To Book For 2023 / Literary Festivals To Have On Your Radar