What’s on
A JOINERS HISTORY - Exhibition
Come celebrate the history and legacy of the Joiners Arms through an exhibition in Hackney’s newest Queer space, the Joiners Heart
Hackney: An Incomplete History by photographer Neil Martinson
Photos from the first Hackney Marsh Fun Festival in 1974 and the last Hackney Carnival. Shown at Chat’s Palace, as part of Photomonth and Chat’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
We Don’t Know What This Is: An exhibition of sunrise gatherings
Please join us for the opening night of this exhibition of sunrise gatherings, with refreshments, good company and an immersive sound installation by Steve Boardman.
Hackney: An Incomplete History by photographer Neil Martinson
Images from 1976, 2024, 2025 and 2026 of the celebrated Annual Grimaldi Clowns service held in Hackney Churches in Dalston and Haggerston.
Hackney: An Incomplete History by photographer Neil Martinson
Fifty years apart how much has the nature of work and industry changed in Hackney? A series of portraits of people at work explores this question.
Hackney: An Incomplete History by photographer Neil Martinson
Ridley Road market has been at the heart of Hackney since the 1880s. Archive images alongside recent images will show seven stallholders and shoppers over almost three decades.
Hackney: An Incomplete History by photographer Neil Martinson
There is a long tradition of protest and resistance in Hackney. From nurses to teachers, from rat runs to low traffic neighbourhoods. Over fifty years how much has it changed?
Weekly Chinese PiXiu dance workshops (Sundays, Woodberry Down)
Join Jun Mo Generations to learn the PiXiu Dance. No previous experience is required. Families, young people, adults, and older residents are all welcome.
Hackney: An Incomplete History by photographer Neil Martinson
The River Lea was once a major transit route from the London docks to the wharves that lined the canal. At its height, 400 barges a day moved along the canals. How is it worked now?
Weekly Chinese PiXiu dance workshops (Tuesdays, Hackney Central)
Join Jun Mo Generations to learn the PiXiu Dance. No previous experience is required and all ages are welcome.
ROOTS, ROUTES & RHYTHM: ECHOES OF ALL NATIONS
An unforgettable celebration honouring Bob Elliott of the legendary All Nations Club
Queer Recipes Archive
Explore how food carries stories of migration, labour, gender and power through live cooking, tasting and collective storytelling.
Journey of Carnival
The untold story behind the feathers. A virbrant theatrical production expoloring the history and evolution of Carnival.
Travel through the streets of Europe to the vibrant traditions of Africa, the Caribbean and beyond.
People's Emergency Briefing: Community Screening
A special community screening of the People’s Emergency Briefing - an eye-opening 50-minute film bringing together nine leading UK scientists and experts to explain what’s happening with climate and nature, and what it means for everyday life in the UK. After the film there will be an open discussion about what it means for our community and what we can do locally.
Walk & Talk by Arcola Mental Health Company
Connect and create through a guided exploration of Hackney’s green spaces, followed by a creative writing workshop providing space for creative storytelling and reflection.
Changing Rooms: Celebrating Trans Domesticities
Come along to The Museum of the Homes day-to-night celebration as they open a new room display of A High-rise Flat in 2008, which highlights months of community research documenting trans stories, lives and homes in 2000s East London.
Hackney Italian Club
A free monthly Italian conversation club for learners, experienced and native speakers.
Hackney: An Incomplete History by photographer Neil Martinson
Once a year the streets of Stamford Hill burst in a bonanza of colour and energy as the largest Charedi community Europe celebrate Purim.
A Sound System Culture - Speaker Building Workshop
An introduction to sound system culture for young people including a lesson in building sound systems and the secrets behind creating a sound!
Walk & Talk by Arcola Mental Health Company
Connect and create through a guided exploration of Hackney’s green spaces, followed by a creative writing workshop providing space for creative storytelling and reflection.
Chocolate Factory N16 Winter Open Studios
The Chocolate Factory N16 is a local Hackney favourite for discovering over 30 artists & makers in their studios, showcasing ceramics, textiles, painting, photography and much more.
A Sound System Culture - Speaker Building Workshop
An introduction to sound system culture for young people including a lesson in building sound systems and the secrets behind creating a sound!
Walk & Talk by Arcola Mental Health Company
Connect and create through a guided exploration of Hackney’s green spaces, followed by a creative writing workshop providing space for creative storytelling and reflection.
Hackney Chinese New Year 2027
Join us for a vibrant community celebration of Chinese New Year 2027, featuring colourful costumes, live music and performances of the PiXiu dance. Led by Jun Mo Generations.
Radical Roots: Hackney LGTBQ+ Theatre Histories: Son of a Gun
Join Unfinished Histories as it continues its project of rediscovering lost LGBTQ+ theatre histories through the staged readings of two plays.
Light and Movement: Diwali Family Day
In the lead-up to Diwali, join us for a day of creative activities and participatory performances to celebrate the festival of lights and explore how its themes connect with us all.
Pioneers of Comedy Meets Next Gen
Join us for a night of celebration as we honour the pioneers who changed the game and the new voices shaping its future.
Heritage, Identity & a Lot of Stitches
Come and help us make our Mahjong Quilt at free story-quilting workshops at the ESEA Community Centre in Hackney.
Hackney Comedy Experience with John Kearns
Star of Live at the Apollo, Frankie Boyle's New World Order, QI and Mock the Week - JEN BRISTER - headlines this show.
Plus LOU SANDERS, SARAH KEYWORTH, SAM NICORESTI, and TOUSSAINT DOUGLASS.
Empire Nights with Jamali Maddix
Hackney Empire launches Empire Nights, an unmissable new live series bringing together some of the most exciting names in comedy, music and culture, curated by a special guest host.
Roots, Routes and Resonance by Headway London
Following months of workshops, cultural visits and creativity, brain injury charity Headway London presents the culmination of its Black History Music Project. Expect drumming, dancing, singing, storytelling, saltfish fritters and sorrel!
Hackney Italian Club
A free monthly Italian conversation club for learners, experienced and native speakers.
Black Queer Community Day: Black & Blooming 🖤🌸
Spend the day with The Common Press Dalston, come and find a market with Black queer vendors, artists, creatives and community partners for a family-friendly afternoon of music, talks and good vibes.
Heritage, Identity & a Lot of Stitches
Come and help us make our Mahjong Quilt at free story-quilting workshops at the ESEA Community Centre in Hackney.
Hackney: An Incomplete History by photographer Neil Martinson
Lavinia Co-op is a Hackney born drag artist pictured at home. This image is part of a triptych that connects Abney Park cemetery from the time when many aspects of gay male life remained criminal, to the first gay wedding in the Chapel in 2024.
Talawa Iconic: 40th Anniversary Showcase
We’re painting the town Black for one night only: Showcasing Talawa’s Art of Storytelling Across Four Decades.
Walk & Talk by Arcola Mental Health Company
Connect and create through a guided exploration of Hackney’s green spaces, followed by a creative writing workshop providing space for creative storytelling and reflection.
Eastway Baths Community Day
Eastway Baths opens for a free Community Day on Sunday 4 October, 2pm to 6pm.
CLR James Lecture with Joy Francis: Launch of Black History Season 365
Join us for this year’s Black History Season launch as pioneering writer, activist, journalist and DJ Joy Francis delivers the annual CLR James Lecture.
Heritage, Identity & a Lot of Stitches
Come and help us make our Mahjong Quilt at the ESEA Community Centre in Hackney.
Soul Paint!
Explore virtual worlds created by respiratory patients from St Leonard's Hospital using the virtual reality programme "Soul Paint".
Off Shoots Festival: ESEA Cha-Cha: Screening of Chinatown Cha-Cha 女人世界 2024 Dir. Luka Yuanyuan Yang
A film, discussion and nostalgic East Asian hits on the dance floor
Off Shoots Festival: Screening of All Will Be Well 從今以後 2024 Dir. Ray Yeung
Recognising our elders, who reimagined what queer life could look like long before it was safe to do so
Off Shoots Festival: Table Talk: Communal Recipe Zines
Contribute to the ‘dining table’, communal zine
Off Shoots Festival: Screening of Suk Suk 叔叔 2019 Dir. Ray Yeung
Recognising our elders, who reimagined what queer life could look like long before it was safe to do so
Hackney Italian Club
A free monthly Italian conversation club for learners, experienced and native speakers.
Woodberry Down Disco
An all ages social disco for residents of Woodberry Down and beyond. Get ready for an unconventional mix of old skool bangers, bhangra beats, Afrobeats, Cantopop and plenty more.
Women’s Self Defence Course in Hackney
Discover what you’re capable of with a practical self-defence course for women in Hackney.
We Don’t Know What This Is: Launch event
Please join us for the opening night of this exhibition of sunrise gatherings, with refreshments, good company and an immersive sound installation by Steve Boardman.
Off Shoots Festival: Screening of Finding Phong (Tìm Phong) 2015. Dirs. Swann Dubus & Trần Phương Thảo
The journey of a trans young person reflected upon through this screening and discussion
Off Shoots Festival: The Garden We Carry: Weaving Ketupat, Stories, and Belonging
Weave your own ketupat and imagine gardens that mean something to you
Stitching Palestinian Heritage Workshop
Learn the history and techniques of Tatreez, the traditional Palestinian art of embroidery with the Tatreez Collective.
CANCELLED Off Shoots Festival: Memory Makers: A Nature Mobile Workshop
Preserve histories and memories in unique hanging mobiles
Off Shoots Festival: screening of Dear You 給阿嬤的情書 2026 and Gongfu tea session hosted by Zhudi and Shiyi from Yanwu
Reflect on the migration of Chinese communities with tea and a film
Heritage, Identity & a Lot of Stitches
Come and help us make our Mahjong Quilt at free story-quilting workshops at the ESEA Community Centre in Hackney.
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