Creative Activities & Workshops

Creativity is at the heart of Emerge East, with a packed programme of free activities for all ages. Get involved in creative workshops and open-play sessions, all led by professional and local artists.

Whether you're looking to learn a new skill, make something unique or simply get stuck into the creative spirit of the festival, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

The Emerge East Printing Studio with Lucy Grainge
Station Square · 11am–6pm

The Emerge East Printing Studio with Lucy Grainge

New for 2026, artist Lucy Grainge brings a working screen-printing studio to Emerge East. This drop-in space invites participants to create their own bespoke, one-off screen print on paper, using local textures and shapes to celebrate Barking Riverside's community and natural environment.

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Face Painting
Station Square · 11am–4pm

Face Painting

Get into the festival spirit by getting your face painted at the L&Q stand. Choose from a half face or eye design with themes ranging from rainbows to tiger stripes! In partnership with L&Q.

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Kinetika Bloco Drum & Dance Workshops
Station Gardens

Kinetika Bloco Drum & Dance Workshops

Get down with one of the pulse-pounding drumming workshop or unleash your inner groove in a dynamic dance class across the day.

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Pollinator Parade featuring Kinetika Bloco, Konverse Dance Crews and Noah the Planet
Starts at Station Gardens · 12:15–12:45 & 4:00–4:30

Pollinator Parade featuring Kinetika Bloco, Konverse Dance Crews and Noah the Planet

Join Kinetika in a joyous procession through Barking Riverside in a celebration of community and movement.

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Pollinator Parade Workshop with Creative Barking & Dagenham
Station Square · 11am–3pm

Pollinator Parade Workshop with Creative Barking & Dagenham

Help us bring buzz, colour and spectacle to Emerge East. Join us for a colourful, hands-on workshop where you'll help create pollinator-inspired artworks for our community to wear or carry in a Pollinator Parade at Emerge East. Discover the fascinating creatures behind the flowers, get creative, and let your imagination take flight as we make artworks that will fill Emerge East with colour, movement and joy!

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Screen Printed Emerge East Merch
Station Square · 11am–6pm

Screen Printed Emerge East Merch

Join artist Lucy Grainge & Bellway London for a hands-on screen-printing session and create your very own Emerge East tote bag. Learn the basics of screen printing as you print a bespoke artwork onto an Emerge East tote bag. You'll leave with a unique, hand-printed souvenir of the day, a piece you've made yourself and can take home and use. Kindly in partnership with Bellway.

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The Underground Recycler
Station Square · 11am–5pm

The Underground Recycler

Test your waste-sorting skills in a fun, interactive game that brings Envac's underground waste collection system to life. Play, learn and discover how sorting waste correctly helps keep the system running smoothly and prevents blockages. Kindly in partnership with Envac.

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Upcycled Keyrings with Clara Chu
Station Square · 11–12:15, 12:30–1:45 & 2:45–4:30

Upcycled Keyrings with Clara Chu

Reimagine everyday objects as playful accessories in this hands-on making workshop inspired by Envac's innovative waste-sorting system. Clara Chu will guide you in creating an upcycled keyring using 1–3 pre-drilled household objects.

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