Overview

Part of the Summer of Sustainability, Jamboree in the Park is a free party in the park on Saturday 16 August from 12-6pm. Join Culture Within Newham and Learning Stages for sustainability-themed performances and activities, as well as food stalls and more in Plashet Park! Jamboree in the Park is produced by Learning Stages, and commissioned by Culture Within Newham.

Performances

This heartwarming spectacle is an a-maze-wing journey for all ages, blending breathtaking acrobatics, dazzling aerial work, and playful puppetry. We tell a powerful, uplifting story about finding your flock and the joy of belonging, proving that even the most overlooked among us have extraordinary things to offer. Praised by The Reviews Hub as "a circus show with real heart," "Lucky Pigeons" guarantees laughter, wonder, and a genuinely moving experience. Don't miss this unique production that promises to feather your nest with joy!
Suitable for all ages, 55 minutes
Artist: Brainfools
Direct from the Sumatran rainforest peddles the infamous explorer Captain John Voyage on his tropical tricycle, complete with looted temple fragments and the rarest jungle specimens. Stowed away amongst the vegetation is the banana smuggling Orangutan, Mr Business. Having given up the wild life, Mr Business plans to accompany Captain John as his feverish wanderlust drives him ever onward. Have no fear as you step forward for an encounter like no other! Come face to face with the King of the swingers and join in the monkey business... You'd be bananas to miss out!

Walkabout Act
Artist: Creature Encounter
'Why Beaver Build Dams' was inspired after seeing a beaver dam for the very first time in real life a few years ago. A hip-hop tale that supports the values of the wilderness and cautions against humans' inherent ability to destroy natural habitats. This hip-hop theatrical performance is a tounge-in-cheek approach to the subject. Using funny voices, characterizations, props, and most importantly rhythm to tell this story.
Walkabout Act
Artist: Julian Shakes Story
BackYardPan is a lively and exceptionally skilled steel band hailing from North-West London, with over 10 years of rich experience in the music industry. Our diverse musical repertoire features Soca, Calypso, and popular club hits that appeal to a wide audience. Additionally, we love interacting with our listeners and are happy to accommodate song requests to make each performance truly special!

Suitable for all ages
Artist: Back YardPan
Come and watch a performance from Newham Music’s Junior Musical in a Week. The group of young singers, aged 7-11, have spent the last few days creating a performance all about sustainability, nature, and looking after the planet - as well as making their own props out of recycled materials and clothes!

Suitable for all ages, 10-15 minutes
Artist: Newham Music
Drum Works now involves around 570 people every week through five east London schools, two community programmes and three progression bands. The core of our activity is the work that takes place in schools: this is the heart of the project. Our senior bands, Drum Heads and Drum Heads Training Band, provide progression routes for young people who want to develop their skills further. An Assistant programme offers some of the older, more advanced players the opportunity to develop their music leadership skills while undertaking a mentoring programme to support their personal and professional development.

Suitable for all ages
Artist: Drum Works
Join Storm in a Teacup Circus for a beautiful iridescent bubble display!

Suitable for all ages
Artist: Storm in a Teacup

Workshops

Make your own unique coasters or small placemats using entirely upcycled materials! This workshop will show you how to use a traditional coiling technique to cover old plastic bags with different coloured yarns, to create a beautiful coiled coaster / place mat. This is a fun and mindful activity where everyone can leave with the techniques to continue making more pieces at home, and is suitable for ages 8+. The session is drop-in, but will take at least 15 minutes to be shown the technique, or 45+ minutes to complete a mat.

Suitable for ages 8+, Children under 12 may need support from an adult
Artist: Laura Furner
Discover the art and science of analogue filmmaking; learn to shoot on mechanical hand-cranked cameras and work as a group to mix a film developer using food-grade household ingredients and food waste. By the end of the workshop you will have the knowledge to start hand-processing your own movie film sustainably at home. All participants will also receive a scan of their films following the workshop. Perfect for those new to celluloid film or interested in sustainable photographic practices.

Suitable for ages 8+
Artist: Will De Ritter
It’s the school holidays and Billy is bored! Mum keeps saying they’ll have a holiday one year, but she never seems to get round to it. So, Billy starts to wander around his neighbourhood. He notices things that have been thrown out; an old tyre, a pair of neon green shades and Billy begins to wonder what the stories behind them are. As his imagination takes hold an old woman appears who has some interesting stories about the ‘rubbish’ she’s been collecting. Immersive storytelling and collage making workshop. Find your own hidden treasures and let your imagination reveal their stories.
Suitable for ages 8 - 99, under 8s supported by their grown up
Artist: Deborah Peck
‘Build-a-Borough’ invites local residents to use crafts and rescued materials to creatively engage with the Newham they wish to see in the future. Responding to different prompts; housing, education, transport, culture, health and leisure, local people of all ages and abilities are encouraged to build models that reflect their ideas about a sustainable Newham. Final designs will be added to an interaction installation that will grow throughout the day. Devised by young local creatives taking part in the first cohort of Newham’s Cultural Producer Program, ‘Build-a-Borough’ previously featured at the Green Fair in Plashet Park in May with great success.
Suitable for all ages with a focus on 5-11 year olds
Artist: Emily Cornuaud
This hands-on art workshop uses rubber stamps of flowers (representing land ecosystems) and fish (representing marine life) to help children and families learn about climate change, biodiversity, and cultural unity. Participants stamp these symbols onto paper figures representing diverse ethnic groups, then attach their artwork to a giant globe installation — creating a collaborative piece that celebrates both nature and humanity.
Suitable for ages 3-10 with assistance
Artist: Marilyn Fontaine
Inner Peace Henna offers stunning, traditional and modern Mendi, focussing on the intricate detail of the artform that traces back centuries. Using natural ingredients with soothing extracts, such as lavender and eucalyptus oil, Inner Peace Henna is perfect for all ages and skin types. Enjoy a vibrant, safe, and fun addition to your festival experience that you can keep with you as a temporary reminder. “Inner Peace Henna has been painting henna for us for the past three years & she is so talented, welcoming & re-assuring with everyone – young & old. Thank-you Inner Peace Henna” 2025 Festival Organiser Review, Brighton
Suitable for ages 5 - 90
Artist: Zennie Terret
In this eco-friendly workshop you will be crushing, grinding and blending a colour palette from natural plant based sources to create stunning painted portraits. You will be provided with a wide selection of fruits, vegetables, plants and flowers to blend and crush using a mortar and pestle and mixing with liquid to create a workable consistency for painting. You will use your newly made eco-paint to create beautiful natural eco-friendly portraits and will receive step by step guidance on how to achieve this effectively. You will be provided with all the materials required but you are very welcome to bring any plants with you if you wish.

Suitable for all ages 12+ with adult present
Artist: Indygo Arts & Crafts
Let’s make music with recycled everyday objects: plastic bottles, drink cans, containers, newspaper, past-best before date grains! You will find out how to make many kinds of sounds, play together and have fun! Led by Yumi Hara, musician and senior lecturer at Music Performance & Production, University of East London. No previous musical experiences necessary. All materials will be provided, all sourced sustainably, but you are welcome to bring your own household objects (no glass and things with sharp edges). Suitable for all ages, but children must always be accompanied by an adult and no child can be left unattended.

Suitable for all ages
Artist: Yumi Hara

More performances, workshops, and stalls for the Jamboree in the Park will be announced in the lead up to the event. Keep an eye on our social media, or sign up to the Culture Within Newham to be the first to know.

Visit Jamboree in the Park event page

What’s happening throughout the day?

Workshops & Activities

Small Footprint Analogue Filmmaking and Eco Processing - 12:00 - 1:30 pm Make Art Gazebo
Hidden Treasures - 12:00 - 12:40 pm - Make Music Gazebo
Build a Borough - 12:00 - 3:00 pm - Make Future Gazebo
Creative Writing - 12:00 - 6:00 pm - Creative Writing Gazebo
Shaun the Rodeo Sheep - 12:00 - 6:00 pm - Rodeo Arena
Face Painting - 12:30 - 5:30 pm - Marquee
UEL How Bad are Bananas? - 12:00 - 3:00 pm - Marquee
Ricebox Sound - 12:00 - 6:00 pm - Marquee
Custom House Bookshop - 12:00 - 2:00pm - Marquee

Performances

Backyard Pan - 12:00 - 12:45 pm - Mainstage
Bubble Display - 12:00 - 12:30 pm - Central Field
Why Beavers Build Dams - 12:30 - 12:40 pm Central Field
Workshops & Activities
Small Footprint Analogue Filmmaking and Eco Processing - 12:00 - 1:30 pm - Make Art Gazebo
Newham Music - Come and Play - 1:00 - 2:20 pm - Make Music Gazebo
Build a Borough - 12:00 - 3:00 pm - Make Future Gazebo
Creative Writing - 12:00 - 6:00 pm - Creative Writing Gazebo
Plant Based Eco Painting - 1:00 - 3:00 pm - Make Art 2 Gazebo
Backyard Pan - 1:00 - 2:00 pm - Mainstage
Shaun the Rodeo Sheep - 12:00 - 6:00 pm - Rodeo Arena
Hennah Workshop - 1:30 - 5:30 pm - Marquee
Face Painting - 12:30 - 5:30 pm - Marquee
UEL - 12:00 - 3:00 pm - Marquee
Ricebox Sound - 12:00 - 6:00 pm - Marquee
Custom House Bookshop - 12:00 - 2:00pm - Marquee
Performances

Borneo Again - 1:00 - 1:30 pm - Central Field
Why Beavers Build Dams - 1:30 - 1:40 pm - Central Field
Workshops & Activities

DIY Spiral Coasters - 2:00 - 5:30 pm - Make Art Gazebo
Make Music with Recycled Objects - 2:30 - 3:30 pm - Make Music Gazebo
Build a Borough - 12:00 - 3:00 pm
Creative Writing - 12:00 - 6:00pm - Creative Writing Gazebo
Shaun the Rodeo Sheep - 12:00 - 6:00 pm - Rodeo Arena
Hennah Workshop - 1:30 - 5:30 pm - Marquee
Face Painting - 12:30 - 5:30 pm - Marquee
UEL - 12:00 - 3:00 pm - Marquee
Ricebox Sound - 12:00 - 6:00 pm - Marquee
Greenway Orchard - 2:00 - 4:00pm - Marquee

Performances

Lucky Pigeons - 2:00 - 3:00 pm - Circus Stage
Bubble Dispaly - 2:00 - 2:30 pm - Central Field
Borneo Again - 2:30 - 3:00 pm - Central Field
Workshops & Activities
DIY Spiral Coasters - 2:00 - 5:30 pm - Make Art Gazebo
Stamp the World - 3:00 - 6:00 pm - Make Future
Make Music with Recycled Objects - 2:30 - 3:30 pm - Make Music Gazebo
Creative Writing - 12:00 - 6:00pm - Creative Writing Gazebo
Shaun the Rodeo Sheep - 12:00 - 6:00 pm - Rodeo Arena
Hennah Workshop - 1:30 - 5:30 pm - Marquee
Face Painting - 12:30 - 5:30 pm - Marquee
Ricebox Sound - 12:00 - 6:00 pm - Marquee
Greenway Orchard - 2:00 - 4:00pm - Marquee
Performances
Newham Music Junior Musical Performance - 3:00 - 3:15 pm - Mainstage
Why Beavers Build Dams - 3:20 -3:30 pm - Central Field
Bubble Display - 3:30 - 4:00 pm - Central Field
Drumworks - 3:30 - 4:00 pm - Mainstage
Workshops & Activities
Small Footprint Analogue Filmmaking and Eco Processing - 4:00 - 5:30 pm - Make Art 2 Gazebo
Hidden Treasures - 4:30 - 5:10 pm - Make Music Gazebo
Stamp the World - 3:00 - 6:00 pm - Make Future Gazebo
Creative Writing - 12:00 - 6:00pm - Creative Writing Gazebo
Shaun the Rodeo Sheep - 12:00 - 6:00 pm - Rodeo Arena
Hennah Workshop - 1:30 - 5:30 pm - Marquee
Face Painting - 12:30 - 5:30 pm - Marquee
Ricebox Sound - 12:00 - 6:00 pm - Marquee
Crafty Creature Club - 4:00 - 6:00 pm - Marquee
Performances
Borneo Again - 4:00 - 4:30 pm - Central Field
Lucky Pigeons - 4.30 - 5:30 pm - Circus Stage
Workshops & Activities

Hidden Treasures - 4:30 - 5:10 pm - Make Music Gazebo
Small Footprint Analogue Filmmaking and Eco Processing - 4:00 - 5:30 pm - Make Art 2 Gazebo
Stamp the World - 3:00 - 6:00 pm Make Future
Creative Writing - 12:00 - 6:00pm - Creative Writing Gazebo
Shaun the Rodeo Sheep - 12:00 - 6:00 pm - Rodeo Arena
Hennah Workshop - 1:30 - 5:30 pm - Marquee
Face Painting - 12:30 - 5:30 pm - Marquee
Ricebox Sound - 12:00 - 6:00 pm - Marquee
Crafty Creature Club - 4:00 - 6:00 pm - Marquee

Performances

Why Beavers Build Dams - 5:00 - 5:10 pm - Central Field
Lucky Pigeons - 4.30 - 5:30 pm - Circus Stage
Drumworks - 5:30 - 6:00 pm - Mainstage

In partnership with

Learning Stages

Learning Stages is a Newham-based event production company and the team has over a decade of experience in curating and delivering community-centric arts and cultural events. Learning Stages' mission is to harness the power of the arts to inspire, educate, and bring communities together. Their portfolio includes successful collaborations with local councils, schools, and community organisations, emphasising inclusivity, creativity, and sustainability.