Britain's What's On Event Guide
Emerge East
Live music, street food, a makers' market, interactive art and riverside wellness will come together this September as East London's most eclectic free festival returns to the heart of Barking Riverside.
Londoners are invited to save the date for Emerge East, a vibrant celebration of community, creativity and nature, taking over Barking Riverside for one day only on Saturday 12th September 2026. Visitors can sign up now to be the first to hear about the full programme as it's announced.
Now in its fifth year, the festival will bring the neighbourhood to life with a rich programme of live music, independent food traders, art, wellbeing experiences and workshops. From laid-back daytime moments to high-energy evening sets, this free event offers something for every generation.
The 2026 festival will feature its biggest line-up yet, including the Home Cooks' Taste of Barking Riverside, the Riverside Sauna and Wellness Zone, the Emerging Makers' Market, and free creative art and nature-inspired workshops for children, families and adults.
Following its successful debut in 2025, the Barking Riverside Block Party returns with a dedicated open-air stage showcasing homegrown performers, emerging talent and an eclectic mix of artists from London's music scene, culminating in a headline closing set from a very well-known DJ.
A major highlight of the programme will be a new large-scale interactive installation by internationally acclaimed artist Luke Jerram, renowned for his spectacular sculptures of the Moon, Earth and Sun, as well as the global street piano project Play Me, I'm Yours.
Londoners are invited to save the date for Emerge East, a vibrant celebration of community, creativity and nature, taking over Barking Riverside for one day only on Saturday 12th September 2026. Visitors can sign up now to be the first to hear about the full programme as it's announced.
Now in its fifth year, the festival will bring the neighbourhood to life with a rich programme of live music, independent food traders, art, wellbeing experiences and workshops. From laid-back daytime moments to high-energy evening sets, this free event offers something for every generation.
The 2026 festival will feature its biggest line-up yet, including the Home Cooks' Taste of Barking Riverside, the Riverside Sauna and Wellness Zone, the Emerging Makers' Market, and free creative art and nature-inspired workshops for children, families and adults.
Following its successful debut in 2025, the Barking Riverside Block Party returns with a dedicated open-air stage showcasing homegrown performers, emerging talent and an eclectic mix of artists from London's music scene, culminating in a headline closing set from a very well-known DJ.
A major highlight of the programme will be a new large-scale interactive installation by internationally acclaimed artist Luke Jerram, renowned for his spectacular sculptures of the Moon, Earth and Sun, as well as the global street piano project Play Me, I'm Yours.
Saturday 12 September
Barking Riverside, Station Square and Project Road
Barking, London IG11 0DS
Saturday 12th September 2026, 11am – 9pm Free entry
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