Photos (this page and cover): 2015 by Stuart Keegan
Bloomsbury Festival
Celebrating Creativity in Bloomsbury
Established in 2006, the Bloomsbury Festival is an annual celebration of arts, culture and community.
Each year the people of Bloomsbury come together with institutions and local communities to host a vibrant celebration of Bloomsbury’s creativity. The festival works with numerous partners to create and deliver its annual programme. Rooted in the local neighbourhood yet international in scope, the festival brings together artists, musicians, theatre-makers, dancers, academics, scientists and thought leaders, alongside emerging talent, to create a programme that is bold, diverse, and relevant.
The annual festival transforms the historic streets and venues of Bloomsbury. A wide programme of events includes performance, film, visual arts, exhibitions, literature, and community engagement. Above all, Bloomsbury Festival aims to be engaging, entertaining, and fun.
“A festival that embodies the spirit of London – diverse, innovative, and thought-provoking” The Guardian
“One of the capital’s most exciting cultural events, bringing together art, science, and community in a truly unique way” Time Out
“Bloomsbury Festival is a place where creativity flourishes, and new ideas come to life” Festival Patron
Photos: Top & Bottom 2023; middle 2022; all by Stuart Keegan
2006 - 2010
by Bill Hunt
2011 - 2014
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2015 - 2019
by Stuart Keegan
2020 - 2025
Festival Director Rosemary Richards joins the festival having previously led contemporary arts and science festival, the Gravity Fields Festival, and led national engagement projects at the BBC.
The pandemic allows for the festival to reimagine its presentation, with the majority of events of the 10-day festival in October 2020 delivered online or outdoors.
A new partnership emerges with Bloomsbury Institute’s Bloomsbury Radio and the festival introduces outdoor exhibitions. Both remain at the heart of the festival activity over the subsequent years.
2021
Outdoor events return to the Bloomsbury Festival with both Store Street and Cromer Street hosting opening and family events. Events continue to be staged in numerous festival venues around Bloomsbury with hubs of activity and a mix of theatre, music, dance, talks and walks.
2022
The festival’s New Wave offer to emerging artists, theatre-makers and musicians is developed into a formal programme. Artist Dryden Goodwin’s Breathe exhibition is presented outdoors on the Euston Road in partnership with Lewisham Borough of Culture and Invisible Dust.
2023
The Discovery Hub moves to a new venue at Holborn Library cementing a relationship with Camden Libraries. City Lit becomes a major education and venue partner of the festival.
2024
Capital City College (King’s Cross centre) - formerly Westminster Kingsway College - hosts the festival’s new Springboard training programme.
President and Provost of UCL, Dr Michael Spence, becomes a Festival Patron.
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NEW WAVE, SPRINGBOARD COLLECTIVE AND GRANT FUNDED PROJECTS
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In recent years the festival receives grants from Arts Council England and National Lottery Heritage to support arts and heritage projects working with the community and young people; from Camden Council for outdoor events and creative skills training; and from the Henry Moore Foundation to support an exhibition of sculpture.
From 2021 the festival’s New Wave programme introduces showcase performances and prizes for emerging theatre makers and musicians.
2021
National Lottery Heritage Funded project celebrating Bangladesh 50, includes a major partnership event at The British Library involving the Bangladesh High Commission and Camden Mela. The 2021 heritage funding also includes a training scheme for young creatives from the local community.
2022
Arts Council England supports Platform – a project grant for festival emerging talent.
2022-2023
National Lottery Heritage Fund supports New Bloomsbury Set including a training scheme for young people.
2024
Camden Council and Arts Council England support Springboard Creatives skills training and creative opportunities for young adults.
National Lottery Heritage Fund supports a 2 year local heritage project Strange Doings in London - The Songs and Ballads of St Giles.
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From outdoor community celebrations in Russell Square, Brunswick Square, Store Street and Cromer Street to regular partner events at venues such as October Gallery, the Bloomsbury Festival programme always includes family-friendly events. These include performances, workshops and interactive exhibitions.
Since 2021, Cromer Street has become a key location for outdoor, family-friendly events with a community focus. In 2021 Cromer Street featured a large scale projection work and neon artworks. In 2024, a music stage on Bramber Green featuring young emerging and other local bands was programmed in partnership with Camden New Journal.
Festival Hubs with a family science focus evolved from 2015, hosted initially at UCL. Since 2021 the Discovery Hub has worked with UCL and other Science Outreach teams, offering popup exhibitions, demonstrations and activities for all ages, alongside a creative programme of exhibitions and performances.
2021-2
The Discovery Hub takes place at Senate House and explores the festival themes; Shining Light in 2021 and Breathe in 2022. With exhibits from UCL science departments, Moorfields Biomedical Research Centre, and Chelsea Flower Show gold medalist and TikTok creator Ben Newell amongst others.
2023-4
Moving to Holborn Library, the 2023 and 2024 Discovery Hubs are multi-day explorations of the theme of growth. In 2024 the Discovery Day takes a deep dive into Human.Kind, including exhibits from UCL science departments, Great Ormond Street Hospital and ARC North Thames.
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