With summer in full swing, Elephant & Castle has announced a packed schedule of activities for the whole family to enjoy this July and August, from live music and entertainment to kids workshops and sports classes.
Last month the area’s shopping and dining district Castle Square celebrated the return of the iconic Elephant Statue to the community, and now the Elephant Trail celebrates the area’s community spirit by inviting locals on a free brass rubbing trail to discover the stories behind each Elephant. Pick up crayons and jotter pads from the Castle Square traders as you move around the trail uncovering the eye-catching elephants’ tales.
Once the family has completed the free Elephant Trail, celebrate your accomplishment with a bite to eat and refreshing drink at one of Castle Square’s local traders, where you can fill your plate from the area’s freshest, most delicious African, Caribbean, and South American cuisines. Take your pick from empanada and arepa kings Coma y Beba, authentic, heart-warming Nigerian dishes at Daddy O’s or sample traditional Ecuadorian plates from El Guambra.
If you’re looking for food that feeds the soul pop over to The Original Caribbean Spice, and be sure to stop by Kaieteur Kitchen where chef Faye Gomes is cooking up a Guyanese storm. Each trader offers outdoor dining and takeaway depending on what you’re in the mood for.
Or head down to one of the two full-size restaurants. Tupi serves up authentic Brazilian dishes to be washed down with refreshing cocktails, and Pizza Pappagones offers an array of delicious Italian style pizzas to enjoy.
On the evening of Sunday 18th July, Castle Square will be hosting presenting a free virtual beach-themed, summer party, with many activities to choose from including learning dance routines to classic summer disco songs, a summer beach movie screening, decorative flower making, and even a beach costume contest!
Castle Square will also be running free Summer Workshops every week throughout July and August. The activities are the perfect way for families to have fun and learn new skills along the way in performing arts, circus and theatre – with activities including learning how to be a clown, theatre and mask making, circus skills, hooping and more!
Parents looking for a fun way to entertain and educate their kids at home will be pleased to learn that Creation Station will be running engaging activities for kids aged 2-10 years every Thursday at 4:30 PM (10:00 AM during Summer holidays). The themed activities are always geared towards fun learning and sessions over the next weeks include crafting 3D Eiffel Towers for Bastille Day, and Japanese arts and crafts to celebrate the Tokyo Olympics.
Elephant & Castle will be bringing a sense of joy back into the community with a whole host of live music and entertainment across the summer. From 31st July – 1st August, and from 28th – 30th August there’ll be live music flowing, roaming entertainers and performers, and giant games for all the family to enjoy.
Epitomising the energy and vitality of Elephant & Castle, Castle Square will have regular street performers popping up on 3rd and 4th, 10th and 11th, 17th and 18th, and 24th and 25th July. These local artists and performers hail from social enterprise arts group, Black Sheep Collective, who bring communities together through visual and performing arts.
The Virtual Community Hub has also once again teamed up with Disability Sports Coach who will host free online activities on Tuesdays through to Fridays, including basketball and football, mindfulness and yoga, dance and a fun social quiz.
Finally, small businesses will have the opportunity to benefit from a special webinar from lecturers from the local Apex College, teaching crucial skills in small-business marketing. The webinar will be hosted via Zoom at 11:30 AM on Monday 26th July.
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For further information, please contact the Elephant and Castle press team on: [email protected]
For further information about the events mentioned above, see below. Full timetable here and in the accompanying flyers – all events are FREE:
Elephant Trail
What: Free brass rubbing trail for children to discover the adventures of the elephants and jot down their findings with provided crayons and paper as they move around.
When: Ongoing
Where: Castle Square, 40 Elephant Rd, London SE17 1EU – a short walk from both Elephant & Castle overground and tube stations
Summer Party
What: Free fun-filled evening for all the community celebrating all things summer.
When: Sunday 18th July, 7pm-8pm
How to join: Sign up for free on: https://hubonlinesummer-party.eventbrite.co.uk
Summer Workshops
What: Opportunity to pick up new skills in performing arts, circus, and theatre.
When: 26th – 30th July, 2nd – 6th August, 9th – 13th August, 16th – 20th August, 23rd – 27th August
Where: Castle Square, 40 Elephant Rd, London SE17 1EU – a short walk from both Elephant & Castle overground and tube stations
Creation Station
What: Free online themed kid’s activities promoting fun and learning at home.
When: Every Thursday at 4:30 PM (10:00 AM during Summer holidays)
How to join: Email [email protected] for Zoom link
Live Entertainment at Castle Square
What: Free entertainment across the Bank Holiday weekends and Half Term week for all the family to enjoy whilst passing on their walks, including live music, DJs and performers.
When: 3rd and 4th, 10th and 11th, 17th and 18th, and 24th and 25th July
Where: Castle Square, 40 Elephant Rd, London SE17 1EU – a short walk from both Elephant & Castle overground and tube stations
Street Performers at Castle Square
What: Artistic performers will be popping up across the square throughout the month, ran by social enterprise arts group, Black Sheep Collective.
When: 8th and 9th, 15th and 16th, and 22nd and 23rd May
Where: Castle Square, 40 Elephant Rd, London SE17 1EU – a short walk from both Elephant & Castle overground and tube stations
Disability Sports Coach – Online Sessions
What: Free sports lessons across basketball, football, mindfulness, yoga, and dance.
When: Tuesdays – Fridays weekly 4.30-5.00pm
How to join: Complete the registration for Zoom details
Managing Anxiety Workshop
What: Hosted by Shapes of Tomorrow, it’s an opportunity for people to learn how to manage their negative thoughts, feelings, and worries with a professional.
When: Saturday 29th July at 2.00 pm via @whatsontheelephant
How to join: Contact Sonal Doshi on 07505 364 612
Marketing for Small Businesses Webinar
What: Hosted by lecturers from Apex College, the webinar teaches small business owners how to more effectively market their business.
When: Monday 26th July at 11:30 AM
How to join: Join the webinar by using the Zoom meeting details below
Meeting ID: 827 3419 5229
Passcode: RDg359
