The Hackney History Festival is back for its second year, and it’s set to be bigger and better than ever! Running over two weekends, 10–11 May and 17–18 May, with satellite events throughout May, this year’s festival is a celebration of Hackney’s incredible past, with a jam-packed programme of talks, walks, and events that will make you see the borough in a whole new light.
We kick off on Saturday 10 May at the much bigger Round Chapel, with a brilliant line-up of talks exploring both the hidden and well-known aspects of Hackney’s history. Highlights include:
Hackney Council at 60 with Tony Travers
Tales from Hackney’s Memory Palaces by cinema historian and tour guide Nigel Smith
Look up, look down: Spotting local history everywhere by Stoke Newington historian Amir Dota
From Hooghly to Hackney: Hidden Histories of Empire, Race, and Migration by authors Sheela Banerjee and Lucy Fulford
Plus the launch of From Hackney, With Love: An Intimate History of Regeneration, Gentrification, and Belonging by Richard Yeboah
On Sunday 11 May, we’ll be taking over the whole of Sutton House with talks happening in three different rooms, meaning we can offer an even wider range of topics. Highlights include:
Sue Doe’s Women from Hackney’s History
Travis Elborough interviews Peter Carty about his novel ‘Art’ in High Art and Low Life in 1990s Hoxton
Hackney and the East India Company
Invasion of the Middle-Class Lefties
As a highlight from last year, we’ll end the weekend with the ever-popular pub quiz—a great way to test your Hackney knowledge!
On Saturday 17 May, Hackney Archives will host a full day of short talks, films, and tours, culminating in a talk on the iconic Peace Mural. To wrap up, we’ll head to the Dalston Eastern Curve Garden for an after-party you won’t want to miss!
Finally, on Sunday 18 May, the festival will host a Wikipedia editing workshop in partnership with the Wikimedia Foundation. Local historians will get the chance to learn how to share their research online, making Hackney’s stories accessible to the world.
The full programme is on our website.
Janet Chapman, festival organiser, said, “This year’s festival is all about celebrating Hackney’s rich and diverse history, with even more events, more venues, and more opportunities to explore the past. Whether you’re a local, a history buff, or just curious about Hackney, there’s something for everyone!”
The Hackney History Festival is organised by The Hackney Society, a local charity dedicated to preserving and celebrating Hackney’s unique history. After the success of the inaugural festival, which saw over 1,600 attendees and 49 events, we’re excited to bring even more ways to discover Hackney’s history.
Festival Information:
📅 Dates: 10–11 May & 17–18 May 2025 with satellite events throughout May
📍 Venues: Round Chapel, Sutton House, Hackney Archives & more
🎟 Tickets & Programme: hackneyhistoryfestival.org
Individual tickets start at £3, and day tickets are £15
