A new cultural pulse is beating beneath the arches of East London. Tilbury Yard, a vibrant new event space on Tilbury Road, has transforming the historic railway arches into a high-energy community hub and weekly summer market. Tilbury Yard today announces its May market line-up kickstarting on 8th – 9th May, moving to a weekly schedule of music, street food and interactive events that prioritise independent business and local talent.
Away from central London’s overcrowded tourist hotspots, Tilbury Yard offers an authentic alternative for those seeking the best of the city’s creative scene. Since 2023, the arches have seen the emergence of a new wave of independent brands, including mezcal and whiskey bar Chop Stop Tavern, tropical cocktail bar Leyton Calling, Caribbean favourite Ochi, Chuck ice cream, Wins pies, and natural wine bar Swirl which hosts a rotating schedule of up-and-coming East London chefs.
Building on this momentum, May sees a curated blend of live music, DJ sets and standout food takeovers every weekend. From daytime “Robot Wars” and live graffiti art performances to a BBQ pop-up, the space is designed to evolve every Friday (DJs and food vendors) and Saturday (rotating event schedule). Every weekend there will also be interactive free activities such as table football, basketball and kid-friendly axe throwing.
8th – 9th May: Kickstarting the month with the signature Tilbury vibe.
Food: Feast on Deccapo’s Pizza, quality Korean street food from Gochugang, and five additional artisan food stalls
Music: Live sets from Tom Peacock and DJ Chris (Friday; 5pm – 10pm and Saturday; 5pm – 7pm & 7pm – 10pm)
15th – 16th May:
Graffiti Art: Live graffiti art curated by Holy Bat Paints (The Leyton Click), ten graffiti artists creating individual pieces, and a mix of art stalls
Music: from hiphop masters BTB and live local hiphop DJs throughout Saturday 3pm – 10:30pm
Food: Korean street food from Gochugang and Indonesian food from Borobudu
22nd – 23rd May:
Music: Live performances hosted by E10 with an open mic night on Saturday between 7pm – 10pm
29th – 30th May: The final week brings “Leyton Sports” to the arches
Robo-Retro: Expect high-energy Robot Wars, vintage matchbox Formula 1 car racing and geek craft stalls selling arts & gadgets
Food/Music: There will be a DJ, live music from local artists and street food throughout both days
Market Opening Hours:
Fridays: 5pm – 10pm
Saturdays: 3pm – 10pm
Danny Saunders, organiser of Tilbury Yard, comments: “We wanted to create a space that taps into the real unrefined spirit of East London. This isn’t your typical market experience; it’s a dedicated space for independent brands to push boundaries. We’ve brought together incredible food, a high-energy bar scene, and a soundtrack of emerging local talent to create a destination that feels like a genuine find every time you step beneath the arches.”
