The Newham Show
Newham’s biggest FREE event, The Newham Show, returns to East Ham’s Central Park, on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 July from 12 noon till 6pm. Bring everyone together this year and celebrate summer with your friends and family.
Main Stage
Hop along to the Newham Show on Saturday to see family favourite Peter Rabbit™. Head over to the Main Stage for 12.30pm where Peter will be appearing during a story time session led by a narrator, followed by a chance for high-fives at 12.45pm.
On Sunday get your marmalade sandwiches to the ready as Paddington™ will be hitting the Main Stage at 12.45pm with a story telling session led by a narrator, and then a meet and greet at 1.40pm.
This year the Main Stage will also feature a melting-pot of talent. If you love reggae, ska, bluebeat, rocksteady or lovers rock then head over on Saturday to hear the sounds of headliners BarbdWire. Also check out our Newham Talent slot showcasing the finest young Newham talent at 3pm.
On Sunday get your marmalade sandwiches to the ready as Paddington™ will be hitting the Main Stage at 12.45pm with a story telling session led by a narrator, and then a meet and greet at 1.40pm.
This year the Main Stage will also feature a melting-pot of talent. If you love reggae, ska, bluebeat, rocksteady or lovers rock then head over on Saturday to hear the sounds of headliners BarbdWire. Also check out our Newham Talent slot showcasing the finest young Newham talent at 3pm.
Jake and Elwood & The Black Rhino Band, our headlining mainstage act on Sunday, are guaranteed to get you into a soulful groove with their “Blues Bros Show” at 5pm. Earlier in the day X-Factor participants Byron Gold and the 30 strong Stratford East Singers will be wowing Central Park with big gospel and soul numbers. More Newham-grown talent will follow with the fabulous Reggae Choir at 3.45pm.
Cabaret Tent
The theme for this year's tent is "Circus Stars", hosted by the incredible The Strongest Lady on Saturday and unicycle extraordinaire Matt Pang on Sunday.
On Saturday don’t miss the dynamic showcase of dragon-dance, martial arts and acrobatics delivered by the London Chinese Acrobats. One of the only British contortionists to be able to perform the triple fold, an incredible 360 degrees backbend, Claudia Contortionist will enthral on both Saturday and Sunday. Traditional family circus fun courtesy of Bippo’s Circus is scheduled on both days and you can dance your hearts away at our 70s themed Tea Dance complete with prize for the best 70s outfit. To complete the fun on Saturday, ABBA tribute band Salute To Waterloo will also be hitting the cabaret stage at 4.55pm.
On Sunday for a slice of Motown glamour check out The Dreamettes, who are guaranteed to create toe-tapping frenzy with classics from the likes of Diana Ross & The Supremes, Martha and the Vandellas and Tina Turner. Definitely a highlight not to be missed will be Happy Feet with their show “100 years of dance crazes in 100 minutes”. Expect a journey starting from cheeky Charleston through to Thriller and present day’s dance crazes!
On Sunday for a slice of Motown glamour check out The Dreamettes, who are guaranteed to create toe-tapping frenzy with classics from the likes of Diana Ross & The Supremes, Martha and the Vandellas and Tina Turner. Definitely a highlight not to be missed will be Happy Feet with their show “100 years of dance crazes in 100 minutes”. Expect a journey starting from cheeky Charleston through to Thriller and present day’s dance crazes!
Children’s Stage
On Saturday don’t miss family favourite Peter Rabbit™. Head over to the Children’s Stage for 2.40pm where Peter will be appearing during a story time session, led by a narrator, followed by a meet and greet appearance at 4.20pm. Make sure to bring your cameras.
On Sunday everyone’s favourite bear Paddington™ will be joining us. Get your marmalade sandwiches ready as Paddington™ will be hitting the Children’s Stage where a narrator will tell tales about the famous bear’s adventures at 3pm. Children will also have a chance to get up close to Paddington™ during a meet and greet session at 4.20pm.
On Sunday everyone’s favourite bear Paddington™ will be joining us. Get your marmalade sandwiches ready as Paddington™ will be hitting the Children’s Stage where a narrator will tell tales about the famous bear’s adventures at 3pm. Children will also have a chance to get up close to Paddington™ during a meet and greet session at 4.20pm.Also on the Children’s Stage you can join in the celebrations with Sooty, Sweep and Soo for “Sooty’s Birthday Bake Off”, presented by Danny Rogers on both Saturday and Sunday. If you are into superheroes, check out Captain Fantastic who will bring a whole new meaning to the word magic on Saturday and then on Sunday for a second day running, but this time to help create lotions and potions during his science show, where nothing is impossible!
Children's Activities
It's a jolly holiday with Mary!
We'll be taking visitors young and old back in time with our Mary Poppins-themed activities in the heart of Central Park. From Pearly Kings and Queens to cheeky chimney sweeps, we'll have the whole family singing "Let's Go Fly A Kite"! Join Mary and Bert as they through a pavement drawing and have an adventure. Children can take to horses on a traditional Edwardian carousel. Strolling through the park will give children the opportunity to try the coconut shies, penguin skittles, have a go at chalk pavement drawings with helpful tips from a local artist - and even meet a Pearly King and Queen. Families can also make their very own kite to take away and fly later in the day.
We'll be taking visitors young and old back in time with our Mary Poppins-themed activities in the heart of Central Park. From Pearly Kings and Queens to cheeky chimney sweeps, we'll have the whole family singing "Let's Go Fly A Kite"! Join Mary and Bert as they through a pavement drawing and have an adventure. Children can take to horses on a traditional Edwardian carousel. Strolling through the park will give children the opportunity to try the coconut shies, penguin skittles, have a go at chalk pavement drawings with helpful tips from a local artist - and even meet a Pearly King and Queen. Families can also make their very own kite to take away and fly later in the day.
Newham Village Fete Activities
Celebrate the summer with our classic village fete activities. There will be the very best Punch and Judy Puppet Show, coconut shy and hook-a-duck. We’ll also be joined by Newham City Farm, who will have all your farmyard favourites.
All foodies take note! The Village Fete will host live cooking demonstrations with professional chefs. The Village Fete will also welcome East Edge Sisters who will have a pop-up café selling a range of homemade cakes, teas and coffees. They will also be showcasing and selling their homemade crafts.
Newham Seaside
Enjoy a taste of the seaside with our very own urban beach. With 90 tonnes of sand, we will transform Central Park tennis courts into Newham's very own seaside. Just throw down your towel, grab an ice cream or a book, and soak up the atmosphere. There'll be a helter-skelter, activities for children; a live steel pan band and when it really hots up why not take a refreshing dip in our giant paddling pool.
Sports, Poetry and Arts and Crafts
Newham Carnival
Saturday’s highlight will be the Newham Carnival, which attracts more than 2,500 participants each year.
Useful information
Gates will open at 12 noon on both days, with activities and performances starting from 12.10pm.
There is no public parking; only limited blue badge parking available on Rancliffe Road, East Ham.
Residents are advised to either walk, cycle or use public transport.
Bikes are not permitted at the Newham Show. Bike racks are available in Central Park.
Tube: East Ham station (15 min walk).
Buses: 58, 101, 104, 115 and 474 to Central Park (East Ham Central Park) and 5, 147, 238, 300 and 325 to Barking Road (High Street North/Newham Town Hall).
There is no public parking; only limited blue badge parking available on Rancliffe Road, East Ham.
Residents are advised to either walk, cycle or use public transport.
Bikes are not permitted at the Newham Show. Bike racks are available in Central Park.
Tube: East Ham station (15 min walk).
Buses: 58, 101, 104, 115 and 474 to Central Park (East Ham Central Park) and 5, 147, 238, 300 and 325 to Barking Road (High Street North/Newham Town Hall).
This event takes place on grass and there will be no hard-standing pathways.
There will be an accessible viewing platform located in the Main Stage arena.
There will be three accessible toilet units in Central Park at the following locations:
1. Main Stage arena (next to the rest of the toilet facilities)
2. Main Stage arena (next to the accessible viewing platform)
3. By the Children and under-fives area (next to the rest of the toilet facilities)
Food stalls and bar available on site. You can bring your own food and drink, but no glass bottles or other sharp objects are allowed.
No dogs allowed, except assistance dogs.
Anyone bringing unsealed plastic bottles or baby bottles into the park will be asked to open it and taste the contents in front of security personnel before entering. If you are unwilling to do this, it is unlikely you will be permitted to enter. We are doing this to protect all residents.
The full Conditions of Entry to this event (PDF)
All programming is subject to change.
Last entry is 5.30pm.
Site map (PDF)
Follow us on social media for the latest Newham Show updates. Also share your photos, posts and videos with friends and family using #NewhamShow over the weekend.
Central Park closures and changes from Friday 29 June to Wednesday 11 July 2018 for the Newham Show
Site build and breakdown
The production team will commence work in the park on Friday 29 June and all equipment will be removed from the park by Wednesday 11 July.
Access to the park
Central Park opening hours will NOT be affected during the event set-up and breakdown period except for Friday 29 June when the park will remain completely closed to members of the public.
This is the first time that we have ever had to put in a closure in the park and this is purely because of health and safety recommendations. There are a large number of vehicles that enter the park during the build and breakdown of the Show and in the past residents have been permitted within this area but this won’t be the case going forward.
This is the first time that we have ever had to put in a closure in the park and this is purely because of health and safety recommendations. There are a large number of vehicles that enter the park during the build and breakdown of the Show and in the past residents have been permitted within this area but this won’t be the case going forward.
Also due to public safety, access to certain areas of the park will be affected and will have to be fenced off during the set-up and breakdown. There will be walkways from each entrance to the park, allowing the general public safe access to the Ornamental gardens, the Cenotaph area, and the grass area adjacent to Rancliffe Road and Cheltenham Gardens. The existing pathway will be maintained linking Rancliffe Road with Bartle Avenue.
The children’s playground area will remain open and for joggers the parameter of the park will be available as usual for their daily run.
Dog walking
Dog walking can continue in Central Park during the set-up and breakdown period however this will be limited to the Cenotaph area, Ornamental gardens and grass area adjacent to Rancliffe Road and Cheltenham Gardens. However on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 July prior to the park opening for the Show, the park will be closed to accommodate last minute preparations and this will include dog walkers. Dogs will not be allowed on site during the event except for assistance dogs.
Back to top