Emerge East
Live music, street food, a makers’ market, interactive art, and riverside wellness will come together this September, as East London’s most eclectic free festival takes place in the heart of Barking Riverside.
Londoners are invited to save the date for Emerge East, a vibrant and diverse celebration of community, creativity and nature, which will take over Barking Riverside for one day only on Saturday 12th September 2026. Visitors can sign up now to be the first to hear about the full programme as it’s announced across the summer.
Now in its fifth year, the festival will bring the neighbourhood to life with a rich programme of live music, independent food traders, art, wellbeing experiences, and workshops. From laid-back daytime moments to high-energy evening sets, the festival offers something for every generation. The event is completely free-to-attend and has grown each year as more Londoners have joined the celebrations – with 2025 achieving record attendance.
2026 will feature the festival’s biggest line-up yet, combining much-loved favourites with huge new additions. The Home Cooks’ Taste of Barking Riverside will make residents street food chefs for the day, sharing family recipes and showcasing the flavours of the neighbourhood. The Riverside Sauna and Wellness Zone will offer a place to unwind, while the Emerging Makers’ Market will fill Station Square with products from local traders, small businesses and independent makers – perfect for a spot of shopping. Visitors can also expect a series of free creative art and nature-inspired workshops for children, families and adults throughout the day.
Following its successful debut in 2025, the Barking Riverside Block Party will transform the street into a live music takeover. A dedicated open-air stage will showcase a bold mix of homegrown performers, emerging talent and an eclectic fusion of artists from London’s music scene, culminating in a headline closing set from a very well-known DJ. Expect an atmosphere that’s energetic, welcoming, and impossible to stand still in.
A major highlight of the programme will be a new large-scale interactive installation by internationally acclaimed artist Luke Jerram. Renowned for his spectacular sculptures of the Moon, Earth and Sun, as well as the global street piano project Play Me, I’m Yours, Jerram creates ambitious public artworks that encourage people to experience familiar subjects in unexpected ways.
Over the course of his career, Jerram has presented almost 1,000 exhibitions worldwide, with works shown at some of London’s leading cultural venues and visitor attractions. His latest artwork, premiered exclusively at Barking Riverside, has been commissioned by Creative Barking and Dagenham in partnership with Barking Riverside Limited. The work will premiere at Emerge East, with further details to be announced soon.
Sarah McCready, Director of Social Infrastructure at Barking Riverside Limited, comments: “Emerge East is a chance for visitors from across the capital to discover this distinctive part of East London. Whether you come for the music, food, art, wellbeing, or for a family day out, Emerge East delivers an electric atmosphere where Barking Riverside’s diverse and creative spirit takes centre stage. We have some really exciting announcements ahead, including revealing the headline DJ and Luke Jerram’s new installation, so we’re encouraging everyone to sign up via Eventbrite to be among the first to hear more.”
Emerge East is commissioned by master developer Barking Riverside Limited and co-curated by HemingwayDesign. It forms part of Barking Riverside Limited’s wider placemaking programme, using free and inclusive cultural experiences to celebrate the neighbourhood and create opportunities for local people, creatives and businesses.
Set across 443 acres on the banks of the Thames, Barking Riverside is East London’s largest and most significant new neighbourhood. Connected by London Overground and Uber Boat by Thames Clippers, it will combine up to 20,000 new homes and community facilities with extensive open space – all within a distinctive riverside setting.
Further programme announcements, including the headline DJ and details of Luke Jerram’s installation, will follow.
