One-day festival features free live music and entertainment alongside a makers’ market, street food, drinks and wellbeing activities
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One of the benefits of the regeneration of London is the number and variety of free events organised by the developers and housing associations to attract new residents to their schemes and to entertain those who have already moved in.
There are currently around 7,000 people living at Barking Riverside, a significant cohort, albeit less than a fifth of the 50,000 inhabitants that will call the development home should all 20,000 homes be built on the 443-acre site.
Come Saturday, September 12, 2026, they and visitors to the area are set to welcome back Emerge East, a one-day event featuring live music, food traders, art, “wellbeing experiences” and workshops.
Organised by Barking Riverside Limited, a joint venture between housing association L&Q and the Mayor Of London – which are delivering the scheme alongside Bellway London, TfL and Uber Boat By Thames Clippers – the festival is set to run from 11am-9pm promising its “biggest line-up yet” as the annual event turns five.
“Emerge East is a chance for visitors from across the capital to discover this distinctive part of east London,” said Sarah McCready, director of social infrastructure at Barking Riverside Limited.
“Whether you come for the music, food, art, wellbeing, or for a family day out, the festival 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.”
highlights to look out for
While the full programme – co-curated with HemingwayDesign, known for its work organising Urban Village Fete on Greenwich Peninsula for many years – has yet to be revealed, we do know that The Home Cooks’ Taste Of Barking Riverside will be transforming residents into street food chefs for the day as they share family recipes with visitors.
There will also be a Riverside Sauna with cold plunges and a Wellness Zone for attendees to unwind in.
Another highlight will be the Emerging Makers Market in Station Square, with traders offering locally made products.
Perhaps the two biggest attractions, however, will be a “major new interactive installation” commissioned by Creative Barking And Dagenham in partnership with Barking Riverside Limited from artist Luke Jerram – known for his inflatable versions of the Earth and the Moon – and the return of the Barking Riverside Block Party.
The latter promises a live music takeover of the development with an open air stage featuring a mix of local performers, emerging talents and a closing set from “a very well-known DJ”.
Barking Riverside is easily accessed via the Thames Clippers’ river bus service to Barking Riverside Pier or via Overground services on the Suffragette line to Barking Riverside station.
The quickest route from Canary Wharf is to take the Elizabeth Line to Woolwich, then the river bus to Barking – a journey of around 22 minutes.
For those interested in moving to Barking Riverside, L&Q is currently offering shared ownership properties at the scheme from £66,250 for a 25% share of a one-bed and incentives for reserving before September 12.
Bellway is marketing apartments for private sale at the scheme with prices starting at £250,000.
key details: Emerge East
Emerge East is set to take place on Saturday, September 12 from 11am-9pm at Barking Riverside.
The event is free to attend, with the full programme set to be unveiled in due course here.
Read more: Find out more about Common Threads, coming to Cody Dock in September
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