50th Annual Covent Garden May Fayre & Puppet Festival

About

On Sunday 11 May 2025, the much-loved Covent Garden May Fayre & Puppet festival will return to its annual venue: the garden of St Paul's Church, also known as 'the actors church', near the spot where Samuel Pepys first saw Mr Punch in England, in May, 1662. Punch & Judy professors and puppeteers from all over the country will be gathering to perform, to celebrate 50 golden years of the festival, which welcomes thousands every year.

Importantly, the event will also commemorate Mr Punch's 363rd birthday, with a grand procession in the morning and a birthday toast, followed by a special church service at noon, where he will take centre stage in the pulpit. The afternoon will present many more performances, workshops, may pole dancing and music. All are invited to come and enjoy the shows and to celebrate the art of puppetry.

Admission is free and the programme is as follows:

11am GRAND PROCESSION
around the neighbourhood of Covent Garden starting from the Church garden led by the Superior Brass Band with a Birthday toast to Mr Punch by the commemorative plaque on the Church wall in the Central Piazza.

12noon SPECIAL CHURCH SERVICE
Mr Punch performs in the pulpit

12.30pm-5.30pm PUNCH & JUDY and PUPPET SHOWS
Puppet workshops, stalls, refreshments, folk music, maypole dancing, clowns.

The British Puppet & Model Theatre Guild (who are celebrating their centenary),The Punch & Judy Fellowship and The Punch & Judy Club will all be represented. There will be a Puppet Workshop with Emosh Puppets and Stalls run by local community groups. Charities include the Covent Garden Community Association. Refreshments will be provided by The Food Chain, who raise funds to help support people living with HIV in London.

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50th Annual Covent Garden May Fayre & Puppet Festival
Sunday 11 May 2025, 11am-5:30pm
Free Admission
St Paul's Actors Church
Bedford Street
WC2E 9ED