FRI 17, SAT 18 & SUN 19 JULY
Centre Stage is a free multi-arts festival, reclaiming George Street and Whittaker Avenue as a platform for creativity, community and contemporary culture, returning for its second year this July.
This year the event incorporates the Richmond Myths programme, curated by Orange Tree Theatre, adding a layer of mythical imagination and discovery across the whole weekend and encouraging audiences to experience familiar places in entirely new ways.
Across the weekend of 17–19 July, Richmond town centre comes alive with live performances. On Saturday, the streets become a stage, canvas and playground filled with music, theatre, food, art and joyful public participation.
Click the dates to view the day-by-day programme
Programme
Highlights
For one weekend, Richmond town centre becomes a stage, canvas and playground as Centre Stage fills the streets with music, theatre, making, skateboarding, food, art and joyful public participation.
Music
The Whittaker Square stage hosts Back to The Belvedere — a contemporary take on the legendary Gilles Peterson parties held at Richmond's Belvedere Arms in the mid-1980s. This year's line-up features Mr Bongo DJs, Patrick Forge, Andrew Ashong, and more TBA with a Youth Music Showcase presented by Basement Door and Richmond Music Trust, featuring emerging local artists and bands.
Performance
Across the town centre, Orange Tree Theatre's Richmond Myths programme brings stories, characters and performances into unexpected spaces, while Kinetika Bloco AllStars lead interactive drumming and dance workshops before a vibrant carnival-inspired procession through Richmond's streets.
Nature Zone
The Eco & Nature Zone explores the relationship between people, nature and the built environment through environmental data installations, nature-based making activities and practical workshops led by Unit Lab, CityGirlInNature and Global Generation.
Skate Street
Meanwhile, Skate Street takes over part of George Street with custom ramps designed alongside local young people, free skate sessions, live demonstrations, skate-inspired screen printing and upcycling workshops, all delivered with Keep Rolling Project, Betong UK, Liisa Chisholm, Ham Youth Centre and Charity Super.Mkt.
Creative Workshops
Families and young people can get hands-on with creative workshops from Clayground Collective, Starting With Art, Timber Club, The National Archives, Studio Bark's U-Build, Orchestra of Chaos, Zest Theatre and more. Build instruments from waste, sculpt with clay, create puppets and prints, design your own treasures, and help imagine what a greener, more creative town centre could look like.
Markets
Throughout the day, browse the Independent Richmond Market at Centre Stage supported by our official Community Partner Be Richmond. Showcasing designer-makers, artists, craftspeople and sustainable brands - plus curated street food and drinks offer featuring local producers, speciality coffee, cocktails, cakes and global street food alongside the UK's first multi charity pop up shop Charity Super.Mkt.
Be Richmond is the Business Improvement District (BID) for Richmond town centre, working to make sure Richmond is a great place to live, work and explore.
Centre Stage: Richmond Myths is a co-production between HemingwayDesign and Orange Tree Theatre
Supported by Be Richmond and Richmond Council, using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England and London Borough of Richmond upon Thames Civic Pride Fund.