This October, Croydon Harvest brings live performance into the streets, gardens, cinema and public spaces of the town centre. Come for music, circus, theatre, dance and stories on 3-4 October, 12-5pm.

Dance and folk performance

Orleta: Polish Folk Dance performance and workshop

Get ready to dance with Orleta, London’s most vibrant Polish dance group that’s been running for over 50 years! Together, some of the youngest participants of the group, and the most experienced dancers will spin you away to the sound of an accordion. After their performance, join them in the Braithwaite Hall to learn the moves for yourself!

Folk Dance & Song Workshops

Active-Chil-Art Dance Company, led by Achila: Kandyan Dance performance and workshop

Sri Lankan folk dances incorporating traditional props including pots and winnowing fans, accompanied by drum percussion. Experience the rhythms and movement of these folk traditions through workshops and performances!

Amirtha Varshini: Karagattam and Oyilattam Dance performance and workshop

Amirtha introduces two folk traditions from Tamil Nadu. Oyilattam, meaning “dance of grace”, combines rhythmic footwork, expressive gestures and group formations, while Karagattam involves balancing a pot on the head while moving gracefully. The workshop will introduce participants to Oyilattam steps, syllables and rhythmic movement.

Beeja Dance, Anusha Subramanyam and Senjuti Das: Garba dance workshop

Garba is a joyful traditional folk dance from Gujarat, danced during the nine-night festival of Navratri. Beeja’s young dancers will open with a short two-minute performance, before Anusha and Senjuti invite everyone to learn the steps and join in this lively communal dance.

Beeja Dance has also co-curated the folk dance programme with Culture Croydon

Georgia Cornwall: Bhangra workshop

A joyful introduction to Bhangra, the energetic Punjabi folk dance with strong connections to agriculture and harvest. Georgia will invite audiences to experience its rhythmic movement and celebratory energy.

Suhani Dhanki: Marathi Folk Dance performance and workshop

Suhani Dhanki will share a celebratory Marathi folk dance performance and workshop, bringing the rhythms, movement and communal spirit of Maharashtra’s folk traditions to Croydon Harvest. Audiences will be invited to join in and experience the dance together.

Ethnovox: Caribbean Folk Song Workshop

Sing with Colin Anderson and CeCelia Wickham Anderson of Ethnovox! Learn about Caribbean folk music and musical traditions in a joyful celebration of community.

JANUKA: Quadrille Dancing performance and workshop

JANUKA is an acronym for Jamaican Nurses in the UK and their Associates. They are a group of volunteers who aim to promote positive awareness of Jamaican Cultural Heritage. They dance the Quadrille Jamaican style to entertain, educate, empower and inspire.

Orleta: Polish Folk Dance performance and workshop

Get ready to dance with Orleta, London’s most vibrant Polish dance group that’s been running for over 50 years! Together, some of the youngest participants of the group, and the most experienced dancers will spin you away to the sound of an accordion. After their performance, join them in the Braithwaite Hall to learn the moves for yourself!

Rhythm Generation: Cheikh Diop & Jally Kebba Susso

Senegalese percussionist Cheikh Diop and Gambian griot Jally Kebba Susso combine drums, percussion, songs and the beautiful kora in an energising Senegambian musical journey. Bring your dancing feet!

Shiva Raichandani: Queer Bollywood / Harvest Songs

Shiva presents a joyful Bollywood dance workshop reimagining traditional harvest songs and celebrations through a vibrant, playful and inclusive queer lens.

Vietnamese Family Partnership: Bamboo Dance and Lantern workshops

Come join a vibrant Vietnamese Bamboo Dance on Saturday – time your feet to avoid getting caught between the poles! Plus, drop-in throughout the weekend for a lantern making workshop.

Padmini Vijayaraghavan: Kooth and Kummi Dance performance and workshop

Kooth is a lively Tamil folk dance rooted in the popular and celebratory traditions of Tamil Nadu, followed by Kummi, one of the oldest traditional folk dances of South India, with movements connected to harvesting. Padmini will also be joined by five community dancers, creating a welcoming performance and workshop full of rhythm, movement and shared joy.

CIRCUS & PERFORMANCE

TOAST, Pif-Paf Theatre

Follow the Guild of Toasters through the seasons in a big-hearted show about food, dance, live music, songs and stories from around the world. Expect flying pancakes, singing, dancing, Cypriot doughnuts, nine-tailed dogs and wild grannies.

The Learned Pig, Matt Rudkin

Step into the theatrical world of Croydon’s Walnut Fair. Matt Rudkin’s new commission brings John Nicholson’s Menagerie of Miracles to life with puppets and extraordinary characters, including the famous Learned Pig.

Farm Yard Circus

Hay bales, wheelbarrows, a tractor tyre and an old scarecrow become the setting for a family-friendly circus show with acrobatics, juggling, theatre and live music.

See Saw Sensory Circus by Reallynice

Meet Sunrise and Sunset, two siblings who have never met. Sunrise loves to get up early and play, while Sunset loves to sleep in late and perform her beautiful evening dance when Sunrise has already gone to bed. So it always was. Until one day some visitors arrive…

See Saw is a fully interactive sensory circus experience for small groups of young people, including those with complex needs, and their companions.

11am early bird performance for those who prefer quieter environments.

Booking preferred but not required. However those with bookings will be prioritised.

Changing Places toilet will be available

Download visual guide.

Live music

Croydon Harvest will feature a bandstand with a range of global folk music. See the full lineup here.

Among the performers are Ethnovox, whose Caribbean folk music singing workshop and performance invite people to share songs, stories and musical traditions, Amit Chadda, Ganda Boys and many more.

Roaming encounters

There’s much more happening in Croydon during Harvest! Across the weekend, meet giant animals, listen to stories, see and help build interactive structures.