- Venue
- St Paul’s Actors' Church Garden
- Date
- Sunday, May 12, 2024
11:00 AM - Address
- Covent Garden, Bedford Street, London, WC2E 9ED
- Location
- London
- Organiser
- Alternative Arts, The Punch & Judy Fellowship, The Punch & Judy Club and St Paul’s Church.
The 49th annual Covent Garden May Fayre & Puppet Festival celebrates Mr Punch’s 362nd birthday, near the spot where Samuel Pepys first saw Mr Punch in England in May, 1662. In the garden of St Pauls Actors’ Church, the much-loved event features a full day of performances by Punch and Judy Professors and Puppeteers from all over the country.
The day begins with a grand procession and birthday toast to Mr Punch at 11am led by the Superior Brass Band, followed by a host of performances, workshops, maypole dancing, folk music, clowns, and stalls. Everyone is invited to come and enjoy the shows and 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 with Mr Punch in the Pulpit.
12.30pm to 5.30pm – PUNCH AND JUDY & PUPPET SHOWS, Puppet Workshops, Clowns, Stalls, Refreshments, Folk Music and Maypole Dancing.
For more information visit: https://alternativearts.org.uk/events/covent-garden-may-fayre-puppet-festival
