Join a weekend-long street party
When the celebrated English Renaissance architect Inigo Jones was first drawing up his plans for the Piazza that would become the centerpiece of Covent Garden, he could scarcely have imagined the massive impact it would have.
Inspired by Roman Colonial towns and French bastides, Jones designed arguably London’s most handsome square, containing a market that fast became the most important in the country.
This rapid growth meant that the market soon required a more permanent trading centre. From 1828-30, the old stalls and sheds were cleared to make way for the grand Market Building that stands today. Designed by English architect Charles Fowler in a neo-classical style, it employed more than 1,000 porters at its peak.
Flash forward to today and its traditional fruit, veg and flower market has been replaced by a buzzing retail and entertainment hub, cementing its reputation as one of the capital’s most iconic spaces.
To celebrate the 180th anniversary of its famous Market Building, Covent Garden is marking the milestone with a diverse programme of free events that combines culture, art, history, fine food and good old-fashioned entertainment.
The weekend kicks off on the morning on Friday June 18th with a launch that includes the unveiling of a giant birthday card which everyone is encouraged to sign, plus a massive birthday cake that will feed 2,000 people.
Further foodie goodies can be found at the specially extended Real Food Market, running from Friday 18th until Sunday 20th, and including new stalls selling sweet birthday treats. Visitors can also enjoy special anniversary champagne cocktails served up at Tuttons brasserie, handily located at the heart of the Piazza.
The anniversary weekend is the perfect place for a family day out with the area’s famous street performers running a number of workshops over three days. If you spot several small children dropping juggling balls or having singing lessons, then it’s a safe bet that there’s a workshop going on. There’ll also be large-scale games to keep all ages entertained.
The area is also celebrating another birthday – it’s been 30 years since the Market Building was transformed from selling fruit and veg into the shopping, bar and restaurant heaven it is today. To mark this occasion, a giant ice sculpture shaped like the number ‘30’ will be displayed on the Piazza. At its heart is a core stuffed with exclusive ‘golden’ prizes, Willy Wonka-style containing 30 tickets for prizes. Your challenge is to grab them as the ice melts. What’s the betting that engineering students specialising in melt rate fluid dynamics will be gathering on the Piazza all weekend…?
The changing face of Covent Garden can also be seen in a fascinating archive film, provided by the BFI, and displayed in the store window of 11 The Market Building. Entitled ‘Every Day Except Christmas’, this award-winning 1957 documentary follows workers around the market, providing a poetic ‘slice of life’ snapshot of the area’s history. In a weekend packed with non-stop fun, this provides a perfect pause to reflect on the ever-evolving nature of one of London’s greatest public spaces.
Friday 18th June
10.30am – 8.30pm
Real Food Market, East Piazza
11am – 5pm
Kid’s Pottery decorating workshop, Kids Marquee, Russell Street,
12.30pm
Covent Gardens Giant Birthday cake will be cut and 2,000 slices given out,
Kids Marquee
12pm – 3pm
Jazz musicians, North East Piazza
12pm – 5pm
Balloon artists, Street Magician & Hula Hooping, around Kids Marquee
12pm – 5pm
Royal Opera House Costumes on show, Kids Marquee
12pm – 5pm
Our very own Creative in Residence, Inua Ellams will be on hand to collect
visitors’ thoughts, East Piazza
12pm – 2pm
Giant basket race, around Kids Marquee
2pm – 4pm
Human fruit machine, around Kids Marquee
2pm – 3pm
Cupcake decorating with Crumbs & Doilies, Kids Marquee
3pm – 4pm
Street performers juggling workshop, around Kids Marquee
4pm – 6pm
Vegetable croquet, around Kids Marquee
Saturday 19th June
10.30am – 8pm
Real Food Market, East Piazza,
10.30am – 1pm
Giant melting Ice sculpture which will melt to reveal prizes, North Piazza
11am – 5pm
Kid’s frame decorating workshop, Kids Marquee
12pm – 3pm
Jazz musicians, North East Piazza
12pm – 5pm
Balloon artists, Street Magician & Hula Hoop, around Kids Marquee
12pm – 5pm
Royal Opera House Costumes on show, Kids Marquee
12pm – 5pm
Our own Creative in Residence, Inua Ellams will be on hand to collect
visitors’ thoughts, East Piazza
12pm – 2pm
Giant basket race, around Kids Marquee
2pm – 4pm
Human fruit machine, around Kids Marquee
2pm – 3pm
Cupcake decorating with Crumbs & Doilies, Kids Marquee
3pm – 4pm
Street performers acrobatics workshop, around Kids Marquee
4pm – 6pm
Vegetable croquet, around Kids Marquee
Sunday 20th June
10.30am – 8pm
Real Food Market, East Piazza
10.30am – 1pm
Giant melting Ice sculpture which will melt to reveal prizes, North Piazza
11am – 5pm
Kid’s bag making workshop, Kids Marquee
12pm – 3pm
Jazz musicians, North East Piazza
12pm – 5pm
Balloon artists, Street Magician & Hula Hoop, around Kids Marquee
12pm – 5pm
Royal Opera House Costumes on show, Kids Marquee
12pm – 5pm
Our very own Creative in Residence, Inua Ellams will be on hand to collect
visitors’ thoughts, East Piazza
12pm – 2pm
Giant basket race, around Kids Marquee
2pm – 4pm Human fruit machine, around Kids Marquee
2pm – 3pm
Cupcake decorating with Crumbs & Doilies, Kids Marquee
3pm – 4pm
Street performers singing workshop, around Kids Marquee
4pm – 6pm
Vegetable croquet, around Kids Marquee
