On Saturday 19 September 2026, step into Fairfield Halls in Croydon as part of this year’s much-anticipated Open House Festival; London’s annual celebration of architecture, neighborhood, and public spaces, which encourages people to explore the buildings and places that shape their communities.
Between 11am and 5pm, visitors can freely drop in to spend time exploring the venue’s stylish foyer and public spaces.
For those wanting to discover more about the fascinating history of Fairfield Halls there is a programme of ticketed activities and events, including guided tours *sold out* with exclusive access to behind-the-scenes areas.
Advance booking for the guided tours *sold out*, classical performances and technical workshops is essential, with slots opening on the Open House Festival website from 12pm on Wednesday 19 August 2026. Spaces are limited and subject to availability.
London Mozart Players (LMP) will present two informal classical concerts at 1:00pm and 2:30pm, alongside an open rehearsal from 11am-12.30pm. Throughout the afternoon, the foyer will also come alive as LMP platform local music and dance groups as part of their community showcase, celebrating Croydon’s vibrant creativity.
Marking its 40th anniversary, Talawa Theatre Company will deliver an engaging theatrical exhibition celebrating its contribution to Black British theatre and showcasing work from the company’s emerging and established artists.
For those interested in the technical side of live entertainment, two dedicated workshops (aimed at 11-16 years olds and 16+) will provide a hands-on introduction to lighting, sound and stage production. Working alongside Fairfield Halls’ expert technical team, participants will gain an insight into the skills and creativity that help transform every performance into a memorable audience experience.
A drama class will also be available for children aged 4-8 from 11:30am-12:00pm. Packed with stories, games, and confidence-building fun, this is a great introduction for aspiring actors (parental or guardian supervision required).
Refreshments will also be available to purchase throughout the day at the venue’s bars and The Servery.
Advance booking for the guided tours, classical performances and technical workshops is essential, with slots opening on the Open House Festival website from 12pm on Wednesday 19 August 2026. Spaces are limited and subject to availability.
BH Live (registered charity) operates Fairfield Halls in partnership with Croydon Council. On behalf of BH Live, Steve Turner, Director of Venues, shared;
“The Open House Festival is a brilliant opportunity for us to share the stories, people and spaces that make Fairfield Halls so special. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or have been attending events here for decades, we hope people will enjoy discovering more about the building’s history, its role in Croydon’s cultural life, and the work that goes on behind the scenes.”
On behalf of London Mozart Players (LMP), Chief Executive Chrissy Kinsella shared;
“As Croydon’s Resident Orchestra, we’re proud to call Fairfield Halls our home, and Open House Festival is a wonderful opportunity to share the space with our local community and showcase what we do.
“From informal performances in the concert hall to the brilliant grassroots artists featured in the foyer, the day is all about celebrating the different kinds of creativity that make Croydon so special. We’re looking forward to welcoming people into the concert hall, sharing the exceptional acoustics of our home venue and making orchestral music fun and accessible to everyone.”
On behalf of Talawa, Executive Director & JCEO, Carolyn ML Forsyth, shared;
“I’ve always loved Open House Festival and the way it invites people to discover the spaces and stories that make up our city. We’re delighted to have Talawa Theatre Company taking part this year, opening the doors to our studio space at Fairfield Halls and working with partners to celebrate Croydon’s rich cultural life. We’re looking forward to welcoming people in and sharing more about Talawa’s work and our 40 years of Black British theatre making.”
Since opening in 1962, Fairfield Halls has played a central role in Croydon’s cultural event programme, welcoming generations of audiences for world-class music, theatre, comedy, dance and community events. Today, the venue continues to serve as a vibrant gathering place for local people while attracting audiences from across London and the South East.
More information about Fairfield Halls is online at fairfield.co.uk.
