A packed weekend of festivals, music and art
Published Thursday 3 September 2026
Plan Soul Town, Sunday's family festival, a colourful Bethlem exhibition and free music at the Mansion.
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Top Updates
Year 7 applications are now open
Bromley families with a child starting secondary school in September 2027 can now apply for a Year 7 place. Applications go through the council, including choices outside Bromley, and the national deadline is Saturday 31 October. Some schools also require a supplementary form. Start an application and read the guidance.
Final day to have your say on local parks
Bromley Council's annual survey closes on Friday 4 September. You can rate local parks, woodlands and open spaces and explain what needs attention; the responses help guide maintenance and investment. Complete the parks survey.
See plans for Elmfield Road in Bromley
Proposals for new planting, lighting and other improvements on Elmfield Road will be shared at Devonshire House on Thursday 10 September. Presentations start at 4pm and 6pm, with drop-ins welcome between them, and feedback will shape the plans before work expected in spring 2027. Read about the engagement session.
Dates For Your Diary
Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September · 2–5pm · free
Step inside Scadbury's moated manor site
Scadbury Park's Tudor manor site, which is normally closed to the public, opens for a self-guided trail past the excavations and foundations of its kitchens and great hall. Last entry is 4.30pm and donations are welcome. Plan a visit to the open weekend.
Saturday 19 September · 9am–noon · free
Give your bike a free check in Norman Park
Dr Bike mechanics at the Cow Shed can inspect your bike, fix minor problems with brakes, chains, cables, gears and tyre pressure, and check your saddle and helmet fit. The last bike is accepted at 11.45am. See the Dr Bike session details.
Saturday 26 September · 2–4pm · adults £2
Browse a bumper children's nearly-new sale
Mum2mum Market brings pre-loved baby, children's and maternity items to Orpington Methodist Church on Sevenoaks Road. Children enter free, and sellers can book a table in advance. See the market and stall details.
What's On
Friday 4 and Saturday 5 September
See vivid art from Bengaluru to Bethlem, 9.30am–5pm · free. Manasa Chitra at Bethlem Museum of the Mind brings together colourful, hopeful work by people with experience of mental distress in India, from patients at Bangalore Mental Hospital in the 1950s to artists working around Bengaluru today. The exhibition runs until Saturday 14 November. The museum's lift is currently out of order, so check the access update before visiting if you cannot use stairs. Explore the exhibition and access notice.
Saturday 5 September
Soul Town brings big names to Croydon Road Rec, noon–10pm · 18+. Wet Wet Wet, The Commodores, The Spinners, Sugarhill Gang, Eternal and Odyssey lead an adults-only day of soul, Motown, disco, funk and house at Croydon Road Recreation Ground. Gates open at noon, music finishes at 10pm and last entry is 6pm; anyone under 21 must attend with an adult. Check the Soul Town line-up and tickets.
DJ Kasual brings an afternoon set to the Mansion, 3–8pm · free. DJ Kasual and friends play a free five-hour set at the Mansion Bar and Cafe in Beckenham Place Park. See the event details.
Sunday 6 September
Spend Sunday at an all-inclusive family festival, noon–8pm · under-twos free. We Are Family Festival fills Croydon Road Recreation Ground with fairground rides, hourly character parades, activities and live music including Toploader and a 90-minute Raver Tots set. Rides and soft drinks are included with tickets, and last entry is 4pm. See the family festival and ticket options.
Monday 7 September
Meet other new parents over a cuppa, 1–2.30pm. NCT Beckenham and Borders runs Bumps and Babies at Neighbourhood Church for parents and carers with babies under one. The relaxed drop-in is a chance to meet other local families over tea and biscuits. See upcoming NCT Beckenham meet-ups.
Roadworks and Transport
Eden Park closures continue into next week: Stanhope Grove, Cherry Tree Walk and Glanfield Road are scheduled to remain closed through Sunday 13 September during gas works. Two-way temporary traffic lights continue on Eden Park Avenue.
Durham Road and Whitecroft Close closures: Durham Road is scheduled to remain closed through Friday 4 September for Thames Water work. Whitecroft Close is scheduled to stay closed through Monday 7 September.
Temporary lights on Ravensbourne Avenue: Multi-way temporary traffic lights are scheduled on Ravensbourne Avenue through Friday 4 September, with further multi-way lights on Letchworth Drive through Friday afternoon.