Creative Crawley invites residents to take part in a vibrant summer season of free or very low cost events, created especially for the people of Crawley.
Showcasing free, world-class performances, the programme brings creativity into everyday spaces across the town.
A season of shared moments
At the heart of the season are two major events.
The first is the National Festival of Play – Crawley Launch Event on Thursday 11 June (12–2pm), a town-wide invitation to pause, play and reconnect. In collaboration with HemingwayDesign, led by Wayne Hemingway, everyone is welcome to join in, in their own way, in a shared, playful lunchtime across Crawley. Residents, workplaces and community groups are encouraged to step away from their usual routines and take part in a shared moment of play — whether that’s a quick game of cards with colleagues, lunchtime rounders in the park, or joining a board game challenge at Creative Crawley’s pop-up space in County Mall.
Schools across Crawley are also invited to join in, with one lucky school, Broadfield Primary Academy, creating a giant cardboard playground in their grounds for a lunchtime of building and experimentation. The event marks the countdown to the National Festival of Play 2027, which will take place in Crawley.
The second major highlight is the return of Crawley Fusion Mela. As part of Crawley Borough Council’s weekend event, Creative Crawley is curating the programme on Saturday 25 July at County Mall. This free, day-long celebration features a vibrant programme of live music, dance, art and creative activities celebrating Crawley’s diverse communities. Sunday 26 will take place in Memorial Gardens, programmed by Cohesion Plus. Crawley Fusion Mela is supported by Arts Council England.
On Saturday at Unit 79/80 County Mall audiences can experience:
- Live music from African Night Fever, featuring internationally celebrated percussionist Saidi Kanda and the Mvula Mandondo Band (Tanzania)
- Shree by Seeta Patel Dance, a powerful solo inspired by the cycles of the Earth, performed through the Indian classical form Bharatanatyam
- Otempodiz by Ertza Dance (Mozambique/Spain), a dynamic duet exploring time and human connection (Atrium, ground floor County Mall) Presented in partnership with Global Streets, with public funding from Arts Council England. Part of Crawley’s Creative Playground.
Throughout the day, visitors can also enjoy:
- The world premiere of Crawley: Against All Odds, a new short film created with local learning disabled adults from Dimensions Outreach 3 Way and filmmaker Amara Bjorkhaug
- Between Two Worlds, a photography exhibition by local artist Sarah Maple, inspired by the art of henna.
Creativity on your doorstep
The summer programme continues Creative Crawley’s commitment to bringing arts and culture into familiar, accessible spaces — from shopping centres and youth clubs to playgrounds and forests.
Highlights include:
- Dance for Healing – workshops blending Traditional African and English Folk dance, led by Sophia Newton with a focus on how good dance is for your mental health.
- A free Creative Open Day at Dormans Youth Centre, featuring hands-on activities including algae yarn making with artist Beth Williams for ages 12-18
- Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures’ Doorstep Duets dance performances from the world famous company in the town centre, Crawley library and Cherry Lane Adventure Playground
- Stacked Wonky’s 55, an age-defying dance work performed in Breezehurst Drive playing field, Bewbush
- The Playground Tour in partnership with The Place in London, brings world class live dance from world class choreographers Lea Anderson (UK) and Rotem Weissman (Germany) straight into primary school playgrounds across Crawley. Partner schools are Seymour Primary School, Broadfield Primary Academy, Waterfield Primary School, Northgate Primary School and Bewbush Primary Academy
Creativity, connection and community
This season is built on a simple idea: creativity should be accessible, welcoming and part of everyday life.
Across the programme, a focus on wellbeing and connection runs throughout — from dance sessions that support mental health to informal drop-in events that bring people together. All activities are free or low-cost and take place in familiar locations, making it easier for more people to get involved.
Through this work, Creative Crawley demonstrates how arts and culture can strengthen communities, support local pride and reflect the voices and stories of the town.
This summer is an open invitation: to play, to try something new, and to be part of something shared.
For booking details, venue information and the full Summer Season programme, visit the website.
Image: Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures, Doorstep Duets 2025. Photo by Stephen Daly.
