People's Stage ready to make a bang at Blackheath Fireworks

One of the biggest additions this year is the brand-new People's Stage, giving local performers the chance to showcase their talent to thousands of festival-goers. Seen as a precursor to the return of People's Day festival next summer, the stage will feature a programme curated by the Council in partnership with local organisations including Rezon 8 and Alchemy, which both support emerging artists and young creatives in the borough. 

Elsewhere, the event, organised by Council partners Slammin Events, will feature a packed entertainment programme. In the Big Top, music fans can enjoy performances from UK Garage stars DJ Luck & MC Neat and club legend Brandon Block. Crowd favourite Massaoke returns alongside the spectacular Lords of Lightning, while the Big Belly Comedy Club will host leading comedians throughout the evening.

The fairground will offer attractions for all ages, from family-friendly to bigger thrill rides. Visitors can also enjoy an expanded Street Food Village, with more local food traders and additional bars across the site to help keep queues to a minimum.

To make the event accessible to more people, 250 free tickets have been set aside for residents on low incomes. These will be distributed by local charities, including Lewisham Donation Hub, to families they regularly support and who would benefit from attending.

Cllr Rotimi Skyers – Cabinet Member for Children, SEND, Youth Empowerment and Culture – said:

"We want everyone in Lewisham to feel this event is for them. That's why we're making free tickets available to residents on lower incomes. We're also working to make sure the event brings real benefits to the local community, with more opportunities for local stall holders, more jobs for local people and a dedicated People's Stage to champion local artists.

"The People's Stage is one of the things I'm most excited about this year because it gives us the chance to showcase the incredible creative talent we have in Lewisham. It's also a great way to build momentum ahead of the return of People's Day next summer.

"We'll be announcing the performers closer to the event, but I can promise audiences a fantastic line-up, with family-friendly performances before DJs take over later in the evening. This is just the beginning for the People's Stage and we're looking forward to building on it in the years ahead. Watch this space."

Visit the Blackheath Fireworks website for more information and to book tickets.