The Main Stage brings the big sounds and bold vibes — from soul and reggae to funk and rock, it’s the heart of the festival. Headlining: the powerhouse collective Britain’s Got Reggae! With support from Identified Flying Objects (IFO) and Cally legends Rhythm Explorers with Interfunk. Ready to move?
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12pm Brass Band in front of the stage
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12:10pm Amber Bugs
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12:50pm Brunk
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1:30pm Key Changes
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2:45pm Rhythm Explorers with their guests Interfunk
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3:45pm Mayor’s Speech
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4pm IFO Band
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5pm The Artist Band & Guests – Britain’s Got Reggae
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6pm Stage Ends
Pause, breathe, and reset in the Calm Zone — your festival time-out. Curated with the Jean Stokes Centre, it features relaxing activities and chats from Stuart Low Trust, Autism Hub, Help On Your Doorstep, Our Village Your Community (with nail art pop-up), Park Run, Clock Tower Knit Nat, Jean’s Café, and Adult Community Learning — plus this year’s special guest: the Zen Bus.
Calling all families! Children can sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge and enjoy storytelling sessions, colouring club, and Lego club — plus get their faces painted by our brilliant artists! Step into a world of stories, spark curiosity, and take home a head full of adventures
Open from 12 – 6pm .
Taste the Cally! Our street market brings you the best of Caledonian Road — with 70+ stalls of food, art, goodies, and local flair. Trading this year was by invite only, featuring brilliant Islington businesses, local organisations, charities, and long-time festival traders. Look out for festival specials in nearby cafés and shops. Come hungry, leave happy!
Where science meets imagination — hands-on, curious, and full of wonder.
The Discovery Zone returns as a festival favourite, inviting curious minds of all ages to explore, play, and learn through interactive science and storytelling.
With support from returning partner Institute of Physics and exciting contributions from the Royal Veterinary College, This Is For Me – This Is For Science, Cancer Research UK, UCL, and the Museum of the Order of St. John, there’s something here to spark every imagination.
🧠 Step into the past with a captivating VR experience from the Museum of the Order of St. John
Travel back in time to explore the historic Priory Church as it stood before the devastation of the Second World War. A rare chance to walk through history, virtually.
🚴 Spin for science! Join researchers from This Is For Me
This Is For Science and Cancer Research UK for a high-energy, 2–3 minute stationary bike challenge. Every pedal stroke raises awareness — and funds — for cutting-edge cancer research. Chat with friendly scientists, get inspired by their work, and help accelerate discoveries from lab to lifesaving treatment.
🐾 Future vets and animal lovers, this one’s for you!
Head to the Royal Veterinary College area to test your vet skills, meet staff and students, and get hands-on with science and animal care.
New this year: Learn how to respond in a pet emergency with our free Pet First Aid demo, running on the hour.
⚛️ Institute of Physics
Returning with a range of fun, family-friendly experiments and mind-bending activities — proving that physics is for everyone, and it’s anything but boring.
✨ It’s free, it’s fascinating, and it’s made for everyone. Come get curious in the Discovery Zone!
Find your groove at the Halo Acoustic Stage — a cosy corner of acoustic gems, global beats, and soulful sounds. Settle on a hay bale and soak up raw, heartfelt music in an intimate setting. This year’s line-up features returning favourites Dave Elvis and Nkomba. A mellow vibe, hidden in plain sight. Come discover something special.
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12pm Alessia Piermarini
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12:45pm Cosima
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2pm London Creative Singers Choir
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2:40pm Adam Wedd
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3:30pm Vedantha
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4:25pm Nkombu
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5:20pm Dave Elvis Band
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6pm Stage Ends
Curated by celebrated poet Paul Lyalls, the Story Street Stage is a joyful collision of poetry, performance, and powerful stories — all echoing the spirit of the Cally. From fresh young voices to seasoned stars, expect a rich programme of school choirs, improv, open mic moments, theatre, and literary brilliance.
🎤 Adisa – Legendary performance poet and global gigger
Adisa brings rhythm, wisdom, and wordplay to the Cally with a set full of soul. He’s performed around the world — but says it means the world to perform right here.
📝 Carine Harb – A London-based poet, writer, and editor
Carine blends magical realism and personal storytelling to explore themes of identity, migration, and belonging. Her powerful pieces Sunflowers and Bloom and Thorn have been published internationally, and her upcoming chapbook Immigrants in Wonderland reimagines Alice’s journey through the lens of displacement and cultural adaptation. Currently an editor at Newsweek, Carine also champions unheard voices and volunteers with arts organisations including The Poetry Society.
🎭 Drama Workshop – Presented by Young Actors Theatre
Step into the spotlight and let your imagination run wild in this high-energy workshop for young performers! Bursting with fun drama games and creative challenges, this one-hour session is perfect for anyone who loves to move, play, and express themselves. You’ll build confidence, teamwork skills, and stage presence — all while laughing loads and discovering the joy of performance. No experience needed — just bring your energy and enthusiasm!
🎙️ WORD Collective by All Change Arts
A bold and brilliant showcase of young spoken word artists sharing stories that challenge, uplift, and inspire. 🎭 Odd Eyes Theatre – Watch this dynamic group blur the lines between theatre and real life, bringing community stories to the stage in surprising and powerful ways. Expect poetry, play, performance and power — all in one place. Come be moved, inspired, and amazed on Story Street.
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1pm Paul Lyalls & Robert Blair Primary Poets
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1:05pm Stuart Low Trust Choir
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1:30pm Host: Paul Lyalls
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1:35pm Adisa
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2:05pm Thornhill Primary School Choir & Poets
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2:30pm All Change WORD Collective
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3pm Odd Eyes Theatre & Stuart Low Trust Drama Showcase
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3:45pm Carine Harb
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4:15pm Stuart Low Trust Choir & PoetiCALLY Yours (Open Mic)
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5pm Drama Workshop with Young Actors Theatre
The Action Zone is your go-to space to get moving, burn some energy, and try something new — no matter your age or fitness level. This year, take part in Tai Chi Chi Kung with Belinda Ackermann, Zumba with Verona Gayle, Dance Fitness with Sarah Jayne and Seated Pilates with Jaz – Healthy Generations- and Hula Hooping fun with Oopsie Hoops. Challenge yourself with GLL’s family-friendly fitness stations, show off your football flair with Arsenal, or step into the boxing ring with Bil Sha Boxing, Times ABC Boxing and Rival Boxing. We’ll round off the day with a high-energy beatboxing finale that’s sure to leave you buzzing. Come ready to move — and leave with a smile!
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12pm Tai Chi Chi Kung with Belinda Ackermann
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1pm Dance Fitness with Sarah Jayne – Healthy Generations
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2pm Zumba with Verona Gayle
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3pm Seated Pilates with Jaz – Healthy Generations
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4pm Hula Hooping with Oopsie Hoops
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12-6pm Penalty Shootout with GLL
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12-6pm Football Tricks with Arsenal
Plus, visit the boxing ring where Bil Sha Boxing Club (12- 1:30pm),Times ABC Boxing (1:30- 3:30pm) and Rival Boxing Club (3:30-5pm) will be showcasing their skills. Don’t miss the chance to witness some fantastic boxing! After the boxing, we have beatboxers climbing into the ring, to trade blows with their deadly wit. See Beatfox and friends at 5pm!
A hands-on celebration of creativity at the heart of Cally Festival.
The Artsy Block Party brings together artists, organisations, and neighbours for a day of open-air workshops, exhibitions, and visual storytelling.
This year’s highlights include:
🏠 Draw the Place You Love: What Does Home Mean to You?
Craft-based reflection led by Migrant Research Unite (UCL), inviting you to express what home means through drawing, writing, and collage.
🌀 Children’s Co-Design Lab with Natalie Brown
A creative three-part workshop where children: – Reimagine local spaces using a large map and prompts – Build models with clay and recycled materials – Share stories and quotes to form a growing mural of community dreams
🛠️ Bridging Gaps by Isobel Mills & Ellen Ninkivell
A feminist building workshop exploring access, skill-sharing, and collective making. Girls and women are invited to build adjustable workbenches, talk equity in construction, and enjoy builder’s tea and biscuits. Drop in Sessions:
- 12:30 – 2:30pm
- 3:30 – 5:30pm
🍵 Spill the Tea: Hidden Histories on the Table
An intimate, multi-sensory experience for 8 guests at a time exploring culture and identity through tea. Includes three courses of storytelling, sound, and shared drinks. Organised By Kamilah Aisyi, Paige Joseph, Prachi Pansare, Victoria Yuan-Yi Ying & Viv Hanqi Li. Drop in Sessions:
- 2:30 – 4pm
- 4:30 – 6pm
🌸 Flower Crown-Making with Eliza
Join local artist Eliza to make your own beautiful flower crown — perfect for all ages and a joyful way to celebrate summer.
🖼️ Art Exhibition – Estorick Gallery & Stuart Low Trust
Pop-up works created by community artists supported by Stuart Low Trust, exploring mental health and creative wellbeing.
🔊 Our Voices Carry – Sound Installation
By UCL researchers Dana Sousa Limbu & Galila Khougali
A calming, immersive sound piece inviting you to pause, listen, and connect through shared stories.
🧭 Plus: Festival Art Trail – 4–6 July
Discover the Spatial Practices Exhibition, curated by Irene Martin Zubieta (Central Saint Martins – UAL), transforming local cafés and shops into mini-galleries. Featuring student installations in:
- Kibco Coffee – 170 Caledonian Rd
- Sunflour Bakery – 263 Caledonian Rd
- Soto Coffee – 323 Caledonian Rd
Come make, imagine, and explore. Everyone’s welcome.
The Bus Stop Dance Floor is back! Move with DJ Victor Afro Anderson, dance with The Cally Crew & Winston the Geezer, and join a dance workshop by Young Actors Theatre. Step into line dancing with Val (no rhythm needed!) or catch Irish moves by London Irish Dance. Feeling bold? Skate with Little Bull Skating. Beats, fun, and street-side joy — all welcome!
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12pm Richard Halliday Dance Performance
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12:20pm Dance Workshop with Young Actors Theatre Islington
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1:20pm Roller Skating with Little Bull Skating
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2:20pm Brass Band plays – Parade meets & begins!
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2:30pm The CallyCrew (Children’s Dance) – Winston The Geezer
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3pm Crossing Over Dance Project
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3:05pm Afrobeats Dance Fitness Class with Onyeka
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4pm Irish Line Dancing with London Irish Centre
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4:45pm Crossing Over Dance Project
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4:55pm Hula Hooping Class with Oopsie Hoops
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5:30pm DJ Victor Afro Anderson
Young talent takes centre stage! Curated by Copenhagen Youth Project, the Youth Stage is a showcase of passion and creativity. Over the years this stage has hosted music, spoken word, fashion and art, it’s full of rising stars curated by young people for young people. In the past this exciting stage has received support from TileYard, Universal & CSM and this year will be no exception as the group look to curate an exciting afternoon of creative talent.
Step into a wonderland of imagination where big laughs and little hands come together for a day of creative play, hands-on fun, and unforgettable adventures.
✨ Drill and design your own wooden pendant with AwesomeCIC, straight from Barnard Adventure Playground — yes, real hand drills for mini makers!
🎪 Join Islington Play Association for joyful circus skills, playful hammers-and-nails nail art, and a whole world of imagination. Don’t miss the Children’s Parade they’ll be leading at 2pm, marching from the Bus Stop Dance Floor to the Main Stage — come join the celebration!
🚒 Climb aboard a real-life fire engine and meet the everyday heroes who keep our community safe.
📖 Settle in for storytime magic with West Library and explore the world through words.
🛠️ Get building and weaving with Global Generation — try your hand at brick-making or the mindful craft of willow weaving.
🌿 Meet real researchers from ZSL’s Living Library and learn all about wildlife conservation — where the experts are the books you can talk to!
💫 At 3pm, gather for the “Embracing Play for Families” workshop with Playface’s Viki and Charlie Jackson — a high-energy, giggle-filled session where movement, sound, words, and imagination collide to create connection, creativity, and confidence.
The Kids Zone is where young adventurers play, explore, and create — and where grown-ups are encouraged to say “yes” to the magic of play, too. Come be part of it!
Connecting communities through dance. Meet outside the West Library to take part along the Cally green route by walking, dancing, filming and having a cup of tea across the Cally Road, from Bingfield Park to Thornhill Park.