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, neighbourhoods 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 with exclusive access to behind-the-scenes areas.
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.
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.
Refreshments will also be available to purchase throughout the day at the venue’s bars and The Servery.
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.
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors:
For more information about BH Live please contact:
Daisy Saunders, PR & Communications Executive
E: press.office@bhlive.org.uk
About BH Live
Champions of community engagement, health and wellness across Dorset, Hampshire, and London
BH Live, a registered charity and social enterprise, is a leading operator of sports and leisure centres, theatres, and event venues.
BH Live (Enterprises) Limited is a wholly owned trading subsidiary of the parent organisation, established to manage the non-charitable activities, primarily relating to Conferences and Exhibitions.
Our vision is to create sustainable and inspiring opportunities, deliver great experiences for our communities, and improve health and well-being.
With a strong commitment to accessibility and community engagement, BH Live continues to enhance the quality of people’s lives, health and wellbeing in the communities it serves.
BH Live was established in 2010. Local authority partners include BCP Council, Portsmouth City Council, Croydon Council, and Southampton City Council.
We are at the heart of the UK’s growing social economy. Together with our partners we are helping to change lives and make a positive impact in the community.
For more visit bhlive.org.uk.
Get social with us:
LinkedIn – BH Live
Facebook – @SocialEnterpriseBHLive
Instagram @bhliveuk
Head office address: Bournemouth International Centre, Exeter Road, Bournemouth, BH2 5BH, DORSET
BH Live is a leisure and cultural trust, established in 2010 as a ‘non profit distributing organisation’ (NPDO) for public benefit to promote participation in leisure and cultural events. BH Live is a Company Limited by Guarantee and Registered Charity. Charity No: 1138311. Company No: 07092112. VAT Reg No: 108 2248 37. BH Live (Enterprises) Ltd, is a Private Company Limited by Shares and a wholly owned subsidiary of BH Live. Company No: 07175626. VAT Reg No: 108 2248 37. Registered Office: Bournemouth International Centre, Exeter Road, Bournemouth, BH2 5BH. Registered in England and Wales.
About Fairfield Halls, Croydon
Fairfield Halls is managed by BH Live, a registered charity and social enterprise, in partnership with Croydon Council.
BH Live (Enterprises) Limited is a wholly owned trading subsidiary of the parent organisation, BH Live. It has been established to manage the non-charitable activities, primarily relating to Conferences and Exhibitions.
With a long and distinguished history, Fairfield Halls sits in the heart of Croydon.
Spaces inside the venue include its 809-seat Ashcroft Theatre, the world-class 1,802-seat Concert Hall, and The Recreational a 750-capacity standing live music venue. Additional space is available in the adjoining Cube Studio.
As well as the main auditoriums, there are additional spaces and rooms that regularly accommodate local business events, conferences, exhibitions, meetings, consumer-led events, and attractions such as family gatherings and celebrations.
Companies in residence at Fairfield Halls include Talawa, and London Mozart Players.
Following a major refurbishment in 2019, the venue’s opening seasons included an eclectic mix of theatre, music, comedy, performance, dance and family entertainment including an annual festive pantomime.
The Terrace Bistro offers pre-show dining with drinks and light-bites.
Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother opened Fairfield Halls on Friday 2 November 1962. The inaugural concert in the Concert Hall was performed by the BBC Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent, with renowned soloist Yehudi Menuhin also performing.
The Ashcroft Theatre was opened on 5 November by Croydon-born Dame Peggy Ashcroft, with the opening ceremony including a monologue by Sir John Betjeman called ‘Local Girl Made Good’. The first play performed was Royal Gambit, starring Dulcie Gray.
The Arnhem Foyer is named after Croydon’s twin-town of Arnhem in the Netherlands.
Buy tickets
- See what’s on and buy tickets online at fairfield.co.uk
- Buy tickets by phone 0300 500 0595
- In person from box office at Fairfield Halls – see website for opening times.
For call charges, opening times and more visit fairfield.co.uk
Follow us on:
Facebook – @fairfieldcroydon
Instagram – @croydonfairfield
Address: Fairfield Halls, Park Lane, Croydon, CR9 1DG, LONDON
BH Live is a leisure and cultural trust, established in 2010 as a ‘non profit distributing organisation’ (NPDO) for public benefit to promote participation in leisure and cultural events. BH Live is a Company Limited by Guarantee and Registered Charity. Charity No: 1138311. Company No: 07092112. VAT Reg No: 108 2248 37. BH Live (Enterprises) Ltd, is a Private Company Limited by Shares and a wholly owned subsidiary of BH Live. Company No: 07175626. VAT Reg No: 108 2248 37. Registered Office: Bournemouth International Centre, Exeter Road, Bournemouth, BH2 5BH. Registered in England and Wales.
About Talawa
Talawa is the UK’s outstanding Black British theatre company. Founded in 1986 by Black artists and activists Yvonne Brewster OBE, Mona Hammond OBE, Carmen Munroe DBE and Inigo Espejel, Talawa was created to address the lack of opportunities for Black actors on British stages.
Talawa’s ongoing mission is to diversify the theatre industry, making it fully representative of the UK population. Talawa is using 2026, their milestone 40th anniversary year, to galvanise financial support and create specific channels for giving based on the incredible legacy of our founders.
Talawa is more determined than ever to be courageous and creative in its programming, shine a spotlight on Black creative talent, inspire dialogue across a diverse range of audiences and enrich the cultural life of all. To continue paving the way for the next 40 years, Talawa Theatre Company must be backed with the same support, strength and boldness it brings to the stage.
About London Open House Festival
London Open House Festival was established in 1992 as a one-day event with just 100 tickets. Today it is the largest free festival of its kind in the world and part of a global network of 61 Open House Festivals, taking place everywhere from New York to Lagos. Other festivals regularly turn to London for advice and experience.
- 99% of visitors enjoyed their visit to London House Festival and the same number would recommend the event to their friends
- The social impact: 92% of visitors reported that the London Open House Festival enhanced their wellbeing, 73% said it gave them joy, 34% walked more than usual, 55% gained a more positive view of London and 1 in 5 strengthened their sense of belonging.
- 2025’s edition of London Open House Festival welcomed 375,000 visits to 830 open days and events across all 33 London boroughs.
- The economic impact was a ￡14 million estimated direct spend in the London local economy as a result of the festival.
- The 2025 festival received 219,522 entries to the public ballot to access its most popular locations including 10 Downing Street, BT Tower, and BBC Broadcasting House.
- There were over 3000 activities in the festival in 2025 including walking tours, housing estates, government buildings and many other places.
About Open City
Open City is a charity with a mission to make our built environment more open, accessible, and equitable. We do this through:
- Our flagship event, London Open House Festival, opens up and celebrates London and its
communities each September - A year-round Young People’s programme which includes city-making workshops at primary
and SEN schools, as well as the award-winning mentoring programme Accelerate for young people traditionally excluded from architecture. - A year-round programme of events, tours and books to democratise public knowledge about cities and the way we live in them