As the name so aptly suggests, the Open East Festival will see the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park officially open for the very first time since the closing ceremony at the Paralympics last year. The weekend of the 27th and 28th of July will see a flurry of activity descend on the north end of the park.
This two-day extravaganza promises great food, music, entertainment and fun for the entire family to enjoy. Marking exactly a year since the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics, this is the first phase in the staggered re-opening of the park, which will be entirely open next spring. As Boris so aptly put it, “The sizzling line up of music, performance and food makes the Open East Festival a fabulous curtain-raiser to another exciting summer in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.”
The Barbican and Create London, the joint organisers of the festival, have compiled an eclectic mix of events and activities, from maple dancing and bingo to the Crafternoon Tea Club and the House of Fairy Tales.
Much like the dramatic and theatrical performances that heralded the opening of the Olympic stadium last summer, Open East promises to not just ride on the coattails of the Olympic success, but generate a new and exciting experience that can stand on its own. The festival very much aims to evoke the spirit of the Olympics through showcasing new and local talent. Pandemonium Drummers and the BMX riders from the Olympic opening ceremony will be performing, as well as a host of other hugely varied performances from musicians, storytellers, puppeteers, circus acts and more.
The festival very much celebrates the creative legacy of last year’s events. Joey, the beloved horse from War Horse will be trotting around the park, happy to say ‘neigh’ to all, while various talks and readings will be taking place throughout the weekend, focused around the topic of London. If you fancy an amble or picnic by the riverbanks and parklands, you may be lucky enough to run into one of many random pop-up performances taking place. Two main stages will play host to many a live music performance, from almost every music genre.
We are also super excited about the scrumptious food on offer from the Real Food Festival, which will comprise over 70 stalls from London’s best street food sellers and producers.
If you’d like to win either a family ticket or a pair of tickets, take a look at the following question and leave your answer in the comment box, below.
What are you most excited about doing,eating, seeing or listening to at the Open East Festival?
Please ensure to indicate whether you would like a pair of tickets (two adults) or a family ticket (two adults and two children).
Our winner will be picked on Friday 28th June. Good luck!
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34 Comments
As someone who lives in Stratford , I am very excited with the opening of amazing Park . Foodie in me is so looking forward to the Street food stall in Real food festival the most !!!
I am actually most excited about seeing the new green space that has been created only 10 minutes from where I live. Natural spaces are so important in urban areas and I genuinely can’t wait to see this park. Also hoping to see Boris do something silly…possibly on a BMX!
If I do win then two adult tickets would be awesome!
Thanks
Rebecca
Driving through the newly opened road by cab on my way back from a stressful day at work out of London I was so pleased to see the peaceful green space which signified ‘ home’. Therapeutic and exciting at the same time can’t wait to use the space. Tickets to the event would be a fantastic start!!
Thanks
Rachael
As Stratford resident, sitting in the park on a quiet weekday, when all the crowds are gone, finally able to enjoy the space we have spent so many years waiting for.
2 adult tickets please.
I can’t wait to see the tensor nation of the park. Having originally worked on the construction of the park from 2008-2012 and then attending the games, it would be great to witness and document once gain the changing face of the Park.
* transformation
I’m looking forward to seeing the whole park!! I didn’t get a chance to go during London 2012 and I can’t wait to see what’s inside after travelling past it on the tube for so long!
Living nearby it has been incredible to watch the Olympic site develop and then was amazing to have the opportunity to watch some of the Olympic sport and witness a remarkably moment in history. I would love to go to the festival to see this next stage of the Olympic park and how it will be used in the future by the community. Not to mention getting to see the horses from War Horse, probably one of my favourite plays.
2 adult tickets would be a dream come true!
Thank you
watch, do and listen anything that people strenght put together as been able to built once again….london is wonderfull…two adult tickets pleaseeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!
It’s an opportunity to experience a new era of regeneration on my doorstep an to be able to say that I was there at the grand opening of this park would be awesome!
2 tickets to this event would be very much appreciated 🙂
They are so many exciting things going on, it’s hard to pick the most exciting thing! Seeing Joey from the War horse, experiencing the Real Food Festival, seeing the Pandemonium Drummers and the BMX riders.
However above all it has to be the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park Stadium itself. I failed in the ballot to get Olympic tickets, couldn’t get any online either. My nan has lived in Stratford all her life and I would love to take her up close to our national Stadium, something we can all be really proud of as british citizens.
The transformation of the park together with Pandemonium Drummers.
as i will be moving into a flat on east village in September it would be great to attend the opening of the park. i am so looking forward to becoming a resident of east village,. tickets would be a bonus 🙂
I will be looking forward to seeing the green space. Having lived within walking distance and seen the space different evolutionary phases. I would be lovely to see the finished product in use.
That’s why I would love to win 2 adults tickets please.
Thanks
Pauline
War Horse! Amazing show from the West End heading East. Amazing.
2 adult tickets 🙂
As an ex Clays Lane resident, I would finally like to see what has happen to the place where I used to live, having not been able to get a ticket for the Olympic games as I did not have the right credit card. I have a deep history with the site and lived there for many years, I held art festivals and recorded a lot of music there. We had to make way for the park to be built, yet never got to got to the any of the games or warm up events. So would like to see what has become of the place we called home.
Looking around the site, listening to some live music and soaking up the atmosphere!
As a Walthamstow resident now, & a born and bred Waltham Forester, just being able to enjoy everything in the park, a new open space and feel proud to be a Londoner.
2adults would be lovely.
Thanks
I’m most looking forward to working out my cycle commute through the park once its officially opened, should save me some time each day!
2 adults if I win
So excited about re-capturing that positive and life-affirming Olympic spirit!
2 adults please,
I would love to soak up the atmosphere of such
An exciting event. I would also like to see warhorse.
Family ticket would fit the bill.
Being inspired to keep active & seeing the place where it all
Happened along with music, art & craft & some tasty treats
(Family ticket)
It has to be seeing Joey!
(Adult tickets please)
I am most excited about soaking up the ambience of the whole Olympic Park in all its glory and reminiscing the excitement of the Olympic Games in 2012.
It makes me so proud to say I’m a Londoner and be part of the celebration again with my children.
A family ticket would be unbelievable to win since we have six children. I will have to toss a coin to see who goes though!
Thanks for this fantastic opportunity.
Cos I love the Waterboys, and the water, and the green, and the idea of a new park in London that has both, and because my boyfriend and I will be living in East Village from the Autumn and, and, and, because, because, because…2 Adult tix please, if I win.
I am looking forward to hearing The Waterboys and I am looking forward to seeing friends that are coming over from Europe especially for the festival. Everything else I hope will be a bonus come rain or shine! If I win I would like adult tickets.
boris! what will that twit do next?? zipwire? hurdles? impromptu swimming?
To be honest, I’m just excited about going to the Olympic Park! It was such a fantastic week and I have so many amazing memories from watching it all on TV already, it will be wonderful to re-live it all right where it all happened. It should be a really fantastic two days!
…would also love to see the real War Horse up close! haha!
Family Ticket please!
Looking forward to just being in the park , waited so long for this and everyone just chilling, relaxing letting the day go by. Can’t wait really 🙂
2 Adults
After being part of the opening ceremony as a dancer, I am most excited about returning to the park to see how the space has transformed and to listen to the music.
Pair of adult tickets
What are you most excited about doing,eating, seeing or listening to at the Open East Festival? I’m most excited about seeing what the festival has to offer. I love seeing the wide variety of ethical food, dance and music. I would love to see how the legacy remained in that way.
Family Tickets Please.
I worked in the park during the Olympics and I am most excited about the promise of great food as I got pretty bored of McDonalds
Would live to win 2 adult tickets
It should be a free event, and not a ticketed event. People are struggling to make ends meet as it is.