Emerge East festival and the Luminarium by Architects of Air

New for 2024, the event will feature a major immersive art installation: Arborialis Luminarium by Architects of Air. Arborialis Luminarium is being brought to Barking Riverside by Creative Barking and Dagenham in partnership with Barking Riverside Limited and with the support of Riverside School. A monumental interactive walk-in sculpture illuminated by colour and light, Arborialis Luminarium is inspired by the natural world and features tree forms and leaf patterns. Created by Alan Parkinson, the visual experience is enhanced by a soothing soundtrack by the Irish composer Dr Michael Morris. This will be the premiere of Arborialis Luminarium in London, having recently been exhibited internationally in Barcelona, Adelaide, Perth, Christchurch and Auckland.

Other festival highlights include:

> A Taste of Barking Riverside – The Home Cooks, where local people who are legends in their own kitchen become street food vendors for a day for everyone to experience their secret family recipe.

> An Emerging Makers’ Market featuring independent traders selling a selection of clothing, gifts, lifestyle products and food produce.

> Pop-up riverside sauna sessions, with expert guidance by the British Sauna Society and Community Sauna CIC, to learn about sauna culture and rituals from around the world.

> Nature-inspired creative workshops for all ages including flag making, ceramic seed pots and a bespoke sandpit play and build area.

> Woodland Tribe activity, where families are invited to build a windmill with the masters of constructive play – Woodland Tribe, a not-for-profit social enterprise promoting adventure play.

> London National Park City and local experts leading a series of nature talks and activities.

> Live DJs sets and DJ workshops with UD focusing on Black music and Black music culture.

Emerge East is free to visit.

Tickets are also available for Wild Riverside Sauna (£12) for which pre-booking is recommended.