Horsenden Solstice Festival

Join us at the Farm to celebrate the Summer Solstice, when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky. A time to connect with nature and give thanks for the sun’s warmth, light and life. Historically linked to farming and agriculture the Solstice marks a turning point in the year, often seen as a peak for growth and renewal. The Solstice is renowned for music and feasting, and there will be plenty of that.

Many solstice traditions take place around the world, we will be drawing on those and starting some new traditions of our own.

Please note:  Parking on site for the day is restricted to Blue Badge holders and exhibitors only. Horsenden Farm is a short walk from Perivale underground station and the 297 bus route.

Music & Dancing

We have a full line up of local bands on the courtyard stage for you to sit back and listen, or get up and dance to! Plus we will be joined by our friends at Northfields Morris for two interactive dance sessions.

Yoga in the park

The Summer Solstice is chosen for the International Day of Yoga. Around the world, people come together to practise yoga in celebration of unity, peace and connection to nature. Although the Solstice Festival is a day earlier, we’re delighted to be hosting two mass yoga sessions in the play park by the canal.

2.00 – 2.45pm and 3.45 – 4.30pm. Free to attend. Suitable for all, children from 4yrs+

Wellbeing walks

Join a wellbeing walk over the hill and through the woods. We will have a variety of walks and Forest Bathing opportunities throughout the afternoon. The day will culminate with a sunset walk to the summit of Horsenden Hill.

Forest Bathing with Elizabeth:

A slow walk through woodland, connecting to nature through our senses.  Experience a gentle, guided pause from the pace of everyday life.  Bring your curiosity and enjoy time to slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with nature. 30 minute walk

Walks start at 2.30, 3.30, 4.30 and 5.30. Sign up at Horsenden World

Nature through the Senses with The Landing Space 

This is a guided walking experience designed to help participants land in the varying terrains of this woodland space and reconnect with their environment through sensory related nature-based activities. The session invites you to actively explore, be curious and intuitive in a forest setting, noticing the details, textures, subtle sounds, natural scents and flavours that are often missed in everyday life. Join us for a nervous system reset and to experience the natural environment in a deeper and more intentional way. 60 minute walk

Walk starts 3pm. Sign up at Horsenden World. (We will be walking for most of the hour often on rough terrain and uneven ground  so please  consider all these factors when signing up.)

Sunset  Procession 

The musicians and the Green Man will lead the way as we process up the hill, where we will stay for the sunset and enjoy music and conversation and celebrate the Summer Solstice.

Meet in Courtyard soon after the live music ends at 8pm. Sunset is 9.18pm. After that we all wend our way home. 

Crafts, Games and Stories

We will have a range of local craft stalls and plenty of opportunities to get involved.

In the playpark

Streamer making Make a  colourful Solstice streamer to wave at the Festival and in the Sunset Procession – let’s fill the farm with colour! Free, 2pm onwards

Story time at the Pirate ship: Beaver Believers. Sean McCormack will read his delightful story that celebrates nature and community spirit. Sean will sign copies of the book, which is beautifully illustrated by Siski Kalla, for everyone who purchases one. Free, 3.15pm and 4.15pm

Face painting with B’fly Face Painting. 2pm onwards, charges will be displayed

Old fashioned games Come and have a go at cornhole game, Kubb, Quoits. (and learn what they are!) Free, 2.45pm onwards

In Woodpecker Hollow

In the secluded glen of Woodpecker Hollow we will have a choice of crafts to make and take home, with the theme of supporting our bees!

Make a bee hotel to encourage solitary bees into your garden, or make a bee revival kit to be a bee saviour through the hot summer months. Drop in sessions from 2pm, lasting 30 mins. £5 per session. Sign up with our volunteers in the Hollow.

In the courtyard

Join the team from Bead Sew Crafty to make your own beaded bag charm. Drop in between 2pm – 5pm. £5 for children, £7 for adults.

Solas crystal shop will also be open throughout the day

Food and Drink

Food will be available throughout the day

• The Horsenden Loaf will be serving Pizzas from 12pm and their usual range of artisan drinks and baked goods
• Sausages and Burgers available from the Friends of Horsenden BBQ
• Hayloft cake sale – homemade delights from our team of volunteers. Tea and Coffee also available
• And of course the beer from Perivale Brewery will be flowing, no doubt with some seasonal specials on tap.

Friends of Horsenden is delighted that this free community event has been supported through funding from the Greenford Your Voice Your Town initiative from Ealing Council. We’ve been awarded £5k to help us expand our community event and education capabilities by purchasing outdoor chairs and a PA/speaker system. We believe it’s important to bring the local community together at seasonal festivals, fairs and celebrations; people get to meet other local folk and local small organisations and charities, and local crafters of all kinds. Coming together in this way reminds us that the neighbourhood is full of good people and that the area is bristling with exciting projects to get involved in!