A two-week programme of exciting, free creative activities is returning to Thurrock for the third year running between Monday 9 February and Sunday 22 February.
Organised by Start Thurrock, each activity, workshop or show in the Green Light programme has been booked as a direct response to feedback from residents on the types of fun activities they would like access to locally.
Having started in 2024, the event was an instant hit, with more than 300 residents of all ages participating in at least one activity and close to 400 watching a show. 2025 saw Green Light sessions take place again in Purfleet-on-Thames, Chadwell St. Mary and South Ockendon, with even more people coming along to try their hand at something new, and a total of 775 attendances.
For 2026, Start Thurrock are expanding the programme to 21 events, including four more towns: Aveley, East Tilbury, Corringham and Stanford-le-Hope, giving more people the chance to try a creative session close to home.
The venues for this year’s programme are:
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Stanford-le-Hope - East Thurrock Community Association and St. Margaret’s Church
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Aveley - Aveley Christian Centre and Aveley Community Hub
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South Ockendon - 1st Ockendon Scout Group and Belhus Village Hall
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Chadwell St. Mary - Chadwell Village Hall and Marisco Hall
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East Tilbury - East Tilbury Village Hall, East Tilbury Primary School and Parish Church of St. Catherine
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Purfleet–on-Thames - Mulberry Drive Complex and St. Stephen’s Church
The varied programme of activities this year includes something for all ages and all abilities: from ever-popular kids’ theatre shows to Brazilian drumming, make your own kaleidoscopes, a pop-up choir and even a session for programming (and racing!) robots. Creative crafts also feature strongly, with sessions for basket weaving, acrylic paint workshops, needlecraft, clay modelling and building with recycled cardboard!
Start Thurrock is a Creative People and Place Programme supported by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
To see the full programme and reserve your free tickets visit: https://www.startthurrock.org/whats-on/