Brockley Max at Lewisham Shopping Centre

It’s that time of the year again… Brockley Max is coming back to Lewisham! Over nine days, from Friday 29th May to Saturday 6th June, the borough comes to life with a whole host of art exhibitions, live performances and creative spaces that celebrate local talent, and we’re thrilled to be sponsoring the annual community arts festival as it gears up to celebrate its 25th anniversary. With events and activities taking place in venues across Lewisham, including Brockley, Ladywell, Crofton Park and Honor Oak – as well as right here at Lewisham Shopping Centre too! – there’s lots to discover every single day. 

Here’s a little taste of everything that’s in store over the course of the Brockley Max festival in 2026…

BROCKLEY MAX BUSK STOP

When it comes to Brockley Max’s opening weekend, here at Lewisham Shopping Centre, we’re all about the music. Join us on Saturday 30th May from 11am for a jam-packed day of live music, entertainment and free activities for the whole family as Central Square is transformed for the Brockley Max Busk Stop event!

We'll be hosting a fantastic line-up of talented local buskers from 11am, including artists Emma Lynne, Jules, Noo-U, Maxon and Penelope Vivero, all while the 1Harmony Radio team are on-site to spin tunes and introduce the live acts.

To really help you get into the festival spirit, there'll also be FREE face painting and glitter tattoos available for grown-ups and little ones alike – just the thing for adding a bit of extra sparkle to your day!

1HARMONY RADIO TAKEOVER

When it comes to Brockley Max’s opening weekend, here at Lewisham Shopping Centre, we’re all about the music. On Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st May, our Central Square will serve as the home of Brockley local radio channel 1Harmony’s Brockley Max takeover, with DJs Gerome and Krystal hosting their show live from 1pm - 5pm. 

Alongside the live broadcast, Lewisham Shopping Centre has partnered with Brockley Max and 1Harmony Radio to offer an exciting mentorship scheme, giving six participants the opportunity to gain skills, experience and knowledge about radio, DJ-ing and audio production. With Gerome and Krystal on hand as mentors, participants will be helping to create live and recorded radio programmes from a pop-up radio station right here in the centre – and so much more too. Find out more and register your interest on the Brockley Max website.

MAKE YOUR MARK ON LEWISHAM

As part of Brockley Max’s 25th anniversary celebrations, the festival is calling on local artists to leave their mark on their community by creating three new pieces of artwork to help shape an all-new mural trail in the local area. Three new artists will be painting brand new murals and three locations across the area, including at Pistachios Café in Hilly Fields, the gates of the historic Ladywell Playtower and right here at Lewisham Shopping Centre on Molesworth Street too. These three new artworks will form part of an all-new Lewisham community mural trail, encouraging local residents to explore all of the brilliant artwork on their doorstep and find out more about the artists and their works.

Mural #1 – Ladywell Playtower Gates by BarnieXYZ

In the heart of Ladywell, artist BarnieXYZ has transformed the heavy gates of the historic, Grade II-listed Ladywell Playtower. Funded entirely by the Ladywell Society, this piece pairs bold, abstract floral patterns with an outline of the Playtower’s iconic gothic window.

Mural #2 – Pistachio’s Cafe by OrbitLDN

Moving into the neighbourhood spaces, artist OrbitLDN brings a fresh design to the exterior wall of Pistachio’s Cafe. Jointly funded by Pistachio’s Cafe and Brockley Max, this artwork aims to enhance the local cafe culture, creating a vibrant visual backdrop for residents stopping by for their morning coffee.

Mural #3 – Lewisham Shopping Centre by Molly Hankinson

Acclaimed artist and illustrator Molly Hankinson has taken on a massive urban canvas right here at Lewisham Shopping Centre. Known for her highly stylistic, inclusive, and empowering depictions of community figures, Hankinson’s piece injects an expansive burst of modern illustration directly into one of the borough’s busiest commercial hubs.

COMMUNITY ARTS FESTIVAL

And all of that is just the beginning! Brockley Max is making the most of its 25th year with a jam-packed line-up of events, ranging from live music and art exhibitions to pop-ups, folk festivals, and so much more. Get things started at the official opening night event on Friday 29th May with a free event, an outdoor stage and performances through the night from 4.30pm, and make the most of the Brockley Max Anniversary All-Dayer at The Fox & Firkin for even more music in an event headlined by local hero and internationally acclaimed artist Theon Cross.

Over the festival, there’ll also be plenty more events and activities to get involved with, from the Story Trail on Sunday 31st May to the 36 Hours Lewisham Arthouse ‘exhibition for everyone’, where you can bring your own artwork and hang it up for display. Looking to enjoy a night of short films, all filmed and created by local filmmakers? Don’t miss this year’s Brockleywood Nights event on Thursday 4th June – now in its 20th year and a firm favourite in the Brockley Max calendar.

Other key events to look out for include:

• The '25 Years of Brockley Max' photo exhibition
• Craft-based nature discovery trail
• 2026 Jazz Night featuring internationally known trombonist Nathaniel Cross
• Much Ado About Nothing, presented by The Sirrah Sisters
• Brockley Max MAX In The Park

For the full festival line-up, head to the Brockley Max website. Here you can find a full list of all of the events taking place during the 2026 arts festival and sign up to their newsletter for all the latest updates.