On Sunday, 29th March, the Barbican Centre hands the keys to the next generation as the Young Barbican Takeover returns for a full-day festival curated by and for London’s emerging creatives.
Spanning the Conservatory, Cinema 1, and the Barbican’s expansive foyer spaces, the one-day takeover unfolds as a dense, high-energy mix of live performance, workshops, film screenings, a makers’ market and a roller disco. It’s an open invitation for creatives aged 16+ to explore, experiment, and connect inside one of London’s most iconic cultural buildings.
Creativity takes many forms across the programme. Hands-on workshops invite participants to knit and crochet a collaborative tapestry with Craft Forward, make rosette badges with Material Grrrlz, or dive into DIY zine-making with Artizine. Throughout the day, the Makers Market animates the Level G Foyer, showcasing ceramics, jewellery, prints and handmade publications by London-based creatives.
Sound and performance pulse through the building. IRL Sessions bring intimate live music to the Level G Studio via silent-disco headphones, while performances curated with Shai Space and Sad Club Records spotlight new voices shaping the city’s music scene. In the Garden Room, Rain Crew fuse hip-hop dance with activism, while Compass Collective lead an energising drama workshop rooted in storytelling and social care. DIY publishing house ARCCA rounds out the programme with practical advice on launching your own label or imprint.
Cinema 1 hosts film screenings curated by SplicD Cinema, Ifriqiya Cinema and T A P E Collective, all alumni of Barbican Young Film Programmers. Their selections foreground African diaspora cinema and the work of women of colour, both behind and in front of the camera. Over in the Conservatory Well, Barbican Young Poets host a day of poetry performances with guest artists from across London’s spoken-word scene, while the Conservatory Terrace becomes a Conversation Corner, offering space for dialogue, introductions and idea-sharing throughout the day.
Down on Level –1, the Foyer transforms into a roller rink, with inclusive sessions led by multi-award-winning collective Skate Cabal. Beginners and seasoned skaters alike are welcomed, soundtracked by a day-long DJ takeover from Roundhouse’s emerging DJs, bringing rhythm, movement and community together on the dancefloor.
Running 12PM–6PM, the Young Barbican Takeover is a celebration of collaboration, experimentation and collective energy — a snapshot of the ideas, practices and communities shaping London’s creative future.
Young Barbican Takeover Sunday 29th March 2026 Barbican Centre
Tickets are £12, or £10 for Young Barbican members Age guidance: All events are suitable for people aged 16+
