London Festival of Architecture returns with several special events at Ally Pally

Alexandra Palace and Wood Green are among the festival’s featured neighbourhoods

The annual London Festival of Architecture has kicked off this month with several events planned in and around Alexandra Palace.

Running until the end of the month, there are more than 400 events taking place across the capital under the 2026 theme of ‘Belonging’.

For the third consecutive year, Alexandra Palace and Wood Green are among the festival’s featured neighbourhoods, presenting a “distinctive local programme exploring heritage, creativity, public space and local identity”.

Across the month, visitors will be invited to experience the festival with Alexandra Palace through a number of programmed events, examining how heritage, creativity and public space shape people’s experience of their neighbourhood and city.

Highlights include exclusive behind-the-scenes BBC studios tours at Alexandra Palace on Tuesday 9th and Thursday 11th June, exploring the site’s pioneering broadcasting history and future plans as a new creative campus, with this November marking 90 years since the BBC launched the world’s first high-definition television service from the palace.

On Monday, 22 June, visitors to Alexandra Palace will be able to take part in a heritage skills workshop, where ticket holders can try out traditional making and restoration techniques.

The programme will also see the return of ‘Ally Pally Skate Jam’ in partnership with North London Skate Club at Alexandra Palace Skatepark on Saturday, 13th June, bringing together skaters of all ages, for a day of skating, music and youth-led design workshops by RIBA Youth Learning Forum. Taking place alongside the event is ‘Wanna Play?’, an afternoon of creative activities, including food, graffiti art, dance, and a new performance from Ally Pally’s Young Actors Company.

Architectural design collective Unit 38 will also lead hands-on making and imaginative play, alongside a public consultation inviting children, families and the local community to share ideas to help reimagine the future of Alexandra Palace Playground.

Additional events include a local history tour and mapping project led by residents of Campsbourne Estate, food-growing activities at Wood Green Library with Eat Wood Green, and a series of creative events exploring ideas of identity and belonging through walking, sound, food and performance, led by other partners at Haringey Council, Wolves Lane Centre, Alexandra Gate (Berkeley Group), and Collage Arts.

Louise Johnson, head of strategic planning and projects at Alexandra Park and Palace Charitable Trust, says: “We’re delighted to be involved in the London Festival of Architecture for a third year, it’s one of London’s most important celebrations of place, culture and community.

“This year’s programme reflects several of our strategic ambitions, including shaping Alexandra Palace’s future for a new Creative Campus inspired by our history of innovation, to growing our work around heritage skills, participation and creative learning.

“These projects are about more than buildings and infrastructure. They are about creating opportunities for people to take part, learn new skills and engage with heritage, culture and creativity in meaningful ways, and as a charity, growing our impact for Londoners.”

Rosa Rogina, director of the London Festival of Architecture, adds:“This June, we invite people across London to explore what it means to belong. From guided tours and workshops to performances and community-led projects, this year’s programme celebrates the many ways people connect with the city and shape the places around them.”

Events are a mix of free and ticketed activity, with advance booking required for selected activities, see listings for details.

All Alexandra Palace events can be found here: alexandrapalace.com/whats-on/london-festival-of-architecture

The full LFA programme is available here: londonfestivalofarchitecture.org/programme.

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