Arts Outburst launches Get Creative Festival 2026: 30+ events, one whole month, one community united by the arts.

Thurrock, May 2026 — Following the runaway success of this year’s Light Up Thurrock, Arts Outburst is proud to announce that the Get Creative Festival is back for another remarkable edition. Running throughout the entire month of May, the festival transforms the borough into a living, breathing canvas — where talent is spotlighted, voices are amplified, and everyone is invited to take part.

Featuring more than 30 events across Thurrock’s towns, parks, theatres, and studios, Get Creative Festival 2026 spans everything from live performance and visual art to community workshops, digital creativity, and open-air spectacle. It is free, it is for everyone, and it is happening right here.

More Than a Festival

Get Creative Festival was built on a simple but powerful belief: that creativity belongs to everybody. Not just those with training, or a studio, or a platform — but to every person in every household across this borough. The festival exists to make that belief visible, loudly and proudly, for 31 days straight.

“Thurrock is overflowing with talent, and this festival exists to give it somewhere to go. We want people to step forward – not just as audience members, but as makers and doers. Whether someone’s been creating for years or has never considered themselves an artist, there is room for them here. That’s what Get Creative is all about.”

— Daryl Branch, Artistic Director, Arts Outburst

Festival Highlights

From opening weekend through to a spectacular finale, the programme is packed with unmissable moments. Selected highlights include:

• Get Creative Exhibition | Fri 1 May – Sun 31 May | Thameside Gallery — A local artist exhibition at the Thameside Gallery.
• Little Light Music | Wednesdays | Grays Town Park — Live and local, new artists each week coming to Grays Town Park Cafe.
• Dizzy’s Ultimate 80’s Party Quiz | Fri 15th May | AOB Studios — 7:30pm, £5.00 incl. After Party! — From ‘Poop the Potato’ to ‘Underpants Wrestling’, it’s non-stop chaos, big laughs, and full-on audience mayhem. Throw on your best 80s look, grab your crew, and get stuck into the ultimate throwback party. Expect wild games, ridiculous moments and pure nostalgia. And don’t go anywhere… the 80s disco afterparty kicks off right after, so bring your best fancy dress and keep the party going!
• Creative Clicks Digital Skills Programme Launch | Wed 20th May — Looking to boost your digital skills or try something new? Creative Clicks is a friendly, hands-on programme designed to help you explore digital creativity in a relaxed and supportive environment. Whether you’re interested in content creation, social media, or just want to build confidence using digital tools, this course is a great place to start.
• Words & Music Open Mic Night | Fri 22nd May | AOB Studios — Our open mic evenings bring together Thurrock’s artists, musicians, and writers to share their work in our beautifully lit studio, with a supportive and welcoming audience.
• Get Creative in the Park | Sat 30 May | Grays Town Park — The festival’s closing celebration brings the whole community together for a day of live music, crafts, walkabout performances, and pure collective joy.

Alongside these highlights, the programme includes more theatre, workshops, creative wellbeing sessions, quizzes and party nights — each one an opportunity to engage, discover, and connect.

Your Guide to the Festival

The much-loved Get Creative Newspaper is back for another year. Equal parts listings guide, community magazine, and love letter to Thurrock’s arts scene, it is the definitive companion to the festival. Look out for it at local cafés, libraries, and wellbeing Hubs throughout the borough, or read the full edition online.

Running an Event in May?

Arts Outburst wants to hear from you. Any organisation or individual hosting a creative event in Thurrock during May 2026 is encouraged to get in touch. Listings will be promoted across the festival’s social media platforms and featured in the Get Creative Newspaper. Send your event name, date, venue, a brief description, and any supporting images or links to hello@artsoutburst.co.uk.

Performing, watching, making, or simply showing up — every form of participation counts. Get Creative Festival 2026 is Thurrock’s month to shine.

Come as you are. Leave inspired.

Let’s Get Creative – together.