mayfayre.uk

Welcome to the Covent Garden May Fayre and Puppet Festival, an annual celebration in the heart of the West End. The May Fayre is the country’s longest‑running puppet festival and a joyful gathering where puppeteers from around the world come together to perform, share ideas, and inspire the next generation of performers.

The story begins in 1662, when diarist Samuel Pepys recorded seeing “an Italian puppet play” in Covent Garden, the first written account of a Punch and Judy show in England. Three centuries later, in 1962, a commemorative plaque was placed on the wall of St Paul’s Church, Covent Garden, known as the Actors’ Church. Inspired by this historic connection, Alternative Arts launched the first Covent Garden May Fayre and Puppet Festival in 1976, celebrating Mr Punch’s birthday.

Since then, the festival has taken place every year on the second Sunday in May, always in the garden of St Paul’s Church, marking 9th May 1662 as Mr Punch’s official birthday. Over the decades, it has grown into an international event, welcoming performers from across Europe, America, and Australia.

The festivities begin at 11am with a grand procession of puppets and puppeteers, led by a brass band. The parade visits the plaque in Covent Garden, where a toast is raised to Mr Punch. At noon, a special service is held inside St Paul’s, often with Mr Punch himself making an appearance in the pulpit.

The afternoon is filled with performances from some of the finest puppeteers and Punch and Judy shows in the country, alongside clowns, magicians, stilt walkers, pearly kings and queens, and other entertainers. Visitors can also explore stalls selling puppets for professionals and enthusiasts alike, as well as a range of arts and crafts and refreshments.

Now in its 51st year, and produced by Small Pond Theatre, we look forward to welcoming you to Covent Garden on Sunday 10th May 2026.

Small Pond Theatre

James Arnott and David Wilde, for Small Pond Theatre, have between them some sixty years experience as puppeteers working across live events, theatre, television and film. James first performed in Covent Garden in 2002 but David’s connection with Covent Garden goes back to 1986 when he started busking the show alongside Percy Press Jr, and in 2023 he was honoured to be invited back to perform his Punch and Judy Show for King Charles and Queen Camilla.

In 2012 they produced Punch’s Party at The Strand as part of Mr Punch’s 350th birthday celebrations; alongside puppet builder Austin Phillips they produced the Len Insull Tribute at the Little Angel Theatre in 2017; and in 2025 they produced Gottle Of Geer: A Celebration of British Ventriloquism at the Pleasance. In collaboration with Bognor Regis Heritage Partnership and The Punch and Judy Club they created the Bognor Puppet Party, now in its fourth year.

They are honoured to have been entrusted with the Covent Garden May Fayre and Puppet Festival, taking the reins from their good friend Maggie Pinhorn at Alternative Arts after 50 incredible years.

Visiting the Event

Location: St Paul’s Church Garden, Bedford Street, Covent Garden, London WC2E 9ED

Nearest Tube Stations: Leicester Square (Northern & Piccadilly Lines) Covent Garden (Piccadilly Line) Charing Cross (Bakerloo & Northern Lines)

Bus Routes: 3, 6, 9, 11, 12, 13, 15, 23, 24, 29 53, 87, 88, 91, 139, 159, 176 and 453. For details on timetables, routes and accessibility on public transport visit Transport for London J1ourney Planner Plan a journey - Transport for London

Opening Times: The festival begins at 11am with the puppet procession and continues throughout the afternoon with shows from 12 noon till 5pm.

Accessibility: There is wheelchair access to the church via Bedford Street and a ramp at the steps of church into the main nave of the church. Unfortunately, there is currently no step-free access to the lawn areas of the garden. Stewards are on hand throughout the day to assist visitors.

What to Expect: The May Fayre is a lively outdoor event with performances, stalls, and family activities. Seating is limited, so visitors may wish to bring something to sit on. The festival takes place rain or shine, so please dress for the weather.

Food & Facilities: There are food stalls inside the garden, and Covent Garden has a wide range of cafés, restaurants, and shops within a few minutes’ walk. Public toilets are located on the Piazza.

Families: This is a family‑friendly event with plenty to see and do. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Dogs: Well‑behaved dogs on leads are welcome in the garden.

History

A short history of this annual event by Maggie Pinhorn of Alternative Arts

The Covent Garden May Fayre and Puppet Festival was first held in 1976 after the famous fruit and vegetable market moved out to its new home south of the River Thames. The Covent Garden Community Association fought hard to save the old market buildings from destruction. They won this battle, but the centre became boarded up and deserted for five years before it was re-opened as a shopping mall, so the locally based arts organisation, Alternative Arts, decided to help regenerate the area by starting a Street Theatre in 1975 under the Portico of St Paul’s Church. The then vicar, the Rev John Arrowsmith gave his permission and also agreed to commemorate one of the most famous street performers of all time – Mr Punch – with a special celebration once a year in May, when in 1662 Samuel Pepys wrote the first recorded sighting of Punch* in England ‘within the rayles of Covent Garden’ on the 9th of May. The plaque to mark this occasion is on the wall of the Portico of the Church.

Inspired by this plaque Alternative Arts researched as many Punch Professors as they could find from all over the UK and invited them to the first Covent Garden May Fayre and Puppet Festival held in the garden of St Paul’s Church. This was an opportunity for the local community and this world famous puppet to come together to celebrate an important piece of local history and celebrate the art of puppetry and Mr Punch. A service was specially written by the vicar and included Mr Punch in the Pulpit. The May Fayre was so immediately popular with everyone that it has happened on the second Sunday in May at St Paul’s ever since. The day always starts with a procession on foot around the neighbourhood led by a marching brass band. Punch and Judy ‘Professors’ and puppeteers from all over the country and other parts of Europe, America and Australia attend and perform throughout the day. They look forward to meeting each other and discussing the mechanics of their crocodiles.

The May Fayre has become an important platform and annual focal point for the popular art form that is Punch and Judy, serving to maintain the tradition in Covent Garden with its unique history as the original home of Mr Punch in England. Mr Punch is an anarchic character, he pokes fun at the establishment and certainly does not meet with everyone’s approval, which is probably why he is so popular with children. The fact that the Covent Garden May Fayre has lasted so long has a lot to do with the history and determination of the local community and all the Punch Professors & puppeteers involved. It is a true celebration of our cultural heritage. Long may it continue.

*The character of Punch originates from the Italian Commedia dell’arte theatre tradition and Samuel Pepys recorded seeing ‘an Italian puppet play – a great resort for gallants within the rayles of Covent Garden’. Punch was originally a string puppet but was introduced as a glove puppet by Giovanni Piccini who left Italy in 1779. He came to live in the Coal Yard in Covent Garden and died in the workhouse in 1835 aged 90.

Performing at the May Fayre

The Covent Garden May Fayre and Puppet Festival is the UK’s longest established puppet festival and sees thousands of visitors coming through the gates of St Paul’s every year. It is a privilege to perform at this very special day, recognised throughout the world as Mr Punch’s official birthday.

To comply with the venue’s requirements, if you are a Punch and Judy Professor, puppeteer or entertainer and would like to perform a show as part of the day you will need to apply to the May Fayre Committee with details of your show and PLI certificate. All manner of puppet shows, and other traditional entertainments, are welcome.

Click here to apply

All puppeteers are of course welcome to attend the May Fayre and take part in the Parade.Those under 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

If you are interested in having a stall as part of the event please email smallpondtheatre@gmail.com