Not just the Jewish East End but the broader history and culture of an area that had a thriving Jewish life. Yes, the Hackney History Festival is back for its second year, even bigger and better. Running over two weekends, 10–11 May and 17–18 May, with satellite events throughout May, this year’s festival is a celebration of Hackney’s incredible past, with a jam-packed programme of talks, walks, and events that will make you see the borough in a whole new light.
It kicks off on Saturday 10 May at the much bigger Round Chapel, with a brilliant line-up of talks exploring both the hidden and well-known aspects of Hackney’s history. Highlights include:
- Hackney Council at 60 with Tony Travers
- Tales from Hackney’s Memory Palaces by cinema historian and tour guide Nigel Smith
- Look up, look down: Spotting local history everywhere by Stoke Newington historian Amir Dota
- From Hooghly to Hackney: Hidden Histories of Empire, Race, and Migration by authors Sheela Banerjee and Lucy Fulford
- Plus the launch of From Hackney, With Love: An Intimate History of Regeneration, Gentrification, and Belonging by Richard Yeboah
On Sunday 11 May, it will be taking over the whole of Sutton House with talks happening in three different rooms. Highlights include:
- Sue Doe's Women from Hackney’s History
- Travis Elborough interviews Peter Carty about his novel ‘Art’ in High Art and Low Life in 1990s Hoxton
- Hackney and the East India Company
- Invasion of the Middle-Class Lefties
As a highlight from last year, the weekend ends with the ever-popular pub quiz—a great way to test your Hackney knowledge!
On Saturday 17 May, Hackney Archives will host a full day of short talks, films, and tours, culminating in a talk on the iconic Peace Mural. To wrap up, we’ll head to the Dalston Eastern Curve Garden for an after-party you won’t want to miss!
Finally, on Sunday 18 May, the festival will host a Wikipedia editing workshop in partnership with the Wikimedia Foundation. Local historians will get the chance to learn how to share their research online, making Hackney’s stories accessible to the world.
The full programme is on the festival website. hackneyhistoryfestival.org
Janet Chapman, festival organiser, said, “This year’s festival is all about celebrating Hackney’s rich and diverse history, with even more events, more venues, and more opportunities to explore the past. Whether you’re a local, a history buff, or just curious about Hackney, there’s something for everyone!”
The Hackney History Festival is organised by The Hackney Society, a local charity dedicated to preserving and celebrating Hackney’s unique history. After the success of the inaugural festival, which saw over 1,600 attendees and 49 events, we’re excited to bring even more ways to discover Hackney’s history.
Festival Information:
Dates: 10–11 May & 17–18 May 2025 with satellite events throughout May
Venues: Round Chapel, Sutton House, Hackney Archives & more
Tickets & Programme: hackneyhistoryfestival.org
Individual tickets start at £3, and day tickets are £15