Last Updated on 04/09/2025
The City Belonging Project is a City of London Corporation initiative to build a more inclusive and connected Square Mile, supporting and improving the links between diversity networks. This helps to ensure that the City’s institutions and events are more open to our communities than ever before.
Friday, 5th September, Square Mile
PEPYS DAY 2025
This one-day only, cross city walking tour honours the life of Samuel Pepys and his extensive, detailed account of the Great Fire of London. Whilst known for his time as a diarist and his record of famous historical moments, this tour will also explore the life and work of Pepys during the 17th century.
The morning tours will leave at 5-minute intervals, starting from 10:00am – 10:22am, with the afternoon tour leaving from 13:30 – 13:52pm. Bookings are now open, so secure your spot now!
Friday, 5 September – 16 September, 10am – 5pm daily, St Giles’ Cripplegate
REVEALING THE MEDIEVAL JEWISH CEMETERY
You’re invited to explore a new exhibition and immersive installation at St Giles’ Cripplegate, the ancient church in the Barbican adjacent to the site of the burial ground, bringing the medieval Jewish cemetery and its stories back to life. Stories, artefacts and an immersive installation shed new light on the community and its cemetery. Visit St Giles’ Cripplegate during opening hours to discover the history of England’s first Jewish community.
Sunday, 5 September, 2:30 – 5pm, St Giles’ Terrace
TEDDY BEARS’ PICNIC
A free, family-friendly afternoon! Bring your teddy bear for a thrilling basket zip-wire ride from the top of St Giles Church Cripplegate to the terrace below, a special treat just for teddies. Enjoy live Klezmer music, face painting, and a creative crafts table too.
Sunday, 14th September, 7-9:30pm, Sandy’s Row Synagogue
‘SURVIVOR’ MOVIE PREMIERE
Sandy’s Row, the oldest synagogue in the City of London, will be hosting the premiere of the animated film, ‘Survivor’. The movie is based on the published testimony of Ivor Pearl BEM, who was just 12 years old when taken to Auschwitz with his family.
This premiere will have Ivor Pearl in attendance, who will be selling copies of his book, as well as a Q+A between attendees and the film’s director, Zoom Rockman. Additionally, there will be a live music performance from the composer Erran Baron-Cohen and Yiddish Blues singer, Pini Brown. Secure your seat for this event and book now.
Thursday, 18 September, 3 – 5pm, Guildhall Yard
WELCOME TO THE CULTURE MILE WALKING TOUR
Created with new joiners to the Culture Mile footprint in mind, explore this unique and hyperlocal area of the City of London and hear more about your new work surroundings. The walking tour will end at The Globe Pub, where you will be welcomed for a drink and to meet other new joiners to the Culture Mile area.
Wednesday, 24 September, 7pm, Bishopsgate Institute
FROM BUGGERY TO BLASPHEMY: GAY NEWS REVISITED
Relive the grandeur that was Gay News with two of the legendary newspaper’s key staff members. Together, photographer Bob Workman and journalist Keith Howes explored London and much of Britain, pushing open the closet door and shining light into the darkness of the dangerously exhilarating queer world of the 70s and early 80s. Join Bob and Keith for an unmissable evening of grit, glamour and gossip, flowing with stunning images and candid anecdotes to recreate the pair’s unique contribution to building community, as well as close encounters with people like Rudolf Nureyev, Divine, Simon Callow, Andy Warhol and Dame Edna Everage.
Thursday, 25 September, 3 – 5pm, Guildhall Yard
WELCOME TO THE CULTURE MILE WALKING TOUR
Created with new joiners to the Culture Mile footprint in mind, explore this unique and hyperlocal area of the City of London and hear more about your new work surroundings. The walking tour will end at The Globe Pub, where you will be welcomed for a drink and to meet other new joiners to the Culture Mile area.
Friday, 26 September, 8 – 10pm, Bishopsgate Institute
SONGS FROM THE LEVANT WITH SURA
Sura is a London-based Lebanese singer and songwriter who, after training in opera and performing in Beirut bands, turned to Arabic music as a way of reconnecting with her roots. In London, she met Egyptian producer and jazz guitarist Ziad Hisham, whose style fuses Arabic folk traditions with jazz, funk, and soul. Their collaboration explores the space between tradition and reinvention, blending reinterpreted folk tunes with original compositions. Together, they will present Songs from the Levant at Bishopsgate Institute.
Friday, 26 September – 29 November
A SEASON OF ARABIC CULTURE
Sharing is at the core of Arabic culture, and this season is an invitation to you to do just that. Marsm invites you to gather, to listen and to move with us with a programme filled with film, dance, music and food from across the Arabic-speaking world. Whether these sounds and stories feel familiar, or you’re experiencing them for the first time, this programme was made with you in mind. With many free events and something for all ages, the programme takes place across venues in the City of London.
Now through to Friday, 31 October, Barbican
BARBICAN ARCHITECTURE TOURS
Did you know the Barbican’s theatre and concert hall go deeper underground than the nearest Tube line; early plans for the Centre included a Pyramid; and that the iconic dolphin fountain is a Grade II listed structure—along with the rest of the estate? Experience a guided tour of a venue that’s hosted some of the world’s most celebrated cultural drivers, transformers and stars—from the RSC to James Bond, the London Symphony Orchestra to Harry Styles, Les Misérables to Call the Midwife, and Cate Blanchett to Kylie.
INSPIRING LONDON THROUGH CULTURE – APPLICATIONS OPEN!
The Inspiring London through Culture Fund is now open for applications. Grants issued through this programme will be awarded to projects that are being delivered for the benefit of communities or beneficiaries within the City of London (the Square Mile). To find out more about application criteria and how you can apply, visit the website here.
