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A cracking Big Lunch 2024!

Millions of people turned out for this year's Big Lunch - our celebration for neighbours and communities.

Woman holding a little girl at a street party. The sun is shining, tables are filled with chatting people and colourful bunting crosses the scene. New Cross Big Lunch 2024

The Big Lunch 2024 was a brilliant opportunity to get together, enjoy the sunshine and focus on the simple things we have in common.

Our focus this year was on making it the greenest Big Lunch yet. We encouraged everyone to take part in some planet-friendly action, creating a ripple effect through communities across the UK. Event organisers were extremely creative in their efforts to reduce their impact on the planet, from upcycled and recycled decorations to sharing delicious plant-based dishes. 

The UK’s wettest spring on record provided an especially lush setting for those getting outdoors, with the sun shining (thankfully) across most of the UK!

A dazzling array of events…

  • At an allotment project in Tamworth, West Midlands, organisers grew their own veggies to serve on the big day
  • In Barrow in Furness people at a local library enjoyed an Age UK choir and celebrated young volunteers in the community, sharing fun that spanned generations
  • A primary school in Belfast opened their Pollinator Garden
  • In Sutton, a community food project served dishes from cultures represented locally – from Hong Kong to Ukraine and Brazil to India
  • A Merseyside ‘eco-therapy’ community garden highlighted the wellbeing effects of getting outdoors
  • At London’s Holborn Community Association, guests led by creative maker Gemma Lloyd, had fun crafting bunting using scrap fabric before tucking in to a vegan curry together
  • People enjoyed a ‘Sow and Grow‘ in Kirkcaldy, Scotland
  • In Llandrindod Wells, Wales, the event took the form of a Big Battle, with challenges including boat races and obstacle courses, interspersed with a special Big Lunch that gave everyone a chance to celebrate their strengths and skills

Community hubs joined in too, with pub chain Greene King hosting more than 350 events across the UK.  The Big Lunch weekend saw events at The Tamar in Plymouth to The Maltman in Glasgow, as well as a doggy social at The John Gilbert in Salford. Their community celebrations will continue throughout the Month of Community in June.

Whatever the weather, people have come out to share a bite to eat and get to know each other better, with many inspired to be part of the greenest Big Lunch yet. As well as getting together to share friendship, food and fun, it’s brilliant that more people are taking planet positive action!

Lindsey Brummitt MVO, Programme Director, Eden Project

A few of our 2024 highlights

 

Two woman exchange a tender hug at an event. Lots of trees and bunting are visible in the background.
Connections being made at an Eco Therapy Garden’s Big Lunch in Kirkby, Merseyside
Westminster MATES Big Lunch in London – a grey day didn’t stop the sunshine of the event!
A group of women (two wheelchair users and two able bodied) stand in front of an incredible green mural smiling at the camera
Having fun at Barrow Library’s Big Lunch, Barrow-in-Furness
Woman dancing with a little girl at a street party. The sun is shining, tables are filled with chatting people and colourful bunting crosses the scene. New Cross Big Lunch 2024
Sunshine, music, food and bunting at a cheerful event in Lewisham, London
A group of men sitting wearing high-vis sitting and playing dominoes. They look like they're having a great time!
A multicultural picnic in the park in Carlisle saw glorious sunshine and lots of games
A group stand with their homemade recycled bunting in a sports hall
Bunting made from recycled materials at an event in Holborn, London
A group of people sow seedlings outside a pub. They're all smiling and bunting is hanging in the background
At the Tamar Pub in Plymouth, communities sowed seedlings and chatted
Two lines of people (one wearing capes) all raise their hands at each other as part of a series of battle games
Llandindrod Wells take part in a ‘Big Battle’ competition full of fun games to get everyone talking and laughing
Three people chat at a community allotment, with raised beds visible in the foreground
Conversations at Belgrave Community Allotment’s Big Lunch in Birmingham
Two women hold up cardboard signs saying 'Messy is good' and 'Play here' with a gazebo full of crafts in the background
A cardboard craft tent at Diglis Fields’ Big Lunch in Worcester
An amazing cake with little figures sitting around a table laden with food and a Big Lunch flag
A fantastic Big Lunch cake at an event in Sutton at a community food project, which was serving dishes from cultures represented locally

There’s still time to hold a Big Lunch

Our pack is still available and it’s full of handy downloadable resources and exclusive content to help you plan and host your Big Lunch.

We can’t wait to see where your Big Lunch might take you!

Sign up for your free pack

Where next?

Jo Brand chatting to Month of Community partners at a Big Lunch event. There is a table full of delicious food and bunting strung up in the background.

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3 Ladies laughing and smiling whilst trying on clothes and hats

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