Organise a Big Lunch - Eden Project Communities

Bringing people together to share friendship, food and fun isn’t just a lovely thing to do. The Big Lunch can make a real difference to the communities that take part.

It’s a chance to share cultures, experiences, stories, ideas and skills. Helping people grow local connections and feel a greater sense of belonging where they live.

Check out this video with our top tips on how to plan your own Big Lunch…

From first-timers to seasoned pros, a Big Lunch can come together in a few easy steps…

1) Share the idea and see who’s happy to help

Chatting to a neighbour or two, posting on a local Facebook group or dropping a note through a few letterboxes is a great place to start. Introduce the idea and yourself and let people know they can get involved from the get-go.

The Big Lunch pack is full of handy tips, activities and everything you’ll need to help plan your event. It’s nearly ready and you can sign up now to get it as soon as it’s out!

Get your free Big Lunch pack

2) Choose a date

This year, The Big Lunch weekend is 7-8 June. Can’t do it then? You can always join in any time throughout the Month of Community – it’s the perfect time to bring people together!

If lunchtime doesn’t suit, plan an afternoon tea or brighten up the evening with fairy lights. Brunch, lunch or late-night feast, decide on a time that works for your community.

Planning a VE Day 80 Big Lunch?

Get your free organisers pack, add your event to their map and get ready to bring people together for a party to remember!

Head to VE-VJ Day 80 website

3) Pick a place

When deciding where to host your Big Lunch think about how many people will be coming along and the kinds of activities you might do.

Big Lunches can take place just about anywhere. Communities have held them in cul-de-sacs, local parks, community centres, village halls, car parks and school playgrounds – even on a boat!

If it’s outside have a plan for the weather.
Don’t forget you might need to get permissions for certain venues or apply to close a road.

4) Spread the word

Send out invitations, put up posters (there’s some in The Big Lunch pack) and speak to people when you’re out and about. Let them know it’s happening and that you’d love to see them there!

Posting in local Facebook and WhatsApp groups can help reduce printing and reach even more people.

If you’re planning a bigger event, for anyone to join, why not pop it on our map to help spread the word?

5) Tickle the tastebuds

From sandwiches and samosas to quiche and crisps, invite everybody to bring something to share. You could set a theme, ask odd house numbers to bring savoury and evens to bring sweet or keep it simple with a packed lunch.

Food doesn’t have to be homemade – shop-bought is fine and drinks are always needed. If you do fancy making a dish, our ambassadors and Big Lunchers have shared some easy (and tasty) recipes to try.

Browse our recipes

6) Get everyone involved

Everybody has something they can bring to the table. Maybe some chairs, cutlery, plates or a game or two? Could someone play music or offer face painting? Why not make decorations together before your Big Lunch, like bunting or paper pom-poms. Or grab some chalk to decorate the pavements?

With everyone chipping in and adding a few little extras it’ll make it fun and give your Big Lunch a real community feel.

Ideas for arts and crafts

7) Decide if you’ll fundraise

Since 2015, over £100 million has been raised at Big Lunch events across the UK, with most going to local charities and causes. It’s an incredible force for good! So if there’s something that matters to your community, why not use your Big Lunch to help raise some funds – have a think about activities you could easily do.

8) Enjoy the day

Help break the ice and get people chatting with Conversation Menus and Human Bingo (you’ll find these in The Big Lunch pack).

Don’t forget to take lots of photos and share your stories and snaps with us by tagging @edencommunities on Facebook and Instagram – we’d love to see them!