Organise a Big Lunch - Eden Project communities

Bringing people together to share friendship, food and fun isn’t just a lovely thing to do. It’s a chance to share cultures, experiences, stories, ideas and skills, helping people feel a greater sense of belonging where they live.

We’re busy preparing our 2026 resources, but you can join our email list to be the first to hear when they’re available. If you’re a council, organisation, charity or school, sign up to our newsletter to received tailored information for you.

Join our email alert list Sign up for schools / organisations newsletter

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) Choose a date

The Big Lunch 2026 will take place from Friday 5 to Monday 8 June, giving you four days to join in – in whatever way suits you. But you can get involved and bring people together throughout the Month of Community, or anytime in the year!

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.

2) 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.

If the idea fills you dread, read our top tips on overcoming invite anxiety.

Beating invite anxiety

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

Where to host your Big Lunch

4) Spread the word

Send out invitations, put up posters 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? Sign up to our newsletter to be the first to hear when our map is ready.

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! If you want to add a fundraising twist to your event, why not support the Eden Project – home of The Big Lunch? By fundraising for Eden, you will be helping us take positive action for people and the planet.

Fundraise for the Eden Project

8) Enjoy the day

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!