The Big Lunch
The Big Lunch is the UK’s annual get-together for neighbours and communities, with millions of people coming together for a few hours of friendship, food and fun. It’s a great way to get to know each other better, have a good time and celebrate where you live.
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! Sign up to our newsletter to be the first to hear about the exciting things we’ve got planned.
How to join in
Get ahead with your planning by browsing our resources below. If you’re planning a Big Lunch soon, this year’s pack is still available for you to use.
Whether you’re an individual, community group, council, school, organisation or business – taking part is fun, easy and for everyone!
Organise a Big Lunch
Simple steps to help you get started.
Grow food for your Big Lunch
Learn all about what to grow and when with our guides and…
Close a road
If you’re thinking of holding a Big Lunch on your street and…
Where to hold your Big Lunch
Want to hold a Big Lunch but not quite sure what form…
Introduction to Community Action course
Jam-packed with workshops, inspirational talks, networking and fun, the Introduction to Community Action course is for anyone interested in making a difference in their community.
Applications have now closed for our next online course, taking place in November. Join our waiting list to find out if places become available and to hear about upcoming courses.
Support The Big Lunch
The Big Lunch isn’t just a great way to bring communities together – it’s also a smart move for councils, housing associations, organisations and businesses.
By bringing people together and giving them an opportunity to connect, The Big Lunch can help your organisation achieve brilliant things – with benefits such as an increased sense of belonging and engagement and reduced social isolation.
“Our Big Lunches are based around what the community want it to be – when there are new neighbours who arrive on the street, they bring new ideas to the table. It’s reinforced our community spirit!”
Ian, Norwich
Impact of The Big Lunch
0 m
people took part in 2025 (that’s 1 in 7 of the UK population)
0 %
say that The Big Lunch made them feel like they belong more in their community
£ 0 m
raised at Big Lunch events for charitable causes since 2015
Feeding community spirit
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 us all find common ground, grow connections and feel a greater sense of belonging where we live.
Plus, Big Lunches are a great way to fundraise for causes that matter in your community and encourage people to do more locally – from setting up new initiatives to planning events and volunteering. Doing wonders for community spirit!
The Big Lunch
A fabulous Big Lunch 2025!
Millions of people turned out for The Big Lunch 2025 – our…
Hold a greener Big Lunch
Top tips on upcycling, brilliant leftovers and community sharing.
Community
Saying cheers to volunteers with a Big Lunch
In 2024, Emma from the Love Barrow Libraries project organised her first…
Community
Saving the planet, one Big Lunch at a time!
After organising her first Big Lunch in 2009, Diane from Warton has…
Community
How a Southport mum is promoting climate action
Nadia is a Southport mum of two on a mission to inspire…
What does community mean to you?
Community – it’s a word we all know well. But whether it’s…
What will you bring to the table?
People are the key ingredient of any Big Lunch and we all have something to share – from yummy cakes and pots of tea to music, laughter and bunting!
Month of Community
The Big Lunch will once again be part of a whole Month of Community this June and there are plenty of ways you can get involved!
From events and celebrations to ways you can support a variety of charities, campaigns and good causes. Our wonderful partners are putting on a Month of Community with something for everyone this year.
Those who make The Big Lunch possible
As a charity, our varied programme of activities and events, including The Big Lunch, is only possible due to the continuing generosity of our partner organisations.
