Haflah at the Horniman: A South-West Asian and North African (SWANA) Summer Party

Join us for a summer afternoon of live music, hands-on workshops, and family-friendly celebration of Southwest Asian and North African cultures. Expect vibrant sounds, delicious foods, creative making, storytelling, and plenty of activities at the Horniman’s beautiful Gardens. ‘Haflah’, حفلة, means celebration or a party in Arabic, and this is exactly that. Hekayyatna is taking over the Horniman Museum Gardens this July for an afternoon of live music, souq of handmade crafts, delicious food, storytelling, and kids’ activities from across the South-West Asian and North African (SWANA) region, including Palestine, Iraq, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Yemen, Sudan, Syria… Whether you’re coming for the music, the makers, or just the good vibes in a beautiful South London garden, there’s something here for everyone.

For the adults: live music at the Bandstand from four brilliant SWANA artists and DJs, a market of handmade goods, olive oil, ceramics and zines — including zines from Gaza — and food trucks serving wraps, mezze and sweet things worth queuing for. For the little ones: a storytelling session bringing the ancient epic of Gilgamesh to life, a treasure hunt through the Horniman gardens with clues and discovery around every corner, face paint and henna stations. And for everyone, whatever your energy: if you want to move, there are dance workshops that will get you on your feet; if you’d rather slow down, board games and calligraphers will be set up throughout the day for drop-in sessions.

Hekayyatna is all about gathering and sharing; together, we’re making their annual summer party into something bigger and brighter, with vibrant artists, good food, and plenty of activities. Activities & workshops Gilgamesh Storytelling with Rowan 1pm and 3pm | Pavilion The earliest surviving great work of literature, with origins in 3rd Millennium BC Mesopotamia, is brought to life for all ages. Join storyteller Rowan Salim for an immersive retelling of the Epic of Gilgamesh in the Dutch Barn.

Told in two parts (Part One at 1 pm and Part Two at 3 pm. We recommend attending both for the full story. We recommend that children under 12 are accompanied by parents or carers.

The storytelling session may not be suitable for very young children. Parental discretion is invited. Dabke Dance Tutorial 2pm and 4pm | Pavilion Learn the steps of this beloved Levantine folk dance in a 40-minute workshop.

Running at 2pm and 4pm. Calligraphy workshop 1 – 4pm | Dutch Barn A calligraphy and Arabic script experience for those curious to learn this intricate art. Henna with Heartnouveaux 1 – 5pm | Next to Pavilion Drop in for complimentary henna designs throughout the afternoon.

Yallah Tawlah 1 – 5pm | Gardens Backgammon, or ‘tawlah’, is a favourite pastime in the SWANA region. We have Yallah Tawlah bringing their boards and teaching us how to play! Rewrite the label 1 – 5pm | Next to Pavilion Discover SWANA objects from the Horniman’s collection and write your own story for the pieces that speak to you.

Board games, face paint, and more. Live Music The Bandstand in the Horniman Gardens will be alive all afternoon, with a line-up of South-West Asian and North African (SWANA) artists curated by SWANA Records. Rhea Kattan 1.30pm | Bandstand Opening the afternoon with her warm, intimate sound, Lebanese singer Rhea Kattan sets the perfect tone for the day.

Her delicate, soulful style draws you in gently before the energy builds. Isadora 2pm | Bandstand Egyptian singer whose sound is as rich as it is laid-back, Isadora brings a deeply felt, chill groove that’s made for a lazy summer afternoon in the Gardens. Vincent J 2.30pm | Bandstand Known for his upbeat, multilingual performances and crowd-favourite covers in Arabic and English, Lebanese singer-songwriter Vincent J is one of those artists who gets everyone moving.

Layal 3pm | Bandstand Bringing heat to the bandstand, Egyptian singer Layal’s upbeat sound is made for dancing. Expect a set that will get you on your feet. The Souq 1-5pm | Bandstand Browse and shop a curated market of makers, artists, and producers from the SWANA community and beyond.

Zaytoun — Palestinian fair-trade produce, including award-winning olive oil, Medjoul dates, za’atar, and other pantry staples that connect the taste of Palestine to your table. Spindle by Sisters — A conscious homeware and lifestyle brand rooted in heritage, craft, and thoughtful living. Working with makers across Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, Morocco, and beyond, each piece honours tradition and the hands that carry it forward.

Sep — Sep has been working with Palestinian refugee women in the Jerash camp in Jordan, producing hand-embroidered keffiyeh scarves featuring ancient Palestinian patterns, with each piece individually crafted and unlike any other. Sazar Silver — A London-based project dedicated to showcasing the beauty of authentic Yemeni silver craftsmanship. Each handcrafted piece presents traditional Yemeni silverwork in a modern and elegant…