The first Saturday of the Festival is action-packed, with plenty to do for the whole family. The Children’s Concert: The Biggest Drum!, run by South London Symphonic Winds and conducted by Bob Bridges, invites children to put on fancy dress, join the grand march, have a go at conducting the band and play the drums. Come down to St Barnabas Parish Hall at 11am and get involved!
Back at St Barnabas Parish Hall at 3pm, Clowns Without Borders will, for the first time in the UK, be sharing the performance they have been touring to refugee camps in Europe. Their work focuses on encouraging children who live in areas affected by conflict, war or disaster to laugh, play and forget their struggles by putting on highly visual and physical performances, using clowns, jugglers, acrobats and musicians. Proceeds from this performance will contribute to the on-going work of Clowns Without Borders. 
Tangram Theatre Company are back at the Festival for the second year running for another fast-paced and musical performance, this time celebrating the extraordinary life of Marie Curie, The Element in the Room – A Radioactive Musical Comedy about the Death and Life of Marie Curie. With silly songs and audience interaction, catch this brand new show, completing their award-winning Scientrilogy. Suitable for 8 years to 108 years so make sure you are at The Great Hall, Alleyn’s School at 7pm with the whole family.
Grab the opportunity to try the organ and find out how it works with Marilyn Harper and members of the Southwark and South London Society of Organists at Explore the Organ, a free event at Christ’s Chapel in Dulwich Village between 3-4.30pm.
Art lovers are also catered for in abundance with the first weekend of Artists’ Open House, returning for its twelfth year. A popular part of the Festival, Artists’ Open House has a wide assortment of art and craft on offer including painting, photography, ceramics and much more. Whether you are an art collector, or simply an appreciator, make sure you make some time to pop into your local artists and makers’ homes and studios. Pick up a brochure from your local shop, library or café to plan your routes through the weekends of 13th-14th and 20th-21st May.
Encounter artists painting live at the Dulwich Picture Gallery’s first Art in Action day. Special guests from the London Art Studios will be creating work between 2-5pm, using traditional mediums and techniques live throughout the afternoon in the Gallery.