The University of East London’s Creative Industries Festival 2026 offers four days of free talks, practical workshops, exhibitions, performances and careers support from Wednesday 2 to Saturday 5 September.

Choose sessions on the official programme →

What is in the programme?

Highlights include creative careers advice, portfolio reviews, film and fashion sessions, public-speaking and neurodiversity workshops, exhibitions and live creative projects. The precise hours and location differ by session.

Check the venue before leaving

Most events are at the Royal Docks Centre for Sustainability on UEL’s Docklands campus, but several sessions take place at The Source in Stratford. The two venues are not next door to each other, so use the individual booking page rather than relying only on the festival’s overall address.

Useful questions

Is every session free?
UEL says the festival events are free to attend. Some have limited capacity and require advance booking.
Can members of the public attend?
Yes. UEL describes the programme as suitable for students, freelancers, established practitioners and members of the public.
Can I simply turn up?
Some drop-in activity is available, but many sessions require booking. Reserve anything important to you.

Source and last check

Details checked on 26 August 2026 using the official UEL festival programme.