Festivals of Morley

The Waterloo Festival , which runs this year throughout May and June is a highlight of the Festivals of Morley.

This year's Waterloo Festival is in part a celebration of the 70th anniversary of 1951's Festival of Britain, which marked the country's emergence from post-war austerity.

Themed "Respair" - a rarely-used English word meaning the return of hope after a period of despair - the 2021 festival echoes both the themes of seven decades ago, and the current zeitgeist as we move into the next phase of our recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.

The 11th annual Waterloo Festival celebrates arts, heritage and community. Full schedule and booking links

The return of Festivalcast on Morley Radio. Listen now

A series of exhibitions taking place in the Waterloo Centre’s display spaces in June, including Open Air (sculpture in the Morley Garden), FORWARD > PLAY > PAUSE > REPEAT (creative and digital media in the Cardew Gallery), Conceptual Headwear (millinery in the Bowden Cases) and Colour and Light (stained glass in the Tower Rooms). Morley Gallery Festival link

Healing the Nation – the Festival of Britain after 70 years , a Penny Lecture by Alan Powers, who teaches at the University of Kent and the London School of Architecture. (10 June, 6pm, online, free)

The Morley Chamber Orchestra playing Hommage à Saint-Saëns , featuring featuring his Suite for orchestra op. 49 and the Piano Concerto no 2 op. 22. (17 June, 7.30pm, Waterloo Centre, £5)

A display curated by Morley archivist Elaine Andrews on Morley’s response to the Festival of Britain in 1951, on display on the first floor of Waterloo Centre.

Listen to our Xtra Festival of Morley podcast on Morley Radio

View more of our stories on Instagram

Share your Festivals of Morley experiences Email us