Music Jerk ‘n Tings

Dance along to a packed line-up of musical talent on the Bandstand. Savour island flavours with a delicious selection of jerk, vegan and vegetarian dishes cooked up by top chefs.

Enjoy calypso, reggae and dancehall sounds from talented DJs as you play games and check out the arts and crafts market of independent and local producers.

Please note: the Gardens, Butterfly House and Animal Walk will only be accessible to ticket holders on this day.

Music performances

Delphina James Steel Ensemble | 1pm

A  supreme steel pan player with the Glissandos Steel Orchestra, Delphina James Steel Ensemble has performed at the Windrush Concert, Notting Hill Carnival, In Celebration Of My Sisters and the Jerk Cookout.

The Teachers Crew | 1.45pm

Top London DJ playing reggae, soul, afrobeats and funk.

Floetic Lara | 2pm

Brixton born and bred, Floetic Lara is an artist whose multicultural heritage inspires her music, theatre and poetry. She was coached by Sir Tom Jones on ITV’s The Voice.

Johnny Orlando | 2.30pm

A Windrush legend, Johnny has many hits in the UK and the Caribbean. He is a winner of the RJR Award as well as many more music awards with hit songs including ‘The Way It Turned Out’ ‘Loving You, Wanting You’ and ‘I Wish You Were Here’.

The Reminisce Reggae Band | 3pm

Reminisce Reggae Band members have worked with top legendary ska and reggae acts including the late Desmond Dekker, Gregory Isaacs (Night Nurse), The Pioneers, The Melodian and UB40’s Ali Campbell.

Alex Charles | 4.15pm

Alex is a New York based singer, saxophonist and music producer who has been the lead singer of soul group Heatwave for the past 25 years.

The Divettes | 4.45pm

The Divettes have been carving a career in the soul, reggae, soca and pop genres for over a decade. They have worked with the likes of Janet Kay MBE, Joe Cocker, Soul II Soul and Janet Kay MBE.

Teachers Crew | 5.15pm

Teachers Crew DJ set followed by the Cookout Candy Dance.

Activities

Games

Dominoes, card games and more in the Pavilion.

Arts and crafts

Take part in arts and crafts activities for all the family in the Dutch Barn.

Book readings

3–4pm | Conservatory

• Amona Brefo – children’s author and founder of Ayodo Books.
• Marva Carty – Marva Carty is the CEO of MangoLime Publishing and the author of ‘Mari Loves Mangoes’, ‘Mari Loves Reading’ and ‘Mari Mae Caru N Mangos’.
• Karimah Campbell – Her first book, “ABC Come And Skank With Me” was inspired by the musical blood running through her veins and her passion for keeping her rich culture alive through generations.
• Kandace Chimbiri – An author, speaker and educator. Kandace primarily writes Black history books for children and young readers. She had also written for film, published articles and contributed to a Black British history anthology.

The Weight of the Stool performance

2.30–3pm | Conservatory

A solo performance exploring power, loss and resilience. This performance reimagines the Asante stool as a living witness enduring symbol of resistance and memory rather than a static museum artefact. Through voice, movement, and presence, it evokes the spirit of Yaa Asantewaa, the formidable Queen Mother who led the 1900 uprising against British colonial forces. Her defiance in defence of the stool continues to resonate as a testament to resilience and ancestral power.

Theresa Nelson is a Ghanaian-born performing artist, writer, and practice-based researcher currently undertaking her PhD at the University of the Arts London. Her work explores performance as a tool for cultural memory, decolonial engagement, and the reanimation of African artefacts. With a background in theatre, community arts, and museum collaboration, she integrates embodied storytelling and ritual to investigate the intersections of heritage, diaspora, and historical restitution.

Historical Note

The Asante Golden Stool (Sika Dwa Kofi) is the most sacred cultural symbol of the Asante Kingdom. It is believed to house the collective spirit of the Asante people—past, present, and future. In 1900, British colonial authorities attempted to seize the stool, prompting Yaa Asantewaa, Queen Mother of Ejisu, to lead an armed rebellion in its defence. Though she was later exiled, her leadership during the War of the Golden Stool became emblematic of anti-colonial resistance.

Butterfly House

11am–4pm | £3.50 for everyone 

Get up close to hundreds of beautiful butterflies in our tropical indoor garden, open to ticket holders only.

Animal Walk

12.30pm–4pm 

Visit the residents of the Animal Walk including Poppy and Eva the alpacas as well as the sheep, chickens and goats.

UrbanCrazy Mini Golf

11am–4pm | Adult £7, Child £4.50, Family £17.50  

Take on nine holes themed around your favourite Horniman attractions – tee-off from the Clocktower, putt past the Walrus, and try for a birdie at the Butterfly House!