| Where: | Formerly London, at Covent Garden Piazza |
| When: | Formerly 1st Sunday in October |
| Time: | Formerly from 11am |
Punch and Judy practitioners (who are traditionally known as Professors) and enthusiasts gathered each October in Covent Garden for an extravaganza celebrating the puppeteering arts. Booths filled the area near the Punch and Judy pub and the puppet masters took turns to put on performances throughout the day. Samuel Pepys was the first person to record a similar performance in 1662 (thought he didn’t actually name it as a Punch and Judy show, from the context and content he obviously meant a play akin to it) and as this was watched by him at Covent Garden, the location is widely accepted as the birthplace of Punch and Judy.
Helpful Hints
Admission was free of charge.
This event lapsed in 2012 but similar performances take place as part of Covent Garden’s May Fair and Puppet Festival (see separate article).
Click here for the event website: http://www.thepjf.com/index.html
Photo by Sid Williams.
View this location on the map.
When will the next show be at Covent Garden. Is it an annual event?
Hello!
Yes it’s an annual event – it’ll be on the 4th of October this year (the date is on the website page for the event under Helpful Hints) and if you can’t wait that long the May Fayre and Puppet Festival will be on May 10th. There’s a separate page for the May Fayre under the listings for Variable Dates in May (or just put Covent Garden in the search box)
Best wishes,
Averil
When will the next festival be @ Covent Garden
It’ll be on 8th May – there used to be two festivals, but now there’s just one and it’s the second weekend in May – you can find lots more info at http://www.punchandjudy.com/home
Best wishes,
Averil
Hi, do you know if this event is happening in October 2016?
Hi Max,
The October event doesn’t happen any more,just the May Puppet Festival – I expect 2 a year was too much. Next one will be May 14th I expect so sadly you’ve got quite a long wait!
Best wishes,
Averil
Hi there
My little girl loves your shows watches them all the time 7 days a week and she would love to come and watch a punch and judy show please can you tell me if your touring in London this year please
Many thanks
Leanne
Hi Leanne- here at calendarcustoms we’re not connected to the running of the Punch and Judy shows so haven’t any info on when there will be performances coming up – sorry we can’t be more help!Might be worth asking at https://www.facebook.com/punchandjudypage/
Best wishes
Averil