Moomin 80: Everybody Is Welcome!
Celebrate 80 years of the Moomins at this afternoon party, with games, singing, storytelling, dancing and music for the whole family to enjoy.
Since Tove Jansson first introduced the world of the Moomins to the world of humans in 1945 with The Moomins and the Great Flood, these creatures have become beloved companions for generations of children and adults.
The first story of the Moomins brings a tale of security, shelter and a sense of belonging, and connects to the Moomins’ central message that everybody is welcome.
At this event, we’re celebrating the stories of the Moomins and the simple acts we can do to make everybody welcome with drag king hosts Len Blanco and Cyro, music from DJ RODENT, a drop-in Moomin Forest workshop with artist Kate from Out of the Box, and, of course, a Moomins’ favourite party snack of pancakes and jam to finish.
This event is part of our associated programme for the The Door Is Always Open Moominhouse installation. The installation is co-commissioned and co-produced by Counterpoints Arts and the Southbank Centre, made possible by the support of Moomin Characters Ltd. in celebration of 80 years since the publication of the first Moomin story.
Presented ahead of our programme for Refugee Week 2025.
About the artists
Len Blanco is a drag king, musician, comedian, writer, actor, director and facilitator. Time Out says as a compère and singer he has ‘overwhelming talent’, and since he started out as a drag king in 2016, you may have seen Len on many stages, including at the Southbank Centre, Blackpool Tower, a tent in Glastonbury and a bus in Edinburgh.
Ishmael is an interdisciplinary artist known for his work within political theatre and drag, and the creator of drag counterpart Cyro, a Blasian, trans-masculine, DRAG KING/THING! Exuding political ferocious and heartfelt celebrations of the Black trans experience, and rooting his work in the LGBTQIA+ community, they draw from queer ancestors within their practice.
Vyvyan Stewardson is a performer, composer and sound designer, otherwise known as their drag ultra-ego, RODENT.
Out of the Box is run by Kate, an ex-primary school teacher. She loves running workshops, clubs, parties and events for children and families across Brighton and Hove. Everything centres around the theme of ‘trash to treasure’, upcycling and repurposing, with a STEM focus.
Pancakes are provided by Crepes a la Carte, on a first come, first served basis towards the end of the event.
Need to know
At busy times a queuing system may be in operation for this event.
This event features moving lights and haze.
Level 1 Foyer, Royal Festival Hall, 12.30pm – 3.30pm: drop-in Moomin Forest workshop with artist Kate from Out of the Box. Make your own Moomin adventure scene using salvaged materials and old cardboard boxes.
While we plan to celebrate in Moomin style, no Moomin characters are present at this event.
Access
This event is a Relaxed Performance (RP).
Relaxed Performances have a relaxed approach to noise and movement in the space, and you are free to enter and exit during the performances. A chill-out space and noise-cancelling headphones are available for both adults and children. There are no adjustments to sound and lighting for these performances and this performance contains amplified sound, moving lights and haze.
You can join our free Access Scheme through your online Southbank Centre account or via email.
Find out more about our Access Scheme
All our access information
For your visit
This event is held at the The Clore Ballroom Southbank Centre
The Clore Ballroom is open six days a week.
Tuesday, 10am – 6pm*
Wednesday – Sunday, 10am – 11pm
Monday, closed.
*If we’re hosting a performance, the building will stay open until the event ends.
Plan your visit
The Clore Ballroom is located inside our Royal Festival Hall on Level 2.
Getting here
Our address is Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX.
The nearest tube stations to us are Waterloo and Embankment; Waterloo is also the nearest train station. And more than 20 different London bus routes pass within 500 metres of our venues. More information on getting here by rail, road or river is available on our Getting here page.
We’re cash-free
Please note that we’re unable to accept cash payments across our venues.
Access
We’re working hard to remove barriers, so that our facilities and events can be accessible to as many people as possible.
All help points, toilets, performance and exhibition spaces at the Southbank Centre are accessible to all, as are the cafes, bars and restaurants. We also have excellent public transport links with step-free access.
There is step-free access to The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall, via a ramp.
All information about booking wheelchair spaces, step-free access, blue badge parking, access maps and guides and other help available whilst you’re here, including details about our Access Scheme, can be found on our Access page.
Food & drink
Next to The Clore Ballroom is our Ballroom Cafe where you can grab a coffee and a piece of freshly made cake. Also on Level 2 of our Royal Festival Hall you can grab a slice of life by the Thames with drinks and freshly made pizza at our Festival Bar & Kitchen which opens out onto our Riverside Terrace.
From coffee to cocktails, filling favourites to fine dining, plus some of London’s best street food – it’s all here at the Southbank Centre.