Wanna Play? Festival
A day of activity, creativity and conversation in Ally Pally Park
Join us on Saturday 13 June for a day of activity, creativity and conversation in Ally Pally Park as part of the London Festival of Architecture 2026.
Alexandra Park playground and skatepark are well-used and much-loved, but weathered spaces that are ready for a rethink. We’re currently raising funds to refurbish them – to bring them up to date and make sure they continue to serve future generations of Haringey. In true People’s Palace spirit, we’re calling on local residents, neighbours and Park users to come together and help us re-imagine the playground: together, your ideas, your space.
Wanna Play? is a family-friendly day with activities for all ages, including music, food, skating, dance, creative workshops and performances – with plenty of opportunities to get involved along the way!
What's on
Skate Jam | 10am - 4pm
The Ally Pally Skate Jam returns for its 4th year, following on from the success of previous years. The Creative Learning team once again team up with North London Skate Club and is excited to invite skaters of all ages to grip it and rip it down at the Ally Pally Skate Park.
The name of the game on the day is to skate, make friends and have fun. Not a skater? No worries, enjoy music from the Reggae Roast DJs, Street Food at The Boathouse Cafe, live graffiti art, breakdancing lessons and live acoustic music throughout the day.
- 10am – 12pm is a gentle 2-hour skate jam for all ages (beginners and intermediates)
- 1pm – 2pm is the main event, a 3-hour skate jam for all ages (competent skaters only)
You can book your place on either of the skate jams by visiting North London Skate Club – sessions will be available to book very soon.
The Playground (Performance by Alexandra Palace’s Young Actors Company) | 4.30pm - 5.15pm
“I was nice once, I remember” The old, sad playground day-dreamed. He dreamed of that time, long ago, when everyone thought he too, like the palace, was beautiful!
Watch as Ally Pally’s Young Actors Company transforms swings, slides, and familiar play structures into a theatrical wonderland that sparks conversation, creativity, and community imagination about the importance of truly inclusive, great local play.
Join us for this site-specific reimagining of The Playground by Kay Ashead, adapted specially for the Ally Pally playground and lose yourself in the magic of what could be.
Street Food and Live Music at The Boathouse Cafe | 12pm – 5pm
The newly refurbished Boathouse Cafe joins in the Festival vibes and welcomes you to an afternoon of good food and tunes.
We’ll be firing up the Street Food from 12pm, come hungry and ready enjoy live acoustic music from members of our Young Creatives Network with performances at 2pm and 3pm.
Skate and Create: Design and Make a Skate Park with RIBA | 11am – 3pm
Join the RIBA Learning youth Forum to share ideas and re-design the Ally Pally skate park. Think about your ideal place to meet your friends, kick-flip and ollie and get the plan down on paper in your design. Then help us build a dream skate park, scale model from cardboard to present as a working model at the end of the day.
Wanna Play? – Make and Play with Unit 38 | 12pm - 4pm
Architectural design collective Unit 38 invites children and families to get creative with them at Alexandra Palace’s skate park and playground.
Using their signature approach to consultation through hands‑on making and imaginative play, Unit 38 will lead activities where local communities can design, build, stick, and make together, while skaters jam, DJs mix, and (with a bit of luck) everyone enjoys an ice cream in the sunshine.
Bring your kids, and your own inner child, and help Alexandra Palace re‑envision a new playground that’s fit for purpose and fit for the times.