The Bartholomew Fair Midnight Run

Dates
31 Aug - 2 Sep 2023
Artist/Company
Inua Ellams

The Midnight Run is a walking, arts-filled, night-time cultural journey through urban spaces. It gathers strangers and local artists together to explore, play and create, whilst the city sleeps. The Midnight Run aims to break down social barriers and provide a platform for established and emerging creatives, bringing moments of genuine interactive creativity. Past MNRunners have enjoyed a spectrum of activities including life-drawing, choral singing, puppetry, wrestling, cocktail making and tai chi, all whilst exploring a city as a group. The Midnight Run was established by Inua Ellams in 2005, since then, there have been 48 events nationally and internationally. 

This special Midnight Run will take you on an adventure to celebrate the City of London’s 21st century revival of London’s ancient Bartholomew Fair, exploring nocturnal life of the Square Mile, The City of London.

The route will journey past iconic City buildings as well as lesser-known nooks and crannies of the Square Mile as we celebrate a return to cultural activity. Come ready to explore, play and create. The Run will be facilitated by Midnight Run Founder, Inua Ellams and two of his long-standing MNR collaborators, Vicky Wright and Kit Caless, all being joined by other local artists.

Midnight Run has been commissioned by the City of London Corporation for Bartholomew Fair, a three-week extravaganza of performances and cultural events across the Square Mile. The 2023 reimagining of iconic Bartholomew Fair brings a modern twist to the historic fair in a celebration of the City of London’s heritage and contemporary culture. It is part of the City of London’s Destination City programme which sets out a vision for the Square Mile to become a world-leading leisure destination for UK and international visitors, workers, and residents to enjoy.

Produced by Fuel and The Midnight Run

What are the timings of The Midnight Run?

The Run will start at 5.45pm and finish at midnight. Staying for the full duration of the Run is required to get the most out of the experience and interact effectively with the rest of the group. There will be plenty of opportunities for rest and breaks along the way.

What do I need to bring?

Please come dressed for the weather, with comfortable footwear for walking. Details of any other items you need will be communicated to ticketholders before the event.

What route will The Midnight Run take?

The route has been carefully planned and will cover iconic and outdoor spaces. Details will be revealed as you go so you can enjoy a feeling of exploration. The starting point will be sent to you by email 24 hours before the Run. The Run will end near multiple transport options.

Are there any age restrictions?

The minimum age for participating in the Midnight Run is 16+. Anyone under 18 should be accompanied by an adult. There is no upper age limit however, attendees need to be able to carry their own weight or attend with someone to assist with any accessibility issues they have.

ABB73C5B-A51C-4932-BDF3-C60C9D79146A Created with sketchtool.

Project History