Community Open Day
- Date
- 16 February, 2026
- Start time:
- 11:00
- Venue Name
- Cambridge Corn Exchange
Description
Last year’s Open Day saw over 1000 visitors through our door to experience everything this venue has to offer for our local communities. Back by popular demand in 2026, and continuing our 150 Anniversary celebrations, join us again in half-term on Monday 16 February for the return of our Community Open Day. This free event invites families to step inside one of Cambridge’s most treasured venues to explore life behind the scenes, find out about the Corn Exchange’s vibrant history by visiting our temporary exhibition, and get creative through a range of free children’s activities, live performances, and unique experiences for everyone to enjoy.
Programme
Stage
Dance Workshops (30 mins) – Join Olivia Williamson as she introduces basic dance principles and ways to get our bodies boogying! Start with an energetic warm up, learn a short routine, and make your own sequences. Get ready to dance and and laugh! 12:45pm, 4pm (Ages 5-13).
BOOK HERE
Drama Workshops (30 mins) – Join Jenna Unwin as she introduces basic principles of drama and physical theatre in the most engaging way – games, play, exercises, and plenty of movement. Be prepared to move your body and play like a pro! 11:45am, 2:45pm (Ages 5-13).
BOOK HERE
Auditorium
Technical Workshops (30 mins) – Discover the magic behind the scenes with our tech team. This hands-on session introduces the essential elements of theatre and event production exploring how lighting and sound design work together to create seamless and captivating performances. 11:15am, 12:15pm, 2:15pm, 3:30pm (All ages).
BOOK HERE
Sushi Making Workshops (20 mins) – Learn how to make sushi (11:15am, 12:00pm, 1:00pm, 2:00pm, 3:00pm) with local independent Cambridge restaurant, Market House.
BOOK HERE
Activities Zone – Explore our main auditorium where non-bookable, drop-in, fun, interactive, and family-friendly activities await. You can also unleash your creativity with arts and crafts and construct architectural wonders in the Building Block Fun Zone. All Day (All ages).
- Create your own concert poster with Lele Saa (Average duration 30 mins) - Join Lele at the Arts & Crafts station to celebrate music legends who have performed at the Corn Exchange. Get inspired by artists like David Bowie and his alter ego Ziggy Stardust and create your own gig poster. What would you wear? Which instrument would you play? What rock star name would you have? (Ages 5-12)
- Photo Booth – Strike a pose in our photo booth and take home a memory of this special day!
- Building Block Fun Zone – Recreate the Corn Exchange or build your own architectural wonder in our Lego inspired area, fun for children of all ages.
Foyer Bar
Venue Tours (40 mins) – Embark on an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of our venue. Immerse yourself in the rich history and captivating stories that bring the Corn Exchange to life, look out from stage, venture backstage, step into dressing rooms once graced by iconic names, and discover our timeline mural highlighting renowned artists and the years they graced our stage. 11:45am, 11:50am, 1:45pm, 1:50pm, 4:00pm, 4:05pm. (All ages – Please note: Venue tours are held in locations that may not be fully accessible to customers with mobility or accessibility needs).
BOOK HERE
A Stage in Time: Celebrating 150 Years of the Corn Exchange - Discover our new exhibition celebrating 150 years of Cambridge Corn Exchange, bringing hidden stories and historic images to the public for the first time.
Live Performances
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – Experience a 15-minute performance from Cambridge Operatic Society, presenting Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Join Charlie Bucket as he steps inside Willy Wonka’s magical factory, where chocolate rivers, Oompa-Loompas and wonderful surprises await in a world of pure imagination. 1:45pm - 2:00pm (All ages).
First Floor Bar
Come and Sing Workshops (30 mins) – Join Cambridge Jazz Choir for an uplifting singing workshop! Start with some fun warm-ups to get your bodies and voices moving, enjoy easy-to-learn rounds, and sing uplifting songs together. Whether you're a seasoned singer or just love belting out a tune in the shower, this relaxed and joyful workshop is for everyone! 12:15pm, 3:15pm (All ages).
Storytelling Sessions (30 mins) – Join local storyteller Marion Leeper exploring the tales and legends hidden away in the cracks and corners of the Corn Exchange. Expect stories that are silly, thrilling, scary, but not necessarily true! 11:15am, 1:15pm (All ages).
King’s Room
Quiet Zone – Take a moment away from the main event when needed and join us in our King’s Room for quiet activities such as colouring and TV streaming. All Day. (All ages)
Please note – INFO POINT will be located in the foyer bar to collect pre-booked workshop and tour tickets and free event programmes, collect lost property, report first aid incidents, act as lost child point, and for any further information you need on the day.
Market House
Mix and match between vibrant British and Asian menus at Market House — one of Cambridge’s favourite independent eateries, just minutes from the Corn Exchange.
Book your table for a pre-show meal!This project is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
About The National Lottery Heritage Fund:
Our vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future. That’s why as the largest funder for the UK’s heritage we are dedicated to supporting projects that connect people and communities to heritage, as set out in our strategic plan, Heritage 2033. Heritage can be anything from the past that people value and want to pass on to future generations. We believe in the power of heritage to ignite the imagination, offer joy and inspiration, and to build pride in place and connection to the past. Over the next 10 years, we aim to invest £3.6billion raised for good causes by National Lottery players to make a decisive difference for people, places and communities.
Accessibility Information
If you would like to book accessible seating, your account with the Cambridge Corn Exchange must have a tag applied to it. Please email tickets@cambridge.gov.uk or call 01223 357851 (Mon-Fri 10am-5pm)* to request we add this tag to your account. Please read our access document in advance of booking to ensure the tickets you book are the most suitable.
Access to the box office
The Box Office for the Corn Exchange is called Cambridge Live Tickets and is located left of the venue, two doors down (next to the restaurant Steak & Honour.)
The Cambridge Live Tickets Box Office is currently closed, however, when there is a performance taking place the Box Office opens at 6pm (or an hour before a matinee starts) and closes half an hour after the start time (or until 9pm for standing performance.)
Here is a summary of Box Office features:
- Lowered kerb providing level access
- Automatic sliding doors to Box Office
- Large print seating plans
- A lowered counter
- An induction loop
- Wi-Fi
Audio Loop
There is an infra-red hearing enhancement system which can be used either with, or without a hearing aid. The system only works in the auditorium and balcony. The headphones and receiver can be obtained from the steward at the Customer Services Desk. No deposit is required but the stewards will ask for your name and seat number” There are 6 sets available which consist of, a headset, receiver and neck loop. There are certain areas within the auditorium where the system doesn’t work:- Rows S to Z, seats 1 to 8 (House Right), at the rear of the auditorium. Rows XF to XK Rows O to R, seats 1 to 4 Using the system with a hearing aid Headphones are attached to the receiver and then worn in a similar fashion to a personal stereo. For those customers with hearing aids without a T setting, we suggest using this system with headphones but removing your hearing aid whilst inside the auditorium. The loop should be placed around the customer’s neck and attached to the receiver. The receiver should remain uncovered at all times, in order to pick up the signal. They can use channels 0 - 4 to receive the sound. The volume can be controlled on the receiver. Using the system without a hearing aid The headphones should be attached to the receiver and worn in similar fashion to a personal stereo. The receiver should remain uncovered at all times, in order to pick up the signal. They can use channels 0 - 4 to receive the sound. The volume can be controlled on the receiver.
Wheelchair Access
Level Access and Automatic Doors (or No Doors)
Assistance Dogs
Assistance dogs are welcome at our venue.