Cambridge Corn Exchange 150th Anniversary Community Open Day

Celebrate the launch of Cambridge Corn Exchange’s 150th anniversary year at a special Community Open Day during February half-term.  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…and get creative!

Organised by Business and Event Management students from Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), with the support of the Cambridge Corn Exchange team, the day promises a wide range of free children’s activities, live performances, and unique experiences for everyone to enjoy. 

Throughout the day, attendees can look forward to a variety of bookable and non-bookable activities. The bookable activities include dance, drama, and technical workshops, as well as guided tours. The dance and drama workshops will each run twice during the day, while the technical workshops and tours will both run four times.

In the dance workshops, children can learn energetic routines inspired by both historical eras and modern pop culture. The drama workshops offer a fun opportunity to explore the art of performance and creative expression. The technical workshops provide hands-on experiences where both adults and kids can watch and learn as experts demonstrate and explain the behind-the-scenes aspects of event production. Additionally, our guided historical tours allow participants to delve into the rich history of the Corn Exchange, get backstage access, and discover a timeline showcasing its most iconic performances.

Beyond these, a wide range of non-bookable, fun, interactive, and family-friendly activities await. Throughout the day, a talented caricaturist will be available to create amusing drawings for you to take home. You can also unleash your creativity with arts and crafts and construct architectural wonders in the Building Block Fun Zone. Don't miss the chance to contribute to our time capsule by bringing a personal item to include and experience the vibrant atmosphere of the Corn Exchange's past as a farmers’ market while exploring our local stalls offering unique products. We will also offer a science and discovery zone where attendees can discover the marvels of science through hands-on exhibits and exciting experiments.

We are excited to feature performers who will represent the diverse artists who have graced the Corn Exchange stage throughout the decades. The musical journey will span from the 1960s to the present day, starting with the iconic sounds of the '60s and culminating with today's hits. This celebration of music history will ensure a vibrant and nostalgic atmosphere for all attendees.

In addition to these activities, immerse yourself in the captivating world of storytelling. Families can gather for live storytelling sessions, where the history of the Corn Exchange and the vibrant stories of Cambridge are brought to life. These engaging tales will transport audiences of all ages through time, highlighting the fascinating people and events that have shaped the venue's rich heritage. With a blend of traditional and modern storytelling techniques, these sessions promise to be a memorable experience for everyone.

This event is supported by Cambridge BID, and is part of the Cambridge Arts Festival