Punch & Judy Professors and Pupeteers from all over the UK gather, to celebrate 50 golden years of London's treasured May Fayre & Puppet Festival. On Sunday 11 May 2025, the much-loved Covent Garden May Fayre & Puppet festival will return to its annual venue: the garden of St Paul’s Church, also known as 'the actors church', near the spot where Samuel Pepys first saw Mr Punch in England, in May, 1662. Punch & Judy professors and pupeteers from all over the country will be gathering to perform, to celebrate 50 golden years of the festival, which welcomes thousands every year. Importantly, the event will also commemorate Mr Punch’s 363rd birthday, with a grand procession in the morning and a birthday toast, followed by a special church service at noon, where he will take centre stage in the pulpit. The afternoon will present many more performances, workshops, may pole dancing and music. All are invited to come and enjoy the shows and to celebrate the art of puppetry. Admission is free and the programme is as follows: 11am Grand Procession Around the neighbourhood of Covent Garden starting from the Church garden led by the Superior Brass Band with a Birthday toast to Mr Punch by the commemorative plaque on the Church wall in the Central Piazza. 12noon Special Church Service Mr Punch performs in the pulpit 12.30pm-5.30pm Punch and Judy and Puppet shows Puppet workshops, stalls, refreshments, folk music, maypole dancing, clowns. 3pm-Photo call Punch professors and puppeteers gather together on the church steps to celebrate 50 years of the Covent Garden May Fayre & Pueppet festival and to present the 'Young Professors of the Future'. The British Puppet & Model Theatre Guild (who are celebrating their centenary),The Punch & Judy Fellowship and The Punch & Judy Club will all be represented. There will be a Puppet Workshop with Emosh Puppets and Stalls run by local community groups. Charities include the Covent Garden Community Association. Refreshments will be provided by The Food Chain, who raise funds to help support people living with HIV in London. Punch & Judy Professors and entertainers attending include: Prof Bryan Clarke, Geoff Felix, David Wilde, James Arnott, Daniel Hanton, Paul Goddard, Jo Burns, Damien Weiss (France), Martyn Cooper, Chris Drewitt, Emosh Puppets, Joseph Peek, Josh Neville, Clown Gingernutt, Glyn Edwards, Will Cousins, Nic Hinrichsen, Cath March, Ivan Walters, Martyn Cooper, Prof Patel, Martin & Sue Bridle, Jester Jim, Howard Gayton, Miraika Wallace, Richard Robinson, Jester Jim, Paul Wheeler, James Holz, Chris Gasper, Tony Heales, The Pink Policeman, Jose Navarro (Spain), Gary Wilson, Clive Chandler, Dan Slater, Richard Coombs, Paul Jackson, Philip Dann, Jamie Riding, Peter Dann, Tony Robanti, Ronnie Le Drew, Dean Blunkell, Prof Patel, Paul & Kathie Jackson, Teddy Cordon, Prof Philips,Ben Hasker, Teddy Saberton, Tommy Bradshaw, Jo Hadley, Jacques Devienne (France),Teddy Bourne, Salvo, Justin Tai, Paul & Kathie Jackson, Rough Magic Theatre, Noah Bradley, Alex Life, and many more. For more information on the festival, visit alternativearts.org.uk