St John's Eve Festival, Crossbones Bards and Vigil

Guided tour, performances by the Crossbones Bards and a participatory ceremony for St John's Eve, the traditional Midsummer festival, held in the Crossbones Garden of Remembrance on the site of the outcasts' burial ground.

Hosted by John Constable, the 'Bard of Southwark', who first revealed the secrets of Crossbones in The Southwark Mysteries, and featuring poems, songs and personal testimonies by Crossbones Bards and members of the audience. For your comfort, bring a cushion and dress for the weather.

5pm Garden opens for magical guided tour and impromptu performances
5.30pm Crossbones Bards perform in the garden on the site of the burial ground
7pm Vigil and St John's Eve ceremony at the gates in Redcross Way

23rd June 2016 also marks the 145th consecutive monthly Vigil held by Friends of Crossbones, following 12 years of vigils held on the 23rd of every month to 'honour the outcast dead' and to renew the shrine at the gates on Redcross Way.