Community Event Themes 2024

Barnet’s Community Events Programme supports a number of events to celebrate our borough’s rich diversity and promote social cohesion. Community organisations can apply for a grant between £500 - £1,000 to host an event at any time during the year.

The Council publicly marks major faith and awareness dates throughout the year, see list below. We particularly encourage events that link to these occasions. Please ensure you check the funding closing dates before you apply.

Month and Theme	Description	Funding Dates
January - February 2024	Winter Festivals events aim to increase inter-faith and cultural understanding by highlighting religious and cultural festivals and traditions through events that are open to all. Key celebrations include the Lunar New Year.	Apply by 8 January Application outcome by 19 January
March 2024	Marked annually on March 8th, International Women's Day (IWD) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. Significant activity is witnessed worldwide as groups come together to celebrate women's achievements or rally for women's equality.	Apply by 12 February Application outcome by 20 February
March 2024	Nowruz, festival celebrating the new year on the Persian calendar, usually beginning on or around 21 March. The festival is celebrated in many countries with significant Persian cultural influence, including Iran, Iraq, India, Afghanistan and much of Central Asia.
March - April 2024	Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, during which Muslims fast from dawn to dusk, abstaining from food, drink, and other physical needs. Eid al-Fitr is a time for joy, gratitude, and celebration. Muslims all over the world gather with family and friends to exchange gifts, share meals, and offer prayers.	For March events, apply by 12 February, get application outcome by 20 February For April events, apply by 19 February, get application outcome by 29 February
June 2024	Pride is a celebration of people coming together in love and friendship, to show how far LGBTQ+ rights have come, and how in some places there's still work to be done.	Apply by 15 April Application outcome by 30 April
June 2024	Windrush Day (22 June) marks the anniversary of the HMT Empire Windrush arriving in Britain and is an opportunity to celebrate British Caribbean communities, and acknowledge the service and sacrifice of the Windrush Generation.
July - August 2024	South Asian Heritage Month runs every year from 18th July – 17th August, ending on the anniversary of Partition. Along with providing learning opportunities for others, the month enables people of South Asian heritage to reclaim their history and identity by sharing their own stories and experiences.	For July events, apply by 20 May and get application outcome by 31 May For August events, apply by 17 June and get application outcome by 28 June
October 2023	Silver Week (1 - 7 October) aims to celebrate older residents, recognise their contribution to their communities and help them get out and about to meet new people.	Apply by 19 August Application outcome by 30 August
October 2023	Black History Month is a national awareness campaign which recognises and celebrates the contributions of Black people to the economic, cultural and political life in the UK.
November - December	Winter Festivals events aim to increase inter-faith and cultural understanding by highlighting religious and cultural festivals and traditions through events that are open to all. Key celebrations include Diwali, Christmas & Chanukah	For November events, apply by 16 September and get application outcome by 30 September For December events, apply by 21 October and get application outcome by 31 October

If would like to host an event that is not linked to the occasions listed, you may still qualify for funding. Please have a look at our Community Events Funding page for further details.