Festival of the Girl Returns to the BDC

As the festival returns for another year, the excitement is palpable, with new workshops, an awards ceremony, and a host of interactive activities awaiting families across four sessions over two action-packed days. 

We spoke to Co-founder Abi Wright, to learn more about the event and their mission to give young girls a day dedicated to them where they can explore new interests, challenge stereotypes, and build confidence.

Inspired by International Women’s Day, which has become a global movement celebrating women’s achievements and pushing for gender equality, the Festival of the Girl is tailored specifically for girls aged 7-11. 

“The 7-11 age range is a pivotal stage of development for girls and one that is increasingly influenced by societal and peer pressures, so if we can support this age group they will be better equipped to challenge and change things as they grow up,” Abi says.   

A Mission to Empower

The festival’s mission is crystal clear: to give girls the confidence to break down the barriers that societal expectations often impose. Co-founder Abi says that this flagship October event is one of the main ways they are moving towards our mission. 

The Festival of the Girl was founded in 2019 by three fabulous business women Abi, founder of She Stands, Jen Toll, founder of Not Just A Princess, and Laura Mulvaney founder of Electric Sunshine. 

Their idea for this event was born out of a shared desire to challenge the gender stereotypes their own daughters were encountering.

“At our first event in October 2019, we were all pregnant with our second children (all of whom turned out to be girls too!),” Abi recalls. 

Since that small gathering of 150 girls in its inaugural year, the event has grown into a highly anticipated occasion, with thousands of girls and families joining the celebration—both virtually during the pandemic and now, once again, in person.

An Action-Packed Weekend

So, what can girls and their families expect this year at the BDC? 

A wide variety of activities and workshops will be on offer, allowing young attendees to dive into new experiences that span across science, technology, engineering, the arts, politics, and much more. Whether it’s building a robot, learning to code, or engaging in discussions about current societal issues, there will be something for everyone.

Abi shared a sneak peek into the offerings, saying, “Kids can get stuck in and try their hands at engineering, football, science experiments, politics, coding, and so much more.”

They will also have a lower-capacity ‘noises off’ session designed specifically for SEND children and their families, to make sure everyone can be part of the fun.

This year’s festival will feature a combination of returning favourites and fresh new workshops. One of the notable additions is the presence of Girls Who Talk Politics, an organisation empowering girls to engage with politics in an era where women are making historic strides in representation. 

Additionally, the festival has partnered with WUKA to raise awareness around period poverty and provide educational resources through their engaging “period juice bar.”

With a focus on remaining culturally relevant, Abi notes that the festival’s content evolves each year. “We monitor the type of workshops and content that remain popular and always look to freshen things up by reflecting what’s going on in the world,” she says.

Building a Future of Confidence

While the event is designed for girls aged 7-11, the festival actively encourages the participation of boys, men, and non-binary individuals as well.Abi believes that for true change to happen, everyone must be part of the conversation. 

“The more men, boys, and non-binary people who come on this journey with us, the better,” says Abi. 

For the festival co-founder, one of the most rewarding moments each year is witnessing the excitement and confidence of the girls who attend the festival.

“Every year, it’s watching the expressions of the kids that come in—seeing them try new things, seeing them realise they can do anything and that they are stronger and braver than they ever realised,” she says.

Beyond the Festival

The impact of the Festival of the Girl doesn’t end when the doors close. According to Abi, many attendees carry their newfound confidence and inspiration back home, continuing the journey of empowerment long after the event. 

 “One of my favourite stories was an email from a parent telling us her daughter went to a ‘dress as your dream job day’ at school dressed as a building site manager and how all her classmates loved it and asked loads of questions. That’s the kind of small changes that really have an impact,” says Abi

The festival is also committed to supporting parents and caregivers in challenging gender stereotypes. 

Over the past year, Festival of the Girl has expanded its offerings for adults, hosting events such as “Talking to Kids About Body Image.” As the festival continues to grow, Abi says there are plans to do more of this important work in the future.

Looking Ahead

Abi explains that she has big dreams for the event.

 “We want to keep growing the brand so we can really chip away at the stereotyping issues,” she says.

This includes expanding the festival regionally across the UK, as not everyone can make it to London. 

The festival is powered by the generosity of corporate sponsors and volunteers, and Abi welcomes more companies to join in partnership. 

Here at the BDC, we are extremely proud to play host to the Festival of the Girl, providing an accessible and welcoming venue for this important event. As one of London’s most versatile exhibition spaces, we are thrilled to see such an inspiring and fun-filled event unfold within our walls.

If you are a business or event looking for an exhibition space in London, then get in touch. Or if you would like to browse our upcoming events then visit our What’s On page. If you are looking for tickets you can buy them here.