The Big Lunch 2026
The Big Lunch and The Big Help Out team up for weekend of community action on 5 – 8 June!
This summer, people across the UK are being invited to join in with a big weekend set to be jam-packed with friendship, food, fun and action. The Big Lunch, the annual celebration for neighbours and communities, is joining forces with volunteering initiative The Big Help Out to encourage even more people to take action where they live on 5-8 June.
It’s a chance to embrace community spirit in towns, cities and villages across the UK, with millions of people expected to come together to eat, meet and lend a hand locally, making a difference for people, place or planet as a result.
The new campaign, run by national charity the Eden Project, calls on people to get involved in whatever way works for them – whether that’s by organising a street party, getting the neighbours together for a litter pick or visiting a local charity to get involved for the day. From a bite to eat on the street to community-led volunteering opportunities and partnerships with charities and businesses, there’s something on offer for anyone keen to make a positive difference where they live.
Lindsey Brummitt, Eden Project Programme Director, said: “We couldn’t be more excited to be bringing The Big Lunch and The Big Help Out together this year for a weekend that’s sure to be absolutely overflowing with community spirit! There’s no better opportunity to get to know new people, support some amazing causes and try your hand at something a bit different. Whether you’re hanging out or helping out, doing picky bits or litter picks – everyone’s invited!”
Running annually since 2009, The Big Lunch is the UK’s annual get together for neighbours and communities when millions of people come together to share friendship, food and fun on the first weekend in June. It is an idea from the Eden Project, made possible by the Pears Foundation and supported by Co-op.
The Big Help Out started in 2023, encouraging people to have a go at volunteering, lend a hand and make a difference. Millions of people took part in 2023 and again in 2024, as charities offered simple, light touch opportunities for people to find out more and see what volunteering was all about.
Bringing The Big Help Out and The Big Lunch together is made possible by funding from the Pears Foundation and the UK Government and is to be delivered by the Eden Project charity on the weekend of 5-8 June. This nationally significant moment will also form part of Volunteers’ Week and the Month of Community.
This year, The Big Lunch and The Big Help Out are teaming up from 5-8 June for one big DO! And everyone in the UK is invited, so what will you do? Find out more at thebigdo.com
