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Preview: Fort Smokehouse arrives in Norbury, Box Bingo brings Friday fun, Open House reaches its finale and Croydon’s food, market and community scene keeps the borough buzzing.

Croydon is dishing up a big Friday: a new Norbury smokehouse leads the food story, Boxpark brings bingo and music, and Open House serves up one final weekend of discovery.

Fort Smokehouse has opened at 1369 London Road, Norbury, bringing a new independent food name and Texan style barbecue to the local scene.

Inside Croydon’s Paloma Lacy, writing on 17/09/2026, described generous portions and a family friendly welcome in her review, making this a new local favourite worth knowing. Read the Inside Croydon review

Check directly with Fort Smokehouse for current opening hours, menu and booking details before travelling.

Fort Smokehouse adds fresh energy to Norbury, while Surrey Street Market and traders around Purley continue to give Croydon its everyday food character.

At BOXPARK Croydon, Friday’s offer combines food, drink, entertainment and late evening atmosphere, giving you plenty of choice before or after the night’s events.

Support the independent traders who keep Croydon interesting: eat locally, explore widely and tell your neighbours what is worth a visit.

🍻 Friday Feelings starts from 17:00 on Friday 18/09/2026 at the BOXPARK Croydon Atrium, running into the early hours with live entertainment. Event details from Surreal

🎱 Box Bingo runs from 18:00 to 21:00 at BOXPARK Croydon, hosted by DJ Wedgie, with bingo and a Croydon twist. Event details from MATO

🎬 The People’s Emergency Briefing and Discussion is a free screening from 19:30 to 21:30 at Ruskin House, 23 Coombe Road, Croydon CR0 1BD, followed by discussion. Event details from Eventbrite

🎉 Dancehall Therapy: Back 2 School Edition runs from 22:00 on Friday 18/09/2026 to 04:00 on Saturday 19/09/2026 at Energy Croydon, 36 High Street, CR0 1YB.

This is an 18 plus ticketed event, and government issued photo ID is required. Event details from Happening Next

🛠️ Repair Cafe runs from 11:00 to 13:00 at St Mary Magdalene Church Hall, Canning Road, organised by the Addiscombe and Shirley Rotary Club.

Bring an item to repair and help give useful belongings a longer life. Details from East Croydon Community Organisation

🛍️ Community Market at Regans runs from 10:00 to 16:00 at Units 9 to 11, Royal Oak Centre, Brighton Road, Purley CR8 2PG.

Entry is free, with children and dogs welcome. Details are provided by the supplied community market flyer.

🌿 Eco Living Fest runs from 13:00 to 16:00 at Holy Innocents Church Hall, 192A Selhurst Road, South Norwood. Event details from CVA Live

🌻 Arcadia Festival takes over Stanley Arts from 10:30 to 17:30, bringing climate and nature themes together with performances, gardening, family creativity and ticketed sessions. Event details from Stanley Arts

🏙️ Croydon Urban Room continues its Open House exhibitions and workshops at Units 161 to 162 and 1161 to 1162, Whitgift Centre, Croydon CR0 1UQ, exploring the future of the town centre. Details from Croydon Urban Room

Fairfield Halls opens its doors from 11:00 to 17:00 on Saturday 19/09/2026 at Park Lane, CR0 1JD.

The programme includes an 11:00 open rehearsal, London Mozart Players concerts at 13:00 and 14:30, a community showcase, technical workshops, a Talawa Theatre Company 40th anniversary exhibition and a free drama class for children aged 4 to 8 at 11:30.

Guided tours are listed as sold out, and some activities need booking. Full details from Fairfield Halls

🏛️ Open House Festival closes across Croydon on Sunday 20/09/2026, bringing the borough’s architecture, heritage and creative spaces to the final day of this year’s programme. Festival information from Culture Croydon

🚐 The Caravan Gallery: Croydon: Pride of Place appears at North End, Croydon, from 11:00 to 17:00, with free entry and no booking needed. Listing from Open House Festival

🎶 Soulful Sundays begins from 12:00 at the BOXPARK Croydon Atrium. Event details from Surreal

🏠 Addiscombe Road house fire: The London Fire Brigade sent eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters to a fire at a derelict two storey detached house in the early hours of Thursday 17/09/2026.

The fire was under control by 06:53. The roof was destroyed and half of the ground and first floors were damaged, with no injuries reported; the cause remains under investigation. Report from London Fire Brigade

🗑️ Fly tipping reports: The South London Press reported that Bensham Manor recorded 8,774 reports between January and July 2026, the highest total in Croydon.

The council says the figures are heavily affected by a small number of prolific reporters, including duplicate reports and routine cleaning requests. Full report from the South London Press

SoulWorks, a community run co-working space and podcast studio, opened this month at 62 George Street in Croydon town centre.

Soul Purpose 360 says the space is designed for freelancers, entrepreneurs, students and remote workers, adding another independent voice to the town centre’s revival. Announcement from Soul Purpose 360

🏺 Icon Kitchens Open Day: Friday 25/09/2026, 12:00 to 18:00, 116 Brighton Road, Purley CR8 4DB. Details supplied by Icon Kitchens.

🤸 RAVERTOTS CROYDON: Sunday 04/10/2026, 14:00 to 16:00, BOXPARK Croydon CR0 1LD. Details from BOXPARK

🌰 Croydon Harvest featuring the Walnut Fair: 03/10/2026 and 04/10/2026, across town centre venues. Details from Croydon Council

🤖 Croydon AI Summit 2026: Innovation, Inclusion, Impact: Tuesday 27/10/2026, 10:00 to 16:00, Hilton London Croydon, 101 Purley Way, CR0 4QA.

Tickets are listed at £25, including lunch, tea and coffee. Event details from Eventbrite

Surrey Street Market has a history stretching back more than 750 years, with a market formally established in Croydon through a Royal Charter.

The market’s new gateway now celebrates that heritage while welcoming the next generation of traders, visitors and local food discoveries. Heritage details from Croydon Council

Croydon schools and PTAs can submit verified fairs, bake sales and fundraiser notices for free through Croydon Local Pulse, helping families discover the good work happening in every neighbourhood.

Friday is for finding your next local favourite, Saturday is for getting out and exploring, and Sunday is for one final Open House adventure before the new week begins.

Building a Stronger Croydon, Together

The Croydon Local Pulse Team