Open Weekend

Open Weekend

Open Weekend is an annual UK-wide celebration offering people the chance to participate in a wide range of activities to mark the countdown to the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.

In 2010 it will run from 23 - 25 July, marking the two-year countdown to the 2012 Games. Over the course of the weekend, hundreds of sporting, arts and culture events will take place across the UK, from extreme sports events to Shakespeare performances with a twist.

During Open Weekend 2009 thousands of people attended 55 Games-inspired events across the Northwest. In the Lake District, Prince William trekked up Helvellyn mountain with a group of homeless youngsters and dancers took to the street in the Dance Daze open air festival. In Liverpool city centre, vintage BBC clips were broadcast on a giant interactive video carousel and in nearby Litherland, people tried their hand at a range of free activities including tai chi, cheerleading, climbing, yoga and netball.

The theme of Open Weekend 2010 is ‘creating a challenge’. Non-commercial organisations in the Northwest can take part by staging an event that sets a challenge the public can participate in – this could be a challenge to try something new or take an existing skill to a new level. For example, you could challenge families to try a new sport together, invite your audience to be part of a performance or set a challenge to create a work of art in just 24 hours.

Registering an event is easy. Simply fill in the application form on the London 2012 website. Registration closes at midday on 16 July 2010.

Participating in Open Weekend means you will receive access to an exclusive branding toolkit and benefit from national marketing and PR support which last year included a supplement in a national paper.

Be part of Open Weekend and join hundreds of organisations from across the UK in celebrating the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. If you have any questions please email openweekend@london2012.com. You can also visit the Open Weekend section on the London 2012 website for more national-level information.

Case Studies