Key Highlights
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The Great Get Together is the UK’s big annual celebration that brings people together, and it was started because of Jo Cox.
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It began in 2017 to show that we all have more in common with each other than what keeps us apart.
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The next Great Get Together will be held from Friday 19th June to Sunday 21st June 2026.
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There will be street parties, cleaning up areas, festivals, music, and fun family activities at the events.
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The first Great Get Together was held in 2017 and now this annual celebration has grown and become well known.
Introduction
In a world that can sometimes feel split, there is a strong movement that helps people come together. The Great Get Together, based on the lasting vision of Jo Cox, shows just how strong a community can be. Since the first Great Get Together in 2017, millions in the UK have been a part of it. People join in to show that what we share is bigger than what sets us apart. It is a time when you can meet with neighbours, share moments, and see that our values can win over our differences. Are you ready to see how the first Great Get Together still makes a big change today?
Honouring Jo Cox’s Vision: The Origins and Spirit of the Great Get Together
The Great Get Together shares a strong and hopeful message. It comes right from Jo Cox’s belief that we are better when we focus on what brings us together. The Great Get Together started as a way to turn this idea into real action.
Since the first Great Get Together, the goal has been to help people connect. These moments aim to lead to lasting changes in our communities. Let’s see who gave us the idea for the Great Get and what main values keep this movement going.
Who Was Jo Cox and What Inspired the Great Get Together?
Jo Cox was a Member of Parliament who cared a lot about the power of being together. She is known for saying, “We are far more united and have far more in common than that which divides us.” This message became the main idea for a new national event after her very sad death.
Her words said something true about our lives. Because of this, the Jo Cox Foundation started the first Great Get Together in 2017. The goal was to make something good happen and help people follow her way of wanting everyone to be included.
This is now the UK’s annual celebration of being together. It is a special time each year for people to meet with neighbours and make their local communities stronger. By doing this, Jo’s words are put into action, making the great get together more real for everyone.
Core Aims and Values That Guide the Great Get Together Movement
The Great Get Together movement follows a clear and simple set of aims. Jo Cox wanted people to turn her ideas into real actions. You are invited to see the good in your area and the people who live there. The movement gives you a way to come together and move past differences.
The goal is for you to build links and make your neighbourhood stronger. It is not just for one weekend. The Great Get Together wants people to keep this feeling of togetherness going all year.
The core aims ask you to:
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Connect with neighbours you may not know.
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Show pride in your area.
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Celebrate the many backgrounds of people around you and what we all have in common.
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Make a clear, good difference together.
The Great Get Together 2026: Events, Activities, and Getting Involved
Mark your calendars for The Great Get Together 2026. This annual celebration will be bigger and better than before. Some of the biggest free community events will happen all across the country. It is your chance to join a national movement for connection and community pride.
You can join an event that is already planned. You can also organise your own event if you want to. There are many ways to get involved. Keep reading to find out what will be on and how you can take part in your local area.
Highlights and Themes for 2026: What’s Happening Across the UK
The Great Get Together 2026 will feature an exciting mix of activities and themes designed to bring people together. One of the major themes for the year is community clean-ups, in partnership with Keep Britain Tidy. This initiative encourages people to connect while showing pride in their shared local spaces.
In London, the Great Get Together SE1 in Southwark’s Bankside area promises a fantastic day of festivities. You can expect an array of music, performances, and plenty of family-friendly fun. This event has become a highlight in the city’s calendar, celebrating unity in a vibrant, diverse setting.
Here’s a quick look at one of the flagship events for 2026:
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Event Name |
Date |
Time |
Location |
|---|---|---|---|
|
The Great Get Together SE1 |
Saturday 20th June 2026 |
12:00 – 16:30 |
Bankside, SE1, London |
How Local Communities Can Participate or Organise a Great Get Together
Getting involved with the great get together is easy and fun. The local communities in the UK are at the heart of the great get together. If you join in, you can help make a change in your area. Start by looking for any great get together event near you. You can go along and join on the day.
If you feel ready, you can set up your own event. It does not need to be big or hard to do. The main goal is to bring people together. You could pick a street party, ask people to bring food for a picnic in the park, set up a small bake-off with your neighbours, or choose a day for a clean-up nearby.
Would you like to host? You can follow a few easy steps to get the ball rolling:
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Decide on an activity that feels right for your local area.
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Pick a day and a spot, like a park or a place where people gather.
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Tell your neighbours, your friends, and your family about what you plan.
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Register your event to get help, tips and what you need to start.
The great get together is a great way to meet people and enjoy time in your community.
The Impact of the Great Get Together: Bringing People Together in Divided Times
These days, news often talks about people being apart. The great get together is here to bring people close. This movement looks at what it’s like to feel alone and gives people real ways to meet and talk. It’s a real way for Jo Cox’s ideas to work in everyday life. The great get together shows how small and good things can help build links between people near us.
The results go well beyond just one weekend of great get together events. When people are asked to see each other and share what they have gone through, it helps break down walls. It makes people feel like they are part of something bigger. The next parts will show some of the good stories and lasting changes that great get has started.
Stories of Connection: Successes from Past Events
The best way to see the successes of past events is through the stories of how people connect at them. One good example is the Great Get Together SE1. It has turned into something that brings big change. After one event, 21 new volunteers joined to help out with things in their area. This shows that just one day can lead to ongoing action in the community.
The performers at the events feel the good effects too. One group called Jig and Swig said that being part of the programme felt like a “highlight in our year.” It was not only about the show itself, but it was also about meeting new people and sharing the “More in Common” message.
Stories like these, along with photos from past events, are shared on websites like Living Bankside and the Jo Cox Foundation. They show us the joy and the feeling of togetherness that the Great Get Together brings to people all over the UK.
How the Initiative Continues to Combat Division and Foster Unity
The Great Get Together is there to bring people together. It helps fight against division in the community. When neighbours help clean up a park, share a meal, or listen to music, they come together around one goal. These simple actions can make all people feel closer to each other. They help build a shared sense of belonging.
What makes the Great Get Together strong is how it starts at the local level. It is not something forced from above. Instead, it asks people nearby to set up their own events. Because these are made by the people who live there, the celebrations feel real for every community. This is what makes the feeling of unity stronger and honest.
In the end, the Great Get Together shows us that we can grow stronger and kinder as a group when we enjoy what we all share in common. It shows us that small acts can bring about big changes. Together, we can push back against division and keep unity growing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many people want to know more about the great get together, mainly about how it started and what it hopes to do. The great get together was made to honour Jo Cox’s belief that strong groups make a difference. This UK’s annual celebration is all about bringing people together, with a lively array of music and family activities. The first great get together happened in June. Over time, the event has become one of the biggest free community events in the UK. It helps people in the area feel close and friendly with each other.
The annual celebration usually takes place on a Saturday, in famous places like London’s Southwark and Bankside. It is a good chance for people to meet, connect, and have a good time together.
When and where will the Great Get Together 2026 take place?
The main weekend for the Great Get Together 2026 will be from Friday, 19th June to Sunday, 21st June. There will be events happening all over the UK. One big event in London will have an array of music and family activities in Bankside, SE1 on Saturday, 20th June.
Who can attend a Great Get Together event?
The Great Get Together is for everyone. People of all ages and backgrounds are welcome. The events are open to all and made to include everyone. This annual celebration happens in every part of the UK. You can find family activities and a friendly mood everywhere. The Great Get Together is a great way for people to feel part of something special and enjoy time with others.
How can I stay updated on events and share my own story?
To keep up with the UK’s annual celebration, visit the official Great Get Together website or the Jo Cox Foundation’s pages. They give news and updates on social media. You can also share your story and photos from great get together events. Use the official hashtags when you post, so you help to inspire others!
Conclusion
To sum up, the Great Get Together 2026 is a strong way to remember Jo Cox’s hope for unity and bringing people together. Today, it is easy to feel split apart, but this is why the great get together is so important. It stands for being kind and making real connections. When you join in or set up a local Great Get event, you help build friendships and close the gaps between people in your area. Stories from past events show just how much good can come from these times together. It leads to great memories and new friends for many people.
As 2026 comes closer, let all of us hold on to what the Great Get Together is all about. Make sure Jo Cox’s words reach a lot of people. Stay involved, tell others about your great get memories, and do what you can to create a place where everyone feels welcome and part of something.