The Big Lunch and The Big Help Out
The Big Lunch, an Eden Project initiative, brings over 10 million people together for the UK’s largest annual community celebration. This year The Big Lunch and The Big Help Out are teaming up on 5–8 June for a weekend of friendship, food, fun and action – and everyone’s invited!
It’s one big do – a chance to meet, eat and lend a hand locally in the UK’s biggest celebration of community.
Big or small, what you do is up to you – a BBQ with the neighbours, a local litter pick or helping a good cause for the day – we can all do something!
It’s easy, it’s fun and it’s for everyone – so what will you do?
Two amazing community initiatives, one big do
The Big Lunch
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. Over 10 million people took part in 2025 alone!
The Big Help Out
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 opportunities for people to find out more and see what volunteering was all about.
So, what will you do?
The Big Lunch and The Big Help Out are coming together for one big weekend of friendship, food, fun and action on 5-8 June 2026.
Find ideas, resources and more
Everyone is invited to join in by doing something positive, in whatever way works best for you and your community.
If you’re keen to get cracking, browse our ideas and resources to help make your do a reality. We’ve got everything you need to get started!
Quote
“ “We couldn’t be more excited to be bringing The Big Lunch and The Big Help Out together this year! There’s no better opportunity to get to know new people, support some amazing causes and try your hand at something a bit different.” ”
Resources for organisations
Whether you’re a charity, business, council, housing association or community group, there are so many benefits to getting involved and supporting people to do something positive locally.
Why does the Eden Project care about communities?
We are famous for taking a barren clay pit with no soil and transforming it into a thriving global garden, demonstrating what is possible when you dare to dream big and work together.
As a charity inspiring positive action for the planet, we have a simple belief: a thriving planet starts with people caring for each other. Building strong, resilient communities enables people to make changes where they live, growing a movement of ordinary people doing extraordinary things.