Over the weekend, children can visit the creative workshop zone on the lower ground floor to craft their own unique characters or mix up a batch of "Cosmic Alien Slime".

Nearby, a dedicated dress up zone allows fans to transform into their favourite cinematic-inspired characters.

The Bentall Centre is hosting two activation for days for its 'Toy Takeover' this weekend (Image supplied)

With anticipation building across the nation for a monumental summer of sport, The Bentall Centre has established itself as the "definitive one-stop hub for fans".

From the intensity of the football pitch to the iconic grass courts of Wimbledon, the centre is providing supporters with everything they need to celebrate, gear up, and catch every moment of the action.

As football fever sweeps the country, The Bentall Centre has curated a premier selection of tournament essentials, premium team merchandise, and unique fan memorabilia.

For families and younger supporters, the Build-A-Bear Workshop on the second floor is offering an exclusive Wild Lion Soft Toy England Football Gift Set, complete with an official bear-sized England flag t-shirt, scarf, shorts, and trainers.

Adding to the family-friendly excitement, H&M has launched a dedicated kids' range featuring football tops and accessories, while The Entertainer remains the go-to destination for collectors seeking the official Panini sticker album and packs.

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Complementing these football festivities, The Bentall Centre is inviting the community to experience the summer's premier tennis tournament, The Championships 2026.

Between 29 June and 12 July, fans can soak up the atmosphere and catch the live action on big screens located within the centre.

Whether you are a football fanatic or a tennis enthusiast, the centre is set to offer the perfect backdrop to witness sporting history unfold.

"The build-up to a major summer of sport always creates an incredible sense of community, and we are proud that The Bentall Centre has become the ultimate one-stop shop hotspot for supporters," said Centre Director, Simon Cuckow.

He added: "By combining interactive retail experiences with the excitement of live tournament screenings, we are giving fans unrivalled convenience to gear up and get involved in a historic summer of sport".

For those looking to prepare for the matches, a variety of retailers are fully stocked to meet every need.

For example, Fenwick is celebrating with a premium curation of British-themed homeware, travel mugs, and gifts, alongside an exclusive World Cup LEGO trophy.

Additionally, WHSmith, HMV, and Waterstones are equipped with essential tournament guides, flags, novelty cups, and casual fan apparel.

For more information on upcoming events and to plan your visit, check out the Bentall Centre's website here.



'Toy Takeover' is running at the Bentall Centre until Sunday, 28 June (Image supplied)

Additionally, The Bentall Centre is an official partner of Pride in Kingston, bringing a vibrant, community-led programme of events, pop-up performances, and creative celebrations to the heart of the town centre over the highly anticipated Pride Weekend from Friday, 26 June to Sunday, 28 June 2026.

Organised in collaboration with FUSE International, the creative collective 'Unapologetic', and local community leaders, this groundbreaking weekend marks a historic milestone as Pride is brought to the borough on this scale for the very first time.

Under the banner of being 'unapologetically' visible, the initiative aims to transform local spaces into a colourful celebration of love, identity, inclusion, and belonging.

The Bentall Centre will serve as a central hub for the weekend's flagship public celebrations on Saturday, 27 June.

Throughout the day, the shopping centre will burst into life with high-octane pop-up performances featuring live dancers, singers, and artists scheduled for 11am, 1pm, and 3.30pm to entertain shoppers and families alike.

A spectacular focal point of the day will be a giant, custom-built Pride mural. Created by the local community in workshops leading up to the event, this collaborative piece of public artwork will be proudly displayed inside the Bentall Centre.

It will serve as a stunning, vibrant backdrop for the day's live performers, as well as a dedicated photo zone where visitors can capture and share their own Pride memories.

Saturday's in-centre festivities will seamlessly connect with the wider town celebrations, leading directly into Kingston's historic first-ever Pride Parade, which will march from Kingston Market Place to The Bentall Centre between 2pm and 3pm, inviting residents, visitors, and allies to walk together in solidarity and joy.

Cuckow said: "We are incredibly proud to partner with Pride in Kingston for what promises to be a momentous and historic weekend for our borough.

"The Bentall Centre has always been at the heart of the Kingston community, and it is a privilege to provide a platform where the LGBTQIA+ community can be seen, celebrated, and empowered.

We look forward to welcoming everyone to the centre to experience the brilliant performances, engage with the community art, and celebrate love and diversity together."

A representative from the festival curation team added: "Bringing Pride to the streets we grew up in is deeply personal to us.

"Partnering with an iconic local landmark like the Bentall Centre allows us to ensure our message of connection, inclusion, and belonging reaches the heart of the community. We want to light up the borough with joy and make history together, unapologetically."

The full Pride in Kingston weekend will kick off on Friday, 26 June with AFTERDARK by Unapologetic x FUSE International, an 18+ ticketed launch party full of cabaret, live performances, and music.

Following Saturday's parade and centre performances, the weekend concludes on Sunday, 28 June with a Community Workshop Day featuring free sessions across Kingston, including story time, drag expression, and mindfulness.

Members of the public are invited to visit the Bentall Centre throughout Saturday, 27 June to enjoy the free live entertainment and view the community mural.

For more information on the full event schedule and details on how to get involved, click here.

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