Time Out Group and Instagram have announced a joint partnership to further support small businesses in London and New York. The partnership includes two-day virtual festivals via Instagram Live — one in New York, Experience:NYC, and one in London, Experience:LDN. Both will take place from morning till evening on July 9th and July 10th, visit Time Out website for the full schedule.

Time Out, a brand known for championing local businesses and culture, will work alongside Instagram to connect locals with independent businesses in a meaningful way. Each city festival will be livestreamed exclusively on Time Out New York (@TimeOutNewYork) and Time Out London’s (@TimeOutLondon) Instagram. The two-day event will showcase a variety of independent BIPOC, female and LGBTQ+ owned small businesses that have uplifted their communities throughout the last several months. During the festival, viewers will be encouraged to support small and independent businesses through gift card purchases, food orders and donations on Instagram, which will go towards Robin Hood in NYC and Hospitality Action in the UK. The partnership with Instagram is part of a wider Time Out Love Local campaign, an initiative to support local businesses during this difficult time.

The two-day international festival will provide a platform to showcase inspiring local business owners who are the heart and soul of New York and London’s culture. From cooking classes and cocktail-making tutorials to garden tours and cultural exhibitions, the virtual festival features a select group of the most inspiring entrepreneurs. Many neighborhood favorites like independent Brooklyn store, Books are Magic or London dance studio, At Your Beat, will be featured in the program lineup.

Time Out Group CMO, Sumindi Peiris said: “For over 50 years we have been seeking out the best of city life. We believe that local, independent businesses are what makes our cities so unique and help create memorable cultural experiences. We are thrilled to collaborate with Instagram, another consumer-loved brand that connects people with what they are passionate about to support our Love Local campaign. They make an ideal partner to help us spotlight and amplify the beloved local businesses in our community that have uplifted and united neighborhoods during these tough times.”

Instagram’s head of Fashion Partnerships, Eva Chen said: “Small businesses are the heart of the Instagram community and now, more than ever, people should support the businesses they love. We’re thrilled to work with Time Out to feature some of our favorites in Experience:NYC and Experience:LDN. These businesses have come together these last few months to uplift their communities and are an inspiration to everyone.”

Hospitality Action's Fundraising and Marketing Manager, Giuliana Vittiglio said: "We're so pleased that Time Out London and Instagram have created this amazing festival to help the hospitality industry. All money and proceeds will go towards financial, physical and mental health support for hospitality industry workers who are going through a rough time right now. With so much uncertainty initiatives from large brands like this is really important and needed right now."