Wandsworth is set to dazzle as it takes the spotlight as London’s Borough of Culture 2025, with a dynamic year of events featuring dance, music, theatre, and community-led projects.
The borough will officially launch its cultural celebrations with Strictly Wandsworth, a mass dance spectacle on Saturday 26 April, uniting 200 performers in a show designed by Jeanefer Jean-Charles MBE, known for her work on the London 2012 Olympics and the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Pageant.
The programme, backed by £1.35 million in funding from City Hall, will include festivals, concerts, and creative workshops, with an emphasis on accessibility, diversity, and community engagement. Labour councillor Kemi Akinola, Wandsworth’s Cabinet Member for Culture, emphasised the borough’s commitment to ensuring these celebrations are open to all, with AccessAble guides set to be distributed in April to help residents navigate venues and events.
A Year of Cultural Highlights
Among the flagship events is Liberty, a festival dedicated to showcasing deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent artists, alongside activities celebrating South Asian and Black communities. The Wandsworth Arts Fringe, running from June 6 to 22, will transform libraries, parks, and community hubs into creative spaces for performances and exhibitions.
Heritage enthusiasts can look forward to the Wandsworth Heritage Festival from June 13 to July 13, featuring cemetery walks, storytelling, and craft workshops, while Battersea Park In Concert (August 23-25) will host three days of open-air performances, including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Jools Holland’s Rhythm and Blues Orchestra. Discounted tickets will be available for 1,500 low-income residents.
A visually stunning silk banner procession, Urban Flow, will take to the streets on September 13, followed by Liberty from September 26 to 28. Meanwhile, the historic Clapham Grand will mark its 125th anniversary on November 26 with Palace of Varieties, celebrating its rich music hall legacy. The venue will also curate an exhibition exploring Wandsworth’s queer history for LGBT+ History Month in 2026.
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A Community-Driven Celebration
Adding a unique touch to the celebrations, Wandsworth will produce a radio drama series in partnership with Theatre503 and Riverside Radio, inviting residents to engage in storytelling, performance, and production. BBC presenter Max Reinhardt will further spotlight Wandsworth’s cultural evolution with a podcast series exploring 50 years of the borough’s music scene. Food lovers can also anticipate the Tooting Food Festival, which will bring communities together through diverse flavors and traditions.
Wandsworth Council is also collaborating with the NHS to explore the impact of arts and culture on mental health. Initiatives like memory boxes—filled with sensory objects and archive materials—will be introduced in care homes and community spaces to support dementia patients.
Councillor Akinola highlighted that the programme is still evolving, with residents encouraged to submit ideas for additional events. Tickets for many of the key events will be released soon.
A Cultural Legacy for Wandsworth
Council Leader Simon Hogg underscored the importance of culture in bringing communities together, stating, “Our London Borough of Culture year will showcase the incredible creativity that thrives here, but more importantly, we will ensure that everyone has the chance to take part.”
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan echoed these sentiments, adding, “London Borough of Culture plays an important role in providing positive opportunities for young people, boosting the local economy, and uniting communities. Wandsworth has put together a brilliant programme, and I’m looking forward to seeing these plans come to life.”
With a packed schedule of performances, workshops, and exhibitions, Wandsworth’s Borough of Culture celebrations promise to leave a lasting impact on its communities, solidifying its place as a vibrant hub of creativity in London.
