Wandsworth gets set for London Borough of Culture year with programme release

Wandsworth has officially launched its programme for The Mayor’s London Borough of Culture 2025. 

The year-long tenure will see a series of events taking over the borough to celebrate culture, creativity, and community.

Kemi Akinola, deputy leader and cabinet member for culture, said: “This is more than just a celebration—it’s about creating lasting change. 

“Culture has a profound impact on mental health, wellbeing, and social connection, and through this programme, we’re ensuring that every Wandsworth resident has access to creative opportunities within a 15-minute walk of their home.”

Packed with unmissable events, performances, and cultural experiences, the programme will kick off on April 26, with the biggest dance spectacle the borough has ever seen.

Strictly Wandsworth will unite 200 dancers from 22 organisations including Pagrav Dance Company, Tavaziva Dance and London Children’s Ballet, led by Jeanefer Jean-Charles MBE.

Next up, a supercharged Wandsworth Arts Fringe (WAF) will run from June 6 to 22.

With grants supporting up to 30 projects, WAF will stage free events across the boroughs libraries, parks, and community spaces.

Unlike other arts festivals, there are no curators or programmers, and no themes or criteria that artists have to fulfill. Anyone with a story to tell and a venue to host them has been invited to take part in this wonderful and accessible celebration of creativity.

Running alongside, and often overlapping with, WAF will be Wandsworth Heritage Festival.

From June 13 until July 13,  walks, talks, exhibitions, and performances will explore the borough’s rich history. 

Expect encounters with the dead in cemetery walks, storytelling and craft workshops as part of this year’s arts-themed programme.

Turning to the more dramatic, Battersea Park In Concert explodes into the programme for three days of world-class classical and jazz music, food and fun from August 23 to 25.

Exclusively for the London Borough of Culture year, the festival will welcome the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra and many more. 

Adding to the excitement, 1,500 tickets will be available at a fraction of the cost for qualifying residents.

Elsewhere stunning silk banner processions will take to the streets, radio dramas will launch at community stations and Clapham Grand will celebrate its 125th anniversary with a blow out birthday party.

Tooting Food Festival will bring people together through the shared joy of food. The building builds on the area’s beloved legacy of growing, cooking and sharing homegrown produce whilst adding new food stalls where storytellers will share the tastes and journeys of their homelands.

Running throughout the year, a pioneering project using arts and culture will offer creative health interventions and Wandsworth’s heritage collection will be brought into care homes and community spaces to support people living with dementia.

On the Alton Estate, every primary school and youth centre will host a dedicated Creative Health programme, ensuring that hundreds of children benefit from arts-based wellbeing initiatives.

The creative schools and education programme for Wandsworth’s London Borough of Culture will engage students at primary, secondary and special schools, as well as sixth form colleges and higher education settings to take part in creative projects and celebrate arts, culture and heritage.

Primary School Showcases will take place in June at venues across the borough, including the Royal Academy of Dance, Wandsworth Civic Suite and Putney Arts Theatre.

Koko Idiong, a young resident and Group 64 Youth Theatre intern, said: “Wandsworth is buzzing with creativity, and I love that this programme is giving young people a platform. “Whether you want to perform, create, or just experience something new, there’s something for everyone. I can’t wait to see how this year inspires us all.”

Tickets for events will be made available soon. To find out more, visit: https://welcometowandsworth.com/

Pictured top: Wandsworth has officially launched its London Borough of Culture 2025 programme (Picture: Leo Wilkinson Photography)