What’s On: Street Live brings the beach to Croydon

One high street will be transformed into a beach this summer as a festival takes over the town for its second year running.

There will be no need to travel any serious distances to enjoy the sand this summer, as Street Live brings the beach to Croydon.

More than 15 tonnes of sand will be used to create the beach so families can grab their buckets and spades and get building. Croydon High Street will be host to a summer of outdoor entertainment as music, dance and theatre takes centre stage in the coming months.

Apsara Arts and BRIT School are two of the talented dance groups that will be performing live in Croydon this summer.

A BMX exhibition will take over the festival on August 17 for biking fans to enjoy with experienced riders who will perform exciting and exhilarating tricks to wow their audience.

Wimbledon Live will also be returning to the festival this summer and showing the two-week tennis tournament on the big screen.

There will be no shortage of sporting fun across July as residents can also compete in crazy golf on July 20 and 21.

If that isn’t enough to fill your summer season then you can also catch Covent Garden entertainers and creative company Scanners Inc headlining across the summer.

The festival has already begun and is set to run across the entire summer season.

Croydon High Street was made into a permanent pedestrian zone in April, providing a welcoming space for families across the area.

Councillor Oliver Lewis said: “Pedestrianising High Street has meant we’ve been able to turn a space for cars into a space for people, and Street Live really emphasises that point.

This programme is looking really exciting and it will add to the number of activities we have going on across the borough all-year round for those living, working and visiting Croydon.”

More activities are set to be added to the already jam-packed line-up, so be sure to leave some dates free in your diary across the next few months.

Matthew Sims, chief executive of Croydon BID, said: “Croydon’s summer programme is literally packed full of events and activities for everyone, whatever your age, to enjoy.

“Street Live brings together a host of talent across three months, attacking the senses, inspiring the mind and bringing people together.

“Not wishing to forget the transformation of the High Street into Wimbledon Live, all you need to do is sit back, relax and soak up the summer sun and enjoy an eclectic mix of scintillating talent, live or on the big screen.

It’s time for a staycation – keep it Croydon.”