Wandsworth set for a sizzling summer programme in its year as London Borough of Culture

Welcome to Wandsworth – London Borough of Culture 2025!

Following the huge success of our opening event Strictly Wandsworth, we are delighted to announce a packed summer programme ahead, filled with so many exciting things for all to see and enjoy, including many activities that are completely FREE. For ticketed events, Wandsworth’s Access for All scheme offers discounts for eligible residents.

Kemi Akinola, Deputy Leader of Wandsworth Council, Cabinet Member for Business, Voluntary Services and Culture said:

“This year, like every year, we are championing culture for all. The Wandsworth Arts Fringe brings playful commissions into libraries, playgrounds, streets and schools and we’ve supported 30 brilliant companies to bring creative projects to Wandsworth residents.

“Heritage and culture are indelibly linked – both have community at their core, and both enrich our understanding of ourselves. This year aims to show how heritage and culture intersect with one another, inspire one another, and form part of one another. It has come together, as it does every year, due to the willingness of local voluntary organisations and enthusiastic individuals to share their knowledge and throw open their doors.”

Justine Simons OBE, Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries, said:

“Wandsworth will come alive this summer with a vibrant celebration of creativity and community. The Mayor’s London Borough of Culture will see an unforgettable summer of performance, art and music, boosting the local economy and great opportunities for young people. From comedy and theatre at Wandsworth Arts Fringe to picnic performances at Battersea Park in Concert, it’s a fantastic opportunity to get together, as we build a better London for everyone.”

Summer programme

Wandsworth Arts Fringe

From 6 to 22 June, leap into Wandsworth Arts Fringe – a world where there’s something for everyone, including brand-new theatre, experimental dance and music, exhibitions, heart-racing cabaret and work-in-progress gigs from the next big names in comedy.

For the 16th year running, Wandsworth Arts Fringe will be shaking up South West London with its most ambitious festival programme to date, popping up in surprising spaces all over the borough. WAF2025 is going to be bigger and better than ever, with 180 events at 65 venues over 17 days covering the entire borough.

Over 60 events in the programme are completely FREE, for the rest of the programme £3 tickets are available for Wandsworth Access for All card holders. To celebrate Pride Month, explore health and wellbeing, cultural celebrations and lots of laughter in the comedy line-up.

WAF is proud to offer a range of exciting opportunities for young people; encouraging youth participation across its established Young Producers, Young Reporters and Young Reviewers programmes. The festival will also host annual WAF School’s Showcases, celebrating the talents of young people from schools across the length and breadth of the borough.

Explore WAF events

Wandsworth Heritage Festival

This year, WAF will be teaming up with Wandsworth Heritage Festival during the final week (Friday 13 June – Sunday 22 June), celebrating the borough’s rich history through a programme of walks, talks, exhibitions and performances that bring stories of the past to present day audiences. Through this collaboration, there are arts events inspired by the heritage of the borough, and heritage events inspired by the arts of the borough!

The 2025 Wandsworth Heritage Festival – a bumper four-weeks to mark Wandsworth’s year as London Borough of Culture – will take place from Friday 13 June to Sunday 13 July.

Highlights include art installations, dance, and performance exploring place and memory; a walk through the Surrey Iron Railway route uncovering stories accompanied by soundscapes; a talk in our very own modern palace of variety, the Clapham Grand; literary walks through Wandsworth and Clapham Common; a talk (with musical accompaniment!) in the Chapel of Lambeth Cemetery about the once glittering music hall stars who now call Lambeth Cemetery home; poetry events; plaque unveilings; and walks uncovering the natural flora and fauna found here.

Explore Wandsworth Heritage Festival events

Winstanley Past, Present and Future Festival

Drawing on both Wandsworth Arts Fringe and Wandsworth Heritage Festival, our month-long Winstanley Past, Present and Future Festival (Friday 13 June to Sunday 13 July) will showcase the history, culture and talents of Battersea’s Winstanley and York Road estates. Look out for the full programme soon.

Other London Borough of Culture summer events include:

Country on the Common (5 to 6 July) For one weekend only in Tooting, experience the ultimate outdoor celebration of country music and culture at this brand-new festival of live music, with line dancing, axe throwing, delicious BBQ food, craft beer and all things country. Headline acts include The Shires, Ward Thomas and Noah Reid and tickets are now on sale. Get tickets now.

Battersea Park in Concert is a glorious weekend of three open-air, picnic concerts taking place on August bank holiday weekend. Symphonic Disco (23 August) and A Night at the Movies (24 August) feature the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra perform on 25 August with an array of special guests.

Both events will include an allocation of Access for All discounted entrance tickets.

Each year, hundreds of Nine Elms residents flock to Thessaly Road to join the fun at Happy Streets, a free family arts festival featuring live performances, workshops, food and more!

2025 will see Happy Streets take place across two days. Join us on Saturday 5 July 12pm to 6pm at St George's School, Thessaly Road, Mansion Square and the ROSE Community Clubroom. Come back the next day on Sunday 6 July 12pm to 5pm for more fun at Yvonne Carr Centre and the Oasis Gardens. The full programme will be announced soon!