Wandsworth is embarking on a year-long celebration of culture, creativity, and community, as it officially launches tenure as The Mayor’s London Borough of Culture 2025.
Wandsworth has officially launched its tenure as The Mayor’s London Borough of Culture 2025, marking the beginning of a transformative year celebrating creativity, community, and cultural innovation. With a packed programme of events and initiatives, the borough aims to not only entertain but also harness the power of culture to improve health, wellbeing, and social connectivity.
The launch event, held at Battersea Arts Centre, brought together musicians, performers, community leaders, and residents for a vibrant celebration of Wandsworth’s artistic energy. Attendees were greeted with striking silk banners and floral arrangements from New Covent Garden Flower Market, setting the stage for a spectacular year ahead. Performances from The BAC Beatbox Academy, CRIPtic Arts, Brainfools, and choreographers Jeanefer Jean-Charles and Patience J provided a taste of the rich cultural programming in store.
The year will feature world-class performances, grassroots creativity, and bold initiatives designed to make culture accessible to all. One of the standout events, Strictly Wandsworth, takes place on 26 April. This ambitious dance spectacle, directed by Jeanefer Jean-Charles MBE, will unite 200 dancers from 22 local organisations in a mass performance. Featuring talent from Tavaziva Dance and London Children’s Ballet, the event will culminate in a high-energy dance finale led by Patience J, bringing the community together through movement and rhythm.
June sees an expanded Wandsworth Arts Fringe (WAF), which will reach new audiences with additional funding and fresh collaborations. With performances staged in libraries, parks, and community hubs, WAF 2025 aims to break barriers to cultural access. Overlapping with the Wandsworth Heritage Festival, this year’s arts programme will blend contemporary performances with historical storytelling, ensuring a deeply engaging experience for all.
Music lovers can look forward to Battersea Park In Concert, a three-day open-air concert series over the August Bank Holiday. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, and other renowned acts will take the stage, creating a magical summer experience. To promote inclusivity, 1,500 discounted tickets will be available for qualifying residents, allowing more people to enjoy these world-class performances.
September brings Urban Flow, a visually striking silk banner procession animated by performers and digital art. Developed with India’s Attakkalari Centre for Movement Arts and Wandsworth’s Tavaziva Dance, this event will explore the relationship between movement and the city. Later that month, Liberty Festival will celebrate D/deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent artists in collaboration with CRIPtic Arts. This flagship event will showcase groundbreaking work from disabled creatives, furthering Wandsworth’s commitment to inclusivity in the arts.
In November, Clapham Grand will mark its 125th anniversary with Palace of Varieties, a dazzling showcase honouring the venue’s rich history. The Grand will also contribute to an exploration of queer culture in the borough, culminating in an exhibition for LGBT History Month in 2026.
Beyond live events, Wandsworth will also launch an innovative radio drama series, The Wandsworth Way. Running from July 2025 to March 2026, the show will offer local residents the chance to engage in storytelling, performance, and production, akin to a South West London version of The Archers. Meanwhile, Our Music Our Freedom will document 50 years of the borough’s musical heritage through podcasts curated by BBC presenter and radio producer Max Reinhardt.
A key highlight of the programme is Portrait of a National Treasure, a tribute to Dame Carmen Munroe. Artist Dame Sonia Boyce will create a new film honouring Munroe’s legacy, celebrating her work in Desmond’s and Doctor Who, as well as her pioneering role in theatre. The project will also engage young people in discussions on heritage and representation in the arts.
Food and culture will unite at the Tooting Food Festival, where residents will share homegrown produce and culinary traditions. More than just a food event, the festival will spotlight the borough’s rich cultural diversity through storytelling and shared experiences.
Health and wellbeing take centre stage in several initiatives. Culturally Mindful: Diversity in Creative Health is a pioneering year-long project using arts and culture in social prescribing. Working with the NHS, the programme will co-design inclusive creative health interventions with Global Majority artists and lived experience groups. Another year-long initiative, Memory Boxes for Dementia Patients, will bring Wandsworth’s heritage collection into care homes and community spaces. Interactive time capsules filled with sensory objects, archive materials, and recordings will help trigger memories and support wellbeing for those living with dementia.
The borough’s cultural programming will also extend to education. The creative schools initiative will engage students from primary school to higher education, ensuring that every young person in Wandsworth has opportunities to participate in artistic projects. The Primary School Showcases in June will feature performances at venues like the Royal Academy of Dance and Putney Arts Theatre. In the autumn, Apples & Snakes will lead a poetry-writing and performance project, culminating in a festival celebrating student work.
London’s creative industries employ one in five people, and Wandsworth is committed to preparing young residents for careers in this thriving sector. A journalism project, developed in partnership with the BBC and Sky, will give young voices a platform during the Borough of Culture celebrations. Participants will gain valuable media skills, report on events, and share their unique perspectives on Wandsworth’s cultural scene.
Koko Idiong, a young resident and Group 64 Youth Theatre intern, expressed excitement about the programme: “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.”
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, praised Wandsworth’s ambitious plans: “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 for the year ahead, and I’m looking forward to seeing these plans come to life as we build a better London for everyone.”
Simon Hogg, Leader of Wandsworth Council, echoed this sentiment: “Wandsworth is a borough where culture connects us – across generations, communities, and neighbourhoods. 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. Whether it’s through dance, music, theatre, or visual arts, we are making culture accessible to all. Let’s make this a year to remember.”
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