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Since the London Borough of Culture scheme was first launched by Sadiq Khan in 2017, Waltham Forest, Brent, Lewisham and Croydon have all enjoyed their time in the spotlight. For 2025-26, it’s Wandsworth’s turn.
The south-west borough has received a generous £1.35 million from the Mayor of London to help it put on 12 months’ worth of cool cultural events and creative activities spotlighting its ‘rich mix of traditions, festivals, food, and arts’.
When Wandsworth’s win was announced, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: ‘This prestigious award has become a cornerstone in the capital’s calendar, using the power of culture to unite communities, transform young people’s lives and boost the local economy.’
So, get excited – Wandsworth’s Borough of Culture line-up has started to be unveiled. Here are all the big things that have been planned so far.
What events are in Wandsworth’s Borough of Culture 2025 programme?
April 26: Strictly Wandsworth
A dance extravaganza featuring showcases from 200 dancers across 22 local organisations and created by Jeanefer Jean-Charles, the world-renowned choreographer involved in the London 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony.
May 1-April 30, 2026: Make It Live
This is a set of participatory art workshops led by learning disabled artists for both disabled and non-disabled audiences.
June 6-22: Wandsworth Arts Fringe
The annual Wandsworth Arts Fringe is festival in and of itself but this year will enjoy a boosted budget. Organisers promise ‘brand-new theatre, experimental dance and music, heart-racing cabaret and works-in-progress from the next big names in comedy’. A seperate programme for this will be announced in April.
June 13-July 13: The Winstanley Past, Present and Future Festival
Four weeks dedicated to showcasing the history and community of Battersea’s Winstanley and York Road estates.
June 13-July 13: Wandsworth Heritage Festival
A month of stuff celebrating Wandsworth creative heritage. A full line-up of events is being revealed in May, but we’ve been told that highlights will include fascinating cemetery walks, folklore tours, heritage talks and craft workshops.
August 23-25: Battersea Park in Concert
Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra will headline this special Borough of Culture edition of Battersea’s yearly three-day music fest.
September 13: Urban Flow
This collaboration between India’s Attakkalari Centre for Movement Arts, UK arts charity and silk co-creators Kinetika, and Wandsworth’s Tavaziva Dance will see Roehampton transform into a ‘living, breathing stage where 100 silks, 100 local participants, and world-class dancers come together in a powerful fusion of contemporary dance, martial arts, and live soundscapes’.
September 26-28: Liberty 2025
Wandsworth will host Liberty 2025, London’s flagship disability arts festival. It’ll include workshops for kids, dementia-friendly performances, community engagement projects and showcases that push artistic boundaries and defy expectations.
October 4-12: Wandsworth Artists’ Open House
For one week, over 100 painters, photographers, illustrators, ceramicists, sculptors, jewellery designers and all sorts of other creatives across the borough will open their homes and studios to give the public insight into how they work.
November 26: Palace of Varieties
In November, Clapham Grand is celebrating its 125th anniversary. In its time it’s hosted a long list of greats, from young Charlie Chaplin to Jamiroquai, Oasis, Muse and Brian May. Palace of Varieties will be its big birthday extravaganza. Details TBC.
Early 2026: Portrait of a National Treasure
This will be a tribute to Wandsworth local, actor Dame Carmen Munroe (‘Desmond’s’, ‘Doctor Who’, ‘The Fosters’). Expect a documentary film highlighting her huge contributions to British theatre and special initiatives aimed at nurturing young talent.
Where can I buy tickets?
You can find tickets for the events and festivals you’re interested in over on the Wandsworth London Borough of Culture website.
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