Wandsworth Council is celebrating six vibrant months as the Mayor of London’s Borough of Culture 2025, following the success of the Liberty Festival and a packed programme of cultural events.
Deputy Leader of Wandsworth Council, Kemi Akinola, said:
“At this midway point, we are bursting with pride to have orchestrated a phenomenal series of events, alongside groundbreaking grant schemes and engagement programmes that have truly empowered our local community to create and revel in culture! There’s an incredible journey still ahead, and we are absolutely committed to ensuring our year leaves a monumental, lasting legacy, transforming Wandsworth into the most culturally rich and vibrant borough in London, where art and culture are the beating heart of a happy, healthy, and connected community!”
Justine Simons OBE, Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries, added:
“It has been a fantastic first half of Wandsworth’s year as the Mayor’s London Borough of Culture. From the electric energy of Strictly Wandsworth to the imaginative brilliance of the Liberty Festival, Wandsworth has used the power of culture to bring communities together, turning parks, theatres, schools and streets into vibrant hubs of artistic expression. I can’t wait to see what the next six months brings as Wandsworth continues to take centre stage and builds a lasting legacy, as we build a better London for everyone.”
Highlights from the first half of the year include Strictly Wandsworth, which featured 200 dancers and drew over 4,000 attendees, and the largest ever Wandsworth Arts Fringe, which welcomed nearly 25,000 participants.
Country on the Common attracted over 10,800 attendees, while Battersea Park in Concert brought together 16,400 people for a musical celebration.
The autumn programme launched with Urban Flow, a vibrant procession involving 600 flag-bearing participants, and the Liberty Festival showcased 17 commissions by over 50 disabled creatives across six venues.
Looking ahead, the second half of the year will feature Palace of Varieties at the Clapham Grand, the podcast series Our Music Our Freedom, and a new artist film by Dame Sonia Boyce honouring Dame Carmen Munroe.
The Welcome to Wandsworth programme also focuses on health and wellbeing, youth engagement, and professional development for artists. Over £150,000 in grants have already been distributed, with more funding to come.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
