Comedy, walks, music and dance at Wandsworth’s heritage and fringe festivals
Following the success of its opening event, a packed summer programme awaits for Wandsworth’s London Borough of Culture 2025.
For the 16th year running, Wandsworth Arts Fringe (WAF) will be shaking up south west London with its most ambitious festival programme to date with 180 events popping up across 65 Wandsworth venues.
From June 6 to 22, audiences can enjoy brand-new theatre, experimental dance and music, exhibitions, cabaret and work-in-progress gigs from the next big names in comedy.
The festival will also host its annual WAF School’s Showcases, celebrating the talents of young people from schools across the length and breadth of the borough.
This year, WAF will be teaming up with Wandsworth Heritage Festival (WHF) during the final week.
Celebrating the borough’s rich history, WHF will host heritage events inspired by the area’s art scene as well as walks, talks, exhibitions and performances.
A bumper four-weeks, running from June 13 to July 13, WHF includes a walk through the Surrey Iron Railway route, talks in the iconic Clapham Grand and the Chapel of Lambeth Cemetery, poetry events, plaque unveilings, and walks uncovering the natural flora and fauna of Wandsworth.
Kemi Akinola, Deputy Leader of Wandsworth council, Cabinet Member for Business, Voluntary Services and Culture said: “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.”
Elsewhere in the summer programme, drawing on both WAF and WHF, Winstanley Past, Present and Future Festival will showcase the history, culture and talents of Battersea’s Winstanley and York Road estates with a month of events. Look out for the full programme soon.
And for one July weekend only in Tooting, Country on the Common will throw 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.
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.
“From comedy and theatre at Wandsworth Arts Fringe to picnic performances, it’s a fantastic opportunity to get together, as we build a better London for everyone.’
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.
For ticketed events, Wandsworth’s Access for All scheme offers discounts for eligible residents – for more information visithttps://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/access-for-all
Pictured top: Sophie Duker will perform her stand up comedy, Objectively Funny, at Half Moon, Putney as part of Wandsworth Arts Fringe Festival (Picture: BRONACMCNEILL.COM/AnnabelStaff)
