This year’s Croydon Food and Music Festival, held on 31 August 2025, is still being talked about as a wonderful celebration of Croydon’s vibrant and diverse community, bringing people together through food, live music, and shared community spirit.
Around 9,500 visitors enjoyed 40+ stalls offering a global culinary experience – from Spanish and Ghanaian to Filipino, Indian and more – transforming South End into a vibrant alfresco dining experience. Local talent took to the stage across a range of genres, from gospel and RnB to punk and metal, with standout performances from Singology Choir and closing act DJ SK & DJ Shaq D, whose Bob Marley finale united the crowd in song and dance. To add to the mix, the day also featured face painting and roaming entertainers, like a lively comedy circus performer and jovial stilt walkers.
Executive Mayor of Croydon, Jason Perry, praised the event: “It was fantastic to see our community come together to celebrate Croydon’s rich culture and creativity. Thank you to the organisers and local businesses for putting on another great event.”
Festival trader Kareen Davis, of KD Delights, added: “Massive thanks to the Croydon Festival for giving us yet another amazing event and giving me the opportunity to trade.”
Performer Aston Jones, from House of Alchemy, said: “We honestly had an absolute blast on stage. We had such an incredible audience and support throughout the show!”
This event is organised by the South Croydon Business Association (SCBA), creatively delivered by White Label Creative, and this year it was supported by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the Executive Mayor of Croydon’s Festival Fund and London South Bank University.
Now one of the borough’s most loved events, the festival was originally conceived by White Label in collaboration with the SCBA in 2012 as part of placemaking initiatives for Croydon Council, following the 2011 riots, to help restore a sense of pride and positivity in the town.
Read more about its journey here: https://wlcreative.org.uk/casestudy/croydon-food-music-festival/
