A Trio Of South London Festivals

Ruth Hargreaves
By Ruth Hargreaves Last edited 129 months ago
A Trio Of South London Festivals
Crystal Palace Overground Festival
Crystal Palace Overground Festival
Crystal Palace Overground Festival
Crystal Palace Overground Festival
Colors of India - Bollywood Dance at Sydenham Arts Festival
Colors of India - Bollywood Dance at Sydenham Arts Festival
Streatham Festival – Ragroof Tea Dance: Matthew Andrews
Streatham Festival – Ragroof Tea Dance: Matthew Andrews
Streatham Festival - Ragroof Dance: Matthew Andrews
Streatham Festival - Ragroof Dance: Matthew Andrews

This summer three festivals will grace the streets of South London within three weeks of one another. What’s more, they're mostly free.

Treat yourself to a healthy dose of community spirit with four days of performing arts, live music, art and craft, and family fun at Crystal Palace Overground Festival (27-30 June). Venues across the area open their doors for activities including comedy nights, salsa, bingo, dances, food festivals and even a Pirate Party. Come Saturday 29 June, a live music stage will set up in Westow Park alongside a food tasting tent, holistic zone, sporty area and storytelling tent.

Those wanting to find out more about Crystal Palace can explore it through the eyes of its residents as locally sourced photography, arts and words related to the area will be placed in various sites throughout the festival.

Sydenham Arts Festival (SAF) is two whole weeks of musical, literary, family, comedy, film-y goodness. Over 90 events will take place between 29 June and 14 July. Arts in the Park kicks things off on 30 June, a free event showcasing young talent from the area. Other highlights include the annual SAF Street Celebration, where the world comes to Sydenham High Street, free Arts Workshops (VFX filmmaking, Taiko drumming, playwriting and salsa dancing all on offer), and a Wacky-Races-inspired competition complete with old-fashioned jalopies.

Chronologically last but by no means least is Streatham Festival (11-14 July), which celebrates the area’s rich heritage of architecture, arts, people and culture (ya boo sucks to you, Jo Brand). Craft workshops, film screenings and live art installations are all on the cards, but Streatham UnCommon on Saturday 13 July is the festival’s flagship event, with a dancehall-era dance show, community tea dance, an aerial theatre show, activity trails, and a carnival parade along the adjacent streets.

Last Updated 18 June 2013