Bankside Open Spaces Festival

Every year, free and unticketed Bankside Open Spaces Festival takes over streets and parks in London’s much-loved Bankside area with genre-busting music – and 2024 is no different!

Boasting four music and performance stages, the festival, charity-run and lovingly known as BOSFest, has a vibe to suit all tastes and all ages.

Looking to dance in the street? Join the festival’s Latina Fiesta opening! Dancers from the area’s colourful Latin American community will be parading from Castle Square, Elephant and Castle to BOSfest’s Main Stage, commencing at 10:30am. The parade will feature Latin American dance groups from the local community, organised by the Elephant and Castle Business Forum in collaboration with the Yurupari Dance Group. Guests can also shake it off with UDM Samba, who’ll be bringing Rio-Carnival Samba to London’s streets in the afternoon!

Maybe you’re all about a festival main stage? BOSFest’s Flat Iron Square takeover is for you. From the stage’s Latin opening to Dana Immanuel & The Stolen Band’s alt-country eccentricity (via Art Terry & the Black Bohemians’ art house funk) you’ll be taken on a musical journey. With street food and bars nearby, there’s no need to move, unless...

You're looking for more of a relaxed, pint-in-the-sun vibe? Why not bumble over to Red Cross Garden, take a seat among the verdant planting and enjoy a bit of alt-folk, Americana, delta blues or indie pop from a line-up of five London artists, headed up by UK folk scene favourite Rob Corcoran. There’s also a folk ensemble, and all performances are interspersed with live poetry too. Pint-in-the-sun provided by beloved south London pub The Glad’s pop-up bar, whimsical distractions include maypole dancing, visiting bee hives and medieval craft from the fascinatingly quirky Old Operating Theatre.

And for the active and community minded, head over to Marlborough Sports Garden’s Community Stage for a mix of community choirs and performers, plus free dance workshops – surely this is the only festival where you can learn an Irish jig, salsa and street dance all in one day? There’s a chance to kick back, too, with sets from talented groups like London Soul Choir, the Rock Choir and African dancers Niimei Cultural Group.

Across the festival, local craft stalls and free activities and workshops will keep all ages busy and entertained. There’s a beach, free sports coaching and plenty of craft for the kids, plant stalls and a BIG plant giveaway. Plus walking tours, massage, improv theatre, a live murder mystery and event roaming Insecurity Guards to help you get rid of those pesky insecurities.

The free Bankside Open Spaces Festival is the perfect way to welcome in the summer festival season. See you on the streets exploring everything that makes south of the river so special – 8 June 12-9pm!