The Beat Goes On

We have officially concluded our year, as The Mayor's London Borough of Culture, marking an extraordinary period of community engagement and cultural celebration that delivered on our promise to bring arts and culture to every corner of the borough, leaving a lasting legacy of creativity and participation. 

This year has shown what happens when you put culture at the heart of a borough. We’ve reached over half a million people, worked with every school, and supported more than 2,500 artists, bringing creativity into every neighbourhood in Wandsworth. But just as importantly, we’ve built something that lasts. Events like Country on the Common becoming an annual fixture, alongside improving access for all to outstanding events like Battersea Park in Concert and Battersea Fireworks, show how this year is leaving a lasting mark on Wandsworth’s cultural calendar. 

Our green plaques will continue to celebrate the stories that shape our borough and connect communities to their shared history, and we have stepped up support for projects exploring Wandsworth’s much-loved heritage. Alongside that, our youth programmes, internships and Young Producers scheme are creating real pathways into the creative industries, while projects like Culturally Mindful are showing how culture can support health and wellbeing. 

The Beat Goes On isn’t just a finale, it’s the start of the next chapter for culture in Wandsworth.” - Simon Hogg, Leader of Wandsworth Council 

Saturday 21 March saw the finale The Beat Goes On at Battersea Power Station welcome over 65,000 visitors for an array of entertainment culminating in a joyous DJ set from Basement Jaxx.

The year saw massive public involvement, with over half a million people having participated in LBOC projects. The programme ensured comprehensive accessibility, hosting events and activities in every ward of the borough, and successfully involved all schools across Wandsworth.

The initiative provided a major platform for creative talent, featuring work from over 2,500 artists. A vital component of the programme's success was the strong network of support, with nearly 700 volunteers contributing their time and effort throughout the year.

The impact of the Wandsworth London Borough of Culture year has been transformational,’ said Kemi Akinola, Deputy Leader of Wandsworth Council. ‘These incredible numbers demonstrate the deep cultural spirit thriving in Wandsworth. This foundation will continue to enrich our community for years to come."

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I created London Borough of Culture to use the power of culture to bring communities together, boost local economies and provide positive opportunities for young people, and I’m delighted that Wandsworth has done exactly that. From the incredible Strictly Wandsworth and The Beat Goes On, to smaller creative workshops and activities, this hugely varied programme has been a huge success, involving half a million people and every school in the borough. While the year may be drawing to a close, I know this is just the beginning and I am excited to see how the next generation of talent continues the creative legacy as we build a better London for everyone.”

UK Garage and Grime stars, Lisa Maffia and Romeo said: 'It was so great to be involved in the finale event to celebrate Wandsworth's year as London Borough of Culture. The crowds and atmosphere were amazing. Speaking as creatives who grew up and live in the borough, it has also been amazing to shine a light on all the talent and diversity in this community. We're proud of everything that's been achieved and look forward to the next chapter.'

Kicking off back in April 2025 with a large scale, dance-focused jamboree, Strictly Wandsworth, the year has seen over 700 events and activities including grant funded projects, take place.

Highlights of the year include: Country on the Common, a brand-new, unforgettable event in July, which drew an incredible 10,800+ attendees and rallied 33 dedicated volunteers. Battersea Park in Concert, held in August, was a resounding success, bringing together over 16,400 attendees and 42 volunteers for an unforgettable experience. Urban Flow, a magnificent procession involving 600 individuals carrying specially crafted flags, launched the autumn programme in vibrant, celebratory style! And Liberty Festival, the Mayor of London’s flagship disability arts festival, presented 17 groundbreaking commissions, from immersive installations to music, dance theatre, and cabaret, featuring over 50 disabled creatives across 6 borough venues. 

The second half of the year featured even more extraordinary experiences, including Palace of Varieties, a spectacular celebration of 125 years of the iconic Clapham Grand, a compelling new podcast series Our Music Our Freedom that weaves a vibrant tapestry of Wandsworth’s diverse communities through music, and a captivating artist film by the award-winning Dame Sonia Boyce, Carmen, honouring the life and work of the legendary performer Dame Carmen Munroe, which will have a future life at BAC 29 April – 22 May.

The profound, positive impact of culture and creative opportunities has been the very foundation of the entire Welcome to Wandsworth programme, with an intense focus on audience experience, participation, training, and engagement for people of all ages and backgrounds.

Talent of the Future

Beyond the major public events programme, igniting the creativity of young people has been a paramount focus of the Welcome to Wandsworth year.  Over 30,000 young people from 11 secondary and 41 primary schools plunged into the Youth and Schools programmes.  Beyond the classroom, The Story Catchers, Young Reporters, and Young Reviewers projects have nurtured the creative careers of Wandsworth’s brilliant young residents aged 13 – 25 and the launch of the Young Producers scheme, a collective of emerging creatives collaborating to bring to life the UPLIFT Festival of new plays written by young people, took place in November. The London Borough of Culture internships offered local 18-25 year-olds paid hands-on experience and training to help build a future in the cultural industries, hosted by 9 Wandsworth arts and culture organisations. 

Investing in Artists

A vital part of the Welcome to Wandsworth legacy has been its investment into the professional development of the borough’s artists, performers, and makers, to ensure a positive future for Wandsworth’s thriving creative ecosystem.Grant funded projects for South Asian Heritage Month, Black History 365 and Wandsworth Heritage will also continue with funds recently made available for projects taking place later this year. Wandsworth Heritage Festival will return along with new project Winstanley Culture Trail (June/July) and Memory Boxes (2027) aligned with Dementia Awareness Week.

Health and Wellbeing  

Through our year as London Borough of Culture, we have been piloted one of the UK’s largest creative health interventions with over 20 projects supported people’s health and wellbeing.  The profound positive impact of culture and creative opportunities can have on people’s health is at the very foundation of the entire Welcome to Wandsworth programme, with an intense focus on audience experience, participation, training, and engagement for people of all ages and backgrounds. The exemplar of this has been Culturally Mindful, an ambitious, groundbreaking new 6-month Creative Health paid residency and training programme sweeping across Wandsworth throughout 2025–2026. It has united Global Majority artists, dedicated healthcare providers, and vital grassroots organisations to co-design revolutionary new approaches to health and wellbeing support.   

As the title of the finale suggests: The Beat Goes On. Wandsworth’s year as London Borough of Culture is, in many ways, just the beginning...