A vibrant celebration of food and community is set to take over South London this winter. The Tooting Food Festival, a free two-day event featuring live music and global cuisine, will be held on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 February.
A Feast for the Senses in South London
The festival will transform Tooting Market and Broadway Market into a bustling hub of activity from 1pm until 8pm on both days. Visitors can embark on a culinary journey by purchasing food tokens to sample dishes from across the world. The event is framed as a celebration of "connection and belonging," aiming to bring diverse communities together.
Festival-like live music performances are scheduled throughout the afternoons and evenings, creating a vibrant atmosphere. The entertainment will continue after dark with a market bar, which will serve a special cocktail. This signature drink, the "Culture Twist," has been created to honour Wandsworth's status as the London Borough of Culture for 2025.
More Than Just a Meal: Celebrating Community and Culture
Local leaders have emphasised the festival's deeper significance. Kemi Akinola, Deputy Leader of Wandsworth Council and Cabinet Member for Business, Voluntary Services and Culture, expressed her personal enthusiasm for the event. As both the Councillor for Tooting Broadway and CEO of the food charity Be Enriched, she stated the festival is a "brilliant opportunity to bring people together from all over the world, and across cultures."
"Tooting Food Festival is about more than food," Akinola explained. "It celebrates the diversity of our communities, the creativity and flair of our local food businesses, and the cultural heritage of our residents through the power of cooking and eating together."
A Cornerstone of Wandsworth's Cultural Year
The festival is a key part of the wider London Borough of Culture 2025 programme, which showcases Wandsworth's creativity, diversity and heritage through a year-long series of events. Justine Simons OBE, Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries, praised the initiative.
"The Tooting Food Festival will bring people from all corners of the borough together for a celebration of culture and cuisine," Simons said. "Live music and guided tours will provide great entertainment as food is offered from all over the world with every dish telling a story. The festival is a wonderful addition to Wandsworth’s year as our London Borough of Culture, as we build a better London for everyone."
With its combination of free entry, international flavours, and live performances, the Tooting Food Festival promises to be a highlight of London's winter events calendar, directly supporting the area's vibrant local businesses and community spirit.
