Celebrate Summer with the Inside Out Festival in Westminster

Westminster City Council announces the return of its free, award-winning Inside Out Festival this August, a vibrant celebration bringing the best of the city’s arts, culture, and entertainment outdoors, into streets and open spaces for everyone to enjoy.

Running from 1^st August with events across the entire month, Inside Out is an inclusive free festival featuring a rich variety of activities. Attendees can look forward to street performances, live music, dance, theatre, cultural walking tours, art installations, family workshops, and much more, spread across throughout the Westminster borough.

Inside Out is designed to make culture accessible for all ages and backgrounds, perfectly aligning with Westminster City Council's cultural strategy to increase participation by offering something for everyone, whether you are an art enthusiast, a music lover, a history fan, or a family looking for fun and educational activities.

Festival Highlights:

• Trafalgar Square: Dive into the National Gallery’s anniversary celebrations on the North Terrace with vibrant storytelling sessions, dynamic painting activities, and interactive movement workshops.
• Fitzrovia Fête: On 18 August, Foley Street transforms into a lively fairground with an array of craft stalls, mouth-watering food vendors, and hands-on workshops, creating a festive atmosphere for all.
• Somerset House: Join the Black Unity Bike Ride on 3 and 4 August for a vibrant celebration of culture and community in the picturesque courtyard of this iconic neoclassical complex.
• Carnival of The Avenues: Experience the energy and creativity of The Avenues Youth Project's carnival-themed day, featuring electrifying music, spirited dance performances, delicious food, and a dazzling festival fashion show.
• Photographers’ Gallery: On 3 August, immerse yourself in creative workshops and poetic performances, inspired by "The Garden" exhibit, which showcases stunning nude portraits set in nature.
• The Academy of St Martin in the Fields: Enjoy a series of informal concerts and engaging workshops amidst the serene surroundings of St Anne’s Gardens, Soho, on 17 August.
• Outdoor Art Exhibitions: Be captivated by large-scale artworks in The Artist’s Garden, a rooftop garden above Temple station, featuring powerful installations by celebrated women artists.
• Cultural Walking Tours: Embark on guided journeys like the India Pakistan Partition Walk and the Sikhopoly Walking Tour, uncovering the rich tapestry of history woven into Westminster’s streets.
• Furthermore, explore the rich tapestry of Somali, Eritrean and Moroccan cultures, celebrate LGBT+ identities with rainbow flag art, and gain unique access to the National Portrait Gallery – with artist-led workshops inspired by Tracy Emin’s entrance doors at the gallery.

The festival will support local artists and cultural organisations through a dedicated grant programme of awards up to £10,000, helping residents and fostering community engagement and creative expression, ensuring a diverse and inclusive representation of Westminster’s vibrant cultural scene.

Councillor Ryan Jude, Cabinet Member for Climate, Ecology and Culture said:

Inside Out is a fantastic opportunity to experience Westminster's diverse cultural offer in a unique, open-air setting,” said Councillor Ryan Jude from Westminster City Council. “This initiative embodies our commitment to making culture accessible for all, inclusive of age, background, or experience. We invite everyone to join us for a summer of unforgettable experiences.”

For more details and a full schedule of events, visit our Inside Out webpage.