Hounslow Council’s Summer of Culture returns to the borough’s parks and public spaces, as they light up with live shows, pop-up theatre, dance, music, and family-friendly activities.
Published: Thursday, 15th May 2025
The festival is in its fourth year and is growing in popularity. Last year, Hounslow’s Summer of Culture saw more than 160,000 people attend 120 events, that took place in more than 50 locations, across the whole borough.
This year, the Council is again working with partners, arts and heritage organisations and community groups, to amplify the rich diversity, cultural heritage and talent that abounds in Hounslow. The programme brings together activities and performances from local, national and international artists.
The Council’s Summer of Culture is opening with a glittering, day-long, free celebration at Boston Manor House and on Bell Square in Hounslow. The day will start with an aerial dancer, performing in a giant bubble on the lake at Boston Manor House, to a live show of the Music of the Spheres.
The performance coincides with a free Nature Festival, that will also take place at Boston Manor House. It offers wildflower planting, crafts, activities and a petting zoo from Bedfont Lakes. Continuing at the House, the Colourscape festival will open on the front lawn from midday. This popular, family event invites people into many coloured chambers filled with light and live music.
Later on Saturday 24 May, Summer of Culture officially launches with a spectacular, free evening performance of The Conference of the Birds by acclaimed immersive theatre company Insectotropics, at 9.30pm, on Bell Square. Commissioned by Watermans, this powerful reimagining of a 12th-century Persian poem follows 30,000 birds on a mystical journey in search of truth. Using cutting-edge visual effects, this captivating outdoor show promises to be a breathtaking start to the programme.
Summertime events from the year long celebration of the centenary of the Great West Road, which marks the Golden Mile's continued economic and creative importance, will be showcased during this year’s Summer of Culture.
This year’s programme will also see the return of the ANHAD Festival to Bell Square, Saturday, 19 July. Also in its fourth year, ANHAD is a free and vibrant celebration of contemporary, South Asian, outdoor arts.
After a summer packed with more than 100 events, a spectacular finale will be marked with the conclusion of the UK Poland Season. A new, outdoor theatre festival presented by Watermans, that runs from 5 to 21 September, on Bell Square. The festival features six Polish companies showing UK premieres of their work and celebrating the creative, innovative and ongoing collaboration between Poland and the UK.
Cllr Salman Shaheen, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Public Spaces, said:
Our Summer of Culture is now a firmly established festival, which people look forward to each summer for some absolutely fantastic events and performances, bringing our diverse communities together and bringing people to our borough from far and wide.
From live performances in our streets and parks to film screenings and trails, hundreds of amazing events will be held between the end of May and September, many of which are free of charge and family-friendly.
Come along. We look forward to seeing you there.
Summer of Culture events are being added all the time and updates can be found on Hounslow’s summer events calendar. News about the festival can also be found on the @SummerOfCulture Instagram page.
