The popular, free Urban Elephant Festival returns on Saturday 14 November, kicking off with a promenade parade at 10am, followed by festival performances from 12pm and festivities continuing until 7pm, transforming Elephant & Castle into a vibrant celebration of diversity, creativity and community.
The festival is taking place across Walworth Square, Sayer Street, Castle Square and the main stage at Belfield Clarke Square, with a festive lights switch-on as the day draws to a close.
This year’s festival also marks the opening of The Elephant, Get Living’s new town centre and meeting place in the heart of Elephant & Castle. Bringing to life The Elephant’s “Where Worlds Meet” story, the celebration will bring together the brands, cultures, flavours and communities that make the area so special.
Since its launch, the Urban Elephant Festival has grown into a flagship community event, attracting thousands of local residents, Londoners and visitors alike.
This year’s programme will begin with a new promenade connecting Bankside and The Elephant, organised in partnership with Better Bankside. It will start in Bankside at 10am, arriving at Castle Square at 11.15am and continue on to the new Belfield Clarke Square by 11.45am.
The procession will feature a giant elephant puppet alongside ten music, dance and community groups, including the Alba Latin community walking group and the Nightingales from Blackfriars Settlement, with support from the London College of Contemporary Music.
The rest of the day will feature clowns, jugglers, circus and comedy performers, immersive pop-up dance from Speaker Box Party and performances from artists and bands representing cultures from around the world, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
From 6pm to 7pm the programme turns festive, with performers carrying LED lanterns to light the way toward the festive lights switch-on and carols.
Shops, restaurants & leisure experiences at The Elephant
M&S Food, who are official sponsors of the Sayer Street pitch, Mango, Oliver Bonas, Starbucks, Pret, Superdrug, Søstrene Grene, Injectual, Blank Street Coffee, Bird & Blend, Jungle Berry, Office and DistriAndina are all opening at The Elephant, with more names to be announced in the new year.
The Elephant Exchange – a new food hall operated by Blend Family, sponsors of the festival’s main stage in the new Belfield Clarke Square – opens from 12 November and features 14 independent kitchens, a bar, coffee shop and kids’ play area.
Everyman Cinema and UAL’s new London College of Communication campus are expected to open in September 2027, further enhancing the area’s growing leisure and cultural offering.
Diana Barranco, Partnership Director, Get Living said,
“The opening of The Elephant marks an exciting new chapter for Elephant & Castle and we’re delighted to celebrate this milestone with the local community through Urban Elephant Festival. The Elephant has been shaped by the incredible diversity, creativity and energy of the area and our ambition is to create a place where people can come together, discover something new and feel a real sense of belonging. This year’s festival brings that ambition to life, creating opportunities for people to connect, explore the new town centre and enjoy everything the neighbourhood has to offer.”
John Whelan, Artistic Director, Urban Elephant Festival, said,
“Urban Elephant has become a real cornerstone of our area’s cultural calendar and this fifth edition feels particularly special. This year, we’re bringing the festival out onto the streets with a promenade that creates an exciting new connection with Better Bankside, while also celebrating Urban Elephant as the community launch of the new Elephant Town Centre. It’s a fantastic opportunity to bring people together and showcase the incredible diversity, creativity, local artists and businesses that make this such a special part of London.”
Funded by key stakeholders, Get Living and Southwark Council, the Urban Elephant Festival is a cornerstone of the borough’s programming, highlighting its rich and diverse culture and businesses. Operating under the umbrella of the Elephant and Castle Business Forum, established in 2021, this event acts as a vehicle for local businesses to co-ordinate, work together, take advantage of opportunities and apply for funding to deliver projects. The Forum also hosts regular meetings to keep up to date with activity in the area.
Further stakeholders include Safer Southwark, sponsors of the Castle Square pitch; Berkeley Homes; Notting Hill Genesis (NHG); Better Bankside, sponsors of the promenade element of the event; HUB and General People, sponsors of the Walworth Square pitch; Blend Family, sponsors of the main stage; and M&S Food, sponsors of the Sayer Street pitch.
