Castle Square, the ultimate cultural and creative destination hub located in Elephant and Castle will play host to the summer edition of Urban Elephant: Saturday 20th September from 12pm – 9pm. The festival will later return to the square on 20th March for a Spring iteration.
For the past three years, Urban Elephant festival provides a moment to celebrate the diversity of the Elephant and wider Walworth community. Continuing the local tradition, this year’s event will see Castle Square as the main stage (3pm – 9pm) with street-based pitches on Walworth Square (12pm – 6pm) and Sayer Street (12pm – 6pm).
Signposting Elephant and Castle as the ultimate hub for local business, Urban Elephant will highlight the importance of sustainable transport links like cycling and walking in support of the environment and fitness as well as celebrate the local diversity and creativity with its rainbow of cultures. Showcasing variety in the community, Urban Elephant festival also represents the dynamic mix of entrepreneurs and local businesses in the local area.
Artistic Director John Whelan has said the following about the festival: “I’m so excited that the Urban Elephant has become biannual with a Summer and Spring episode. In its 4th year, the Urban Elephant has established itself as the highlight of the festival season in the local area. It is amazing that on two occasions we will be able to celebrate what has always made the area special. Celebrating diversity, creativity and amazing local business, this event spotlights why Elephant and Castle is so unique with a fun and free festival showcasing the area!”
Funded by the likes of key funders and stakeholders: Get Living/Castle Square, Elephant Park/Lendlease and Southwark Council, this event is a cornerstone of the borough’s programming for 2025/26. Operating under the umbrella of the Elephant and Castle Business Forum which was 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: Berkeley Homes, NHG (Notting Hill Genesis), HUB, Evolve and L&Q (London and Quadrant).
Urban Elephant will be hosted at Castle Square on Saturday 20th September from 12pm – 9pm with street-based pitches on Walworth Square (12pm – 6pm) and Sayer Street (12pm – 6pm).
