From March 10, over 1,500 young musicians from Merton schools and Merton Music Foundation Music Centres will fill the Royal Albert Hall for a concert themed “To Boldly Go,” featuring a specially commissioned suite of music.
Music, arts, and culture enthusiasts are in for a treat with the debut of “Start of the Line,” an arts and culture festival set to be held in Morden Park on Saturday 20 June 2026.
The line-up promises to bring Mitcham rap legend Ramz and children’s theatre Polka Theatre. The full line-up will be revealed soon.
The festival is part of the “We Are Merton” programme, funded by the Mayor of London.
As summer swings into full gear, the much-anticipated Mitcham Carnival is also set to return at Three Kings’ Piece, promising a day of entertainment, sounds, and flavours for the entire family.
The bandstand will stage a second season of performances on Mitcham Fair Green. A packed programme is planned for local talent to take centre stage in the heart of the community.
Adding to the summer’s schedule, the Soultasia Festival returns to Morden Park on Friday 7 August 2026, bringing a full weekend of soul, disco and feel-good nostalgia to the borough. Expect classic soul and disco acts, plus the return of the much-loved 90’s + 2000’s RnB Big Top.
For sports enthusiasts, the summer offers the return of outdoor big screens showing matches during the Wimbledon tennis fortnight, while numerous parks across the borough will serve as engaging platforms for Library in the Park.
Free activities for all ages will enliven Morden Park and Canons House and Grounds, as part of the “We Are Merton Culture Programme,” which aims to bring cultural activity to every corner of Merton.
Merton Libraries have promised a summer roadshow, bringing a host of summer activities and performances to various parks, including Morden Park and Canons House and Grounds in Mitcham.
The line-up includes a range of events catering for children as well as arts and crafts for the whole family.
Alongside the fortnight of paid for ticketed events, Wimbledon BookFest also partners with Merton libraries across the year to bring the joy of reading and creativity to as many of our residents as possible, through initiatives including the Merton Big Read.
This literary festival, running across various locations in Wimbledon from October 15 to 20, boasts an impressive list of bestselling authors, participating in on-stage conversations and book signings.
Merton libraries partner with the festival throughout the year, ensuring the joy of reading reaches as many residents as possible.
September will witness the comeback of Merton Pride, following its remarkable inaugural year.
The community will have the chance to participate in the Pride March, engage with stalls, and join in the celebrations at Merton Abbey Mills.
Moving into autumn, Merton will celebrate Bonfire Night with its renowned fireworks display.
This annual event lures crowds from within the borough and from across London. Merton is one of the few boroughs in London to still run a fireworks display.
With a calendar brimming with festivities, Merton is promising a year filled with community cheer, cultural experiences, and an abundance of entertainment opportunities marking 2026.
