Get ready to immerse yourself in two days of incredible music, captivating performances, and cultural celebration as Southampton Mela Festival returns to Hoglands Park this July! Mark your calendars for Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th July 2025 – this is one weekend you won’t want to miss.
A Festival That Brings Communities Together
For years, Southampton Mela Festival has been the city’s premier multicultural celebration, and 2025 promises to be bigger and better than ever. This free festival showcases the rich tapestry of cultures that make Southampton such a vibrant and diverse city, offering something special for every member of the family.
The festivities officially kick off on Saturday with a ceremonial welcome from the Lord Mayor of Southampton, setting the stage for an unforgettable weekend of world-class entertainment.
Two Stages, Endless Entertainment
The Main Stage Experience
Our Main Stage will feature internationally acclaimed artists delivering world-class music and dance performances that will transport you across continents. From traditional sounds to contemporary fusion, prepare to be amazed by the calibre of talent we’ve assembled.
The Mela Stage Spotlight
The Mela Stage celebrates our local community, featuring talented Art Asia students, community dance groups, and emerging local musicians. Local schools and community groups will take the stage to showcase the incredible talent growing right here in Southampton.
Saturday’s Stellar Lineup
Saturday’s entertainment runs from 12pm to 10pm and features an incredible diversity of performers:
Pooja Angra & Karan Rana will enchant audiences with their captivating Bollywood and Sufi songs, bringing the romance and passion of Indian cinema to life.
The beloved Rajasthan Heritage Brass Band makes their highly anticipated return, weaving their infectious, upbeat melodies throughout the festival site all day long.
Inner Vision Quartet promises to deliver contemporary world fusion that bridges cultures and musical traditions in exciting new ways.
The Hussain Brothers will showcase the spiritual beauty of qawwali music, offering audiences a deeply moving musical experience.
Bhangra enthusiasts will be thrilled by the high-energy performances from Happe Singh and Jin & Seetal, guaranteed to get everyone dancing.
The evening culminates with headliner Roach Killa, who will bring Saturday’s festivities to a spectacular finale that you’ll be talking about long after the music stops.
Sunday’s Family-Focused Fun
Sunday’s programming (12pm-6pm) emphasizes family entertainment and community wellbeing, making it perfect for a relaxed day out with loved ones.
The Grand Union Orchestra makes their much-anticipated return, promising a performance that showcases musical excellence and cultural fusion.
Throughout the day, hands-on Chinese Arts workshops, drumming sessions, and yoga experiences offer visitors the chance to learn new skills and connect with different cultural practices.
Festival Surprises Around Every Corner
Beyond the main performances, the festival site will be alive with delightful discoveries. Wander around to find captivating circus performances by Circus Raj that will amaze visitors of all ages, interactive drumming experiences where you can join in the rhythm, and friendly farm animals that children will love meeting.
Don’t miss the magnificent Chinese Dragon display – a breath-taking spectacle that embodies the artistry and cultural traditions of the festival.
Sports enthusiasts can head to our dedicated sports zone, where the Southern Brave Cricket Experience offers cricket expertise and fun activities throughout both days.
A Special Theatre Premiere
Sunday brings an extra special treat with the premiere of “Holy Dirt” by Vidya Thirunarayan. This miniature epic dream play beautifully merges street performance traditions from Southern India with European physical theatre, creating something truly unique and magical.
More Than Just Entertainment
Southampton Mela Festival isn’t just about the performances – it’s about experiencing the full richness of multicultural life. Browse the diverse retail stalls offering unique crafts and treasures, savour delicious food from around the world, and discover beautiful arts and crafts that reflect the creativity of our global community.
This festival creates authentic connections between cultures, providing a platform where established international artists perform alongside emerging local talent, fostering the kind of cultural exchange that makes Southampton such a special place to live.
A Message from Art Asia
Dahlia Jamil, Chief Executive of Art Asia, perfectly captures the spirit of the festival: “We’re absolutely thrilled to bring Southampton Mela Festival back for 2025 with such an incredible line up of music, culture and family fun. This festival is all about celebrating the vibrant communities that make our city so special and I can’t wait to see Hoglands Park buzzing with energy, colour and joy once again. There’s something here for everyone — from world-class performances to hands-on workshops and magical surprises around every corner. We strive to keep the festival free for all the community and we hope people will love it!”
Plan Your Visit
When: Saturday 12th July (12pm – 10pm) & Sunday 13th July (12pm – 6pm)
Where: Hoglands Park, Southampton
Cost: Completely FREE!
Supporting Our Community Festival
The magic of Southampton Mela Festival is made possible through the generous support of Arts Council England, Southampton City Council, and our wonderful sponsors; Go! Southampton, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary, and Southern Brave.
As a free community event, every donation helps us continue bringing this incredible celebration to Southampton year after year. If you’d like to support the festival, visit artasia.org.uk/donate.
Stay Connected
For the latest updates, full programme details, and behind-the-scenes content, follow us on social media. We’ll be sharing more exciting announcements as July approaches!
Southampton Mela Festival 2025 is shaping up to be an unforgettable celebration of music, culture, and community. Whether you’re drawn by the world-class performances, the family-friendly activities, or simply the joy of celebrating our city’s incredible diversity, we can’t wait to welcome you to Hoglands Park this July!