27 Jun Croydon Food & Music Festival returns, attracting record numbers

Our favourite day of food, fun and festivities returned to South End, Croydon, after a three-year hiatus, attracting more than 14,000 locals and visitors to sample the best of the borough.

Croydon Food & Music Festival is organised by South Croydon Business Association and supported by London Square. The event is delivered by White Label Creative.

As always there was a plethora of delicious food on offer with local legends like The Store, Machan, Yumn, Atesh, Crepe2Tea, Aqua, Boulevard, and Bagatti’s serving up signature dishes, and street food vendors taking taste buds across continents to enjoy the flavours of South America, Asia, and Africa, and the Caribbean.

Thirsts were quenched by Playground Cocktail Bar, Love Punch, Cronx Brewery, Single or Double Events, and mixologists and party starters, Street Cocktails, who brought beverages and beats to South End.

Those with a sweet tooth were thoroughly spoilt with Ice Cream World and Churros Ole on site as well as amazing selection of freshly baked goods from Ella Bakes Ldn and Croydon’s very own Laborjee.

Families on the day enjoyed live entertainment from Covent Nick and Bumbulum the Fool, whose unicycle and juggling hijinks drew a big crowd.

There was also face painting from Zoe and the Facemakers who created gorgeous animal prints for the younger crowd and stunning body art for the grown-ups.

The festival was peppered with incredible live performances from local talent, including a troupe of dancers from The BRIT School, sponsored by London Square, who wowed the crowed with their amazing, flash-mob-style routine

Locals musicians and singers took to the main stage throughout the day, including Jordan Rutland, Endurance Steel Orchestra, Amber, Popchoir, H.O.A, Loud Mouth, Alexa Campbell and Salimpour Collective UK.

Guitar students from Own a Chord blew away spectators with their fret action, including stunning performances of Little Wing by Jimi Hendrix and Crazy Train by Ozzy Osbourne.

The musical headliner of the day was local rock legends Tenyson.

Croydon College Group was also in attendance, introducing visitors to the world of higher and further education, apprenticeships, and distance learning as well as the chance to enjoy a free smoothie, blitzed together by pedalling an exercise bike connected to a blender.

Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon, was in attendance and delivered a speech celebrating the return of the event. “It’s great to see the Croydon Food & Music Festival back again,” said Mayor Perry, “absolutely buzzing on a beautiful sunny day.

“This really is the best of Croydon.”

Alison, a lifelong Croydon resident, said: “This is such a brilliant event. It’s brought people together of all ages for and it’s great to finally be able to do things like this again. I hope it returns every year.”

Stacey, who recently moved to the area, said: “I’m having a great day. This is my first time at the festival, but I love how there’s something for everyone. I’ve had some great food, met great people, and listened to great music. What more could you ask for? I’ll definitely be coming back.”