Croydon – The Mayor’s London Borough of Culture !

This is Croydon. Historic and modern. Diverse and dynamic. Urban and green. Always striking, surprising; youthful and unique. This crucible of creativity, born out of adversity. This edge of the city, that’s at the heart of the action.

From main-stage headliners to the sounds of the underground, from famous names to tomorrow’s new voices, this will be a year-long celebration to which everyone, and every Londoner, is invited. This is Croydon. And you’re welcome.

The full event programme will be announced in spring 2023.

We’re celebrating all things Croydon with two flagship performances of the Oratorio of Hope; a brand-new commission which puts the Croydon community at the heart of the music. This double-bill concert showcases the very best of Croydon’s young talent through music, spoken word, song, dance, film and visual art.

Croydon’s poet laureate Shaniqua Benjamin will take a lead on the poetry and spoken word to share stories of hope for the future, while Grammy-nominated, Croydon-educated Tarik O’Regan will lead on the composition of the music alongside composers Sarah Freestone, Fiona Brice and Jeff Moore, working with local musicians and arts groups. The choreography will be led by Agudo Dance Company, alongside Subrang Arts and local young people. A host of schools in Croydon will be involved in the creation and performance of the piece, including hundreds of singers and instrumentalists from Croydon Music and Arts and a mass finale celebrating the very best talent Croydon has to offer.