Southampton is to host a new festival next month showcasing the best of the city’s music, sports, arts and gaming talent. Re:Claim Street Festival will aim to support Southampton’s bid to be named UK City of Culture 2025.

Organised by GO! Southampton, the festival takes place on Saturday September 25 and will feature a variety of events designed to ‘reclaim’ the city centre for the people of the city.

Most events are free of charge and it is hoped that the festival will become an annual event.

Activities will stretch from Carlton Place down to Westquay Esplanade, with events planned to take place in Guildhall Square, Above Bar Street, Bargate and the city’s popular parks, East Park and Palmerston Park.

GO! Southampton, the Business Improvement District for the city centre, is collaborating with local cultural partners such as Skate Southampton, Solent Showcase Gallery, SoCo Music Project, Hip Hop Heritage, ZoieLogic Dance Theatre, Westquay, and more.

Activities will include live music, dance, gaming, street art, skating and street football, with the chance to be immersed in light and colour in the world famous Luminarium by Architects of Air.

Giles Semper, Executive Director of GO! Southampton said: “After such a long period in which we have had to hide away, Re:Claim will remind us all how much happiness a vibrant city centre can bring.

“I wish I could say that the festival was our idea, but this is not the case! We brought together some key cultural ‘movers and shakers’ at God’s House Tower in 2020 and they proposed to do something that showcased the city’s creative talent using different parts of the city centre as their platform.

"Post-pandemic you can even imagine it referring to the fact that we have our city back after so many months of living with fear and uncertainty.

“Ultimately, we hope to create something that is always (mainly) free, that shows what we can do as a city and that builds year-on-year in the run-up to our tenure as UK City of Culture in 2025. We hope that our role becomes less, as the city’s creatives – particularly the younger generation – take control of the festival.”

Sports activities will include ‘Southampton Slamma’, a celebration of skateboarding featuring competitions and free skateboarding lessons.

There will also be an appearance from the Red Bull team.

A street football freestyle zone with displays, skill sessions, drills and nutmeg competitions will challenge footie skills.

A 'have a go' BMX/mountain bike pump track will provide further opportunities to participate in high-adrenaline events.

There will also be art installations, workshops and a gaming hub.

 

For more information visit; www.reclaimsouthampton.co.uk