From Edinburgh to Lagos, fringe festivals are about community, creativity and celebration. And that applies to Wanstead as well, writes Camille Leadbeater ahead of 23 days of cultural activity on our doorstep
In Edinburgh, the word ‘Fringe’ is practically part of the city’s identity and everyone knows it as the home of the world’s biggest arts festival. But what I hadn’t fully appreciated until recently is just how far that spirit has travelled.
There are Fringes popping up all over the world, and each one is a reflection of its own local culture and creativity. I recently had the chance to meet the founder of the Lagos Fringe. Suffice to say, the vibrant sprawl of Lagos, Nigeria couldn’t feel more different to the cold, cobbled streets of Edinburgh, yet the Fringe spirit thrives there just as powerfully.
In many ways, it’s the same grassroots, community-driven ethos, but shaped to reflect the voices, rhythms and realities of a completely different place. It was a reminder that while every Fringe looks and feels unique, at its heart, it’s always about giving people the space to tell their stories, in their own way.
A fringe festival represents the thriving pulse of a community; grassroots creativity taking centre stage, often in unexpected places, and always with the aim of connecting local people through experiences. Edinburgh hosted the OG Fringe, beginning in 1947 as an act of defiance; uninvited performers putting on shows in protest against exclusivity in the arts. Today, it is a global phenomenon, attracting thousands of artists and audiences alike. But the spirit of the fringe – unfiltered, community-driven and delightfully unpredictable – has taken root well beyond Scotland.
In recent years, cities across the globe have launched their own versions, celebrating local talent in theatre, music, dance and spoken word. These lesser-known fringes are no less vital; they are redefining how art is made and shared, making space for stories that often go unheard on mainstream stages.
The 2025 Wanstead Fringe is shaping up to be another joyful expression of local talent and imagination. Running from 6 to 27 September, this East London celebration will once again transform our neighbourhood into a buzzing hub of cultural activity. Things kick off with a much-loved eve-of-fringe tradition: the musical charivari hosted by Joe Walters on Friday 5 September. The next day, Nightingale Lane will come alive for The Duke street party, followed by the ever-enchanting open-air family Kinema in Christ Church gardens. Over the following three weeks there will be plays, author events, comedy, tastings, tours and more, and music everywhere, concluding with the Natural Voices choir on the final day.
As ever, our Fringe is powered by the people who live here. In the end, a Fringe is more than just a festival – it echoes the soul of a place. The full line-up will be unveiled soon. If you’ve got something to share or just want to be involved, drop the team a line.
For more information on Wanstead Fringe, visit wnstd.com/fringe
