The Brick Lane Curry Festival, which returned in 2025 after almost a decade’s absence, is set to return on Sunday 20th September 2026, reduced from last year’s 3-day affair.
The Festival attempts to showcase some of the best of Bangladeshi and South Asian food, culture and community.
Celebrations begin with vibrant procession from Buxton Street to the Brick Lane Arch at around 12:00 noon, with themed floats and dancers. Performers include Taal Torongo, Showmi Das Dance Company, IMD Legion and Bolly Flex.
f street entertainment mingles with the Brick Lane crowds, including dancing, dhol drummers and live street art, will continue until 7pm.
Street stalls from various Brick Lane restaurants, will be offering regional and specialty dishes, with pop-up cooking demos.
A festival stage with appearances from Bengali music stars Nish and Mumzy; plus the Bollywood Brass Band.
The Gaat: Family Zone, offering free, family-friendly activities such as traditional saree draping and lungi wrapping — as well as an array of sports, games and a bouncy castle.
Bangladeshi immigrants, many hailing from Sylhet, have been calling this part of east London home since the end of the Second World War, with the first curry houses opening not long after. By the 1970s and 1980s Brick Lane had transformed into “Bangla Town”, a thriving hub for the Bangladeshi community.
Guljar Khan, from Bangla Town Business Association said: “Brick Lane’s famous curry houses and local independent businesses are the beating heart of the East End, built on decades of hard work, passion and tradition.
“This festival isn’t just a celebration of world-class food, it is a lifeline for our high street, supporting local livelihoods and keeping our historic culture thriving.”
Although the event is free to attend, pre-registration entitles visitors to discounts on food offerings.
Author: George Shaw
Former BBC journalist and founder and CEO of an award-winning London advertising and PR company for 20 years, providing restaurant consultancy services. Spent a decade as the director of communications of the Asian Catering Federation in the UK and lead judge for its various restaurant and chef awards programmes. Now returned to journalism, specialising in food and travel and currently the Editor-in-Chief for Taste London, Taste Asia, the Good Curry Guide and CEO of International Culinary Guides.