New Gen Festival, a one-day festival of music, dance and spoken word by and for young people in Ealing, is back this summer for a second year on Wednesday, 26 July at Walpole Park.

Discover a fun-filled day of activities and entertainment for young people aged 10 to 25 where they can come together, have fun, express themselves and even find out about creative careers.

What you can expect

Between 12pm and 9pm, Walpole Park will host:

• Hip hop, Afro, and Bhangra dance programme with workshops, showcases, performances and battles from 12pm to 4pm
• Afrobeats, UK rap, R&B, and Amapiano acts on the live music stage with headliners and up-and-coming artists from 4pm to 9pm
• Spoken word – storytelling, writing workshop and sharing session with a performance at 7pm with guest poets and open mic
• Mind Zone activities to feed the soul – art or mindful movement and digital artwork from the comfort of beanbags
• Drop-in activities – film shoot, DJ and instrument tasters, drumming workshops and the Science of Sound with virtual reality (VR)
• Meet professionals from the film and TV sector at the film panel (between 5pm to 6.30pm), including Chris Jones, who runs the London Screenwriting Festival and worked on the latest Mission Impossible film, and find out about routes into a screen career or get behind the camera (or in front of it) at a drop-in film shoot.
• If you’d like to get on stage yourself, enter the dance competition or look out for news about the battle of the bands.

Tickets are just £2.50 for young people (aged up to 25) and £5 for the forever young (those technically aged over 25). Secure your ticket.

Councillor Polly Knewstub, Ealing Council’s cabinet member for thriving communities, said: “New Gen Festival is a unique festival created by and for young people in Ealing, and it’s great to see it return for another year. The council is supporting the festival as part of our promise to invest at least £1m in community and grassroots art, music and dance.

“It’s wonderful to see young people coming together and expressing themselves through music and art, showcasing the incredible talent and potential we have in our borough. We are passionately committed to ensuring everyone has opportunities to flourish and demonstrate their creativity and this festival provides creative opportunities in abundance for Ealing’s young people.”

Want a summer to remember?

There are exciting opportunities for anyone aged 16 and over to volunteer at the festival. It’s a great experience, particularly if you interested in the music or events industries. You can help at the festival and meet new friends while also having fun. Why not join the festival crew and make memories of a lifetime by contacting newgenfest@hotmail.com?

Thank you to Bollo Brook Youth Centre, Descendants, Elevate Arts, JE Delve, Southall Community Alliance, WAPPY and University of West London for their involvement in the New Gen Festival.

Keep up to date with the festival on Instagram.