Islington Festival 2025: Simple Gifts, Timeless Music & 10 Days of Magic
Last Friday, I experienced a moment I won’t forget — walking into St Mary’s Church on Upper Street, the sunlight spilling through stained glass as the opening notes of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue filled the air. If you haven't heard of the Islington Festival of Music & Art, you're in for a treat.
Running from 11–20 July 2025, this is the 5th annual celebration of music, movement, and community — all packed into 15 concerts across 10 venues, with over 40 performers and composers on the roster. And the best part? It’s intimate, surprising, and deeply rooted in the heart of the borough.
A Festival Born from Community Spirit
The festival started as a post-lockdown garden concert series in 2020 and quickly grew into something much more. Today, it brings live music and art into enchanting settings like churches, courts, theatres, parks, cafés, and even pubs — making it a true community celebration.
Opening Night: Simple Gifts at St Mary’s
Date: Friday, 11 July 2025, 7–9 pm
Venue: St Mary’s Church, Upper Street, N1 2TX
Program Highlights:
Rhapsody in Blue by Gershwin (arranged for piano & strings)
Aires Tropicales excerpts by Paquito d’Rivera
Appalachian Spring Suite by Copland, from which “Simple Gifts” draws its name
Performed by a vibrant ensemble of 13 instrumentalists — piano, flute, clarinet, bassoon, string quartet, violas, cellos, and double bass — led by pianist Martin André (whose collaborations span Islington and international gigs)
This beautiful blend of American classics set the perfect tone — elegant, heartfelt, and inviting.
A Diverse, Borough-Wide Celebration
Following opening night, the festival transforms Islington into a musical playground:
Coffee Concerts in open-air cafés and local pubs
Swing dance classes & jazz at Angel Central Piazza
Walking concerts under leafy trees at Angel
Baroque evenings, tributes to French composers, folk evenings, musicals… the list goes on
Yoga with live harp, morning recitals, and late-night performances — something for every taste
Venues include:
St Mary’s Church & Christ Church, Highbury
Old Sessions House (historic courthouse)
Little Angel Theatre, Holy Trinity Church, Arc Collective
Plus pubs like The Duke Organic and The Green
Tickets, Prices & Audience Info
Dates: 11–20 July 2025
Concerts: 15 full performances, 43 artists, and 41 composers
Prices: Vary from free (family events) to £15–£30; under-25s ~£10, under-18s often free
Access & Booking: Tickets via Eventbrite/TicketSource; check venue for access requirements
Why This Festival Makes a Difference
Community-first focus – born post-lockdown, still rooted in neighbourhood feel
Eclectic programming – cross-genre, cross-generational, cross-cultural
Intimate venues – churches, pubs, theatres where music feels personal
Accessibility – affordable gigs, family-friendly events, and inclusive atmosphere
Artistic range – from jazz, baroque, folk, classical, modern—and creative spins on each
What You Might See & Feel
Applauding Gershwin in candlelit church aisles
Dancing at a “Spirit of Swing” courtyard party
Doing yoga to harp in a gallery space
Sipping lattes while Haydn plays in The Duke Organic
Spotting both seasoned pros and emerging young talent
This is the kind of festival where you might leave one venue humming Copland, head to Angel for jazz, and finish in a pub with Beethoven — all in the same evening.
Tips for a Great Festival Experience
Plan ahead: Look up event times and grab tickets early
Dress for venues: Churches and pubs vary — smart casual is safest
Mix and match styles: Attend coffee concerts and late-night gigs
Bring friends: Perfect for a group night out or unique date
Support the festival: Share experiences, take friends, post reviews
Final Take
Islington Festival 2025 isn't just another concert series — it's a cultural embrace of the borough, filled with music, movement, discovery, and heartfelt moments. Whether you're a classical connoisseur or someone looking for a different night out, this festival has something to surprise and delight.