Choral music echoed across the halls of St John’s Waterloo yesterday evening as visitors gathered together for the opening night of the 2026 annual Waterloo Festival.
This year’s four-day celebration takes the theme “Now I Make a Leaf of Voices” and recognises 75 years since the iconic Festival of Britain – the cultural and national fair that was able to transform the South Bank in 1951.
Inspired by the Walt Whitman poem Voices, for artistic director Euchar Gravina, the theme of this years festival reflects how the history of the building is continuing to shape its role within society today.
Gravina said: “St John’s was damaged during the Second World War, and rebuilt as part of the Festival of Britain in 1951.
“The church became known as the ‘Festival Church’ and welcomed choirs from across the United Kingdom everyday for three or four months.”
The current festival, organised by St John’s Waterloo and The Bridge at Waterloo, continues this legacy 75 years later, organisers say, by turning the church into a community space dedicated to art, music and giving back to the South Bank.
“London and the South Bank were at the heart of [the festival],” Gravina said.
The Bridge at Waterloo was created to expand the community network of St John’s, allowing it to do more work for the local community.
The charity leads community and art programmes, and originated today’s version of Waterloo Festival.
Events featured at the festival will include include guided walks, immersive experiences, and a performance from the London Philharmonic Choir on 11 July.
Gravina said: “This idea of voices and giving people a space for their voice is something we really wanted to celebrate.”
St John’s Waterloo communications coordinator Laurie Kremer said organisers tried to make the festival as “welcoming and open as possible”.
“A lot of events are free, so we try to make the festival accessible to as many people as possible,” Kremer said.
Visitors can view free exhibitions until early September, such as work from the Sculpture department at Morley College, as well as outdoor sculptures made by The London Group, honouring grassroots creativity.
Opening night saw a variety of sculpture and music exhibitions throughout the church and its surrounding gardens. There were also performances from Nossa Voz Choir, Notre Dame School, and St John’s Creative Writing Club.
Beyond performances, the festival aims to encourage visitors to engage with the organisations behind it, such as charities supporting marginalised communities and challenging inequality.
“Events like this help people find a space where they feel welcome,” Gravina said.
As Waterloo festival continues into the weekend, visitors can see the remaining exhibitions and attend community events at St John’s Waterloo until Sunday night, where the festival will end with a service with St Johns choir and LGBTQ+ open table community, followed by a community BBQ.
Featured Images: Esther Bamigboye
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