Why City Splash 2025 Is More Than a Festival

Attended by Rachel Onilude and Shelley Paterson

Image credit: City Splash Instagram

Without Afro-Caribbean culture, London simply wouldn’t be what it is today—known as one of the world’s most multicultural cities, with people from all walks of life. London thrives on diversity, and while City Splash primarily celebrates Afro-Caribbean culture, it welcomes everyone.

City Splash isn’t just a one-day celebration of Caribbean and African culture; it’s a living snapshot of the capital city itself. Each year in London, the event brings together music, culture, and people in a way that feels bigger than the usual festival experience. It gives a voice to artists and attendees, creating a space where both long-time greats and fresh talent can share their sound with a crowd that genuinely loves music. 

This year, City Splash 2025 took place at North London’s Drumsheds and featured unforgettable performances from Skillibeng, Armanii, Sneakbo, Skeete, Heartless Crew, Ms Dynamite, Pioneer, Supa D, Cold Steps, Terminal 4, along many other acts. 

The selection of performers meant that whether you were Gen Z, millennial, or from an older generation, there was something for everyone, proving that music is generational — timeless — and the way City Splash brings together sounds from different decades is not only essential but admirable.

Music tells stories, brings healing, and unites communities. City Splash captured this in different ways, from the crowd singing along to Sneakbo’s classic 'Touch Ah Button' or chanting Terminal 4’s iconic 't’s Not Terminal 1'. Every artist brought their distinctive flair, creating a memorable shared experience.

Since launching in 2021, City Splash has built a huge following. Giving attendees a space to feel recognised and represented: a place where people can truly see themselves reflected in the crowd. From all corners of London, across England, and even globally, people come together to attend. You can see that connection everywhere: in the outfits, the energy of different groups, and the way people meet and vibe before and during the festival.

This visibility is enhanced by a new generation shaped by TikTok and content creation. This allows festivals like City Splash to be documented by people, expressing their creativity and placing value in their lived experiences through vlogs, Q&As, hosting, or fun challenges.

Attending City Splash reminded people of the vital importance of community and communication. You never know what new bonds you’ll form just by showing up.

Image credit: Spotify

Culture can’t be defined by one thing; it transcends boundaries. Afro-Caribbean culture is known for its lively energy, upbeat dances, and endless celebrations, and City Splash ensured that energy never dropped. From the DJ sets between acts to the photo booths and more, there was always something to keep the vibe alive.

Over the years, City Splash has also introduced brand partnerships. These collaborations help support the event and amplify its impact. This year’s collaboration with Spotify was a perfect fit. As one of the world’s most popular streaming platforms, Spotify has helped connect UK and Afro-Caribbean sounds to global audiences through curated playlists, lyric-sharing features, and integrations with social platforms like TikTok. Spotify helps artists reach new listeners worldwide.

Spotify also hosted its own lounge at the festival, offering a hub where artists, influencers, and creatives could film content, relax, and network. It was a natural extension of what City Splash stands for: bringing people together through music and creativity.

And, of course, you can’t talk about African and Caribbean culture without mentioning the food. Outside the festival hall, attendees had plenty of options from black-owned food trucks serving jerk chicken, patties, chips, rice, and more. City Splash understood the assignment; you can’t have a festival without food, and flavours are a staple part of Caribbean and African culture.

Overall, City Splash is more than a festival; it’s an experience that celebrates Black London culture in all its forms: through sound, style, food, and community.

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