Warrington Mela returns to the town centre on Sunday, August 31st, 2025, offering a free, family-friendly day celebrating culture, community, and connection.
This year’s theme, Home, explores stories of belonging through performance, food, and creative activities across Queens Gardens and Time Square.
Following the recent Food and Drink Festival, the Mela will showcase a street food and artisan market with international flavours from India, Korea, Hong Kong, Turkey, Greece, and more. Handmade crafts and community stalls will offer information and support from local organisations including Cheshire Fire and Rescue and Cheshire Police.
The day will begin with a colourful procession from Warrington Town Hall to Queens Gardens, led by local performers and community groups, joined by 4-metre-tall puppets Dolly and Rocky who were first seen at the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Pageant in London. Throughout the day, the square will host street theatre, creative workshops and performances from both local talent and touring acts.
One of the highlights will be a performance by TeaBreak – an intergenerational theatre group made up of South Asian women from across the North West. Known for blending humour, storytelling, music and movement, they share lived experiences on topics including migration, identity and community.
Queens Gardens will host the community stage with a full line-up of live music and dance acts while Time Square will host additional performances which will encourage audience participation. Acts will include Movema Dance Company, Batida Rio Samba Band, Radist Ukrainian Dance group, Chinese Lion Dancers, martial arts demonstrations, Capoeira demonstrations and much more.
Walkabout entertainers and hands-on workshops will add to the programme throughout the day. For younger visitors, there will be rides, games, balloon modelling, bubbles and creative activities to enjoy. Further details about the programme will be announced shortly.
Warrington Mela is delivered by Warrington Borough Council in partnership with Warrington Ethnic Communities Association (WECA), supported by Culture Warrington, Arts Council England, the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Warrington BID. The event aims to bring communities together through shared experiences and open, welcoming public spaces.
Warrington Mela 2025 takes place on Sunday, August 31st and is free to attend. For more details, visit www.timesquarewarrington.co.uk