After three years of absence, the London barrio fiesta is back!
In time for the Philippines’ 125th independence day celebration, the festival will take place on 10 and 11 June at Lampton Park in Hounslow.
The barrio fiesta in London is the Filipino community’s biggest cultural festival which showcases Philippine food, music, arts, dance and fashion over two days. It is the community’s own version of Glastonbury, the UK’s premiere music and arts festival.
Some 20,000 Filipinos representing around 200 community organisations are expected to attend the festival.
This year’s barrio fiesta promises to redefine this major Filipino event, according to entrepreneur Errol Lim Isip who organised the 2023 barrio fiesta.
“Our goal is to raise the profile of Filipinos in the UK as well as to promote Filipino businesses,” he said in an interview with Tinig UK.
Mr Isip explained that it’s important to support Filipino businesses, which are growing in the UK. He runs his own recruitment agency, EAngels Ltd, which supplies staff to bars, restaurants and hotels.
Top-billed by Filipino-American rapper Apl.de.Ap of Black Eyed Peas, the fiesta will feature several UK-based Filipino bands, among them Freeway, Saxifrago, Ritmo and Hey Jose. Philippine-based solo artists will also grace the event.
A special addition to this year’s event is the “Learn-to-Earn” sessions where invited speakers get to talk about business, employment or training opportunities.
Guests will have the chance to enjoy Filipino folk dance, a fashion show, an art exhibit, and many other events during the two-day celebrations. There is an £8 entry fee to the festival.
Local Philippine festivals have been organised in Bradford, Derby, Manchester, Nottingham, Gloucestershire, and Kent among other places. Many of these fiestas have been scheduled in June to coincide with the Philippine independence day. However, some have also been set in July and August in time for the summer holiday.
The first barrio fiesta in London was held in 1985. It has grown into a major event for the community, attracting both Filipino and British attendees.
To buy tickets, visit the London Barrio Fiesta website.
