After a 9-year break, London’s beloved Brick Lane Curry Festival returns with bold flavours, street parties, and a celebration of Bangladeshi culture.
Shoreditch is about to smell a whole lot spicier. The Brick Lane Curry Festival 2025 is making a long-awaited return this 19–21 September, and it’s coming in hot. Last held in 2016, the festival reclaims its rightful place as the UK’s Curry Capital, transforming Brick Lane into a mouthwatering celebration of food, culture, and community.
From legendary curry houses to roving magicians, from Bangla dance workshops to graffiti demos, the three-day festival brings together East London’s historic Bangladeshi roots with the vibrant street culture we know and love today.
Whether you’re a curry connoisseur, culture junkie or someone who just loves a street party with a side of biryani – this is the moment Shoreditch has been waiting for.
→ For markets, art, nightlife, and more, see Things to Do in Shoreditch – Your Essential Guide.
The Return of a London Food Icon
It’s been nearly a decade, but the wait is finally over. The Brick Lane Curry Festival is back, and it’s bolder, brighter, and more flavour-packed than ever.
Running from Friday 19 to Sunday 21 September, the festival spotlights Brick Lane’s iconic South Asian food scene. Expect sizzling street food, chef-led cooking demos, and restaurant takeovers featuring affordable regional specials.
On Sunday 21 September (12pm–9pm), the street becomes one giant open-air kitchen. A vibrant procession kicks things off from Buxton Street to the Brick Lane Arch, followed by DJs, dancers, live graffiti, roaming performers, and more.
And yes — every participating restaurant is offering 20% off if you sign up via Eventbrite. So your madras comes with a side of savings.
Curry, Culture & Community – Bangla Style
Organised by Tower Hamlets Council and the Bangla Town Business Association, the festival is more than a foodie’s dream. It’s a celebration of the Bangladeshi community’s legacy in Shoreditch, from postwar migration to the culinary heart of Bangla Town.
Festivalgoers can dive into henna painting, Bangladeshi dance workshops, and even style sessions with local designers. It’s a full cultural takeover that brings every corner of Brick Lane to life.
On Saturday and Sunday, visitors also get the chance to explore the newly restored Tower Hamlets Town Hall, part of Open House Festival. Built in 1767, this Grade II-listed gem has been reborn as a symbol of the borough’s rich past and future promise.
Brick Lane: From Bricks to Biryani
Brick Lane’s story is one of resilience and reinvention. Once a brickyard, then a Jewish bakery hub, and finally a haven for Bangladeshi immigrants in the 20th century – today, it’s a creative epicentre where curry houses stand beside street art, vintage stores, and cutting-edge galleries.
The return of the Curry Festival is a powerful nod to that layered history. It’s also a confident leap into the future – part of the ‘Love Tower Hamlets’ campaign, which champions the borough’s unmatched mix of culture, flavour, and innovation.
So if you thought Brick Lane was just for late-night beygels and graffiti selfies, think again. This September, it’s Curry Town, baby.
How to Join the Feast
🎉 Friday 19 & Saturday 20 Sept – Community workshops, Bangla dancing, henna art, and more
📍 Various locations along Brick Lane
🏛️ 20 & 21 Sept – Visit the new Tower Hamlets Town Hall as part of Open House Festival
🍛 Sunday 21 Sept (12pm–9pm) – Main Festival Day:
Street food & chef demos
20% off at participating curry houses
Live performances, DJs, and roaming entertainment
Parade from Buxton Street to Brick Lane Arch
Festival-themed street art, henna, magic shows and more
The festival isn’t just about curry – though the kormas, biryanis, and chaats will definitely steal the show. It’s about recognising the people, stories, and communities that built East London’s cultural identity.
As Executive Mayor Lutfur Rahman puts it: “There’s no better example of the East End spirit than the Brick Lane Curry Festival.”
So come for the food, stay for the heart – and let Brick Lane remind you why some streets are more than just postcodes.