LONDON, UK / AGILITYPR.NEWS / August 07, 2025 / The London Borough of Tower Hamlets Council and the Bangla Town Business Association (BTBA) are pleased to announce the return of the Brick Lane Curry Festival in September 2025. 

After a nine-year hiatus, this much-loved festival will once again spice up the streets of Brick Lane and will be hotter, bolder, and more delicious than ever!  

Last held in 2016, the festival will spotlight the area’s legendary curry houses, showcase the rich culinary traditions of the Bangladeshi community, and serve up a feast of flavours, music and culture in celebration of the South Asian cuisine. Expect sizzling street food, chef demonstrations, cultural performances, and family-friendly fun to reignite Brick Lane’s status as the UK’s ultimate curry destination and reclaim its title as the Curry Capital of the UK.

There will be a series of free community events on 19 and 20 September from Henna painting workshops, learn to dance Bangla style and ‘dress-t4thefest’ personal shopping experiences with local experts. On 20th and 21st September, there is an opportunity to visit the new Tower Hamlets Town Hall as part of the Open House Festival. The new Town Hall is in the grade II listed former Royal London Hospital built in 1767. Its restoration is part of several major improvements in Whitechapel, where new history is being created in one of London’s most historic boroughs.

The main Brick Lane Curry Festival Day will take place on Sunday 21 September from 12pm to 9pm. It will feature a variety of free events and experiences, from street stalls at each of the participating restaurants offering affordable regional and specialty dishes to pop up cooking demonstrations to festival-themed street art and live graffiti presentations. There will be a procession from Buxton Street to the Brick Lane Arch to start the day with themed floats and dancers and various roaming acts and entertainment - DJs, stilt walkers and magicians throughout the afternoon.

Today Brick Lane is a vibrant tapestry of culture, creativity and cuisine. Famed for its legendary curry houses, colourful street art, and vintage clothes stores, it gives the area a unique, bohemian vibe that you won’t find anywhere else in London. This cultural mile has come a long way from its roots as a brickmaking district. Following the Second World War, a vibrant wave of Bangladeshi immigrants, many hailing from Sylhet breathed new life into the area. By the 1970s and 1980s, Brick Lane had transformed into “Bangla Town”, a thriving hub for the Bangladeshi community. The arrival of the first curry houses in the mid-20th century turned the street into a culinary magnet that drew food lovers from across London—and beyond. 

Now, the Brick Lane Curry Festival returns to honour that rich heritage and celebrate the bold, flavourful future of this iconic street. The festival is part of the new Love Tower Hamlets campaign which promotes Tower Hamlets’ destinations, venues, people and economic opportunities as offering the best of London in one borough. 

Eat | Live | Visit Brick Lane 

Executive Mayor of Tower Hamlets, Lutfur Rahman said: 

“Brick Lane is world-renowned for its vibrant culture and unbeatable curry – that's why I’m proud to be bringing back this iconic festival for the first time since 2016. Its return, nearly a decade later, is a celebration of everything that makes Tower Hamlets so special: our rich history, our bold flavours, and our incredible communities. Through the Love Tower Hamlets campaign, we’re backing local businesses while championing the spirit of the East End – and there’s no better example of that than the Brick Lane Curry Festival. With mouthwatering food, cultural performances, and something for the whole family, I invite everyone to come along and experience the best of Brick Lane.”  

Guljar Khan, Bangla Town Business Association said: 

"Brick Lane is more than just a street, it's the soul of Bangla Town and a symbol of our community’s resilience, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit. For decades, our businesses have brought people together through the warmth of our hospitality and the richness of our cuisine. The Curry Festival is a cherished tradition that showcases the best of what we have to offer, and we are proud to welcome everyone to experience the heart of East London.” 

Sign up via Eventbrite to register your spot at the Brick Lane Curry Festival and get 20% off at all participating restaurants across the weekend.  

ENDS   

For more information and interview requests, please contact Four Agency:  

Caroline.Jones@four.agency | 020 3103 9512  

Jordana.Ajiboye@four.agency | 020 3103 9701

Press images available HERE  

Event listings   

Brick Lane Curry Festival, Brick Lane, London, E1

19-21 September 2025

Main festival day: 21 September

Eventbrite link 

Notes to Editors   

About Tower Hamlets and the Council 

Tower Hamlets offers the best of London in one borough. It is the fastest growing and most densely populated place in the UK; it provides the nation’s third largest economic output; it has destinations that would be the envy of any city; it is one of the most diverse places in the UK and has London’s youngest population with an average age of just 30 years old. 

Located in the heart of the East End, it encompasses vibrant communities, rich cultural heritage, and major landmarks including Canary Wharf, the Tower of London, Victoria Park and Brick Lane. 

The council is committed to delivering high-quality public services, tackling inequality, and supporting residents to thrive through investment in housing, education, health, and the local economy. For more information, visit www.towerhamlets.gov.uk. 

About Love Tower Hamlets 

Love Tower Hamlets is a campaign that celebrates the borough’s rich history, vibrant communities, and unique position at the heart of London’s past and future. Tower Hamlets has long been a place where people from around the world have sought safety, opportunity, and a better life — shaping a borough known for its diversity, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit. 

The campaign brings together residents, partners, and businesses to share stories that inspire pride, attract investment, new talent and visitors, and showcase all the reasons people choose to live, work, study, create, and thrive here. By telling the story of Tower Hamlets — from lifelong locals to global companies — Love Tower Hamlets aims to strengthen community ties, boost the local economy, and enhance the borough’s reputation as a place of opportunity and belonging. Visit www.lovetowerhamlets.com