Bandstand

Get ready to dance the afternoon away at our Bandstand, with a programme packed full of traditional music, dance workshops, and performances!

A number of Imperial College Union Societies will be bringing Dangoor Plaza to life. Showing off their incredible skills will be the university’s Gospel Choir, some wonderful A Capella groups and the winners of the Live Music Societies’ Battle of the Bands 2026.

We'll also have local dance companies, bringing some brand new dance workshops for 2026, where you can get involved and learn some new moves. These will take you around the world from Peru to West Africa to South Asia and ending up back in the UK with traditional folk dancing (with a hip-hop twist!).

Saturday

12.00–12.35 Imperial College London Gospel Choir - Over the last 20 years, the Imperial College Gospel Choir have grown from a small a cappella group into a vibrant community of singers and instrumentalists. They are a Christian‑centred student group returning to the Great Exhibition Road Festival to bring their joyous and uplifting gospel music to the Bandstand!

13.15–13.55 Ismaili Centre - The Ismaili Centre presents the One Voice Choir, featuring talented youth and young adults from the Ismaili community performing a vibrant choral medley celebrating cultural diversity and unity through music.

14.30–15.15 Cèilidh by STROMA Folk Band - STROMA Folk Band is a folk collective from London specialising in exciting ceilidhs and dynamic tunes. No experience necessary, just come and join in, follow the simple steps and become a Ceilidh pro!

15.45–16.30 Mbilla Arts presents Route to Rhythm - Mbilla Arts presents Routes to Rhythm, an exciting African and Caribbean music and dance adventure. Experience West African kora, balafon, drums, dance and song as they joing the dancers for the carnival finale.

17.00–17.45 Indian dance performance & workshop by Akademi - Experience a vibrant Kathak performance with live music by Akademi’s artists, followed by an inclusive movement workshop suitable for all ages and abilities.

Sunday

12.00–12.45 Imperial College London Live Music Society - As the Union's long running live music club, this society has been serving Imperial's musicians, bands and budding rock stars for over 70 years. They are presenting the winner of their latest Imperial College London Battle of the Bands—with over 50 bands competing for the title, you won’t want to miss this winning performance! 

13.15–14.00 Imperial College London A Capella Society - This is the real-life pitch perfect! From reimagined classics to the songs we all know and love, they will be bringing the aca-fun to the Great Exhibition Road Festival.

14.30–15.15 Ri Rua Irish band - Join Ri Rua for toe-tapping Irish jigs, reels and upbeat folk songs that will bring sunshine to the festival whatever the weather.

15.45–15.15 Folk Dance Remixed: Street Dance the Maypole! - Take part in a fun dance workshop, creating wraps and ripples mixed with waves and breaks around our 12-foot freestanding maypole. Join for the chance to learn a funky routine to live music, before mixing it with classic maypole moves, such as the Chrysanthemum Wrap and the Twister.

17.00–17.45 Peruvian Dance Show! by ArtPerUK - Join this community dance organisation as they take you on a journey through Peru’s varied dance styles, like Festejo from the coast, and dances inspired by the Amazon jungle. Participants will be guided through vibrant rhythms, cultural stories and traditional movements that celebrate Peru’s diverse heritage.

Visitor information

This is a drop-in event suitable for all ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

The event has step-free access. 

To attend the Festival, please make sure to register for free. Registering is the only way to receive the latest Festival updates, a first look at the programme, and opportunities to book free tickets for popular events.

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