Battersea Park fireworks. Photo: Shutterstock London is set to get a vibrant taste of Southeast Asia as celebrASIA returns to Battersea Power Station from September 11 to 13, bringing three days of food, performances, films, crafts and family activities to the capital.
The 2026 edition of the Asian festival promises to be bigger than previous years, with a new performance space in Malaysia Square alongside an expanded program across the Power Station neighborhood.
Visitors can expect dancers, musicians, DJs and walkabout performers throughout the weekend, featuring both community groups and international artists. The program will showcase cultures from across Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore, through live performances, food stalls, workshops and market stands.
Thai street food. Photo: ShutterstockFood will be a major part of the festival, with restaurants and pop-ups serving Southeast Asian street food, snacks and sweet treats. The event will also feature bars and a range of culinary experiences, giving visitors the chance to discover flavors from across the region without leaving London.
Workshops and masterclasses will allow visitors to try activities including lantern making, batik painting, bamboo weaving, storytelling and shadow puppet creation. Several sessions are ticketed, with advance booking recommended.
Families are also being encouraged to take part, with dedicated children's workshops featuring activities such as hibiscus sand art, underwater-themed crafts, lotus designing and fan painting.
One of the festival's highlights is the Grand Tour of Southeast Asia, an interactive trail around Battersea Power Station. Young explorers can discover facts about 11 Southeast Asian countries, complete their own celebrASIA passport and collect an explorer sticker and stamp.
Timor Leste will be included in the Grand Tour for the first time in 2026.
The festival's film program has also expanded, featuring films from Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. Screenings explore themes including family, identity, food, community, resilience and belonging, with films shown in their original languages and English subtitles.
A new celebrASIA Talks space will bring authors, experts and influential guests together to discuss subjects connected to Southeast Asian food, literature, fashion and culture. Panels have been curated by journalist and academic Anna Sulan Masing.
Other activities include an artisan market, traditional Southeast Asian massage, face painting, games and an AI photo booth, with additional photo opportunities spread across the Battersea Power Station area.
Some events begin before the main festival weekend, with film screenings scheduled from Tuesday, September 8.
Battersea Power Station will be open 10am–8pm, Monday to Saturday but individual shops, restaurants and attractions may have their own hours. On Sundays, the venue will be open 12pm – 6pm.