Islington Festival of Music and Art reveals this year's theme and programme

The Islington Festival of Music and Art was conceived as an extension of a series of post-lockdown garden concerts in 2020 and has since grown into a multi-day event bringing the Islington community together through live classical music and fine art. Each edition of the festival revolves around a selected theme and highlights works by some of the greatest composers of all time.

In 2024, the Islington Festival of Music and Art has selected the Homeland as its inspiration, looking at composers' relationships with their roots and nostalgic memories. Coinciding with the 200th anniversary of the birthday of celebrated Czech composer Bedřich Smetana, the festival will open and close with a pair of fully-Czech programmes, highlighted by Smetana's “From the Homeland” on opening day.

In addition to talented artists performing pieces by the likes of Verdi, Puccini, and Bach, the Islington Festival programme includes offbeat events that introduce classical music to everyday activities, for example yoga class with live cello, a musical walk around Angel, and a coffee concert.

The festival takes place from 5 to 20 July at various venues in Islington. You can find out more about the programme and performers on the festival website. Tickets for the Islington Festival of Music and Art will be available from 5 April, including free tickets for under-25s.