According to 2021 census figures, immigrants constitute 16% (10.7 million) of the UK population. That’s around 10.7 million people. Of those, 63% were born outside Europe, enriching the United Kingdom with different cultures from the rest of the world.
They’ve brought economic benefits with them: there’s a wider pool of skills and talent for employers to choose from and greater knowledge of international markets through immigrant businesses. Diversity also creates innovation, and the opportunity for new ways to generate economic activity with things like multicultural events and festivals. Here’s Remitly’s guide to 2025’s multicultural scene in the UK.
Overview of the cultural landscape in the UK for 2025
The United Kingdom’s cultural landscape enjoys contributions from large African, Caribbean, South Asian, Continental/Eastern European, Middle Eastern, Latin American and other communities. Indeed the UK’s culture itself is a blend of Norse, Celtic, Anglo-Saxon, and Roman influences.
These diverse communities contribute to the UK’s cultural landscape through their:
- Traditions
- Food
- Language
- Music
- Literature
- Art
- Fashion
- Religion
Significance of multicultural events and festivals
The UK population celebrates its diversity through multicultural events and festivals. Together, these iconic events play a significant role in the country’s social life.
- They boost the economy
Multicultural events and festivals generate about £1.75 billion for the UK economy. Businesses in host cities and beyond benefit from ticket sales, food and beverage, accommodation, transport, and specifics like outdoor clothing or camping equipment. - They’re a tourist attraction
Multicultural festivals and events attract international tourists. For example, in 2023, 19.2 million music tourists attended live music events in the UK. - They create jobs and business opportunities
Multicultural events provide jobs such as event planning, catering, security, and tour guiding.
Key trends for multicultural events and festivals in 2025
The wider trends that are shaping British society will play their part in the event scene this year too. We’re expecting to see a focus on:
- Inclusivity
Inclusive practices will open up festivals to community members who’ve previously struggled to enjoy them. For instance, sensory-friendly zones and sign language interpretation will be prominent in 2025. This is especially important right now, as the World Economic Forum projects that 2025 is the year for businesses to be disability-inclusive. - Hyper-local focus
In 2025, we’ll see more festivals focusing on local talent in specific regions, highlighting food, art, and musicians from the surrounding area. - Sustainability
From an environmental perspective, festivals can be far from green. They create issues around non-renewable energy sources, plastic pollution, food waste, and unsustainably sourced meats.
Festivals like the Shambala Festival have embraced Earth-friendly practices like sustainable energy generation, aiming to further reduce their carbon footprint in 2025.
- Community involvement
Community participation in events is increasingly becoming vital for festivals. Organisers promote a sense of ownership with the community, preventing hurdles such as resistance. Success stories like the community-led Notting Hill Carnival are an inspiration. - Cross-cultural collaborations
Hyper-local festivals will involve multiple communities from the local region to create uniquely hybrid, cross-cultural experiences.
Big events happening in the UK in 2025
This year is packed for the UK’s festivals and events lovers. Tourists and locals alike are in for a treat, as they’ll enjoy a choice of events ranging from royal celebrations and sporting events to anniversaries, and cultural celebrations. Let’s take a look at some of the highlights.
Royal celebrations and highlights
British royal celebrations expose you to one of Britain’s oldest and most popular traditions. Not many people settling in the UK are used to seeing royal events; only 34 out of 193 independent states globally are constitutional monarchies.
So such events attract huge numbers of people, including immigrants. Reportedly, royal celebrations and visits to official residences attract almost three million people annually, with millions more globally watching from their homes.
Key royal celebrations in 2025 are:
- Trooping the Colour
The official birthday celebration of the British sovereign. Prepare yourself on Saturday, 14th June, to witness an iconic display of 1,400 parading soldiers, 200 horses, and 400 musicians to mark the day. - Dress Codes exhibition
The Dress Codes exhibition will be held from 13th March to 30th November 2025 at Kensington Palace. It will feature never-before-displayed royal garments and accessories, including two matching Liberty-print floral cotton dresses that Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret wore in 1936. There are also rarities like a Japanese court suit from the early 20th century. - St. James’s Palace guided tours
St. James’s Palace opens for its first-ever public tours, on select weekends in the spring. A chance to appreciate the architecture and view the Throne Room and the Chapel Royal—if there are any tickets left! - Opening of Buckingham Palace’s East Wing
Buckingham Palace’s East Wing was opened to the public for the first time in 2024. It’ll be opened again from 12th July to 31st August 2025.
Major sporting events to watch
The UK is a sporting hub—in 2024, almost 80 million people attended professional sporting events. Football was the major attraction, captivating over 50 million fans. Cricket, rugby, and tennis also attract huge numbers of spectators, drawn from local and international communities.
Here are major sporting events to watch in 2025:
- World Boxing Championships
Will be held in Liverpool, England from 4th to 14th September. - Women’s Rugby World Cup
Rugby fans will flood eight venues in England between 22nd August and 27th September. - The 153rd Open Championship
Golfing fans worldwide are preparing themselves for a spectacular experience at Royal Portrush from 13th to 20th July. - Six Nations Championship
The annual rugby competition between England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales attracts over 100 million viewers globally and over 1.2 million spectators in the stadiums. The competition runs from 31st January to 15th March 2025. - UK Athletics Indoor Championships
Some of the UK’s leading athletes have been immigrants—Sir Mo Farah won multiple World and Olympic gold medals for Great Britain. The current best will strut their stuff indoors at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham on 2nd and 3rd August. - Boat Race
Crews from the Universities of Cambridge and Oxford row through 4.25 miles of the River Thames on 13th April in London. - London Marathon
One of the most popular marathons worldwide, the London Marathon attracts participants from every corner of the globe. This year’s ballot has recorded over 840,000 applicants. Those selected will compete on the streets of the capital on 27th April. - Royal Ascot
Horse racing fans are in for a treat from 17th to 21st June, when Royal Ascot once again comes to Ascot racecourse in Berkshire, England. The event attracts the British and other royal families, as well as international visitors, and competing horses and jockeys.
Notable anniversaries and milestones
The UK celebrates some important anniversaries and milestones in 2025, which will attract global audiences and prompt community celebrations around the country:
- The King and Queen’s 20th wedding anniversary. The Royal family celebrates the King and Queen’s wedding anniversary through services, releasing new photos, and receptions.
- VE Day 80th anniversary. Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) celebrates the end of World War II in Europe after six long years of conflict. The 80th anniversary falls on 8th May this year.
- VJ Day 80th anniversary. This year, on 15th August, also marks 80 years since the final end of World War II. It’s also called Victory in the Pacific Day (V-P Day).
Cultural festivals in the UK
The UK’s highly diverse society means there are lots of events celebrating the many cultures among its population. Some of our highlights for 2025 are:
- Notting Hill Carnival
A three-day street party in London that celebrates Caribbean diversity, music, and culture. Europe’s largest street festival takes place on 24th and 25th August to witness Europe’s largest street festival. - Carnaval del Pueblo
This annual festival celebrates Latin American culture in London’s Camberwell neighbourhood on 1st August. - Dragon Boat Festival
An extravaganza of Chinese culture, history, and society. It’s celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month—which will be on 31st May this year. - Halal Food Festival
will be on tour in Birmingham on 24th and 25th May, and in Manchester on 23rd and 24th August. Visitors are set to enjoy a range of delicious food that’s permissible under Islamic law. - Diwali in Leicester
The city of Leicester hosts one of the largest Diwali celebrations outside India. Get ready for 20th October to marvel at the spectacular displays. - Africa Street Style Festival
A showcase of the diversity of African culture through music, food, art, and fashion in Shoreditch, London. - Dark Skies Festival
This family friendly festival celebrates the universe and the night sky in the Yorkshire Dales region. There will be interesting lectures from astronomers, stargazing, and rocket-building from 14th February to 2nd March. - Manchester International Festival
This biannual event features global artists, innovative art, and exciting performances. It also sends its work to international events in over 30 countries. Mark your calendar from 3rd to 20th July for a fantastic time at venues across Manchester.
Regional festivals showcasing local traditions
There are also festivals tailored for the local community, showcasing local traditions. Some of the most popular include:
- Highland Games
Celebrating the communities, heritage and culture of Scotland, the 2025 Highland Games are happening from May to September at venues across Scotland. - Jorvik Viking Festival
The ancient city of York celebrates its Viking heritage through family events, tours, and workshops from 17th to 23rd February. - SpeyFest
Get a glimpse into contemporary and traditional Celtic music and dance at this family friendly event on 25 to 27th July.
Unique festivals celebrating diversity
Some of the most fun and popular cultural events in the UK have diversity at the heart of their celebrations. We really like:
- The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, an international performance arts festival. From 1st to 25th August, visitors will appreciate the festival’s massive scale and the wide variety of street events.
- Newcastle University, through its Student Union, encourages its students to embrace multiculturalism and diversity through the annual Festival of Culture, where participants share their diverse food, art, music, fashion, dance, religion, and other cultural aspects.
- Get ready from 14th to 17th August to experience the Green Man Festival. This independent arts, music, and science festival embraces a diverse range of music, from indie and psychedelia through Americana to electronica and folk. The event is unique because of its dedication to sustainability.
The festival has banned plastic straws, uses renewable energy sources, and encourages sustainable transportation such as carpooling. It provides compostable food packaging and free water refills, and donates camping equipment to refugees.
Planning your cultural itinerary for 2025: how to experience the UK’s cultural diversity
With so many culturally diverse events and festivals to choose from, here’s a bit of guidance on how to experience the country’s multicultural calendar:
- Stay updated on events.
These events all have their own websites that offer reliable, up-to-date information on dates, venues, special performances, and artist showcases. You can also get information from useful resources such as Visit Britain/Visit England, the UK’s national tourism agency. - Look around for free events
The UK can be expensive, but many of the larger events and celebrations will have something going on that you can do for free. So keep your eyes open for these opportunities. - Be money smart
If you’re sending money to somebody to attend one of these events, or receiving it yourself, be aware of common money scams, and send and receive money safely. - Prepare for the weather
The weather in the UK is famously unpredictable. Check in with the Met Office for accurate forecasts and be prepared with the right clothes. - Be respectful
Ensure respectful engagement by researching beforehand on dos and don’ts in specific cultures. - Inclusive cultural participation
Learning about different cultures, customs, and practices encourages harmonious diversity and inclusion. So these events can be learning experiences, as well as great fun.
There’s a lot going on, but this useful multicultural calendar should help you keep track of different cultures’ most important dates in 2025. Enjoy the year!
FAQ
What is the UK’s multicultural landscape?
Immigrants make up about 16% (around 10.7 million people) of the UK population, enriching the country with a myriad of cultures from Europe and the rest of the world.
How does the UK celebrate multiculturalism?
The UK celebrates multiculturalism through a huge range of multicultural events and festivals. Details of some of the most popular are in our guide.
Which are the biggest multicultural events in the UK?
The biggest multicultural events include the London Marathon, the Edinburgh Festival, the Notting Hill Carnival, SpeyFest, and the Green Man Festival.
How do I make the most of the UK’s multicultural events?
Keep updated, travel smart, prepare for the weather, be respectful, and promote cultural participation.
