One of Southampton’s biggest free events is back. The Southampton Mela returns of its 8th year of festival fun at Hoglands Park, Southampton.

Attracting over 20,000 people in recent years, the festival has continued to grow in acts performing, activities on site and numbers of visitors enjoying a variety of arts from South Asia and around the world.

The artist line-up will be announced nearer time, but Southampton based organisers, Art Asia have said that this years highlights includes one of the worlds greatest Qawwali groups – from Pakistan,  Rajasthani Folk music, Bollywood and Bhagra plus an array of world music and dance from African Drumming to flamenco.

Also on site there are fun taster workshops for children and adults. Stalls line the park selling a range of goodies including Henna and threading.  There are two other stages show-casing local talent and the food court is always popular, selling tasty food from around the world.

Art Asia Chief Executive and the Mela’s Artistic Director said

“The Southampton Mela Festival is a great family day out, there is a friendly, warm atmosphere with local, national and internationally artists. It’s a free event for the whole of Southampton and surrounding area to come and enjoy.”

The Southampton Mela Festival opens 12 noon finishing at 9pm