GALA 2026

[Blah Blah]

Licensing application for 2026 has gone in and they want to extend the event from 4 to 7 days accross two weekends. 

There are some proposed significant changes to be aware of:

 

Event proposal moves to two separate weekends

Number of days of the festival moves from 4 to 7 meaning also a change in the original licence is required

Expected footfall in the park over the two weekends around 60,000. 

 

Dear Peckham Rye Park Stakeholder,

 

Re: STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION – event application: ‘GALA and On The Rye Festival 2026’ – ref: SWKEVE000935

 

We are writing to you because you have previously identified yourself as someone who wishes to be informed about event applications for Peckham Rye Park, or we think that you might have an interest in knowing about this particular event application.

 

Please be aware that the council are in receipt of an event application for: GALA and On The Rye Festival 2026’

 

In line with the council’s Outdoor Events Policy and events application process we are carrying out consultation regarding this application.

 

The following reference documents are attached to this email:

 

1. Consultation information
2. APPENDIX A – site plan weekend 1
3. APPENDIX B – site plan weekend 2
4. APPENDIX C – Production Schedule
5. APPENDIX D – 2025 Noise Management Plan

 

The consultation is open from Tuesday 4 November and will close at midnight on Tuesday 2 December 2025

 

Community engagement sessions will take place on Wednesday 19 November.

 

If you would like to comment on application: SWKEVE000935 and take part in the online consultation, please visit:

 

www.southwark.gov.uk/GALA2026

 

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

 

 

Kind Regards,
Southwark Events Team

Environment and Leisure

PO Box 64529
London

SE1P 5LX

020 7525 3639

@SouthwarkEvents

APPENDIX A - SITE PLAN weekend 1.pdf APPENDIX B - SITE PLAN weekend 2.pdf APPENDIX C - PRODUCTION SCHEDULE.pdf

And just to add that councillor Renata Hamvas chairs the licensing committee. Worth contacting her with views on ammendments to the original license. I am fairly sure she won't grant any amendments, but just in case.....

[first mate]

Surprise, surprise. It didn't take them long, did it. This will be something of a test as to how much the council really care about parks and the environment. A footfall of 60,000. Are they mad? There is no way this park is designed for or can sustain that sort of use.

Just had a look at the schedule. If allowed to go ahead, this will involve a large slice of the park (not the common) sectioned off and out of use for three weeks of May and the first week of June.

Here's an idea, why not trial the festival in one of the other Southwark Parks, so the 'goodness' can be shared around the borough?

Edited yesterday at 14:03 by first mate

[Dulwichway]

Regardless of what the majority think, (although they never get a voice in any council matters) the council will go ahead with this regardless. Wonga! 

[Gooseygreeny]

I live right next to the Rye and literally never notice any negatives of Gala. Another week sounds lovely for the people that enjoy it. 

Also I have a PhD in ecology and can confirm that the rye is providing virtually no environmental benefits. It's almost entirely grass. 

[first mate]

There are lots of trees, shrubs, a pond and a large area of wild grass all of it which are habitat for a range of flora and fauna.

Do you mean the common- that is mostly grass, some of it laid over an old car park? However, the festival won't use that bit, they prefer to be "nestled" within the park (more aesthetically pleasing for festival goers, who like to be 'at one with nature' while they enjoy the booming bass, and great marketing for the festival owners who can also use the plentiful trees as a sound barrier- it saves them forking out to mitigate the noise.

[Blah Blah]

9 hours ago, first mate said:

Surprise, surprise. It didn't take them long, did it. This will be something of a test as to how much the council really care about parks and the environment. A footfall of 60,000. Are they mad? There is no way this park is designed for or can sustain that sort of use.

Just had a look at the schedule. If allowed to go ahead, this will involve a large slice of the park (not the common) sectioned off and out of use for three weeks of May and the first week of June.

Here's an idea, why not trial the festival in one of the other Southwark Parks, so the 'goodness' can be shared around the borough?

Every year they ask for more and every year it is an exhausting process pushing back on that for local residents and councillors. What annoys me is that at the post event consultation/ feedback this year, I specifically asked them if the rumours around applying for two weekends next year were true. They told me no. So that was a lie. Anyway, we go again. 

[first mate]

13 hours ago, Blah Blah said:

I specifically asked them if the rumours around applying for two weekends next year were true. They told me no. So that was a lie. Anyway, we go again. 

So that suggests the consultations with 'community' are just a tick box exercise where information given cannot be relied on. Not a good look.

I hope Renata Hamvas who is the local councillor, as well as licensing, finds a way to stop the wholesale, spreadingmonetisation of an important green space in summer. If they get this it'll end up like Brockwell Park before you know it.