Final preparations are underway for the free to attend Tunbridge Wells Mela Festival which takes place on Sunday July 24th in Calverley Grounds between 12.30pm and 6pm. There will be a dazzling programme on and off-stage and mouth-watering culturally diverse cuisine, celebrating music, food and dance from around the world.

The Mela Festival has been running annually since 2006 with only Covid getting in the way in 2020 and is organised in partnership by Cohesion Plus and Kent Equality Cohesion Council supported by Arts Council England, Royal Tunbridge Wells Together and Tunbridge Wells Borough Council.

The programme boasts a range of artists both with a local and international flavour. Highlights include local groups Ukelear Fall Out, Sahrudaya – The West Kent Keralites and the Paul Dunton Orchestra. They will be joined by Kent based artists Bloco Fogo Samba and the Kings of Dhol. Other highlights include D-Bollywood, the One Love Orchestra and all the way from India the Rajasthan Heritage Band and Circus Raj.

There will also be a sumptuous selection of food vendors on site to bring you the flavours of far-off places. The Forum Bar will also be in attendance with their signature craft beers with Pimms and Prosecco on hand should the weather call for some light refreshments!

Gurvinder Sandher MBE, Artistic Director of Cohesion Plus commented, “It’s always a delight and pleasure to return to Calverley Grounds and deliver the much loved Tunbridge Wells Mela Festival. Despite taking a break in 2020, last year’s Mela Festival where it rained all day still had loyal support. This year we are hoping for better weather but either way, the offering for his year’s Mela will be nothing short of spectacular. The Mela Festival promises to be a great family day out with lots to see, eat and experience.”