Wembley Park’s 2019 summer highlights!
It’s officially the last day of summer. Yep. Summer is OVER. But before you start packing away the sunnies and pulling out the woolly hats, we wanted to take you on one last trip to sunnier days with our summer highlights.
The biggest and best summer experienced in Wembley Park EVER, we had everything from 90’s nostalgia, cinematic gold and KT Tunstall! We greeted new neighbours, welcomed huge stars and had a pretty incredible time.
So settle in and check out Wembley Park’s 2019 summer highlights.
International Busking Day
For the second year running Wembley Park hosted International Busking Day and it was amazing. We upped the ante introducing five stages, loads more acts and loads more variety – including special guests Nosiettes and our incredible headliner, KT Tunstall. The day was electric and was great to see all ages enjoying the festival and loving the acts. Exactly what busking is all about.
Summer on Screen
Our FREE outdoor cinema screenings came back with vengeance in 2019, with Hollywood blockbusters, Bollywood classics, sing-a-long classics and Royal Opera House partnerships. From A Star is Born to Romeo and Juliet, Sister Act to Bohemian Rhapsody, Life Goes On to The Greatest Showman, we had it all on our super-sized neon screen.
Spice Mania
Of course we couldn’t talk about summer highlights without mentioning the Girl Power queens themselves! Summer 2019 saw the MUCH needed reunion of the world biggest girl group, Spice Girls, and we got a little giddy with excitement at Wembley Park transforming the area into Spice Mania for their big stadium tour. We have a THE original Spice Bus, Spice World on the big screens, Spice tunes playing all day and Spice party in Boxpark Wembley that transported you right back to the 1990’s – glitter tattoo anyone?
Summer of music
It wasn’t just the Spice Girls who wowed fans in Wembley Park this summer, with an impressive lineup at both Wembley Stadium and The SSE Arena, Wembley. Fleetwood Mac, Bon Jovi, Carrie Underwood, BTS, Tenacious D and P!NK were just some of the big acts that took the stage this summer. We’re already excited to see whose coming in 2020!
The Spanish Steps got TWO makeovers
We saw not one but TWO art installations brighten up the Spanish Steps this summer. First we had Committee’s ‘LOVE, LOVE, LOVE’, which saw the stairs become gold-wrapped with the word love printed in 3D across them. Next up was Maser’s pop-art-esque, bright and bold graphic print. Make sure you visit it whilst it’s still there – it’s a killer selfie spot. #WembleyPark
Dame Shirley Bassey came to the park
To help us celebrate the Diamond anniversary of The SSE Arena, Wembley as an iconic venue of music and entertainment, THE one and only Dame Shirley Bassey came to Wembley Park to unveil her bronzed handprint plaque. As part of the Square of Fame, the Dame’s handprints joined the likes of Madonna, Kylie Minogue, Dolly Parton, Lionel Richie and George Michael.
Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre opened
The highly anticipated Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre opened in July, with the jaw-dropping Dinosaur World Live being the first shown to stomp the stage. With a fully flexible design to allow for some impressive shows, the theatre has already cemented itself on London’s cultural map with an incredible line of Tony-award nominated Soul of Shaolin AND National Theatre’s critically acclaimed, War Horse. Book your tickets here!
Loads of new retail
Summer 2019 has been BIG for change in Wembley Park as we welcomed loads of new neighbours to the area. Weaver Walk has seen both hairstylists Chop-Chop and bike specialists Twenty3C, whilst Market Square gave a warm welcome to Italian food experts, Pasta Remoli. But we aren’t done there. No. No. The rest of 2019 brings even MORE new openings – including the much loved Bread Ahead and their world-famous baking school.
Wembley Park Market
Speaking of new openings, Wembley Park Market officially opened for business this summer, allowing independents to build their brand how they want. Found at the bottom of Olympic Way right next to the Stadium, Wembley Park Market some of the finest brands and businesses to combine shopping, community and, of course, people. They even have North West London’s very first zero-waste retailers, Patoka. Make sure you check them out and all the other amazing independents they have.
Massive Choon
We’ve been loving every second of our giant, music-inspired Massive Choon art installation by Baker and Borowski. The seven piece interactive artworks allow you to climb on, up and even in pieces – making some pretty great snaps! Our personal fav? The huge-neon boombox on Market Square that you can peer out of!
Getty Images Gallery and ‘The Ages of Wembley’
Last but certainly not least is Getty Images Gallery and ‘The Ages of Wembley’ exhibition. Opening a stunning new space on Olympic Way, Getty Images Gallery opened this summer with their first exhibition, an exploration into the emergence of Wembley Park as a world-famous leisure and entertainment destination from the 1920s onwards. Their exhibitions are curated from over 80 million photographs – many of which have never been seen before. It’s completely FREE to view BUT is only around until 28th September – so get their quick so you don’t miss it. Find out more here.
But just because summer is over doesn’t mean the fun is! To welcome winter in style we have the return of our popular fireworks spectacular, Light Up the Night. Combining the best of Diwali and Bonfire Night, Light Up the Night is one of London’s largest firework displays – and better yet it is all FREE! Find out more about Light Up the Night and what’s in store for this year’s festival here.
