Asian Events and Directory

Baishakhi Mela

Brick Lane, E1
May
Part of the Bengali New Year celebrations in Brick Lane with lots to do, see and eat! There's also a funfair.
Visit www.visitbricklane

Brick Lane, E1 and surrounding streets
September
Annual festival celebrating local Bangladeshi culture. Pavement stalls sell freshly-made curries, plus there's street entertainment and historic walks.
Visit www.bricklanefestival.com for further details.

Croydon Mela

Lloyd Park, Coombe Road, Croydon
July
The must-Mela for music-lovers with a great mix of sounds on offer.
Visit www.croydon.gov.uk to find out more.

The London Mela

Gunnersbury Park, Pope's Lane, Ealing, W5
August
More than 100,000 people descend on Gunnersbury Park for London's biggest Mela. It's a riot of colour and activity, with live music, dance, film, fashion, food and drink stalls, children's activities, funfair, and crafts stalls.
Visit www.ealing.gov.uk for more information.

Waltham Forest Mela

Lloyd Park Complex, Walthamstow, E17
July
The ideal family day out, with live performances, a funfair and plenty more.
Call +44 (0)20 8524 2165 for more information.

Vaisakhi

Trafalgar Square, WC2
April
One of the most important Sikh festivals in the calendar, this celebration in Trafalgar Square, which is open to all, combines ceremony with music, dance and drama.
Visit www.londongov.co.uk to find out more.

Asian London Directory

• Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan
  4a Castletown Road, West Kensington, W14
  +44 (0)20 7381 3086
  Indian arts and culture with courses, workshops and an art gallery
• Kobi Nazrul Centre
  30 Hanbury Street, E1
  +44 (0)20 7375 1320
  The leading Bengali cultural centre.
• The Nehru Centre
  8 South Audley Street, W1
  +44 (0)20 7491 3567
  The cultural wing of the Indian High Commission.