The lowdown on Soho House Festival 2025
The sun shone and the Picantes flowed in west London’s Gunnersbury Park; here’s everything that happened at summer’s hottest event
Friday 4 July 2025 By Emma McCarthy. Photography by Adam Fussell
With Soho House celebrating its 30th year, we hosted a very special edition of the annual Soho House Festival on Thursday 3 July, supported by Porsche and Samsung Ads. Members flocked to west London’s Gunnersbury Park, ready for a day of headline music and top-tier comedy, plus, of course, unlimited food, drinks, and dancing.
From memorable performances by The Streets and Texas, to pop-ups from member favourites Berenjak and Wright Bros – with a pit stop at the Beauty Tent for hair braiding, glitter makeovers, and mini manicures – these are the highlights from the sun-drenched event.
From memorable performances by The Streets and Texas, to pop-ups from member favourites Berenjak and Wright Bros – with a pit stop at the Beauty Tent for hair braiding, glitter makeovers, and mini manicures – these are the highlights from the sun-drenched event.
The performances
At the House Heroes tent, supported by Red Bull, members sipped drinks from the Red Bull bar as they listened to stage opener James Vickery, presented by Red Bull Records. This was followed by an all-star line-up of comedy talent, including Katherine Ryan, Lou Sanders, Rosie Jones, and Seann Walsh. As evening arrived, the tent transformed into an all-out party. Our friends at Little Gay House took over the decks with DJ sets from David Morales, Joshua James, and Princess Julia.
The Park Stage opened with a drama-filled set by Luvcat, followed by Jalen Ngonda, who took to the stage fresh off his acclaimed Glastonbury performance. As the afternoon progressed, MJ Cole and Fat Tony got behind the decks. And to see out the evening, Groove Armada’s DJ set had the crowd showing off their best moves.
At the House Heroes tent, supported by Red Bull, members sipped drinks from the Red Bull bar as they listened to stage opener James Vickery, presented by Red Bull Records. This was followed by an all-star line-up of comedy talent, including Katherine Ryan, Lou Sanders, Rosie Jones, and Seann Walsh. As evening arrived, the tent transformed into an all-out party. Our friends at Little Gay House took over the decks with DJ sets from David Morales, Joshua James, and Princess Julia.
The Park Stage opened with a drama-filled set by Luvcat, followed by Jalen Ngonda, who took to the stage fresh off his acclaimed Glastonbury performance. As the afternoon progressed, MJ Cole and Fat Tony got behind the decks. And to see out the evening, Groove Armada’s DJ set had the crowd showing off their best moves.
The Main Stage’s line-up was dedicated to throwing it back in time, with acts that have been keeping us entertained for decades – after opener Ava Joe, that is. She is making waves in the UK soul scene, and her impressive voice was the perfect way to warm up the crowd. Next, Norman Jay’s Good Times Band got members on their feet, and by the time Trevor Nelson took to the stage, the audience was in the party spirit, enjoying the sunshine and free-flowing Picantes in equal measure.
Of course, Craig David was a highlight of the day. The singer played hits like ‘7 Days’ and ‘Re-Rewind’, mixing his songs with covers of songs by the likes of Beyoncé, TLC and Justin Bieber. This was followed by Texas, who delivered an impressive show – with Sharleen Spiteri quickly getting audience members singing along to rock classics like ‘Black Eyed Boy’ and ‘Inner Smile’.
The evening finished with a bang, as The Streets closed out the festivities. As Mike Skinner joined the crowd, wading through members while performing some of the biggest songs in UK garage history - from ‘Dry Your Eyes’ to ‘Fit But You Know It’ – the sky lit up with a fireworks display.
Of course, Craig David was a highlight of the day. The singer played hits like ‘7 Days’ and ‘Re-Rewind’, mixing his songs with covers of songs by the likes of Beyoncé, TLC and Justin Bieber. This was followed by Texas, who delivered an impressive show – with Sharleen Spiteri quickly getting audience members singing along to rock classics like ‘Black Eyed Boy’ and ‘Inner Smile’.
The evening finished with a bang, as The Streets closed out the festivities. As Mike Skinner joined the crowd, wading through members while performing some of the biggest songs in UK garage history - from ‘Dry Your Eyes’ to ‘Fit But You Know It’ – the sky lit up with a fireworks display.
The food and drink
Of course, it’s not all about the performers at the festival, and the unlimited food and drink proved a hit with members and guests. There was a host of Soho House classics on offer, plus favourites from Cecconi’s Pizza Bar and Pen Yen, plus the return of the Soho House barbecue. The festival wouldn’t be complete without the beloved seafood spread that included fresh lobster, prawns, and scallops.
We mean it when we say unlimited food and drink. There were pop-ups from some of London’s most exciting chefs and restaurants like Berenjak, Big Mum’s Samosas, Riddle & Finns, and Wright Brothers, who were serving oysters right next to the Guinness van. A match made in heaven. The teams from Ruben’s Reubens, Sweet Dee’s Jerk, Breddos Tacos, and One Star Doner Bar were also on hand to fuel members, with sweet treats from Gelato Gusto, Blondies Kitchen and Churros Garcia. At the Disney+ pop-up, members cooled off with themed soft-serve ice cream, including ‘The Marge’, a mango sorbet topped with blue candy floss hair and a frosted redcurrant necklace, and ‘The Cold Case’, a ‘crime scene of a cone’ inspired by Only Murders In The Building.
Of course, it’s not all about the performers at the festival, and the unlimited food and drink proved a hit with members and guests. There was a host of Soho House classics on offer, plus favourites from Cecconi’s Pizza Bar and Pen Yen, plus the return of the Soho House barbecue. The festival wouldn’t be complete without the beloved seafood spread that included fresh lobster, prawns, and scallops.
We mean it when we say unlimited food and drink. There were pop-ups from some of London’s most exciting chefs and restaurants like Berenjak, Big Mum’s Samosas, Riddle & Finns, and Wright Brothers, who were serving oysters right next to the Guinness van. A match made in heaven. The teams from Ruben’s Reubens, Sweet Dee’s Jerk, Breddos Tacos, and One Star Doner Bar were also on hand to fuel members, with sweet treats from Gelato Gusto, Blondies Kitchen and Churros Garcia. At the Disney+ pop-up, members cooled off with themed soft-serve ice cream, including ‘The Marge’, a mango sorbet topped with blue candy floss hair and a frosted redcurrant necklace, and ‘The Cold Case’, a ‘crime scene of a cone’ inspired by Only Murders In The Building.
At the various bars dotted throughout the festival, drinks were flowing throughout the day. Patrón joined us once again, serving Soho House favourites – Picantes and Palomas aplenty – from its Hacienda Bar. There was also Hugo Spritzes from St-Germain, as well as drinks by Woodford Reserve, Asahi Beer, Laurent-Perrier, Lady A, The Singleton whisky and Ridgeview English Sparkling Wine to keep everyone refreshed. Non-alcoholic pick-me-ups were also available from Pentire, Lucky Saint, Santani, Double Dutch, Deeply, and Grind Coffee.
Elsewhere around the festival
There was lots more to keep members busy as they explored the festival, including roaming entertainment, from cheerleaders and carnival dancers to a travelling brass band. At the Beauty Tent, we offered hair braiding and glitter makeovers, with the team from Mylee Nails on hand for mini manicures and Arkive Headcare transforming hair. Elsewhere, East Healing provided members with ear seeding, and there were also henna and tarot reading sessions available. With the help of Porsche, we showcased a head-turning Porsche all-electric Macan car display, along with a flower crown-making workshop and face glitter stations in their tent.
The icing on the cake of the day? An unexpected moment of romance, with a marriage proposal taking place in the House Heroes tent as the sun began to set over the festival. There really was no better way to celebrate 30 years of Soho House.
Thank you to our supporting partners for Soho House Festival 2025, Porsche and Samsung Ads.
There was lots more to keep members busy as they explored the festival, including roaming entertainment, from cheerleaders and carnival dancers to a travelling brass band. At the Beauty Tent, we offered hair braiding and glitter makeovers, with the team from Mylee Nails on hand for mini manicures and Arkive Headcare transforming hair. Elsewhere, East Healing provided members with ear seeding, and there were also henna and tarot reading sessions available. With the help of Porsche, we showcased a head-turning Porsche all-electric Macan car display, along with a flower crown-making workshop and face glitter stations in their tent.
The icing on the cake of the day? An unexpected moment of romance, with a marriage proposal taking place in the House Heroes tent as the sun began to set over the festival. There really was no better way to celebrate 30 years of Soho House.
Thank you to our supporting partners for Soho House Festival 2025, Porsche and Samsung Ads.
