Haringey Youth Festival’s Big Birthday Bash: Celebrating 30 Years of Streetz Ahead!

What an incredible day! On Saturday 1st November, we joined hundreds of young people and arts lovers at Jacksons Lane for the 12th annual Haringey Youth Festival — and this year’s event was extra special.

2025 marks a milestone for several of Haringey’s most loved creative organisations, and we at Streetz Ahead were thrilled to celebrate our 30th anniversary alongside Collage Arts (40 years), Haringey Shed (25 years), and Jacksons Lane (50 years). Four birthdays, one unforgettable festival — a true celebration of creativity, community and collaboration.

A Day Full of Energy, Talent and Togetherness

The Haringey Youth Festival has always been about bringing young people together and breaking down barriers to the arts — and this year was no exception. The energy, talent and positivity in the room were infectious.

Young people aged 8 to 18 from across the borough filled Jacksons Lane with music, movement, art and joy. They showcased everything from street dance and circus skills to singing, spoken word, and fine art, with workshops and performances led by inspiring facilitators.

Over the years, the festival has worked with some incredible organisations — including Frantic Assembly, Zoonation, and the National Youth Theatre — and that same spirit of creativity and collaboration was shining bright once again this year.

A Celebration of Collaboration

One of the highlights of the day was the organisation-wide performance, featuring a brand-new song written and performed by young people from all four organisations, with the brilliant support of singer-songwriter Yiga Gaolou.

The festival also premiered a beautifully shot film created by Frame Perfect and supported by Haringey Creates, capturing the essence of what makes this event — and our community — so special.

Pride and Partnership in Every Performance

Reflecting on the day, Natalia Cid, Head of Creative Engagement at Jacksons Lane, summed it up perfectly:

“Haringey Youth Festival is one of the highlights of the year for us, and this year was extra special. Our young people always look forward to sharing experiences with the other groups and are so proud to perform on stage. The festival is a great example of the amazing work arts organisations in Haringey are doing to showcase the positive work and creativity of our young people.”

At Streetz Ahead, we couldn’t agree more. Watching our young dancers take to the stage with confidence, passion and pride — surrounded by friends from across the borough — was an unforgettable moment. It reminded us exactly why we do what we do.

Looking Ahead

As we celebrate 30 years of Streetz Ahead, we’re filled with gratitude — for our young people, our team, our community partners and everyone who continues to support arts and creativity in Haringey.

Here’s to the next chapter, to the next generation of young artists, and to many more festivals that keep the spirit of collaboration and creativity alive.

Thank you, Haringey — and see you next year! 💃🎉