- Southampton Forward

OUR PROGRAMMES

Together at the Table

This pilot project brought Southampton residents together to cook, create and connect. Through hands-on cooking sessions and creative workshops, participants built skills, shared meals, and strengthened community ties, culminating in a public exhibition.

Ignite

Ignite was a six-month leadership programme that helped Southampton residents unlock their potential, build confidence, and grow as community changemakers. Participants received tailored training, shadowed city leaders, and developed personal leadership projects, creating lasting skills, connections, and impact across the city.

City Reflections: Illuminating Southamptn’s Stories

City Reflections brought Southampton’s history to life in February 2026, with six historic buildings transformed by light, sound and storytelling. Co-created with local communities, the projections celebrated the city’s diverse voices, culture and heritage in an immersive, four-evening trail.

2025

Jane Austen 250 Programme

Celebrating Jane Austen 250 in Southampton

Southampton Forward joined cultural partners, artists and communities across the city to celebrate 250 years of Jane Austen’s legacy with a vibrant programme of events, exhibitions and performances.
Discover how Southampton came together to honour one of England’s most inspiring writers

Southampton’s Jazz Story

Saturday 18 October

A one-night-only celebration of Southampton’s rich jazz heritage — and the social history it reflects. Featuring a 12-piece band, guest vocalists, rare archive footage and powerful storytelling, this live show takes audiences on a musical journey from the 1920s to now.

From New Orleans swing to soul-jazz and bebop, discover how jazz shaped — and was shaped by — the city’s evolving identity as a global port. A must-see for music lovers, history fans and anyone connected to Southampton.

Tapestry Festival

TAPESTRY was a brand-new open-air festival of music and culture that took place on Southampton’s Westquay Esplanade on 19–20 July 2025. Inspired by the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen, the event reimagined her connection to folk music with a fresh, global twist – featuring an eclectic mix of acclaimed artists and rising talent.

Set against the backdrop of the city’s medieval walls and with free entry, TAPESTRY offered a vibrant celebration of Southampton’s cultural identit

Multi Stories

For the third year running, Multi-Stories returned to Westquay’s multi-storey car park in May, transforming the space into a vibrant, open-air street art gallery. Launched in 2023, the event has quickly become a highlight of Southampton’s cultural calendar – celebrating creativity, community, and urban expression.

SO: Governance

Over six months, SO: Governance supported Southampton’s charities and social enterprises to grow stronger foundations for the future. See the highlights and access session recordings here.

Pub Cultures

Pub Cultures paired nine Southampton pubs with local artists to create bespoke artworks inspired by the voices of their communities. Unveiled in April 2025, the pieces – from murals to textiles – were shaped through workshops and storytelling, capturing the unique spirit of each space.

Home Theatre Southampton

In partnership with Solent University and director Kerry Kyriacos Michael MBE, Home Theatre Southampton brought 11 intimate performances to life—each hosted in a local home and inspired by the personal stories of its residents. Over 100 participants and 33 creatives co-created this unique citywide project.

City Reflections

From 14–23 February 2025, Southampton’s medieval city walls were lit up with striking projections at The Esplanade, celebrating some of the incredible Community Legends who help make the city shine.

Corner Shop & Portal Into Other Worlds

Corner Shop & Portal Into Other Worlds, led by artist Darrell Vydelingum, celebrated the cultural role of seven local shops in Southampton, recording their oral histories for the city archive. In partnership with local universities, the project also introduced new shop signage featuring playful, everyday phrases.

Emerge Youth Festival

Southampton’s youth, in partnership with SoCo Music and Southampton Forward, co-created a youth-driven festival, held at Hoglands Park on 7th September.

SO: Inclusive

Southampton Forward and the University of Southampton partnered in 2024 to help 25 local organisations deepen their commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. Evolving from a 2021 pilot, the series fostered dialogue, challenged traditional approaches, and supported groups of all sizes to shape a stronger, more inclusive future for the city.

SO: Electronic

Southampton Forward partnered with local venues and SoCo Music Project for a weekend celebrating a side of Southampton’s incredible music heritage.