The organisers of festivals in Brockwell Park say the events will go ahead despite a legal challenge that won a case against them.
Brockwell Live, which hosts festivals in the beloved Brixton park, including Mighty Hoopla and City Splash, confirmed that all of its events will take place as planned, insisting that a High Court ruling only dealt with “a particular point of law and whether an administrative process had been carried out correctly”.
The festivals seemed to be in doubt after a High Court judge ruled in favour of campaigners from the Protect Brockwell Park group, who launched a challenge against Lambeth Council over approving the events.
In a statement on Monday, Brockwell Live said: “We wish to make it clear that no event will be cancelled as a result of the High Court’s decision.
“We take our stewardship of Brockwell Park seriously. As we prepare to deliver these much-loved, culturally significant events, we remain fully committed to its care, upkeep, and long-term wellbeing.
“With setup nearly complete, we look forward to opening the gates and welcoming festival goers later this week.”
The first events in the park are set to begin on Friday.
See also: All the Brockwell Park festivals that will go ahead
Following Brockwell Live’s announcement, the Protect Brockwell Park group told the Standard it was seeking legal advice as to its next steps.
In a statement the residents group said: “It seems to us Brockwell Live are carrying on regardless, and Lambeth are allowing them to do that.
“This is exactly what Lambeth have been repeatedly criticised for, by us and others (eg LTN judgement).
“This whole thing started because Lambeth refused to go through a planning process, do proper assessments and allow proper scrutiny, and instead issued legal certificates last minute to try to shut us out.”
In a post on X, Mighty Hoopla’s account added: “Mighty Hoopla can confirm that we will be going ahead as planned on Saturday 31 May and Sunday 1 June 2025.
“We are committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment for all.
“Brockwell Park has been home to Mighty Hoopla since 2018, and we will continue to work with Brockwell Live to ensure its upkeep is maintained to the highest standard for 2025 and beyond.
“We look forward to seeing you all next week for a weekend like no other.”
See you next weekend! pic.twitter.com/vtwNOsntZ1
— Mighty Hoopla (@mightyhoopla) May 19, 2025
Brockwell Live also confirmed that the Lambeth Country Show will go ahead as planned. Since 2023, the festival organisers have also co-produced the free event, which has been run by Lambeth Council for 50 years
The legal challenge focused on a key issue: Lambeth Council’s use of 'permitted development' rules to allow these festivals to take place, effectively bypassing the full planning process.
Campaigners argued that Lambeth Council acted improperly by issuing a licence under the rules, claiming they were misapplied in this case.
They maintained that the event series, including setup and de-rigging, spans more than 28 days and therefore exceeds the legal limit.
Lambeth Council had contested the legal challenge, which was led by Rebekah Shaman, a Protect Brockwell Park member.
In an update on Monday, the council explained the event’s organisers, Summer Events Limited, had reapplied for planning permission.
A Lambeth Council spokesperson said: “Summer Events Limited has applied to Lambeth Council for a new certificate of lawfulness, for 24 days, following the High Court ruling last week on the previous certificate.
“The council is urgently considering that application. That consideration does not stop the events proceeding.”
At a High Court hearing a week before the festivals were due to begin, the Honourable Mr Justice Mould ruled in favour of Ms Shaman, stating the council’s decision to grant a Lawful Development Certificate was “irrational”.
The Judge ordered the existing certificate to be quashed, leaving the festivals briefly in limbo.
Mr Justice Mould counted the “period between commencement and normal use of the park” to be 37 days and as such, this was “incontrovertibly beyond the scope” of planning development rights.
Lawyers for Ms Shaman and the Protect Brockwell Park group wrote to the council following the ruling, asking it to “confirm that the event has been cancelled” and to clear any fencing or infrastructure, and stating that Brockwell Live did not have planning permission.
Before the hearing last week, Protect Brockwell Park said they are “not anti-festival, we support well-run inclusive events”, but that the festivals cause damage, including to the grassland and trees.
Lawyers for Lambeth Council and Summer Events Limited both asked the judge for the go-ahead to challenge his decision, but this was refused.
Following the ruling, the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) had warned the result could lead to “a dark new era” for live music.
Responding to the decision, Michael Kill, chief executive of the NTIA, said: “The legal action brought against Lambeth Council over the Brockwell Park festivals is emblematic of a much deeper crisis facing our cultural and events landscape.
“If these festivals are unable to proceed, it would mark a devastating blow to London’s identity as a global hub for live music, culture, and community celebration — and would signal a dark new era for the UK’s events and festival sector.
“This isn’t about protecting parks — it’s about stifling culture, and the consequences are far-reaching.”
Meanwhile, the ruling was welcomed by Protect Brockwell Park campaigners as well as Dunkirk actor Sir Mark Rylance, who said in a statement issued by the group that it was “wonderful news” and that “every small victory for nature makes a difference”.
Events in Brockwell Park include Mighty Hoopla, which is widely celebrated for its vibrant atmosphere and strong ties to the LGBT+ community. In 2025, the festival is scheduled for May 31 and June 1, with headliners including Ciara and Kesha.
Brockwell Live’s six festivals include Wide Awake, which is set to see Irish rap trio Kneecap perform on Friday.
A spokesperson for Protect Brockwell Park said: “The High Court quashed the certificate that Brockwell Live had planning permission. The judge found that as the proposed events carried on to 16th June they exceeded the 28 day limit.
“He also found that Lambeth council had acted irrationally in issuing the certificate.The Court rejected Brockwell Live’s argument that the grant of planning permission for the Lambeth Country Show alters the position. Brockwell Live accept that their current intention is for a use exceeding the 28 day limit, but they have made another application to the Council trying to assert that their events have planning permission.
“We consider that to be completely wrong. The Council’s event hire terms state that the organiser must get any necessary planning permission. Lambeth council appear not to intend to enforce the terms of their own hire contract."
