Start Of The Line Festival

Introducing: Start of the Line 

Start of the Line is a brand-new music, arts and culture festival coming to Morden Park in June 2026. 

• Saturday 20 June 2026 

• Morden Park 

• 12:30-10:00pm 

• early bird: £15, second release £20 

• 12 and under: free 

The one-day spectacular will bring world-class artists into heart of the community in the London Borough of Merton to perform alongside the best of what the borough has to offer. 

Headlining the event are Soul II Soul, the pioneering British soul collective behind Back to Life; The Hoosiers, the chart-topping indiepop band known for Worried About Ray; and Billy Nomates, the critically acclaimed postpunk/indie artist with a bold, unmistakable sound.  

These acts lead an already impressive lineup, including Mitcham Dreamer stage produced by Mitcham local RAMZ, an area curated by Polka Theatre, a specialist children’s theatre based in Wimbledon, and musical legend Jah Wobble. 

The festival aims to give people of all ages the chance to both enjoy the performances and get hands-on with creative activities.  

Start of the Line, one of Merton Council’s most ambitious outdoor events, will also show a different side of Morden. The festival will showcase the vibrant heart of a London community in a stunning park considered one of southwest London’s best-kept secrets. Because Morden is not the end of the line, it’s the start.  

Confirmed areas and artists:  

The Mainstage: the festival’s heartbeat, hosting exciting big-name acts across the day, including: Soul II Soul, The Hoosiers and Billy Nomates 

Mitcham Dreamer Stage: grassroots and emerging artists, with a line up produced by rapper, singer and songwriter, RAMZ  

Polka Playden: the festival’s family area, delivered by the award-winning Polka Theatre  

Connected Voices Village: a space for connection and conversation. A chance to get involved with musical workshops, debate and hear from spoken word artists.  

As well as areas, tents and stages, Start of the Line will also have roving performances across the site, and an exciting food and drink offer.  

This event builds on the success of We Are Merton Festival in May 2025, which drew crowds of over 10,000 and marked the start of three-years of investment in culture in Merton, known as the We Are Merton programme.  

The programme runs until 2028, and will bring more events, exciting exhibitions and art to areas around the borough.  

This is thanks to Cultural Impact Award funding from the Mayor of London, which Merton Council has matched - and funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.  

Early Bird Offer:  

A limited number of Early Bird tickets available now, priced at just £15. After the offer ends, the remaining adult tickets will be £20 each.  

Start of the Line is free for children aged 12 and under, but you still need to book them a ticket to secure their space.  

Early Bird tickets will be available until 14 February 2026, or until they sell out.  

Start of the Line is produced by Merton Council and funded by The Mayor of London’s Cultural Impact Award. It’s part of We Are Merton: a three-year programme of investment in culture in Merton.