The Afghanistan and Central Asian Association (ACAA), an award-winning UK-based refugee charity headquartered in London and the largest charity supporting Afghan and Central Asian communities in the United Kingdom, is delighted to announce the return of the Afghan Summer Festival (MELA) 2026, taking place on Sunday 21 June 2026, from 10:00am to 8:00pm at Cranford Community College, High Street, Hounslow, TW5 9PD.
- Nearest Underground Station: Hounslow West
- Nearest National Rail Station: Southall
Recognised as the UK’s Biggest Refugee Week Festival and the World’s Largest Afghan Music Festival, the Afghan Summer Festival is one of the most significant celebrations of Afghan culture, heritage, music and community anywhere in Europe.
Following the outstanding success of the 2025 festival, which welcomed more than 7,500 attendees, organisers expect over 10,000 visitors in 2026 from across London, the UK and across Europe.
Held as part of the annual Refugee Week celebrations, the festival brings together Afghan, Central Asian, Persian, South Asian and wider communities for a day of cultural exchange, entertainment, community engagement and celebration.
Festival Highlights
Visitors can enjoy a full day of entertainment and activities, including:
Live Entertainment
- Live Afghan DJs
- Live Afghan, Persian and Central Asian singers and dance groups
- Traditional folk music performances featuring Rubab, Tabla, Santur and Daf players
- Professional photography and videography
- Large outdoor festival stage with performances throughout the day
Family Attractions
- Exclusive Kids Zone
- Bouncy Castles
- Funfair rides
- Face painting
- Henna art
- Storytelling stalls
- Circus performances
- Fun games and entertainment for children
- 360° Photo Booth experience
Food and Drink
The festival will feature a wide range of paid food and drink stalls offering:
- Afghan cuisine
- Central Asian cuisine
- Persian cuisine
- South Asian cuisine
- Traditional sweets and desserts
Additional attractions include:
- Ice cream vendors
- Chocolate fountain stalls
- Bubble Tea stalls
- Ice Gola stalls
- Cash and contactless payment bar
Shopping Bazaar
With more than 30 stalls, visitors can browse:
- Afghan and international fashion
- Jewellery
- Arts and crafts
- Carpets and textiles
- Embroidery
- Calligraphy
- Henna artists
- Community organisations
- Small businesses and entrepreneurs
Cultural Heritage Exhibitions
The festival will also feature:
- Photo displays documenting refugee journeys
- Exhibitions showcasing Afghan and Central Asian history and heritage
- Community storytelling projects
- Educational and cultural awareness displays
Sponsorship and Stall Opportunities
ACAA is currently inviting businesses, organisations, charities and public sector partners to support the festival through sponsorship packages and stall bookings. This presents a unique opportunity to engage directly with Afghan, Central Asian, Iranian, South Asian and wider multicultural communities across London and the UK.
Sponsors will benefit from:
- Logo placement on LED screens, stage panels, banners, posters and the festival website
- Recognition in press releases and email campaigns
- Social media promotion across Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn and X
- Influencer collaborations and digital marketing campaigns
- LED screen advertisements displayed every 15 minutes
- On-site banner placement
- Hourly stage acknowledgements
- Opportunity to address attendees from the main stage
- Inclusion in official festival videos and promotional content
Gazebos, tables, chairs and electricity can be provided where required.
Festival Partners
The Afghan Summer Festival is supported by a growing network of local, regional and national partners, including:
- Hounslow Council Summer of Culture
- Inclusion Barnet
- VCS Emergencies Partnership
- London Communities Emergencies Partnership (LCEP)
- London Plus
- Greater London Authority
- London Borough of Hounslow
- London Councils
- London Boroughs Faiths Network
- Community Action Sutton
- Exiled Writers Ink
- Lewisham Refugee and Migrant Network (LRMN)
- InHounslow
Previous Festival Success
The 2025 Afghan Summer Festival welcomed over 7,500 attendees, making it one of the largest Afghan cultural events ever held outside Afghanistan and one of the UK’s most significant Refugee Week celebrations.
Festival highlights can be viewed online:
- YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaStHDbb7rU&t=218s - TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@acaa_london/video/7520240234278161686 - Eventbrite:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/afghan-summer-festival-2o25-the-worlds-biggest-afghan-music-festival-tickets-1349202945329
Media, Sponsorship and Stall Enquiries
For sponsorship opportunities, stall bookings, interviews, media coverage or partnership discussions, please contact:
Darius Nasimi
Afghan Summer Festival 2026 Team
Email: darius@afghanistan-central-asian.org.uk, admin@afghanistan-central-asian.org.uk
WhatsApp: 07440 153483
Supporting Refugees and Communities
The Afghanistan and Central Asian Association (ACAA) is an award-winning British charity established in 1999 to support refugees, asylum seekers, migrants and disadvantaged communities. Through education, integration, welfare support, advocacy, cultural programmes and community development, ACAA works to build stronger, more inclusive communities across the United Kingdom. All proceeds from sponsorship, stall bookings and ticket sales will support the work of the Afghanistan and Central Asian Association (ACAA), an award-winning British charity established in 1999.
Founded by Dr Nooralhaq Nasimi MBE HonDSS (RHUL), who arrived in the United Kingdom as a refugee with his young family in the back of a refrigerated container in 1999, ACAA has grown into the UK’s largest Afghan diaspora-led charity.
Today, ACAA operates from offices in Hounslow, Brent, Birmingham, Liverpool and Nottinghamshire, providing vital support to refugees, asylum seekers, migrants, women, young people and disadvantaged communities across the United Kingdom.
