KINGSTON 2025 - Celebrating our past, present and future

In 2025 Kingston will mark the 1100th anniversary of the crowning of King Athelstan, the first King of England, with a borough-wide celebration. The six month programme of cultural events and activities will launch in Spring 2025 and will be created in collaboration with local communities. As well as amplifying some of the great things already taking place, we want to hear your ideas on how we should celebrate contemporary Kingston’s past, present and future.

This is a great opportunity to reflect on the people, places and stories that made Kingston, the changes that have taken place and our hopes for the future. Over a millennium ago Athelstan was crowned the first King of England in the heart of Kingston, uniting the Kingdoms of Wessex and Mercia. Today the borough is home to many different nationalities and communities that bring an extraordinary richness to our heritage and cultural life; our sense of place, purpose and identity.

So what stories should we share? Whose stories are they to tell and how can we come together to celebrate the ordinary and extraordinary. With our history of innovation, commerce and creativity, a thriving student population and many distinct neighbourhoods spanning town and countryside - let’s make 2025 a year to remember.

For further details or to get involved, see below.