As All Points East 2026 begins, some Victoria Park locals are urging the community not to 'moan' about the festival but to 'be happy' it's there, citing economic benefits and vibrancy, while others express frustration over disruption and park closures.
Mixed reactions as festival returns
MyLondon visited Victoria Park on Friday, August 21, as the first day of the two-weekend music event kicked off, with tens of thousands of festival-goers expected to descend on East London. Large green panels stretched around a section of the park, walling off the festival site. Concerns raised by the local community over the years include music until 11pm, crowds walking past homes, and a large part of the park being closed off.
Maureen, 76, was sitting on a bench as Jorja Smith performed soundchecks from inside the festival site. She told MyLondon: "So much of the park is closed off, which isn't great and I understand people's concerns, but I can't say I'm outraged. This is what summer is like here - it's a way of life. It brings money to the area."
She added: "I love music festivals myself. Some places would die to have a festival like this. This makes the area vibrant, and local businesses get more money. I say don't moan and be happy it's here."
Disruption and the 75-day proposal
The festival has proven contentious with some members of the Victoria Park community. In July, All Points East opened a public consultation after announcing plans to use the park for 75 days, a move that drew backlash from parts of the community and those in surrounding areas. With dry weather and a heatwave, the ground is very dry, leading to concerns of another 'dustbowl' situation like in 2025.
Joanna Howe, who lives right next to the park, was sitting by the children's playground with her son. She said: "The festival is nice, but it is disruptive. For the whole summer, a huge chunk of the park is basically inaccessible. It adds time to getting to the nursery, you can't cut through."
She continued: "I get there's good stuff, such as the In The Neighbourhood events. I've been here for eight years, and it's becoming increasingly disruptive, and the building part keeps getting longer and longer. A lot of people around here don't have gardens, and we chose to live here due to the park, especially during the summer holidays. It's an inconvenience. Many people are opposed to the 75-day proposal. Living by the park, you can't get away from it."
Positive outlook from park users
Despite the concerns, MyLondon found that people were generally positive about the festival. A father in the park with his children said people complaining about the noise shouldn't forget that 'this is London - it's part of living in the city'.
Lia and Natasha were in the park at around 1pm. Lia said: "Usually the park's a lot busier but I'm sure it will pick up. I can understand how the music and festival could be quite intense. For me, I'm enjoying the music as it plays. It's not every single weekend, so take it while it's here and enjoy it."
Natasha said: "I live near Tottenham Stadium and I always see people walking past and hear the music all the time due to the concerts there. I think seeing all the people in their outfits and walking past is fun. Festivals are good for the local area. Festivals bring people together; they are a positive."
As soundchecks continued, families and people gathered trying to catch glimpses over the wall of the main stage. The festival is set to continue over the next few days, with the local community remaining divided on its impact.
