- Festival Programme To Feature Open Iftar Events in 12 UK Cities at some of the UK’s Most Iconic Landmarks and Venues
- Ramadan Tent Project Partners With Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture
- Trafalgar Square Set to Host Grand Finale Open Iftar Event
- UK to Experience 5 Exciting Activations Across 2 Months of Ramadan Festival
- Welcome Ramadan Conference and Ramadan Pavilion To Launch 2025 Festival on 15 Feb at St George’s Hall, Bradford
LONDON, 5 FEB 2025–With approximately 20 days before the month of Ramadan approaches, Ramadan Tent Project (RTP) has announced its award-winning annual Ramadan Festival 2025. This year’s iteration will see 5 exciting activations across 2 months in 12 UK cities. The annual Ramadan Festival organised by RTP is a collection of artistic, cultural, creative events to inspire and engage audiences from all backgrounds, in addition to the UK’s largest community event in Ramadan, Open Iftar.
Open Iftar Series Returns The series of Open Iftar events will once again be hosted in iconic venues across the country. This year the holy month of Ramadan runs between late February and throughout March 2025, with Ramadan Tent Project’s Open Iftars falling on Fridays and weekends.
Open Iftars have been confirmed at the following locations across London and the UK: King’s College Cambridge, Windsor Castle, Baltic Newcastle Gateshead, Sheffield Kelham Island Museum, V&A Dundee, Cardiff City Stadium, Brighton & Hove Albion FC, Aston Villa FC, AFC Wimbledon, Lord’s Cricket Ground in partnership with Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) and England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), Shakespeare’s Globe, Shepherd’s Bush Market, Belfast City Hall, The MyLahore Glass Marquee, Blackburn, V&A South Kensington, and Guildhall City of London with further events in Bradford and King’s Cross. The final Open Iftar is set to return to London’s Trafalgar Square on 29 March.
You can view the full list of Open Iftar venues here and register for tickets in coming weeks.
Omar Salha, Founder and CEO of Ramadan Tent Project said:
“For over a decade Ramadan Tent Project has connected and convened more than 1 million people from all backgrounds through the UK’s annual Ramadan Festival. We are excited to welcome people of all faiths and none, with a focus on this year’s Ramadan Festival theme of ‘Connection’.
This year, we are delighted to partner with Bradford 2025 – the UK’s City of Culture, and feature some of our key activations, including the Welcome Ramadan Conference, Ramadan Pavilion and Open Iftar. We are proud to represent a pillar of Britain’s rich cultural ecology celebrating community, belonging and inclusion with Bradford 2025.
Ramadan holds profound significance for millions observing across the UK and many more across the globe. It is a time of deep introspection, reflection, and self-discipline. It is also a time to connect with family, friends, and the wider community through acts of service and charity.
It is wonderful to be welcomed back by some of the UK’s most historic and iconic venues as hosts of our Open Iftar events and indeed to receive overwhelming interest from new partners and spaces across the capital and the UK. This truly echoes the spirit of Ramadan Tent Project and our Festival theme of ‘Connection’ which seeks to connect more hearts and minds, weaving a tapestry of belonging and connection towards a harmonious society.
We look forward to welcoming thousands of visitors, from all faith backgrounds and none, throughout Ramadan Festival 2025.”
Michelle Terry, Artistic Director of Shakespeare’s Globe, said: “We couldn’t be prouder to gather with The Ramadan Tent Project once again, in the embrace of our wooden O for this most extraordinary and important of moments. Open Iftar is an invitation to people, all people, to celebrate all that unites us in the shared experience of not only a call to prayer, but also a call for peace.” Leonie Bell, Director of V&A Dundee, said: “V&A Dundee is looking forward to hosting Open Iftar with Ramadan Tent Project again this year. Open Iftar is a remarkable project, bringing together people of all faiths and none, and last year we welcomed 300 people to the museum for this event to celebrate the breaking of fast at sunset with food, family and community. It is particularly special that we are hosting Open Iftar on the same day as V&A South Kensington, bringing people together at the same moment in V&A museums in both Dundee and London.”
Marylebone Cricket Club Head of Community & Inclusion, Ricky Reynolds, said: “We’re really looking forward to welcoming so many members of the Islamic faith and beyond for this Iftar event. Lord’s is a ground for all, and we’re delighted to be hosting this special evening.” Sam Ghataora, EDI Lead at Aston Villa Football Club said: “Aston Villa are once again proud to work with the Open Tent Project to host an Open Iftar for 2025 at Villa Park. We are proud of our diversity and look forward to bringing all communities together. We want to create a space for all cultures by celebrating the spirit of Ramadan through shared meals.”
England and Wales Cricket Board EDI Director, Kate Aldridge said: “We’re thrilled to partner with the Ramadan Tent Project for this special iftar, reflecting the ECB’s continued commitment to making cricket the most inclusive team sport.”
Kim Streets, Chief Executive at Sheffield Museums said:
“We’re delighted to welcome the Open Iftar celebrations to Kelham Island Museum once again. Museums, and the stories they tell, help us find connections with each other and our place in the world. They are places of celebration – of traditions, innovations and creativity, of people’s lives and of the amazing things we can achieve together. We’re looking forward to welcoming people to the museum to break their fast and celebrate the spirit of Ramadan together.”
Shanaz Gulzar Creative Director of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture commented: “At Bradford, UK City of Culture 2025, we are proud to partner with Ramadan Tent Project to celebrate the richness of our diverse communities. Through initiatives like the Welcome Ramadan Conference, which will kick off the Ramadan Festival 2025, we are creating spaces for sharing experiences and building meaningful relationships. This collaboration embodies the theme of ‘Connection’ and our shared values of kindness, respect, and understanding, bringing communities together in the spirit of unity and cultural exchange. Together, we are fostering an environment where every voice is heard, and every tradition is honoured.”
Tufail Hussain, director, Islamic Relief UK says: “No man is an island, and the same is true for the charity sector. Without our inspirational partners like Ramadan Tent Project, so much of our work wouldn’t be possible. Ramadan is the most important time of year for Muslims worldwide and it reminds us of the less fortunate who struggle for food. The work Ramadan Tent Project does is truly special, and it brings people of all faiths and none together, bridging the gaps between communities, to do something as important as alleviating world hunger. This year I’m looking forward to continuing our good work and am confident we can make an even bigger difference than before.”
Ismael Dainehine, Founder & CEO of MyTenNights & EverGive said:”MyTenNights (MTN) is delighted to partner with the Ramadan Tent Project (RTP) for the 4th year to help raise funds during Ramadan 2025.This partnership between MTN, EverGive, and RTP is a powerful example of how collaboration can create lasting positive change. Charity fosters connection—whether through online giving or in person. With the support of our generous donors, we’re committed to helping RTP continue their mission. By blending innovation with generosity, we’re not only raising awareness of RTP’s excellent work but also demonstrating how businesses and charities can work hand in hand to drive meaningful impact.
Welcome Ramadan Conference Set For 15 Feb at St George’s Hall, Bradford
This year’s Ramadan Festival will see Ramadan Tent Project partner with Bradford 2025, the UK City of Culture, in its year-long celebration of the city’s rich history and diverse communities. St George’s Hall will play host to the Welcome Ramadan Conference on 15 February, alongside the unveiling of the highly anticipated biennial Ramadan Pavilion at Centenary Square. The day-long Welcome Ramadan Conference will feature inspiring discussions, engaging panels, and keynote speeches from visionary speakers. Tickets are available on Eventbrite here.
Biennial Ramadan Pavilion Back for Second Edition
Ramadan Festival 2023 saw the launch of the world’s inaugural Ramadan Pavilion, a commissioned structure inspired by the month of Ramadan which celebrates the lived experiences of Muslims across the UK and the globe. Hosted in Bradford’s Centenary Square in partnership with Bradford 2025, UK City of Culture, the second edition of the Ramadan Pavilion, Infinite Light, designed by Artists Zarah Hussain and Architectural Designer Fatima Mejbil, is a striking double-archway structure drawing on diverse architectural traditions from around the world. The biennial commission also aims to bring attention to the core values and traditions of Ramadan through architectural expression, experimentation and creativity.
The inaugural Ramadan Pavilion featured a purpose-built structure by London based architect and academic Shahed Saleem. It was displayed at the It was displayed in V&A South Kensington’s Exhibition Road Courtyard.
Ramadan Run Club Welcomes Participants
The annual Ramadan Festival will also feature Ramadan Run Club, fostering a safe space for runners seeking physical activity during the holy month. Welcoming participants from diverse faith backgrounds and non-faiths, Ramadan Run Club facilitates connections among runners of all levels, building a healthy, mindful, and spiritually fit community.
Fast A Day Back For Second Year With City of London Corporation Partnership
Following the success of its pilot programme, Fast A Day, encourages businesses, corporates, executives, staff, and the wider business network to host a small iftar gathering on their premises, raising awareness about Ramadan and join in fasting a day during the holy month. In 2025, the City of London Corporation will partner with Ramadan Tent Project to allow participants to experience the magic of Open Iftar in an office setting within the Square Mile. Those wishing to host a Fast a Day event during Ramadan Festival 2025 at their workplace within the City of London are invited to register interest at https://belongingproject.city/fastaday, or email fastaday@ramadantentproject.com
