Dates Announced for Next Year's Gunnersbury Park Festivals
Over 100,000 people expected to visit events over three days
It has been confirmed that the Lovebox and Citadel Festivals will be returning to Gunnersbury Park in 2019.
The three days of music festival in the park brought in over 100,000 people this year and a similar number is expected again. Lovebox will take place in Gunnersbury Park on Friday 12 July and Saturday 13 July, with Citadel following on Sunday 14 July 2019. Acts performing over the three days will be announced by Lovebox and Citadel as and when confirmed in the new year.
There were a number of complaints from residents about noise and disruption after this year’s events but Hounslow Council said that there were minimal issues with crime and anti-social behaviour for the festivals and noise levels were within the agreed limits.
The organisers later apologised to a residents’ meeting about a number of ‘unanticipated issues’ relating to the festival. People living in the immediate area of the park had complained about poor stewarding, errors in information about road closures, safety issues from serious overcrowding at Acton Town, the time taken to clear up litter, problems cause by taxis waiting in nearby streets and queues of cars of parents dropping off children leading to major tailbacks on surrounding roads. In addition the levels of communication with the public were criticised.
Gunnersbury Estate (2026) Community Interest Company (CIC) who manage the park say they are working closely with event organiser MAMA Festivals, Ealing Council and London Borough of Hounslow to ensure that residents are kept informed and both festivals are delivered successfully, with minimal disruption to the local community. A website has been set up at www.loveboxandcitadelcommunity.com where updates on plans for the events and details of future public consultation meetings can be found.
David Bowler, Gunnersbury Estate CIC CEO said, “The Lovebox and Citadel festivals in Gunnersbury Park will be a key element of the park’s exciting summer live events programme. We are putting West London and Gunnersbury Park firmly on the map as one of London’s leading cultural destinations.”
Rory Bett, MAMA Festivals CEO added, “We are delighted that we have been given the opportunity to return to the stunning surrounds of Gunnersbury Park in 2019 and look forward to working closely with the Gunnersbury Estate CIC and the local community to deliver an event we can all be proud of. We are investing a significant amount of time and money to deliver the best possible experience to all our guests and for all of the local residents and businesses, while showcasing the very best Artists and Performers from across the world and we look forward to sharing further information in due course”
The Gunnersbury Estate CIC say that money is raised from the events to help maintain and improve the park. We have asked them how much was raised from this year’s event.