The Roots Picnic Expands to London

The iconic Philadelphia music festival will host a new event across the pond.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 12:00am

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A striking abstract illustration featuring sharp, angular black silhouettes of musical instruments and festival elements set against a bold red and white background, conceptually representing the energy and creativity of the expanding Roots Picnic music festival.The Roots Picnic's expansion to London will bring the festival's signature blend of music, culture, and community to a new international audience.Philadelphia Today

The Roots Picnic, the annual music festival founded by the iconic Philadelphia hip-hop group The Roots, is expanding to London. The festival, which has traditionally been held in Philadelphia, will now host a new event in the UK capital starting in 2027.

Why it matters

The Roots Picnic has become a beloved institution in Philadelphia, drawing music fans from across the region to celebrate the city's vibrant hip-hop scene. Expanding the festival to London represents a major milestone for the event and will help introduce The Roots' signature sound to a new international audience.

The details

In addition to the flagship Philadelphia event, The Roots Picnic will launch a new festival in London starting in 2027. The London edition will feature many of the same musical acts, food vendors, and community-focused programming that has made the Philadelphia festival a must-attend event over the past two decades.

  • The Roots Picnic has been held annually in Philadelphia since 2008.
  • The new London edition of The Roots Picnic will launch in 2027.

The players

The Roots

The Roots are a Grammy-winning hip-hop group from Philadelphia that founded the annual Roots Picnic music festival in 2008.

Belmont Plateau

The Roots Picnic has traditionally been held at the Belmont Plateau in Philadelphia's Fairmount Park.

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What they’re saying

“We're excited to bring the spirit of The Roots Picnic to London and share our love of music, food, and community with a new international audience.”

— Questlove, Co-founder, The Roots Picnic

What’s next

The Roots Picnic London will announce its inaugural lineup and ticket details in early 2027.

The takeaway

The expansion of The Roots Picnic to London underscores the festival's growing influence and the enduring appeal of Philadelphia's vibrant hip-hop scene on a global stage.