Urban Wild festival returns this month with a packed schedule of events celebrating Southampton’s environment and community connections to nature in the city.
The week-long festival takes place across Southampton from 23 to 31 May and encourages families and people of all ages to connect with nature on their doorsteps, through creative and sustainability-themed events. The 2025 event attracted more than 1,000 people.
This year’s theme is ‘Reimagining Southampton’, calling on people across Southampton and the surrounding areas to imagine a city that integrates nature into decision-making. Most events are family-friendly, free or low cost, including art and photography-based events, guided walks, pond-dipping, conservation activities, and a supper club including low carbon and locally sourced food.
The main celebration, Urban Wild on the Common, also returns to Southampton Common from midday to 6pm on 24 May, featuring local green and conservation groups, local music acts, and small businesses.
Urban Wild is led by Southampton National Park City with support from the New Forest National Park Authority as part of the YouCAN (Youth for Climate and Nature) scheme. Find out more about YouCAN here.
Last year’s festival was made up of 36 individually organised events, including an ‘Interspecies Democracy’ – where people dressed as plants and animals and held a council meeting giving voice to the city’s diverse wildlife, highlighting the issues they face.
Around 800 people attended the finale on Southampton Common, with hundreds more participating in family-friendly events throughout May half-term, helping them learn more about green spaces and enjoy things happening in their community. The New Forest Youth Board also led a guided walk around the Common. This year, they will be running an urban wildlife-inspired quiz and craft activity and promoting the work they do amplifying youth voice in the area.
Watch highlights of last year’s Urban Wild:
Southampton National Park City chair Christelle Blunden said: ‘We are thrilled to be able to host Urban Wild again this year around the theme of “Reimagining Southampton”. There is a really diverse programme for all ages, with activities suitable for young children up to working professionals, ranging from bug hunting to green architecture. Clear your diaries and immerse yourselves in the natural heritage on your doorstep.’
New Forest National Park Authority member and chair of the Youth for Climate and Nature (YouCAN) partnership board, James Wylor-Owen said: ‘It’s important to celebrate the close ties between the New Forest National Park and our nearest city, Southampton – which is a nominated National Park City. Urban Wild brings communities together to celebrate and connect with nature on their doorstep and the importance of green spaces, whether within a city or a nearby National Park.
‘The YouCAN scheme makes intergenerational events like this possible and encourages cohesion between the National Park and nearby urban areas.’
New Forest Youth Board member Fran Nicholas said: ‘Urban Wild is a great opportunity to learn about wildlife on our doorstep and the organisations that are shaping Southampton for the benefit of nature and people. We’re thrilled to be attending again.’
For more information and the full events list, see Southampton National Park City’s website.