Ramadan is a month-long festival that commemorates the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. Kicking off last week on February 28, London is getting in on the Ramadan celebration with Ramadan lights, interactive installations, and more. One UK charity, the Ramadan Tent Project, is bringing the spirit of the celebration to cultural institutions and iconic venues all across the UK. They’re hosting free Open Iftar events, inviting everyone to celebrate together.
The free Iftar meals are a way of bringing communities together to celebrate. This is particularly important this year, when the theme of Ramadan Tent Project’s Ramadan Festival 2025 is Connection. The Ramadan Tent Project believes “that true connection – whether rooted in shared experiences, values or faith; mutual respect can build bridges of solidarity and foster a compassionate world where all can coexist in harmony.”
By bringing people together for Iftar – in stunning environs, no less – they work towards a more caring and unified world. After all, one of their core aims is to ‘Turn Strangers Into Friends’.
They kicked things off this year with a historic Open Iftar meal on March 2 at Windsor Castle, in partnership with the Royal Collection Trust. At the event, which was held in the state banqueting room St George’s Hall, over 360 guests gathered to break their fast and celebrate Ramadan. The event was the first ever Open Iftar held at Windsor Castle in the building’s 1,000-year history. Subsequent Open Iftars will take place on weekends throughout March.
Open Iftar in the UK
In previous years, the Ramadan Tent Project has hosted Open Iftar meals at The Royal Albert Hall, Wembley Stadium, Coventry Cathedral, and even with Little Amal. Over a million people have attended the events – with visitors from all faiths (or no faith at all) welcome to join and “foster community, inclusivity and cultural exchange during Ramadan.”
This year, they’re hosting Open Iftar events in 12 cities across the UK. These will take place at iconic landmarks, cultural institutions, and historic venues across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. The events are free to attend (although you will need a free ticket), and more tickets will be released for more events throughout the month.
It will all culminate with an enormous event in Trafalgar Square at the Grand Finale Open Iftar on March 29.
Said Omar Salha, Founder and CEO of Ramadan Tent Project:
“For over a decade, Ramadan Tent Project has connected and convened over 1 million people 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 2025 theme of ‘Connection’ which seeks to connect more hearts and minds, weaving a tapestry of belonging and connection towards a more harmonious society. We look forward to welcoming thousands of visitors, from all backgrounds across our Open Iftar events and throughout our Ramadan Festival 2025 programmes across London and the UK.”
Events this March
Throughout March, the Ramadan Tent Project will host Open Iftar events at the following venues:
- Guildhall, Great Hall – London (March 7)
- King’s College – Cambridge (March 7)
- Lord’s – London (March 8)
- Baltic – Newcastle (March 8)
- Shakespeare’s Globe – London (March 9)
- Sheffield Kelham Island Museum – Sheffield (March 9)
- V&A South Kensington – London (March 14)
- V&A Dundee – Dundee, Scotland (March 14)
- SOAS – London (March 15)
- Cardiff City Football Stadium – Cardiff, Wales (March 15)
- AFC Wimbledon – London (March 16)
- Brighton and Hove Albion FC – Brighton (March 16)
- 1 City Park – Bradford (March 21)
- Aston Villa – Birmingham (March 21)
- Shepherds Bush Market – London (March 22)
- 1 City Park – Bradford (March 22)
- Belfast City Hall – Belfast, Ireland (March 23)
- Blackburn, MyLahore Glassmarquee – Blackburn (March 28)
- Trafalgar Square – London (March 29)
Find out more about the Ramadan Tent Project here. Keep up to date with the latest Open Iftar dates and locations here.