Croydon’s Costa Del adds free Thursday Beach Club nights until 31 August

Costa Del Croydon, the free community event held on the rooftop car park of Centrale Shopping Centre, has introduced adult-only Beach Club nights on Thursdays. The event, which runs until 31 August 2026, will now include evening sessions featuring live performances, themed activities and interactive experiences for over-18s.

Why the change was made

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Dominique Stagg, marketing, events and PR manager for the Croydon Estate, told South West Londoner that the new Thursday nights were introduced to address a gap in Croydon’s nighttime economy. She said there was a lack of free, local activities for adults, particularly during the cost-of-living crisis.

Stagg said the event was originally created to provide families with affordable summer activities. Many local residents live in high-rise flats without access to outdoor space. The addition of adult nights extends the same principle to older audiences, offering free entertainment in the town centre.

There’s a lack of nighttime economy in Croydon. There’s also not a lot you can do as an adult for free. We’re in a cost-of-living crisis, so if we’re doing something great and fun for kids, why can’t we do it for adults as well?

Dominique Stagg, marketing, events and PR manager, Croydon Estate

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What to expect at Beach Club nights

Each Thursday night will have a different theme and feature headline performances. DJ Luck & MC Neat, dancehall act Supa Nytro and Croydon Pride hosts Sophia Stardust and Tiana Biscuit will lead a lip-sync drag battle. Other activities include sip-and-paint sessions, pottery painting and music bingo.

The events are organised in partnership with the Croydon Creative Enterprise Zone, which supports emerging local artists. Stagg said the partnership aims to showcase Croydon’s creative talent while providing entertainment for residents.

Family activities continue during the day

Daytime activities for children remain unchanged. These include performances by the Croydon Steel Orchestra, dance classes and music workshops. New additions this year include a changing room, introduced following resident feedback, and new food vendors such as Happy Crumb Bakery from Surrey Street.

While the beach, splash zone and some games are free, activities like dodgems, trampolines and hook-a-duck incur charges. Food and drink are also sold separately. Tickets for Beach Club nights are released weekly and must be booked in advance, though limited walk-in spaces are available.

What happens next

Costa Del Croydon will continue to run daily until 31 August 2026. Residents can book free tickets for Thursday Beach Club nights via the Centrale and Whitgift website. The event organisers have not announced whether the adult nights will return in future years.