London, UK – The Serpentine Galleries’ annual Summer Party, the capital’s most anticipated cultural soirée since its launch in 2000, marks its 25th anniversary with a historic co-host: Academy Award-winning actor and arts patron Cate Blanchett. She joins Michael R. Bloomberg (Chairman of Serpentine’s Board of Trustees), Bettina Korek (Serpentine CEO), and Hans Ulrich Obrist (Artistic Director) in leading the festivities on Tuesday, 24 June, set against the verdant backdrop of the annual Serpentine Pavilion in Kensington Gardens.
Blanchett becomes the first solo personality to co-chair the event in its quarter-century history, aligning with this year’s architectural showcase—the Pavilion, designed by Bangladeshi architect Marina Tabassum, renowned for her humanitarian work addressing displacement and refugee crises. The evening is the gallery’s flagship fundraiser, with exclusive access granted through its high-tier patron scheme.
Fresh from her acclaimed performance in The Seagull at the Barbican, Blanchett emphasised the vital role of cultural institutions in shaping global discourse. “Supporting spaces that illuminate our world—and our place within it—is paramount,” she said. “I’m honoured to co-chair an event where architecture, performance, music, and digital narratives intersect. Marina Tabassum’s socially engaged practice, particularly her work with Rohingya refugees, inspires this collaboration profoundly.”
Blanchett’s involvement follows her recent remarks about stepping back from acting to pursue other passions. In an interview with Radio Times, she hinted at a shift in focus, stating, “There are many things I want to do with my life.”
Korek and Obrist described the party as “a fusion of classic British garden sophistication and the dynamism of a global salon.” They added, “Cate Blanchett’s presence as co-host elevates this milestone year. Her creative vision mirrors our commitment to artistic innovation and community.”
A magnet for London’s cultural elite, past editions have drawn Turner Prize winners, Antony Gormley, Anish Kapoor, Richard Long and Grayson Perry alongside celebrities, Sienna Miller, Keira Knightley, Kate Moss, Venus Williams, and the Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie. The gala remains legendary for cementing the party’s reputation as a nexus of art, fashion, and philanthropy.
Other legendary moments: In a black, off-the-shoulder dress, famously known as the “revenge dress”. Princess Diana attended the event the night Prince Charles (now King) publicly admitted to infidelity. The dress, which Diana had previously deemed too revealing, symbolised her defiance and newfound independence.
As the Serpentine prepares for this celebration, the 2025 Summer Party promises to be a dazzling extravaganza to art’s power to inspire.
Top Photo: Gage Skidmore Wiki Media Commons