Scoops, Solidarity & Summer Vibes: Inside Ben & Jerry’s Feel-Good Festival at Chiswick

In the heart of Chiswick House & Gardens, a swirl of music, laughter, and sweet nostalgia descended for one vibrant day at Ben & Jerry’s Sundaes in the Park Festival. But make no mistake—this wasn’t just an ice cream binge. Yes, the scoops were endless, unlimited ice-cream (yes, unlimited), all day long ... but the true flavour of the day was community.

From the moment you walked through the gates, there was a distinct sense of joy that had little to do with sugar highs. Festivalgoers lounged on picnic blankets, moved to the sounds of Fleur East and Afriquoi, and wandered from craft tents to storytelling circles, all under a canopy of kindness and inclusion.

Ben & Jerry’s has long held a reputation for blending business with activism, and this festival was the embodiment of that mission. With every £15 ticket (100% of proceeds donated, excluding VAT), attendees supported a suite of powerful UK charities working with refugees and asylum seekers. Names like Women for Refugee Women, Say It Loud Club, The Bike Project, and Bees and Refugees weren’t just printed on a poster—they were present, running workshops, engaging with the crowd, and reminding us what true welcome looks like.

In the Social Mission Tent, visitors could meet the real change-makers. Whether it was learning how bees can support refugee integration or chatting with entrepreneurs from TERN (The Entrepreneurial Refugee Network) over tea, this corner of the festival carried a warmth that lingered long after the event ended.

And yes—there was ice cream. Buckets of it. Festival-exclusive flavours like Bohemian Raspberry (a non-dairy triumph), Brookies & Cream Sundae, and the movingly titled Sweet Mango Memories (co-created with refugee chefs) delivered the creamy indulgence fans came for. But even here, the message of inclusion was present: bold vegan options, stories behind the flavours, and every tub served with a smile that said, “You belong here.”

Elsewhere, a S’moreground roasted marshmallows by the dozen, while DIY kites soared above the lawns. The Scoop-tacular Games Zone invited silliness with challenges like “Hook the Spoon,” but it never slipped into gimmick territory. Everything was thoughtful, joyful, and rooted in people over profit.

Perhaps the most striking thing about Sundaes in the Park was how gentle and unpretentious it felt. Unlike typical summer festivals bursting with commercial noise, this was a soft-spoken celebration—a reminder that festivals can be places of fun and meaning. Where the music is sweet, the ice cream sweeter, and the company… unforgettable.

Can we all do it again next year please?