
A summer of festivals!
The joy of summer is washing over the capital, and with it comes plenty of things to see and do!
The joy of summer is washing over the capital, and with it comes plenty of things to see and do!
A brand-new free festival is taking place on the weekend of 22 – 23 July. A truly unique location with nature, river, cityscape, and incredible heritable landmarks all on view in one place! Celebrate everything that Potters Fields Park and the London Bridge neighbourhood - one of the most culturally innovative, sustainable and exciting districts in London - have to offer.
Witness the unique melodies of the London Vegetable Orchestra (yes, you read that right) on board our services between London Bridge City and Westminster piers. The Orchestra creates extraordinary music using fresh carrots, courgettes and marrows as their instruments, prepare to be amazed!
Nearest pier: London Bridge City
Sports and games fans, brace yourselves...
Between 1 July and 3 September, make your way to Battersea Power Station for the Battersea Games, a new event featuring an evolving calendar of sports and games suitable for all ages.
Activities include a pop-up padel court, climbing wall, basketball court, and a range of classes including yoga, boxing, and even dog agility training. And if you’re feeling a little less active, there’s other activities such as virtual reality gaming, and giant board games!
Nearest pier: Battersea Power Station
If you’re like 99.9% of the population and didn’t buy tickets a year in advance for Wimbledon, but still want to sit outside and enjoy the games in the sun, we’ve put together a list of locations to watch the tennis along the Thames! Make the most of it, get there by boat.
Head out East for a free drink on the River Thames!
Barking Riverside, the most eastern stop on our river network, is hosting a programme of events for 2023: the Summer Sessions.
From Thursday 13 July, head down to this undiscovered stretch of the River Thames for expertly mixed cocktails and delicious street food. There will also be activities, pop-ups, classes and events, offering a jam-packed schedule to make the most of your summer.
The Summer Sessions will include the return of the Emerge East festival, a family rave and much more.
Nearest pier: Barking Riverside
Psst. Did you receive our monthly newsletter for July? It contains an exclusive offer for our readers!
In 2023 we mark the tercentenary anniversary of the death of Sir Christopher Wren. To commemorate his genius and legacy Uber Boat by Thames Clippers is partnering with other attractions across London for a series of lectures and a joint ticket with St Paul's Cathedral and Old Royal Naval College!
Take part in Woolwich Lates, a year-long series of free arts, fitness, markets, music, shopping and family late events, taking place across Woolwich, in the Royal Borough of Greenwich.
Whether you’re exploring London’s newest creative district Woolwich Works or immersing yourself in Punchdrunk’s epic theatre show The Burnt City, make a full day of it and enjoy some shopping at the bustling markets and a meal at one of the independent restaurants, bars, cafes.
Rev up your excitement at the Formula E London E-Prix, held on a street circuit surrounding the London ExCeL Centre on 29 & 30 July. This high-energy event showcases the future of motorsports with electric cars zooming through the course, creating a spectacle that will leave you in awe.
There’s plenty of excitement away from the racing action too with entertainment throughout the day! Test your Formula E skills on the simulator, be wowed by thrilling performances and find your groove with live music, alongside so much more to keep your race experience fully charged.
Nearest pier: Royal Wharf / North Greenwich + Cable Car
Until 20 August, we’ve partnered up with Whizz-Kidz, the UK’s leading charity for young wheelchair users, and taking over London’s most famous sights with a unique, free public art trail.
Discover 56 spectacularly painted giant Morph sculptures, in iconic locations from Tower Bridge to Tate Modern (which conveniently happens to be where our Morph ‘It’s Raining Morphs! Hallelujah!’ is positioned).
Visit our Morph, find the 4 digit code on the sculpture and enter it on the Morph's Epic Art Adventure app to collect your reward.
Nearest pier: Bankside (for our Morph… 😉) / London Bridge City / Tower
Festival14 is back, from 26 – 30 July! Taking place across Canary Wharf’s parks, plazas, and open spaces, Festival14 brings a packed programme of music, theatre, dance, comedy, and children’s activities!
Canada Square Park will be host to the main stage where there will be a fantastic selection of free music. There will be a number of other areas across the festival site to visit and soak up some culture.
Nearest pier: Canary Wharf
There isn’t a better feeling than jumping in a pool on a hot summer’s day, but unless you have your own, you’re a bit limited for choice (no, you can’t fill up the wheely bin…). But, due to popular demand, open water swimming at Canary Wharf is back!
Open to residents, visitors, and workers alike, take a dip in the water whilst enjoying the views of the iconic One Canada Square. Before you panic, the venue is in partnership with Love Open Water who regularly test and ensure that the water is clean and safe to swim in.
So, head over, and cool off!
Nearest pier: Canary Wharf
Help the kids cool off during the summer holidays by taking them to the many kid-friendly fountains along our route:
Spend the day making unlimited journeys aboard our services with your family and sail pier-to-pier across London making unforgettable memories. A Family River Roamer gives unlimited all-day travel to 2 adults and up to 3 children (5 to 15). Kids 4 and under travel free.
Lose yourself in new experiences, reconnect with old friends and feed your curiosity or your appetite, at London Bridge City's Summer by the River!
There’ll be live music, film, theatre, sport, pop-up bars, street food and much more. Running until 3 September, this year’s festival is bringing riverside retreat vibes to the banks of the Thames.
Nearest pier: London Bridge City
It's your last chance! Hop aboard our special sailings from the estuary towns directly to the heart of the capital this spring. We'll sail from Gravesend and Tilbury Sunday 2 July and Sunday 9 July.
From Tilbury, the boat will take just 40 minutes to reach Greenwich Peninsula (North Greenwich Pier), or 60 minutes to London Bridge (London Bridge City Pier). Along the way, you'll sail past many of the city's iconic sights including The Thames Barrier, The O2, The Old Royal Naval College Greenwich, Canary Wharf and under Tower Bridge.
Between 29 June – 7 October, Mark Rylance returns to the West End as one of medicine’s greatest pioneers, Hungarian doctor Ignaz Semmelweis, whose research saved millions of mothers’ lives.
This compelling new drama is not one to miss!
Nearest pier: Embankment
Celebrate the sounds of summer with Nile Rogers & CHIC, Tom Jones, the Black Eye Peas, and many more magnificent artists! From 4 – 8 July relax in the summer sunshine at Old Royal Naval College, as you tuck into delicious dishes, and immerse yourself in timeless classics.
With gates opening at 5.30pm, why not make a day of it? There’s The Painted Hall, the National Maritime Museum, Cutty Sark, and much, much more. And that’s not even including the food options!
Get there by boat from central London. Grab a cold drink from the onboard café bar and enjoy London from the river. The festival is only a few metres away from Greenwich Pier.
Nearest pier: Greenwich
As we mentioned above, if you’re in Greenwich, visit the Cutty Sark and discover what life was like on board the iconic sailing ship. Climb the rigging of one of London’s true icons, explore the surprises below deck, and enjoy a delicious afternoon tea on the world-famous tea clipper!
Nearest pier: Greenwich
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