Totally Thames 2021 | Uber Boat by Thames Clippers

Totally Thames returns to the river this September with a stream of events that celebrate the unique history, heritage and culture of the River Thames.

Over the events of the last 18 months, many Londoners have found solace in the ebb and flow of the Thames. Totally Thames 2021 hopes to build on residents' and visitors' renewed interest in the river, developing a greater understanding of the role it has played in the city's past, plays in its present, and will play in the future.

A steady flow of over 90 workshops, tours, arts events, active adventures and environmental initiatives take place throughout September as part of the month-long festival which fall into the festival's three main programme streams; artistic, educational and heritage.

With events taking place across the tidal Thames, the whole river plays host to the festival and we're here to help you get to events along our route.

See the full programme

Our events

These events take place aboard our services or have been supported by Uber Boat by Thames Clippers.

MSCTY x Thames

All September - still accessible after Totally Thames

Discover sounds inspired by our city and the river that flows through it. MSCTY explores new ways to experience the world through sound and space, and introduces new creative links between locations. MSCTY x Thames, part of Totally Thames 2021, focus on an innovative sound journey that builds a connection between the Royal Docks and London Bridge. float! is inspired by the sights and sounds experienced on board the River Bus while sailing between these two locations. Scan the QR code on board our vessels for a sonic journey along the Thames.

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Illuminated River Official Boat Tours

2, 11, 16, 24, 25 and 30 September

See London in a brand new light; our Illuminated River Official Boat Tours are back, bigger and brighter than ever! The Illuminated River project has expanded and now stretches from Lambeth Bridge all the way to London Bridge forming the world's longest piece of public art.

Our tours on 2, 11, 16, 24, 25 and 30 September are part of Totally Thames, with the tour on 25 September being presented by Chris Waite, Director at Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands who were the architectural firm behind the project.

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Tide Changers: In the Offing, the Sea & Sky Were Welded

Monday 13 - Thursday 30 September
On board Jupiter and Mercury Clipper*

See Sonam Tobgyal's solargraphy as you sail through the city. Hop aboard our services between Monday 13 and Thursday 30 September where we'll be showcasing Sonam's work on Jupiter and Mercury Clipper's onboard screens. His series of solargraphs capture locations both peaceful and developing along the Thames exploring the notion of human transition.

*Due to technical issues, Sonam’s work is not currently available across the entire fleet, as previously advertised. We are working on resolving the issues and hope that you will be able to see the images on more vessels in the coming days, however this cannot be guaranteed at this stage. To see all images, please head to the online gallery below.

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Near and Far

All September

Two colossal images of the Thames and London take residence in London Bridge Station. One is a vibrant sunny image of people enjoying a day by the Thames in the London Bridge area, and the other, it's the river dividing the city as it snakes its way through the capital from the east. Together the images express both interpretations of the river and were captured by photographer Henry Reichhold.

Nearest pier: London Bridge City

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Other events

These are just some of the Totally Thames 2021 events which you can sail to with us.

Rivers of the World

All September

London isn't the only city with a river at its heart. River-themed artwork produced by children and young people from all around the UK and the world can be viewed for free along the South Bank.

Nearest pier: Bankside

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Rivers of the World at the National Maritime Museum

All September

Like the exhibition at Bankside, Rivers of the World at the National Maritime Museum explores children's connections to rivers across the world. This special exhibition showcases the fabulous artwork created by children and young people from six Greenwich secondary schools and their partner schools in Ghana.

Nearest pier: Greenwich

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Sonic Ray

Thursday 30 September - Sunday 21 November

Sonic Ray encodes the sound of Longplayer, a 1,000 year long symphony being played at Trinity Buoy Wharf's Faraday Lighthouse, into a light source. The light is transmitted across the the Thames and decoded at a temporary listening post aboard Richard Wilson’s nautical sculpture 'Slice of Reality' on Greenwich Peninsula. A short ferry ride connects the two locations.

Nearest pier: North Greenwich

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Sea Re-Connection

Friday 3 - Sunday 26 September

An art and poetry exhibition displayed on the magnificent Le Sorelle Thames River Barge, Sea Reconnection delves into the symbiotic relationship between the Thames and the sea, and the equally close bonds between humans and bodies of water. Artists Darren Hewitt and Miles Taverner, along with poet Clarissa Aykroyd, use a variety of media to explore natural, historical and societal themes, helping us to re-examine our relationship to the environment.

Nearest pier: Canary Wharf

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Summer Sessions on The Tide

Saturday 4 - Sunday 19 September

Discover British Nigerian Artist Yinka Ilori's reimagining of Greenwich Peninsula; a brightly coloured multi-use recreational and performance space which is the backdrop to a rolling outdoor events programme. September’s line up will feature free events including outdoor film, craft and wellbeing workshops and the Turning Tides Music weekend.

Nearest pier: North Greenwich

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The Golden Hinde Shipyard Tour

Sunday 26 September

The Golden Hinde is the reconstruction of Sir Francis Drake's famous galleon. Now in the process of £1.4 million restoration, the dock has been drained and transformed into a bustling shipyard; where a team of shipwrights painstakingly refit the galleon using genuine Elizabethan techniques and materials. Take a tour of this unique Elizabethan shipyard for Totally Thames 2021!

Nearest piers: London Bridge City or Bankside

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440 Illuminated River One Blackfriars 05

One Night Light Show by Leo Villareal

Thursday 23 September

For one night only during Totally Thames, light artist Leo Villareal programmes a unique light show on all nine Illuminated River bridges, from London to Lambeth.

The mesmerising display will run from 19:00 until 02:00 and will even include a special display on The London Eye. Sail with us aboard an evening service to see the extra special display from the river!

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Find out more about Totally Thames 2021