London’s summer is happening south of the river, and you’re invited. This July and August, Canada Water’s dockside becomes one of London’s most exciting places to spend the summer. Discover something unexpected and experience the creativity that makes South London one of the capital’s most exciting cultural scenes.
From 23 July to 30 August, Canada Water is hosting Round The Dock. This is an open-air celebration of South London’s creative spirit, which brings together live music and performances, food, markets and family workshops, and experiences in a summer-long celebration of culture by the water, all completely free to attend.
FREE LIVE PERFORMANCES ON THE WATER
Global sounds at golden hour. From future jazz and soul to Latin rhythms, spoken word and live DJs, Round The Dock brings together emerging talent and established artists in a setting unlike anywhere else in the city.
Running every Friday to Sunday from 6 August, Round The Dock’s floating stage will host a line-up of acts defining South London’s sound. Each weekend will sit alongside a different themed market takeover, bringing a new focus to the waterside from vintage fashion and independent makers to East Asian street food, records and creative culture.
Front and centre of the music programme is legendary DJ Norman Jay MBE (for a one-off performance on 16 August) and Steam Down presents Sounds of Diaspora – the globally acclaimed South London Afro-Punk collective known for their immersive live performances blending jazz, afrobeat, hip-hop, funk and electronic music – who have curated a series of acts and will take over the floating stage every Friday. The programme continues on Saturdays and Sundays with the Jazz and Soul showcasing a wave of revered artists alongside celebrated names from across the scene, including Mark Kavuma, Sophie Faith and Soul Sanctuary Gospel supported by Sofar Sounds.
As well as global sounds over sundowners, the performance programme includes free access to cultural experiences that are lighting up London right now. Every Tuesday from 11 August, Spit Nights Poetry – the spoken word and live music event redefining poetry for a new generation – will take over the floating stage. On Wednesdays, don’t miss curiosity talks from Pints of Knowledge. Expect sharp, thought-provoking talks served in small, digestible bursts, all designed to spark conversation, challenge assumptions, and open up new perspectives.
For those looking for a Thursday evening with a difference, Round The Dock’s weekly Salsa Night, featuring a live performance from Timba Britanica, is the perfect date night or after work drinks destination. Whether you’re a seasoned salsa dancer or trying your first steps, expect live music, waterfront views and an atmosphere that feels a world away from the everyday commute home.
EAT, BROWSE, DISCOVER
This summer, Round The Dock brings a curated line-up of cult, established and much-loved London market brands to Canada Water. Across the six-week run, visitors can explore a rotating programme of pop-up markets, each showcasing a different mix of independent food traders, vintage finds, creative pop-ups and community-led experiences.
Whether it’s discovering emerging designers at Craft & Flea, hunting for one-of-a-kind vintage pieces with Bottle Factory Flea, tucking into KERB’s street food line-up alongside the East Asian makers of Urban Garden Fair, or browsing handmade goods from SoLo Craft Fair, each weekend offers a different slice of London’s vibrant market scene. Black Eats Takeover will shine a spotlight on Black-owned businesses, while Independent Label Market joins forces with N4 Makers Market for a closing weekend celebrating independent music, art and design.
Market programme
Craft & Flea (25 & 26 July)
Bottle Factory Flea (1 August)
KERB x Urban Garden Fair (8 & 9 August)
SoLo Craft Fair (15 & 16 August)
Black Eats Takeover (22 & 23 August)
Independent Label Market X N4 Makers Market (29 & 30 August)
DOCKSIDE DEN: CREATIVE FUN FOR LITTLE EXPLORERS
Throughout the summer, families can also enjoy a packed programme of free activities to keep the whole family entertained by the waterside. Dockside Den brings creative fun for little explorers, with everything from Brixton Chamber Orchestra sessions and adventure games with Sharky & George to drumming workshops, bee nature sessions and pond dipping. These free-to-attend activities will inspire kids to get creative all summer long.
DESTINATION DOCKSIDE
Gareth Roberts, Head of Canada Water at British Land said: “We’re proud to present Round the Dock, a free waterside programme of activity bringing together live music, great food, creativity and community in one of London’s most distinctive waterfront destinations. It’s a chance for all Londoners to experience everything that makes Canada Water such a special place to spend time.”
Steam Down Collective added: “It’s an absolute pleasure to be part of Round The Dock this summer. If you’ve been with us on the journey, you’ll know that bringing people together through live music and creating space for our creative community has always been at the heart of what we do. Being able to bring that energy to Canada Water each week is something we’re really looking forward to!”
Whether it’s jazz drifting across the dock at sunset, discovering a new favourite artist, browsing an independent market, sharing food with friends or stumbling across an unexpected performance, Round The Dock is designed to be explored at your own pace. Just two stops from London Bridge, Canada Water offers one of central London’s most distinctive dockside settings. Visitors can return time and again, finding a different atmosphere, a different crowd and a different experience with every trip. Once visitors have enjoyed the dockside programme, there’s an opportunity to explore Corner Corner with its street food and cocktails, live music and the UK’s largest indoor urban farm, or exploring Vagabond, the London’s largest urban winery.
All events are FREE to attend, with no tickets or pre-booking required. To help ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone, attendance levels will be monitored and access to some events may be temporarily restricted if capacity is reached.
