More than 26 events are taking place from now until September 2021, incorporating cutting-edge theatre premieres, large scale art installations, unforgettable experiences for the family, architecture and community history events. The spectacular season, presented by the Royal Docks Team, will demonstrate the cultural vibrancy of this 4km stretch of historic docklands.
The area’s waterways, historic buildings and docks will become stages for four months of programming that reflects the extraordinary heritage of the Royal Docks, celebrates its diverse and vibrant community and looks to its future as a large-scale centre for cultural creation.
The Royal Docks is part of the Mayor of London’s Let’s Do London campaign, which aims to promote activities that bring communities and visitors together, and support wellbeing after the pandemic. This summers line-up includes:
Family fun
Get the whole family together for a fun day out this summer break, all you need is your towel and a bucket and spade. Head to the dockside pool at the Kids Summer Splash, perfect for when those heatwave temperatures hit in London. Or to give parents five minutes of peace, watch mesmerizing acrobatic performances from leading contemporary circus company Upswing, with highly skilled performers and an optional circus workshop post performance.
For some evening entertainment Healing Together spectacular fire and light installation will unite the north and south banks of the Thames, bringing together and celebrating the local community.
The Great Outdoors
There’s nothing better than getting some fresh air whilst enjoying some outdoor entertainment. As part of the longest running outdoor theatre, Greenwich + Docklands international festival presents Future Cargo, a large-scale dance spectacle with a sci-fi inspired show performed in a 40 foot haulage truck created by renowned production artists Requardt and Rosenberg.
Music of the Spheres sees performers in huge transparent globes move through the audience and float on the water of the docks, with musicians and aerial performers
Arts
Immerse yourself in an explosive mix of arts and culture with performances from some of the best UK artists as part of Ensemble Festival and video installations bursting with inspiration as Yorgos Petrou and Victor Esses showcase Unfamiliar To Us, based on personal experiences.
This is Royal Docks is an exciting new dance film created by Luca Silverstrini and the award-winning Protein Dance with additional creative students from North Woolwich New Directions.
History and architecture
Appreciate and explore the history of Royal Docks and the communities that create the in-depth culture from the Thames Festival’s ongoing project The Islanders, sharing the stories of the Silvertown communities through the generations or I am from Reykjavik where artist Sonia Hughes explores what it means to become a ‘post-racial, global citizen’ with her interactive installation.
You will also have the chance to explore never before seen interiors of the Royal Docks buildings as part of London Open House, which is normally closed to the public.
