Totally Thames Festival is an annual celebration of arts, culture and community along the River Thames, taking place throughout September. The month-long festival brings a diverse programme of events and activities to the river, with experiences taking place on, beneath and along the Thames.
Launched in 2014, the Totally Thames Festival grew from the hugely successful Thames Festival, which ran along the South Bank and Bankside from 1997 to 2013. Today, the festival spans the full 42-mile stretch of the River Thames, bringing together artists, local communities, river organisations and businesses.
There’s plenty for families to enjoy, too, with children’s choirs, creative art workshops and family-friendly activities alongside pop-up performances, boating events, riverside installations, river clean-ups, live performances, talks and workshops.
- St Katharine Docks Classic Boat Festival | 12–13 September – Around 50 historic boats, including steam tugs and Dunkirk Little Ships, alongside live music, talks and family activities.
- Great River Race | 12 September – Nearly 300 crews take on a 21.6-mile race along the Thames, making for a brilliant day of riverside spectating.
- Ganga Aarti | 13 September | Greenwich – A free celebration of Indian culture with food, music and live entertainment, culminating in a spectacular ceremony of light.
- Kids’ Choir | 19 September | St Paul’s Cathedral – More than 300 young voices come together for a free celebration of music and community.
- Culture Cargo | Throughout September – Historic sailing barge Raybel travels along the Thames, hosting live music, talks and performances.
- Turning the Tide | 17–20 September | Blackfriars – A free large-scale artwork by Turner Prize-nominated artist Catherine Yass, projected onto Blackfriars Railway Bridge.
