The Totally Thames Festival, happening from September 1 – 30, is a month-long program that celebrates everything art, history, and culture about London’s River Thames. In this ultimate guide we will include our top events to enjoy, including the Opening Weekend Spectacular, Hidden Thames Walks, and Thames After Dark, riverside dining at The River Café and Skylon, exciting boat tours, like Historic Ship Cruises and Silent disco cruises, and some of the undiscovered treasures include The Tide and where to find the hidden galleries in Wapping. Follow this guide to ensure you arrive in comfort and style, allowing you to immerse yourself in the magic of the Thames.
The Totally Thames Festival transforms London’s riverbanks into a major cultural event every September (also called the Thames Festival Trust). This month-long festival commenced in 2014, with this change based on the planning of the previous Thames Festival that ran from 1997-2013 for just two days, which is a major cultural event that runs across twenty boroughs from Richmond to Barking and Dagenham. The festival consisted of over 100 events celebrating the Thames with an opportunity to enjoy the arts, heritage, environmental initiatives, and community activities. The Totally Thames Festival presents a variety of activities from art installations, river clean-up challenges, boat racing, performances, and guided walks, to allow attendees to connect Londoners and visitors to the ecology and rich history of the river. The festival provides a unique opportunity for both locals and tourists to reconnect with the Thames, which has been the lifeblood of our city.
Everyone will find something in this diversified lineup produced by the festival. The following four events can be seen as the four must-visit events in 2025:
Opening Weekend Spectacular (September 1-3):
The festival starts with a splash on the South Bank, where live music can be heard, a floating art installation, and fireworks light up the night sky near Tower Bridge. Festival-goers can explore lively waterside markets featuring everything from handcrafted goods to delicious street food from London's best local producers. Street performers and pop-up theatre create a carnival-style celebration. Make sure to show up early to secure a spot near the bridge to get the best view. Bring a jacket for the cooler September evenings.
Hidden Thames Walks & Talks (Various dates):
These expert-led walking tours explore the hidden history of the river, from its role in Roman trade to the key engineering feat of the Victorian age. How tales of smugglers, shipwrecks, and the Thames's centuries-long evolution remain alive. Walks usually take place in areas like Bankside or Greenwich with small groups, so they're easy to enjoy. Check the festival website for specific dates and times of the walks, as they can fill up quickly due to their popularity.
Thames After Dark (on selected evenings):
The Thames is transformed in the evening from a river in the light of day to a glorious parade of illuminated boats gliding by some of London’s most famous landmarks, including the London Eye and Houses of Parliament. These evenings feature live music, storytelling, or theatrical performances on the water, creating a magical ambiance. Perfect for families, couples, or solo adventurers, these events are a festival highlight. Dress warmly and book tickets early, as spaces are limited.
Sing for Water (September 14):
This uplifting event features choirs from all over the UK, bringing them to the South Bank for a fundraising concert to support global clean water work. An upbeat atmosphere is created for the audience by the interconnecting choral performances around the Thames, where they can sing along or just enjoy the music and the festival atmosphere. It is free to attend, and donations are accepted, making it a wonderful family outing.
Nadi Dance Performance (Sept 17-19):
Nadi is an extraordinary contemporary dance performance in a riverside venue that expresses the rhythms of the tidal Thames through incredible choreography. The dancers tell stories about the cultural and environmental meaning of the river through fluid movement that moves across the ether of live music and/or ambient sound. This innovative performance is a great option for art lovers, but tickets are limited, so ensure that you book in advance via the festival's homepage.
Great River Race (September 20):
London's "River Marathon" - this classic Great River Race saw over 300 traditional boats racing the 21.6 miles from Millwall to Richmond. The variety of boats, from dragon boats to Viking longships, is quite amazing. In addition, people line up at the banks to cheer them, and the afterparty at Richmond is a festive scene (with live music and food, and activities for kids).
Move to Sketch (September 27):
This event, which combines movement sessions with a movement coach and local artists’ sketching sessions along the Thames, is ideal for creatives. The landscapes are shaped by sketching sessions after a series of guided movement workshops that enable participants to connect with the energy of the river. To participate in this incredible experience, which is a special way to get involved with the festival, you don't need to be a gifted artist. For seamless and comfortable travel to the next destination, consider London chauffeur services.
The Thames offers a multitude of opportunities, from fine dining, private boat tours, and some cultural gems that are hard to find. Have a meal at the fantastic restaurant The River Café in Hammersmith (Michelin starred) with fantastic seasonal Italian dishes like crab linguine, or at Skylon on the Southbank with good modern British food and amazing views, both take early reservations. For a casual meal, head to the pop-up seafood stalls at South Bank or Borough Market for fresh oysters and lobster rolls. If you want to be on the sea, Historic Ship Cruises depart from Westminster or Greenwich and take place on restored ships like the Massey Shaw, which narrate tales of London's past. As an alternative, the Silent Disco Cruises allow you to dance on the Thames under the stars while passing famous structures like the Shard and listening to carefully selected playlists selected by the DJ. Enjoy The Tide on the Greenwich Peninsula, a future walk featuring art installations and peaceful surroundings by the water, or the hidden galleries of Wapping, where exhibitions featuring an abstract twist of the river are frequently held in converted warehouses like The Wapping Project.
Enjoy dining or cruises without parking hassles; a professional chauffeur can wait nearby, handle luggage for boat tours, or provide airport transfers from Heathrow or Gatwick for a seamless festival start.
This September, dive into the exhilarating world of the Totally Thames Festival, where London's world-famous river becomes a podium for unforgettable moments. Whether it’s the mesmerizing Nadi Dance Performance, being uplifted by the Sing for Water choir, enjoying creative Move and Sketch workshops, or the excitement of the Great River Race, there’s something for everyone. Add in some other river-related practicalities, including historic boat tours, dining at amazing restaurants at river-front locations like The River Café, and experiences at sensational contemporary spaces like The Tide. And, to make your journey easy, luxury V class chauffeur service with stress-free airport transfers mean you can focus on enjoying the festival wonder.
Stay updated with LBTravel for regular insights, specials, and curated itineraries, so your Thames experience will be exceptional.
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