Another week, another festival. This week, it’s the turn of The Mayor’s Thames Festival – a weekend long jolly along the river between Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge.
There are tons of activities and events to keep you occupied, and areas along the river are split up into four zones so you know where you need to be for each one.
Highlights look like:
Feast On The Bridge
Does what it says on the tin….it kicks off on Southwark Bridge (which is in Zone 3, fyi) at noon on Saturday and continues long into the night, ending around 10pm. As well as all the food, you can feast yourself on the live music, dancing and baking – and that’s just for starters.
Photography Masterclasses
On both Saturday and Sunday, there’s a free drop-in photography masterclass in Zone 1, based on a first come, first served basis. Once you’ve got all your tips, get snapping and you could win a new camera by entering the festival’s photo competition.
Walk and Explore
On Saturday, you can join a charity walk which explores the streets of London. There are three walking challenges to choose from, and there’s an optional donation to take part in the event – click here for more information. The walk officially starts at 10:30am (although it sounds like you can turn up at any time) from outside the front of the Tate Modern.
Festival Market
Covering all zones and running on both days, the Festival Market will be showcasing independent shops and designers, selling things from arts & crafts to food. With over 300 traders, you’re sure to find something you like!
Thames River Parade
Saturday sees a parade along the Thames of all who use it. From barges to tugs to cruiseliners – you got it. It sets off at 2:30pm from the Queen Elizabeth II Pier outside the O2 – click here for the full itinerary.
Beach Activities
Hang on to summer by hitting the beach on the foreshore at Gabriel’s Wharf (in Zone 2) on Sunday. Activities include sandcastle making and wellie throwing. Suitable for all ages, all equipment for the activities will be provided.
Carnival and Fireworks
Concluding the Festival, a 2000-strong parade of dancers and musicians start partying at 7:15pm from Victoria Embankment. The procession finishes around 9:15pm behind the National Theatre in time for fireworks, which will be going off from two barges stationed on the river between Waterloo and Blackfriars Bridges. The display starts at 9:45pm.
The Festival is happening this Saturday and Sunday, September 11-12.
Nearest Tube: London Bridge/Waterloo/Embankment/Southwark/Tower Hill/Borough
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