Totally Thames 2022: festival highlights to catch this year
The annual Totally Thames festival returns for 2022, with 90 arts-related events taking place along the banks of London's leading river. Here are the highlights to catch
Totally Thames: 2022. Photo Thames Islands by Jonathan Goldberg
The annual Totally Thames festival returns this September, offering 90 events – most of which are free to enjoy – celebrating one of London’s greatest and enduring assets: its river. Established by Adrian Evans in 1997, the month-long festival runs from 1 to 30 September out of different hubs along the 42-mile stretch of the Thames. Guided walks, art installations, storytelling and live musical performances are all part of this year’s programme, with plenty for the whole family to enjoy.
Here are some of the highlights to wade through at the 2022 festival.
River of Hope
Two hundred silk flags created by young people from across the UK and the Commonwealth are going on show at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, each a vision of its designer's hopes for the next 70 years, particularly in relation to the environment. This won't be the first outing for the flags, which flew above The Mall as part of the Platinum Jubilee Pageant in June, however it's a chance to study them in a more visitor-friendly environment.
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Reflections
Reflections
The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations continue on 24 September, when an 'illuminated flotilla', Reflections, sees a procession of 150 boats decorated in bright white lights travel down the Thames from Chelsea to Tower Bridge. Setting off at dusk, the fleet includes Gloriana, the Queen’s Rowbarge, made 10 years earlier for Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee. It's in aid of a good cause, too: Reflections is raising funds for the RNLI, supporting the construction of a new lifeboat station at Waterloo Bridge.
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London's Lost Village
A series of events, both online and in person, offer the public the chance to delve into the heritage of Leamouth Peninsula. From walking tours to whitebait suppers, London's Lost Village is a chance to discover the history of the East India Docks, the once notorious slum of Orchard Place, the factory that produced all the glass for the Crystal Palace, and the creative hub of Trinity Buoy Wharf.
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The Kids’ Choir and Sing for Water
Sing for Water. Photo: Milo Robinson
An annual highlight of the festival, the Kids' Choir (18 September, 1pm - 2pm) brings together 400 pupils from 23 primary schools across London for a community concert at The Scoop by Tower Bridge. The concert is being led by renowned conductor Richard Frostick, and includes performances of 'I am the Earth', Take That's 'Greatest Day' and ABBA's 'Dancing Queen'. Directly after this and also not to be missed is Sing For Water (2pm - 3pm), in which a choir of 500 voices delivers a concert in aid of WaterAid. Conducting the 40 groups of singers are Roxane Smith and Katie Rose.
Events on the river and along the foreshore…
Monika Foreshore
There’s also plenty happening along the river banks. Cheer on the 330 boats taking part in the Great River Race (10 September), an aquatic marathon up the Thames from Tower Hamlets to Richmond, or discover the importance of the river to the Romans at the Foreshore Festival in Fulham (4 September). For families, the Thames Tidefest (4 September) is likely to provide bucket-loads of fun, from the chance to have a go at paddleboarding to cheering on London’s biggest angling competition. Those in search of atmosphere should book a ticket to the Turning Tides Festival on Greenwich Peninsula (10 & 11 September), which offers a whole weekend of free, live performances. For those keen to learn more about the history of the river and the city that’s been evolving around it for centuries, there are mudlarking events and foreshore-exploration workshops to get stuck into.
Head on down to the river and go with the flow.
Here are some of the highlights to wade through at the 2022 festival.
River of Hope
Two hundred silk flags created by young people from across the UK and the Commonwealth are going on show at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, each a vision of its designer's hopes for the next 70 years, particularly in relation to the environment. This won't be the first outing for the flags, which flew above The Mall as part of the Platinum Jubilee Pageant in June, however it's a chance to study them in a more visitor-friendly environment.
Read more
Reflections
Reflections
The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations continue on 24 September, when an 'illuminated flotilla', Reflections, sees a procession of 150 boats decorated in bright white lights travel down the Thames from Chelsea to Tower Bridge. Setting off at dusk, the fleet includes Gloriana, the Queen’s Rowbarge, made 10 years earlier for Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee. It's in aid of a good cause, too: Reflections is raising funds for the RNLI, supporting the construction of a new lifeboat station at Waterloo Bridge.
Read more
London's Lost Village
A series of events, both online and in person, offer the public the chance to delve into the heritage of Leamouth Peninsula. From walking tours to whitebait suppers, London's Lost Village is a chance to discover the history of the East India Docks, the once notorious slum of Orchard Place, the factory that produced all the glass for the Crystal Palace, and the creative hub of Trinity Buoy Wharf.
Read more
The Kids’ Choir and Sing for Water
Sing for Water. Photo: Milo Robinson
An annual highlight of the festival, the Kids' Choir (18 September, 1pm - 2pm) brings together 400 pupils from 23 primary schools across London for a community concert at The Scoop by Tower Bridge. The concert is being led by renowned conductor Richard Frostick, and includes performances of 'I am the Earth', Take That's 'Greatest Day' and ABBA's 'Dancing Queen'. Directly after this and also not to be missed is Sing For Water (2pm - 3pm), in which a choir of 500 voices delivers a concert in aid of WaterAid. Conducting the 40 groups of singers are Roxane Smith and Katie Rose.
Events on the river and along the foreshore…
Monika Foreshore
There’s also plenty happening along the river banks. Cheer on the 330 boats taking part in the Great River Race (10 September), an aquatic marathon up the Thames from Tower Hamlets to Richmond, or discover the importance of the river to the Romans at the Foreshore Festival in Fulham (4 September). For families, the Thames Tidefest (4 September) is likely to provide bucket-loads of fun, from the chance to have a go at paddleboarding to cheering on London’s biggest angling competition. Those in search of atmosphere should book a ticket to the Turning Tides Festival on Greenwich Peninsula (10 & 11 September), which offers a whole weekend of free, live performances. For those keen to learn more about the history of the river and the city that’s been evolving around it for centuries, there are mudlarking events and foreshore-exploration workshops to get stuck into.
Head on down to the river and go with the flow.
TRY CULTURE WHISPER
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| What | Totally Thames 2022: festival highlights to catch this year |
| When |
01 Sep 22 – 30 Sep 22, Events throughout the month |
| Price | £ depends on event |
| Website | Click here for more information |