Written by Amanda David
A month-long annual arts and cultural festival at venues spanning the length of the Thames. The sheer variety of events is staggering, from film, concerts and art installations to activities and exhibits, walks, talks and boat rides.
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When and where are Totally Thames 2026 events being held?
This year’s festival currently has 66 events to browse and there’s a whole lot of river to work with, so you’re bound to find something you like near you. The month-long festival runs along a 42-mile stretch of the Thames, and celebrates arts, culture, river organisations and sustainability. Central spots like London Bridge, Millennium Bridge, Cannon Street, Fulham, Woolwich and Docklands are generally good bets.
Every year, crowds gather to look at large-scale set pieces both on and off the water but the festival also has an open-call policy for smaller events. That means plenty of river clean-ups, pop-ups, mudlarking, live performances, foreshore walks and workshops.
Free events at Totally Thames Festival 2026
Tickets are available for specific events or activities (more on those later) but there’s plenty of free stuff to get involved with too.
The Great River Race
Not to be confused with the Boat Race between Oxford and Cambridge rowing crews, London’s river marathon will see nearly 300 crews race from Millwall in East London to Ham, Richmond. From young sea scouts to veterans, and from around the world, crews will race to raise money for charity.
The Line at Greenwich Peninsula & Royal Victoria
Greenwich Peninsula and Royal Victoria Dock have created an art trail with works by internationally renowned artists, including Antony Gormley, Tracey Emin, Serge Attukwei Clottey, Richard Wilson, Larry Achiampong and Laura Ford. The art is inspired by the history of the river as well as water as a site for public art. Visitors are encouraged to begin The Line’s route in North Greenwich, go along the Peninsula from the O2 to the IFS cable car and then cross the river to the docks.
| Photo by Lucy Young 2017
Classic Boat Festival at St. Katharine Docks
2026 marks the 17th annual Classic Boat Festival. Enjoy 50 beautiful vintage boats on display, from Dunkirk Little Ships to Thames sailing barges and Bates Star Craft range; check it out here.
Mudlarking exhibitions
Experience Tudor London up close by by seeing and handling 16th century artefacts recovered from the River Thames by mudlarks. As a bonus, the exhibitions are held in some of London’s most iconic venues including St Paul’s Cathedral and a Roman amphitheatre. There’s also a mudlarking weekend at London Museum Docklands where you can meet and chat to the mudlarks.
Sketching by the River
See Green Tide, artist Valerie Kuzina’s site-responsive installation, and join sketching sessions alongside the Thames. You will need to book for this, but tickets are free.
Ticketed highlights at Totally Thames Festival 2026
Alas, you can’t just wander up to every event and get stuck in, but here are some great value options. To book tickets you will need to set up a free account on their website, which is quick and easy.
Guided Mudlarking Tour
Guided by Thames Explorer Trust you can try your hand at mudlarking and unearth the archaeology of the Thames foreshore, perhaps discovering evidence of activity going back hundreds of years.
Tickets are £30.00
Roman London Walking Tour
Starting at the ancient wall in the east of the City, discover where our ancient Roman ancestors lived, shopped, traded, bathed and worshipped, find an amazing discovery beneath Guildhall Art Gallery and see why Roman construction continues to influence the City’s layout to this day. The walking tour is led by mudlark Mark Sowden.
Tickets are £25.00
Nadi Aishwarya Raut, Contemporary Dance
Set within the atmospheric walls of the Brunel Museum Tunnel Shaft, a duet performed by former Rambert dancers, Aishwarya Raut and Antonello Sangirardi questions ancient ghost stories.
Tickets are £12.00–£16.00
Water-based activities at Totally Thames Festival 2026
So technically all of the events are water-based – but these events actually take place on the water.
Kayaking for Beginners
Chelsea Kayak Club (CKC), London’s only dedicated sea kayaking club, is running taster sessions on the River Thames at Kew Bridge. Each session will last about 1hr 30mins and be run by two experienced paddlers and six spaces on each session will be set aside for those new to kayaking (over 18s only).
Tickets are £20.00
Thames Tidefest 2026
London’s only free community river festival returns for the 13th year running. Try your hand at kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, history walks, river dipping and fishing – all for free!
Tower Lifeboat Station
The Visitor Engagement Room at the Tower Lifeboat Station is turning into a pop‑up art gallery, tracing the advances made in lifesaving on the Thames. The exhibition is free, but visitors will be encouraged to make a small donation to support the volunteer-led 24/7 rescue service.
Performances, talks and live events at Totally Thames Festival 2025
It’s not just for active types — there are dozens of opportunities to meet creative folk and experience arts and culture up close, in both the ticketed and free event categories.
There are concerts, children’s choirs, soundbaths, photography workshops, guided walking tours, river dipping and live gaming experiences – and that’s just a taster of what’s on during the month.
Check out their website for full details.
Organisers may cancel events, alter schedules, or change admission requirements without notice. Always check official sites before heading to an event.