On February 21, 2026, visitors to Peninsula Square will be treated to dragon dances and lion dances to usher in the Year Of The Horse.
Also in place at Design District from noon-5pm will be The Eternal Market.
Curated by Eastern Margins, this will showcase east and south-east Asian food, arts and crafts featuring independent makers, artists and designers selling hand-crafted goods, prints, ceramics and more.
A selection of street food traders will also be serving up Asian dishes such as handmade dumplings, sizzling noodles, grilled skewers and sweet treats.
Laura Flanagan, director at Greenwich Peninsula, said: “Over the past three years, our Lunar New Year celebrations have become a well-established part of the peninsula’s programme and a regular fixture in London’s events calendar.
“The celebrations offer an opportunity to bring our diverse audience together to enjoy live performances, food and creative experiences across the neighbourhood.
“We have engaged many of our local businesses from Canteen Food Hall And Bar to our riverside art gallery Firepit and residents and visitors are encouraged to explore and enjoy the whole peninsula during the festivities.”
Catch the Lion Dances on Greenwich Peninsula – image by Kris Humphreys Photography
don’t miss the dances
Lion Dances, combining movement, percussion and acrobatics will take place at 2.30pm and 3.30pm on the day.
Each lion embodies good fortune and protection, intended as “a vibrant symbol of strength, unity and celebration”.
Dragon Dances will take place at 3pm and 4pm.
These colourful performances feature rhythmic drumming and sweeping movements, symbolising “strength, prosperity and the promise of a bright year ahead”.
All dances last approximately 15 minutes and are suitable for all ages.
Visitors can expect DJ sets throughout the day at Canteen – image by Kris Humphreys Photography
go deeper
In addition to the central performances, Loose.fm DJs will be playing tracks throughout the festivities at Canteen Terrace and Barton Yard in Design District, with a set of contemporary sounds and global rhythms promised to help mark the occasion.
Free to view from February 17 until March 14, 2026, this special exhibition in honour of the Year Of The Horse features ancient craft techniques, textiles and contemporary works from China’s Henan province.
A number of Lunar New Year craft workshops are also set to take place during the celebrations with full details available online. Each activity costs £5.
Firepit Art Gallery And Studio will be hosting a special exhibition – image by Kris Humphreys Photography
need refreshment?
Greenwich Peninsula also boasts an extensive food trail, with plenty of Asian flavours available from businesses locally.
As well as the global offerings at Canteen, Kiki And MiuMiu Market offers Asian groceries, baked treats and bubble tea, while Eat Fan serves up a wide range of Chinese dishes.
key details: Lunar New Year 2026
Lunar New Year festivities are set to take place from noon-5pm at various locations on the Peninsula on February 21, 2026.
All performances are free to attend and easily accessed from nearby North Greenwich station, the IFS Cloud Cable Car or Uber Boat By Thames Clippers’ pier.
Visitors enter the walk-through inflatable via an airlock to explore the structure’s winding pathways and vistas in stockinged feet as daylight shines through translucent panels.
The massive artwork is by AOA, a creative production company founded by artist and maker Alan Parkinson that has been creating inflatable installations since the 1990s.
The Nottingham-based organisation has its roots in a charitable project, which saw offenders tasked with building and repairing inflatable play equipment for kids.
Initially, Alan drove the minibus for the probation service and supervised part-time and then full-time.
Luminarium: Myriad looks quite different from the outside – image supplied by Architects Of Air
going inside
He said: “The bouncy airbed we were using was quite tall – about six foot off the ground with a tube around it to break the children’s fall – and it was restrained by internal ropes.
“To fix it, I’d have to go inside it to carry out repairs.
“That wasn’t actually very healthy – working in a confined space with glue wasn’t great – but I survived.”
Aside from entering that inflatable structure, Alan drew inspiration from his “bible” – Sheet Metalwork For Welders – a book that dealt with the joining of different forms as well as other inflatable structures such as Colourscape on Clapham Common.
All these influences led to the construction of Alan’s first inflatable environment or Luminarium in 1986 and going on to experiment with more, still working under the auspices of the charity and culminating in the creation of Eggopolis.
This promenade performance space for mixed-ability actors toured the UK in 1990 and, while the charity was forced to close, Alan retained the structure and successfully toured it in Germany under the ownership of AOA.
Ever since, he and the now six-strong company, have been developing a lineage of installations and opening them to the public.
He said: “It typically takes about five months to build one and it’s, in some ways, a basic process.
“We make templates, cut out the PVC and glue the edges together.
“There’s a lot of teamwork involved and manual labour.
“Each new structure we create tries something different in the way we shape and construct them.
“Myriad, which is coming to Woolwich is quite a subtle structure.
“You don’t really know what you’re going to get until you blow it up and go inside.
“It’s lit principally from above with windows that let the light in too.
“We’ve punctuated some of the surfaces with translucent material to give them a star-like quality.
“When I first saw it, the main dome was a lovely surprise. We ask people to empty their minds.
“They might come with expectations but really we’re asking visitors to step inside and experience a sense of wonder, light and colour.
“Accompanying that, there may be a sense of inspiration and there’s always a wow factor when you first go in.
“Different people will take different things from the installation.
“Families and young children will have different experiences to an older person coming on their own, who may have a different kind of connection, for example.
“I think it’s often the children, rather than parents, who are enthused.
“It’s a good thing that they make adults come to something like this.”
Alan said he never knows how a structure will turn out until it’s inflated for the first time – image supplied by Architects Of Air
key details: Luminarium: Myriad
Luminarium: Myriad is set to open at Woolwich Works at Royal Arsenal Riverside on April 2 with visitors able to explore the installation until April 6, 2026.
Tickets cost £8 per person or £28 for groups of four.
As a pioneer of city wine bars with a distinctive Victorian feel, Davy’s decision to open a bowling alley in Greenwich at first glance looks a little out of character for a 156-year-old wine merchant.
Launched just over a year ago, Vintners Lanes is tucked away behind Davy’s Wine Vaults and offers bowlers six three-quarter-length lanes amid the storied bricks of the old Lovibonds brewery-turned warehouse.
It’s a far cry from the sport’s traditional UK home – vast metal sheds on retail parks packed with AMF equipment and the multi-sense assault of arcade machines.
“I think I first went bowling in my 30s and that experience was exactly what I didn’t want Vintners Lanes to be,” said James Davy, chairman of the business and the fifth generation of his family to work in it.
“While the game was fun, what went with it was less so.
“What we wanted to do was to create something that provides a really good experience for customers throughout.
“That’s working for us now and we’re immensely proud of it.
“If you’d said to me at the beginning of this project that it would look like this and perform this way, I would have bitten your hand off.”
Davy’s chairman, James Davy, at Vintners Lanes – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
recognised across the pond
James is somewhat prone to modesty.
Last April, Vintners Lanes was named amongst the seven best venues for the sport in the world at the 40th annual Bowling Centre Architecture And Design Awards in Texas – the only alley to be recognised in the UK.
Lauded for its interior, it marries the polished exacting woods of the lanes, sleek steel racks of black bowling balls and subtle screens with the cosy comforts and antiqued aesthetic more commonly found across the Davy’s portfolio.
Having operated as a wine merchant since 1870, the company opened The Boot And Flogger near Borough Market in 1965, marking its entry into the hospitality sector.
That glorious establishment started a trend for wine bars in the capital with its owner going on to open at many more sites including a lengthy stint in Canary Wharf.
Over the decades, the business has grown and changed.
Today it operates wine bars, tapas spots and wine shops on its public-facing side.
It also continues to run a thriving wholesale operation, supplying wine to a wide range of customers and businesses.
It’s an expression of a company that, despite trading for more than a century and a half, isn’t averse to a bout of evolution here and there.
In fact, Davy’s long had plans for its former warehouse in Greenwich, initially intending to convert it into office space.
The venue marries Davy’s historic aesthetic with modern bowling facilities – image supplied by Davy’s
skittles over workspace
“We canned that idea after Covid as people weren’t going into offices,” said James.
“We had already done a joint venture with Houdini Escape above Davy’s Wine Vaults in Greenwich and we really liked the vibe of different people coming into our venue.
“We looked again at the space in the warehouse we had at the back of our Greenwich venue – beyond Vintners Yard – which coincided with the arrival of our new CFO, Mark Carrick, who already had bowling in his mind having previously worked for Tenpin.
“We asked ourselves whether we could physically fit an alley in there and the answer was ‘yes’, which quite surprised us.
“The length of the lanes is normal for an urban location and we’ve managed to fit six in alongside a kitchen and bar, making the venue self sufficient.
“The building itself is beautiful and really deserves to be seen.
“We’re open every day for bowling and also offer kids parties and even corporate events.
“Vintners Lanes has been a very interesting journey and it’s starting to mature into a good business.
“We’re getting lots of bookings, but there’s still more space for us to fill.
“Vintners Yard, just outside, is really attractive to people walking past and it helps that we’re right next to the station.
“We host live music sometimes as well as other events, like beer festivals, as it’s become a bit of a destination.
“It’s full of old wine bar furniture with a bar and a barbecue shed – it’s an exciting place to come to.”
Vintners Lanes serves pizzas, burgers and more – image supplied by Davy’s
changes in hospitality
James, who joined the business in 1992 and has seen extensive change over that time, said the hospitality sector was currently making the news for the significant challenges it faces at present.
Notably, Davy’s took the decision to close the Crusting Pipe – a wine bar it opened in 1980 in Covent Garden after its performance in the evenings dropped away making trading no longer sustainable.
“Sadly we left that area and some customers were appalled – even angry – but, after 8pm, the business had changed over the years and it took a dip post-Brexit and then again after Covid,” said James.
“If you’re losing a session a day, that’s not sustainable and we have to be careful about how we operate. It is now more expensive to employ people and to run the premises we have.”
Despite the economic headwinds, James believes there’s still opportunity for good businesses delivering value to customers.
He said: “We hear about closures in the news, but there are plenty of people doing well.
“It’s still a fantastic experience to go to a nice venue that’s well run – it’s a good use of money and time and everybody benefits from that.
“The closures are partly to do with cost, but also a consequence of evolution. Hospitality has become slightly more difficult – especially when you’re providing a service to commuters as much of our business does.
“But it’s more rewarding when you can make it work. I’d like us to open more hybrid wine shops in the future, where you can get a drink as well as buy a bottle.
“You’ve always got to be glass half full – where we’ve got it right, it’s wonderful to see.
“With Vintners Lanes, the venue appeals to an adult audience, although we really welcome kids.
“It’s a place where parents choose to bring their young ones and we probably sell more and better wine than most bowling alleys.”
The award-winning venue has established itself a potent part of Davy’s portfolio – image supplied by Davy’s
key details: Vintners Lanes
Vintners Lanes is located directly behind Davy’s Wine Vaults next to Greenwich station and is open daily.
Housing association NHG Homes has unveiled a winter incentive with buyers able to claim up to £6,688 cashback on selected one and two-beds when purchasing a new apartment from the organisation.
Launched in the run-up to Christmas, the offer applies to shared ownership properties at a number of developments across London.
The money can be added to a buyer’s deposit, used to purchase a larger share of the property or go towards covering legal costs for the transaction.
Alternatively, buyers can choose to keep the cash on completion of the deal and use it in whatever way they wish including buying furniture or covering moving costs.
Naturally, terms and conditions apply and buyers must complete within timescales set by NHG Homes.
Any cashback is payable up to 28 days after completion.
To give readers an idea of the kind of home they might expect to buy with the incentive here are two of the housing association’s developments where the offer is available.
The View At Aspect – image by NHG Homes
The View At Aspect
Located in Croydon and benefiting from the area’s extensive amenities, prices for a 25% share in a one-bed here start at £83,125.
NHG Homes says monthly costs for rent, mortgage and service charge start at £994 per month – around £400 less than renting a comparable property in the area – with buyers able to secure a home with a deposit of £4,157.
Prospective purchasers can expect properties featuring open-plan design, full height windows and bi-fold doors protecting private winter gardens that can be used all year round.
The scheme is located near East Croydon station which offers connections to Canary Wharf in about 20 minutes via national rail and the Jubilee line.
Those traveling further afield can get to Gatwick Airport in about 15 minutes. Wellesley Road tram stop is also nearby.
Locally, there are a wealth of restaurants, bars and attractions to explore including Boxpark, Wandle Park and concert venue Fairfield Halls.
The scheme offers a selection of residents’ facilities including a concierge service and a gym as well as landscaped communal gardens and on-site shops.
Offering one and two-bedroom pet friendly apartments, which all come with private balconies, prospective buyers can expect to pay from £1,028 per month to cover rent, mortgage and service charges.
NHG Homes says that equates to annual savings of about £6,864 compared with renting a similar property nearby.
Prices at the development start at £90,000 for a 25% share of a one-bed at the scheme, with buyers also enjoying access to the wider regeneration of the area just across the railway line.
This includes the wider open spaces of Cator Park, a pub and a collection of shops and amenities.
key details: shared ownership apartments from NHG Homes
Prices at The View At Aspect in Croydon start at £83,125 for a 25% share of a one-bedroom apartment based on a full market value of £332,500.
Prices at Kidbrooke Square in Greenwich start at £90,000 for a 25% share of a one-bedroom apartment based on a full market value of £360,000.
“Diwali is a celebration of light, joy and togetherness – and this year’s programme brings that spirit to life in a new format,” said Laura Flanagan, director at Greenwich Peninsula.
“We’ve worked closely with independent traders, artists and performers to create a day that honours South Asian heritage and showcases the richness of its traditions.
“This vibrant celebration reflects our diverse community, and we welcome people from all over London to join in and spend the afternoon eating, dancing and creating.”
Join a vibrant procession led by illuminated rickshaws, Dhol drummers and Garba dancers in traditional costume as it winds through the Design District.
Under a canopy of light, take part in a group dance that unfolds in three parts – Dandiya Raas, Garba and open free dancing, the heart of the celebration.
The event will also feature a South Asian street food market from noon-8pm in Peninsula Square and Bollywood beats and desi DJs from 4pm-9pm at Canteen Food Hall And Bar to keep the party moving.
DJs will perform at Design District’s Canteen Food Hall – image supplied by Knight Dragon
key details: Diwali at Greenwich Peninsula
Diwali celebrations on Greenwich Peninsula are set to take place on Saturday, October 18, 2025, from 2pm until 7pm.
All workshops and performances are free to attend.
“We want them to feel like they’re actually in a pub, that it’s as real as possible,” said Peter.
“They will be meeting characters, not caricatures. Everybody watching will relate to somebody in the play.”
To assist in the illusion, the play will take place in the theatre’s bar with a capacity of around 50 seats and a production design that puts the audience right at the heart of the action.
“The show isn’t in a huge amphitheatre, so everyone who comes will be in the piece – they’re literally in the pub with us,” said Peter.
“Sat at tables, we’ll be talking to them – chatting away.
“It’s a small and intimate performance and, while it’s a cliché that every show on a stage is different, this will be that multiplied by 100.
“We’ll be pulling pints and smashing glasses.
“We might have hecklers because some of the characters are not particularly nice, so you could even see someone getting told to ‘do one’.”
Kellie plays the landlady and six other parts in the play – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
walking into the pub
The show opens with Kellie and Peter in the roles of landlady and landlord of the pub and continues from there.
“We’ve arranged to practise at my local, the Blythe Hill Tavern in south-east London,” said Kellie.
“Terry, who runs it, does the best Guinness in London and we’ll be there in preparation because we’ll be pulling pints on the night.”
The actor, known for her portrayal of Carly Wicks in EastEnders among many other roles on stage and screen, is no stranger to Greenwich Theatre, having starred in its production of Parlour Song by Jez Butterworth earlier this year.
She said: “Artistic director James Haddrell asked me if I fancied doing Two and I was a bit scared at first but I really wanted to work with him as a director again.
“Living just up the road and working here is great because I have three kids and this gives me that balance.
“The main thing for me though was the writing.
“Jim Cartwright is a bit of a legend and the decision to stage it in a bar, done up as a 1980s pub, makes it an immersive show – it hasn’t been presented like that before.”
Cartwright – known for The Rise And Fall Of Little Voice and Road – wrote Two at a time when pubs were still the social and cultural heart of Britain before long term decline set in from the late 1980s.
Audiences at Greenwich Theatre’s show are invited to step back in time by taking a seat at the Clock And Compass, buy a pint and play pub games before the show takes over.
Peter and Kellie first met while performing at the National Theatre – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
audiences will literally be in the pub for Two
“The play starts behind the bar with the landlord and landlady, but other characters will be sitting at tables with the audience,” said Peter.
“The play is about a variety of different couples. Each character has a story that’s connected to somebody else – that’s why it’s called Two – whether they’re dead or alive.
“It could be a difficult relationship or a co-dependent relationship, and each one is different and complex.
“For us, the costume changes are really quick, but the way Jim has written it means there are little fillers to allow characters just enough time to do a quick change and then go straight back in.
“It’s a marathon but it’s going to be really great fun – it’s a show I’d really like to see.”
Audiences can expect to meet the likes of an old woman whose only respite from caring for her bed-bound husband is a nightly drink at the pub as well as Maudie and her philandering boyfriend Moth, who can’t resist chatting up everyone else in sight when the Clock And Compass opens its doors.
It’s apt, perhaps, that Greenwich Theatre is staging Two in this fashion – a celebration of spaces that bring people together in one that has long served as an inspiration for those who visit.
Kellie herself said it was going to pantos in theatres that first drew her to become an actor.
the power of panto
She said: “Watching those shows at Christmas was the catalyst. I couldn’t believe you could get paid for performing on stage.
“I went to the Brit School in Croydon and then became a jobbing actor, building things up, doing TV and getting to know people.
“Peter and I have been friends ever since we worked at the National Theatre together.”
Peter, known for stage roles at the Almeida and the Old Vic, also took to performing from a young age.
He said: “As a kid I was part of the choir at my school and, when I was eight, I was given the solo at a Christmas carol service.
“All eyes were on me and I got that taste for performance.
“It was an amazing feeling and I just wanted to keep doing it.
“I was in the chorus of Oliver when it came to Nottingham and then did all kinds of plays aged 12-17 before moving to London.
“I think Kellie and I have both been lucky doing lots of different things – TV, musicals and plays.
“Personally, I would rather do a challenging show than one that pays really well but where I’m just in the background.
“So when Kellie came to me with this I thought: ‘Wow, this is the biggest challenge’, because the characters I play are aged eight to 80, which is insane.”
key details: Two at Greenwich Theatre
Two is set to run at Greenwich Theatre for four weeks from August 21-September 12, 2025.
Performance times vary during the run and tickets cost £24, which includes a drink.
>> For selected dates during its revival of Two, Greenwich Theatre has partnered up with Greenwich Gin to offer audiences tutored tastings.
Taking place on Wednesday nights during the run, the add-on includes a welcome G&T, a short talk on the history of the spirit and a guided sampling of four award-winning gins.
The Greenwich Gin masterclass experiences, which should be booked via the venue’s website cost £37.50 – £13.50 on top of a standard ticket to the show.
I see what you did there. We are. The event is set to feature a diverse selection of brass collectives performing outdoors and the best thing is, it’s free to attend.
where’s this happening?
Brassworks will take place in the courtyard at Woolwich Works following a parade from General Gordon Square.
For those who’d like to dance their way through the town, the promenade performance starts at noon.
then what happens
Once the march through Royal Arsenal Riverside to Woolwich Works is done the festivities kick off with a DJ set at 12.30pm.
Then it’s a succession of live bands from 1pm.
Bollywood Brass are set to play the parade and festival – image supplied by Woolwich Works
Founded in 1901, this historic ensemble brings more than a century of tradition to the stage with everything from classical arrangements to film scores in their repertoire.
a strong start…
And there’s more to come. Bollywood Brass will combine powerful horns with dhol drumming to get the audience moving from 2pm.
This will be followed by Blow And Blast, a performance where audience members are encouraged to dust off their instruments, fill their lungs and participate.
what then?
From 4pm, Brassic Parp will perform a set of DJ-style pop medleys dressed as characters from Jurassic Park (for some reason).
Expect plenty of John Williams themes.
and rounding things off…
Then it’s up to the London Afrobeat Collective to finish things off with a headline set starting at 6.30pm.
Expect a heady blend of afrobeat, funk, jazz and Latin sounds with a performance that promises “raucous energy and danceable grooves”.
The eight-strong multinational ensemble has a solid following in the capital and has toured across Europe.
London Afrobeat Collective will headline Brassworks 2025 – image supplied by Woolwich Works
they say
“Brassworks celebrates the power, heritage and future of brass music in London,” said Liat Rosenthal, head of creative programming at Woolwich Works.
“We’re thrilled to present an inclusive line-up spanning cultures and genres, alongside opportunities for everyone to get involved.
“Last year’s inaugural event was a fantastic day and we hope to build on that success this year.”
Blow And Blast will give anyone with a horn the chance to perform on the Brassworks stage – image supplied by Woolwich Works
anything else I should know?
Yes, since you ask. You know the Blow And Blast performance at 3pm?
Well there’s a bit more to say about that.
The project is aimed at reuniting players with their brass instruments that perhaps have lain untouched for some time.
To that end, players of all levels are invited to attend a rehearsal session from 1pm-2.30pm at Woolwich Works before having the chance to play the Brassworks stage shortly afterwards.
Those interested can simply show up or find out more about the communal blow via email to rosie.gilbertson@woolwick.works
key details: Brassworks
Brassworks 2025 starts at noon on September 6, 2025, in General Gordon Square with performances at Woolwich Works from 12.30pm.
A giant zoetrope of skeletons punting across the Styx, a vast chandelier with jazz musicians for candles swinging from a crane, huge trebuchet-like bells swinging too and fro, a slick of multicoloured foam, acrobats, dancers, performers, weird installations and cups of tea.
These are just a tiny fraction of the things the Greenwich + Docklands International Festival has brought to east and south-east London, almost all free to watch and thrillingly vibrant.
But don’t take my word for it.
To mark the 30 years organisers have been pulling this remarkable annual event together, large format coffee table book Above And Beyond by Fiona Hughes is set to go on sale to coincide with the launch of this year’s festival.
Frankly, I don’t envy the author.
Even with 160 pages to play with, boiling down the sheer quantity of shows performed over three decades must have been a tough assignment.
The team members behind GDIF, led by festival founder and artistic director Bradley Hemmings since the event’s inception, are not strangers to tricky issues, of course.
Yet somehow on a yearly basis they pull off a powerful programme of shows, finding funding, commissioning artists and emerging victorious over the organisational bothers.
Epiphytes features aerial performers – image by Claude Esselen
a mirror: the Greenwich + Docklands International Festival
“It’s been very interesting and sometimes challenging, but the festival is in some way a mirror of people’s social and cultural lives over the last 30 years,” said Bradley.
“If you think back to the 1990s, you’d be hard-pressed to find a place where you could have a meal on the street or in a public space outside.
“There has been such an explosion of alfresco cultural experiences and there’s now a real appetite for doing things together in the open air.
“If you think of spaces around London, like Canary Wharf, they’re now designed for outdoor conviviality.
“That’s the journey we’ve gone on in a very distinctive way and we’ve thought a lot about that during our time producing the festival.
“For what we do it’s about informality – people can come and see GDIF, meet up with friends and relax.
“It’s completely accessible. It’s something you can have a conversation about, not something where you have to sit in silence in a row.
“Above And Beyond contains gorgeous photographs and very interesting storytelling by Fiona to highlight some of the companies and people who have worked with us over the years.
“I’m so proud of them all.”
Turning Worlds will take place on Greenwich Peninsula – image by Frank Emmers
GDIF 2025: Above And Beyond
“Above And Beyond” is also the theme for GDIF 2025, which kicks off on August 22, 2025, with a performance of the same name at 6.45pm in Woolwich’s Beresford Square.
We are living in anxious times, so the idea of ‘Above And Beyond’ is that there are no boundaries or walls to define outdoor arts,” said Bradley.
“There’s a continuity and it can happen anywhere – an inn, a park, a town centre, next to a dock, on a roof, or even, as this year, up in the sky.
“The opening night will feature a specially commissioned production with eight French performers from Lézards Bleus who will create an incredible, heart-stopping Parkour presentation that will take over landmark buildings in Woolwich.
“The climax will feature a collaboration with the Greenwich-based Citizens Of The World Choir made up of sanctuary-seeking people, who’ve done all sorts of exciting things including performing at Glastonbury and recording with Ed Sheeran.”
Weight(less) will be performed as part of Greenwich Fair – image by Lina Johansson
evolution and a return to Greenwich Fair
GDIF has consistently changed and evolved over the years, taking root in all kinds of locations depending on availability and funding.
For its 2025 iteration, performances are in the main split over five chunks – one in Greenwich, one on Greenwich Peninsula (home to Bradley and the organisational team) one in Woolwich, one in Thamesmead and the last in Stratford.
First up, Greenwich Park is set to host Greenwich Fair from August 23-24 with performances at various times in the area across the two days.
Bradley said: “It’s a fantastic event but quite hard for us to resource so we had to take a break last year.
“However, we’re delighted to be working with Royal Parks and Greenwich Park, to bring it back to its original home.
“The location is where the 19th century Greenwich Fair used to happen and we’ll be bringing together a programme of street art, dance, circus and installations, with a very family-friendly character at the top of the park in celebration.”
Following on, Greenwich Peninsula will host Turning Worlds on August 30 and 31.
“We’ve moved our offices here, in the Design District and it’s a really invigorating place to work,” said Bradley.
“There are wonderful businesses and phenomenal architecture here, and there are great public spaces too.
“For Turning Worlds we’ve taken ideas of performance and engineering and it will feature a giant metal spiral, a device that enables a performer to walk on a wall and a show that involves exchanges between an acrobat and a giant robotic arm. Robopole, especially, is a phenomenal creation.”
Robopole will be performed on Greenwich Peninsula for 2025 – image by GDIF
heading to Woolwich
On September 4, it’s Woolwich’s turn with Fragments Of Us and Go Grandad Go set to both be performed twice in General Gordon Square.
“The former is a piece we’ve co-commissioned with Talawa from dance company Fubunation and director Sonia Hughes.
“It’s going to be very inspiring and thought-provoking, which will invite people into the lives of a cast of black performers who are creating and presenting the work.
“It’s a piece that will challenge traditional assumptions about black masculinity and reveal beautiful moments of poetry, and the brotherhood and connections between the people in the show.
“Then, Go Grandad Go is commission from fantastic dancer and choreographer Dani Harris-Walters. It’s hip-hop – very family-friendly and feel-good – and takes audiences into this world of relationships across the generations.
“It’s really fun and very relatable and engaging.”
The Weight Of Water is set for shows in Thamesmead – image by Campagnefoto
tilting in Thamesmead
Completing this year’s series of spectacles in south-east London will be The Weight Of Water, a giant tipping staircase of a stage where six performers will dance while battling gravity as their floating performance space.
“It’s from a Dutch company, who have created a wonderful piece of ingenious engineering, that involves a floating stage which can actually tip and change position in response to the movements of the acrobats and dancers on it.
“The show is very much urging us to be aware of the climate crisis and the impact of political indecision.
“There’s live music, dance and circus. It’s nail-biting and an incredibly surprising show which has toured widely across Europe.
“We’re thrilled we’re able to bring it to Thamesmead on September 6 and 7.”
Also taking place that weekend will be Dancing City, an extensive programme of performances on the Saturday held in various locations for the second time in Stratford.
We’ll preview this event more extensively in due course.
Greenwich + Docklands International Festival founder and artistic director, Bradley Hemmings – image by Matt Grayson
key details: Greenwich + Docklands International Festival
Greenwich + Docklands International Festival 2025 is set to run from August 22 until September 6 at various locations in south-east and east London.
“Greenwich Peninsula buzzes with life in the Summer, from leisurely weekend brunches by the river, to vibrant foodie experiences and unmissable performances from some of the UK’s hottest talents at our iconic jazz and food festival, Rhythm And Taste,” said Laura Flanagan, director of Greenwich Peninsula, as the area looks forward to a season of entertainment and events.
“Our 5,000-strong residential community benefits from free art, music and culture right on their doorstep and, each year, we curate a varied programme of diverse cultural experiences for everyone to enjoy and get involved with.
“Peninsula Summer is a celebration of the very best of the Peninsula, against a backdrop of – hopefully – a Great British summer.”
The brainchild of fashion designer Wayne Hemingway and Traid CEO Maria Chenoweth, this seven-week pop-up shop will sell pre-loved fashion with all proceeds going to charitable causes.
Purposeful retail that aims to do good things for people and the planet.
Canteen Courtyard, Design District – Jul 10-Aug 31- £4
The art duo Graphic Rewilding are dedicated to bringing outsize flora and fauna into urban spaces and here present a floral mini golf course for visitors to enjoy with friends.
Complementing the offering at Canteen Food Hall And Bar in Design District, visitors are invited to discover the flavours available at a pop-up fleet of street food trucks during Peninsula Summer.
Doughnuts, ice cream, pizzas, pick’n’mix, crepes, waffles and churros will all be available for hungry punters.
Visitors can enjoy The Chromatic River Walk as part of Peninsula Summer – image by Greenwich Peninsula
Open Tuesday-Saturday, this artist collective and gallery will be hosting workshops, events, exhibitions, performances and community projects throughout the summer.
The jazz and food festival promises a whole nine hours of music, roaming performers, street food, markets and meet-ups.
The programme includes shows from jazz collective Steam Down, Shunaji And Knats, Design District’s radio community Loose.fm, DJs Tim Garcia And Tina Edwards and many more.
Also on offer will be wine tasting, workshops and a pan-Asian street food and craft market.
Peninsula Square + Design District – Aug 30-31 – free
Rounding out Peninsula Summer will be the return of the Greenwich + Docklands International Festival, this year celebrating its 30th edition.
This year, Greenwich Peninsula will host a series of performances over two days including Turning Worlds, Ripple, Walking On The Wall, The Scale and Robopole.
Audiences can expect acrobatic feats, circus skills and weightless movement on a rooftop basketball court.
getting to Peninsula Summer
Greenwich Peninsula is easily accessed by Jubilee line to North Greenwich, cable car from Royal Victoria Dock, numerous bus services across south-east London and Uber Boat By Thames Clippers along the river to Greenwich Pier.
Take a putt: Wild Swing Golf – image by Greenwich Peninsula
key details: Peninsula Summer
Peninsula Summer is set to run from July 10 to August 31, 2025, at various locations on Greenwich Peninsula.
When the tools finally go back in the van, Berkeley Capital will have delivered around 5,400 new homes on the site of the Ferrier Estate in south-east London.
Spread over 86 acres, the project is one of the larger regeneration schemes in this part of London, kicking off in 2010.
It includes Cator Park (recognised with the Sir David Attenborough award for enhancing biodiversity), two schools, a nursery, a health centre and a range of commercial spaces that have attracted the likes of Sainsbury’s, YoHome and Starbucks. It even has its own pub in the shape of The Depot on Pegler Square.
Since work began, Berkeley has delivered some 1,400 affordable homes as part of the development including 645 built in partnership with the Royal Borough Of Greenwich and housing association L&Q.
Recently council leader Cllr Anthony Okereke joined representatives from the developers and local residents to mark this milestone and officially open the latest apartments.
The properties are split between London living rent, London affordable rent and shared ownership to cater for a range of needs.
Cllr Anthony Okereke celebrates the completion of 645 affordable homes with L&Q and Berkeley at Kidbrooke Village – image by Berkeley Capital / L&Q
marking delivery at Kidbrooke Village
“We’re hugely proud to complete our 645th affordable home and it’s fantastic to see more households settle in,” said Justin Tibaldi, managing director of Berkeley Capital.
“Kidbrooke Village is a compelling example of successful long-term urban regeneration and has made a hugely positive difference to this part of Greenwich.
“Partnership working has been key to that success and shows what can be achieved through a shared vision and commitment to delivery.”
Neil Davis, development delivery director at L&Q, said: “At L&Q our mission is to combine our social purpose and commercial drive to build homes and neighbourhoods everyone can be proud of and we are very proud of what this partnership has created at Kidbrooke Village.
“While this event celebrated the completion of the 645th affordable home in this superb community and almost six years of working in partnership locally, as a housing association, we will be managing these homes for decades to come.
“So we look forward to watching the community grow even further and we will continue to provide support and exemplar services for residents.”
One and two-bed shared ownership homes are currently available – image by Berkeley Capital / L&Q
shared ownership options
Currently one and two-bedroom properties are available through L&Q at Kidbrooke with three-beds expected to be released soon.
Apartments feature open-plan design and full height glazing to allow plenty of natural light in.
Locally there’s an extensive children’s playground by APES (which built the award-winning facilities at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park) and a concierge service for residents.
The development is also well connected, with an on-site rail link connecting directly to the likes of Lewisham, London Bridge, Waterloo East and Victoria. Canary Wharf is about 25 minutes away with a change onto the DLR.
Cyclists can reach the likes of Lewisham and Greenwich in 16 minutes and 21 minutes respectively.
A show home interior at Kidbrooke Village – image by Berkeley Capital / L&Q
key details: Kidbrooke Village
Shared ownership homes are currently available at Kidbrooke Village through L&Q.
Prices start at £93,750 for a 25% share of a one-bed based on a full market value of £375,000.
