Event aimed at showcasing the Canary Wharf area with free performances in Union Square and ticketed events in the Hazy Daze Tent
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Wood Wharf is set to become the focus of the warm weather, with four days of events, arts and happenings this month.
The Summer Daze Festival runs from July 23-26, 2026, and is a fresh initiative from Canary Wharf Group aimed at drawing crowds down to the likes of Union Square, Water Street and Harbour Quay Gardens.
“We really want to showcase how amazing this neighbourhood is,” said Camilla McGregor, event manager at CWG.
“It has a different feel to other parts of Canary Wharf and so lends itself perfectly to this sort of festival.
“We’ll be hosting comedy, theatre, music and lots of different events for families across the four days.
“It won’t just be us either. Many of the retailers such as Crate and new opening, Potato Art Studio, will be joining in as well.”
Wood Wharf has continued to come alive in recent months, with hospitality offerings from the likes of Ong Lai Kopitaim, Nora, Signorelli, Cafe Seek, Supershakes, Lockdown, Osteria Al Molo and Mama Li all now trading in the area.
A little further west, Wharfers can find Dishoom, Feels Like June, Emilia’s Crafted Pasta, MMy Wood Wharf, Hawksmoor and Patty And Bun, all presenting tantalising options.
At the heart of the festival programme will be the Hazy Daze Tent in Harbour Quay Gardens.
tickets for comedy and family fun
“Among the events hosted inside will be three comedy nights, headlined by Milton Jones (July 23) Lou Sanders (July 24) and Sarah Keyworth (July 25),” said Camilla.
“Each night will feature four acts and tickets cost £16.50, including booking fees, and the shows start at 7pm.
“The tent will also be used for the Big Fish Little Fish Family Rave on July 25 at 2pm, which is always so much fun, with confetti cannons and dancing.
“We’ll also be putting on Baby Broadway (July 26) with songs from hit musicals, bubbles and puppets – great for kids aged 0-7 – and the Comedy Club For Kids (July 26) for children aged 6+, which sees established stand-ups present their acts without the rude bits.
“Times and prices for these vary, depending on the show, but you can find all the information online.”
In addition to the ticketed shows, Summer Daze also boasts an extensive programme of free events, with the majority taking place in Union Square.
free music and theatre at Summer Daze Festival
“These will be presented on a first come, first-served basis as with other such offerings in Canary Wharf,” said Camilla.
“We’ll have a mix of theatre including Pews At Ten (July 23, 8.15pm) by Novem Ensemble and hosted in partnership with The Space Theatre.
“It’s a light-hearted musical comedy set in a church where three Welsh grandmas are anticipating a visit from Tom Jones.
“440 Theatre will perform their take on A Midsummer Night’s Dream (July 25, 6.30pm) and we’ll also be welcoming Let’s All Dance: Alice In Wonderland, earlier that day, for a performance (11am) and movement workshop (11.45am) for kids themed around the classic, fantastical tale.”
Various groups of musicians from east London ensemble, the Docklands Sinfonia, will also be performing at the festival.
There will be brass on July 23, the Fliss Gorst Jazz Trio on July 24 (both noon-2pm), the orchestra’s Street Band on July 25 from 1pm-3pm and the Swing Funk And Pop collective on July 26 from 4pm-6pm.
Another highlight will be Agency Unknown’s Musical Bingo on July 24, from 7pm-9.30pm.
Teams of two or more (£11 per person) are invited to head down to Union Square for a “high-energy mix of hit tunes, games and prizes”.
Audiences can expect sassy hosts, dancers, plenty of surprises and a show-stopping finale.
Festival-goers should also look out for face-painting, Bollywood dancing, a poetry takeaway and the opportunity to make a fancy hat, with full details available for all online.
Camilla said: “It is great to bring an event like this to the programme, to entertain the people who live in the neighbourhood and those visiting – hopefully they get to see all the other amazing things we offer here.
“Almost everything we do from an arts and events perspective is free and, when we do have tickets, they are always subsidised.
“Anyone who gets into Summer Daze will also enjoy our wider summer arts series, from buskers on Eden Dock to lunchtime classical concerts in Jubilee Park, our lunch markets, our Film Club and so much more.
“We are really lucky to have so many green spaces to sit in and blue spaces for people to explore.”
key details: Summer Daze Festival
The Summer Daze Festival is set to run across Wood Wharf from July 23-26, 2026.
There are 20 events taking place over those dates, some free and others ticketed.
You can find full listings and booking links via Canary Wharf’s site here
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