Nothing beats heading to the South Bank during the summer months, as the area finds new life through an array of fantastic things to do. From bustling beer gardens to pop-up events, the River Thames is undeniably a hotbed of fun and culture when the sun is shining, perfectly encapsulated in this upcoming festival from The National Theatre.
All set to take over the theatre’s outdoor spaces throughout July, River Stage is their annual arts festival that spotlights various exciting art forms and performers, directly on the South Bank.
What can you expect at River Stage?
Well, we’re glad you asked! You can expect live music, theatre, dance, family workshops and club nights across four weekends in July. From fantabulous drag and circus performers to contemporary dance and theatre, there’s something for everyone at this unmissable festival, set to completely take over the National Theatre for a lively summer celebration.
The theatre will be teaming up with different performers, companies, and organisations to provide four jam-packed weekends of fun. This year, they’ll be teaming up with The Glory, Greenwich+Docklands International Festival and Rambert.
There’s even going to be some delicious scran on offer thanks to the National Theatre’s special connection to street food, with their food market officially back for the summer months.
The weekend line-ups at River Stage:
As mentioned above, the theatre will be showcasing different types of performance and art throughout the entire festival, with each weekend possessing a distinctive theme with its own roster of events. Here’s what you can expect from each weekend at the National Theatre’s River Stage.
- The Glory (Friday 5 July- Sunday 7 July): We may have recently lost this beloved LGBTQ+ bar in Haggerston, but The Glory are returning to this anticipated festival for another round of fun. Expect fantastic drag acts and queer performers to take over the River Thames, in one of London’s most exciting and radical weekends of queer music and entertainment.
- Greenwich+Docklands International Festival (Friday 12 July- Sunday 14 July): Famed for their inclusivity, this festival mashup is bringing a vibrant mix of summer fun to the River Stage, including a celebratory line-up of street theatre, dance and circus. This will be in coherence with the Greenwich+Docklands International Festival (GDIF).
- Rambert (Friday 19 July- Sunday 21 July): If you head to River Stage this weekend, expect a dazzling array of contemporary dance to grace the outdoor stage. Join some talented teachers and a diverse range of artists for an unforgettable few days of inspiring performance and dance. There’ll even be classes and workshops so you can bust a move yourself!
- National Theatre (Friday 26 July- Sunday 28 July): The National Theatre will be closing up the River Stage festival solo, with their concluding weekend packed with family-friendly theatre, dance performances, live music, workshops for all ages, and more. There will be so much free entertainment, including an NT live screening, and tours of their iconic buildings.
So there we have it – be sure to head to the National Theatre this July for their annual River Stage festival. From the fiercest drag shows to family-friendly theatre, you’re truly spoilt for choice.
River Stage will be taking over the National Theatre on four weekends throughout July, beginning on Friday 5 July and ending on Sunday 28 July. The National Theatre is located at Upper Ground, South Bank, London SE1 9PX. For more information and upcoming productions, visit their website.