When the sun shines in London, there’s no better place to be than by the river. Handily, our city is home to a three-month-long celebration of summer, right by the Thames at London Bridge. Returning for another (hopefully) glorious summer of sun, Summer by the River has once again lined up a packed schedule of free events all the way through the summer.
The banks of the Thames have been transformed “into a riverside refuge, filled with sunshine, entertainment, and unforgettable experiences for all ages.” The best part? They’ll be keeping the celebratory summer vibes going all summer long, until August 31.
Credit: @ldnbridgecity, @glasshouses.ldn, and @frontroomsongs
We’ll overlook the less-than-imaginative name because Summer by the River is the largest free arts and entertainment festival in the capital. It’s all about the Summer Vibes as they bring the fun to a half-mile stretch of river frontage.
So, what can you expect from nearly 100 days of entertainment?
Live performances
One of the major draws each year at Summer by the River is the impressive (and seemingly never-ending) roster of live performances. These range from raucous rock gigs to Shakespeare performances, dance workshops, competitive karaoke, and more.
Some of our top picks to check out are:
- The 80s Mixtape (July 16)
- Much Ado About Nothing & Macbeth (July 30)
- Karaoke Rumble Duet Battles (August 20)
All the while, you can also enjoy some delicious refreshments courtesy of the two pop-up bars at Summer by the River. At the centre of it all is a brand-new two-storey glasshouse with an outdoor terrace. Head here for panoramic views of the city and some top-notch drinks.
Or you could opt for a perfectly made spritz at The Pier with Aperol Spritz. This riverside bar brings the ultimate summer vibes where you can hang out with friends or enjoy an al-fresco date night, as you pretend you’re enjoying a beach holiday. Sun, vibes, and spritz – what bliss!
Image: @glasshouses.ldn and @ldnbridgecity
Summer by the River film screenings
One of the best ways to enjoy the late setting sun during the warm summer evenings is to head to an outdoor film screening. Fortunately, London is full of these cinematic experiences. And one such example (a free one at that!) can be found at the Summer by the River festival.
On Tuesdays, throughout the summer months, they’ll be screening all manner of movies for absolutely anyone to drop by and watch. These will take place at London Bridge’s The Scoop area, where many of the live performances also take place. All you have to do is find somewhere to sit and then kick back and enjoy the film!
Movie screenings will include the likes of:
- Despicable Me 4
- Wicked
- Moana 2
- Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
- and more.
🕰️ Summer by the River will run in London Bridge, along the banks of the Thames, all through June, July, and August.
See the full list of events taking place as part of Summer by the River here.