Enjoy a scented heritage exhibition, boat trips, night-time kayaking, and illuminated walking tours at a month long event celebrating the Thames.
Totally Thames‘ 2019 programme of events will explore the environmental importance, and the rich and varied cultural heritage, of the capital’s river.
Totally Thames aims to encourage visitors from London and further afield to participate in artistic, historical and musical events in celebration of this iconic landmark.
This year, four highlight events will commemorate the river as the vital cultural centre of the city. The Ship of Tolerance, by renowned artists Ilya and Emilia Kabakov, brings together the works of 1000 children in the sails of a stunning ship, celebrating unity and diversity in the heart of London.
Navigating the tides of history, Foragers of the Foreshore is the most significant exploration of mudlarking ever held. The Barking Stink tackles the rich, pungent history of London, diving nose-first into the infamous odours that used to emanate from Barking Creek.
Tideway’s trailblazing Regatta London is coming to London at the end of September. A mass participation event, fundraising for local and national environmental causes, as boaters of all kinds gather to race.
Totally Thames will see artistic, musical, dance and literary events celebrate the river with the return of the sensational Rivers of the World and the introduction of My Story of Water, an impactful new exhibition of jerry cans painted by children from Lagos, highlighting the importance of water itself.
An evening of tangoing on the Thames awaits with Mid-River Milonga, and the magic of the Bascule Chamber Concerts returns to this year’s festival. Thank You For Having Us is an adrenaline-filled performance challenging audiences to think about the impact of plastics on our natural environment, with ariel stunts and pryotechnics. And Giles Walker’s Monster asks if the Thames could disappear under the weight of the capitalist machine.
There will also be a 30 foot boat sculpture, a virtual reality wildlife journey, open-water swimming adventures, walking tours of the illuminated river, a chance to learn about slime, and the world’s oldest boat race. Not to mention illuminated river boat tours, a classic boat festival, a Great River Race, Erith Pier Festival, a big bottle count, a treasure hunt and hidden river walks.
When: 1st – 30th September 2019
Where: Totally Thames takes places at locations across London, up and down the 42-mile stretch of the Thames.
£: Ticket prices vary, depending on the event. Some events are free
More info: totallythames.org