Dive into summer at the Royal Docks

Summer is on the horizon and this year the Royal Docks Team’s summer season will feature events of all shapes and sizes taking place all across the historical Royal Docks.

From exhibitions marking the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, to retrospectives surrounding the 2012 Olympics, fun on the water and heritage installations, as well as online projects, a women’s football tournament, and more, this year, it’s time to dive into fun at the Royal Docks.

On display from now until the 19 June is outdoor portrait and oral history exhibition, Platinum Jubilee Portraits, presented by Rosetta Arts, commissioned by the Royal Docks Team. Head to Royal Victoria Gardens between 2pm – 7.45pm each day to discover heritage stories from community members across Newham, as well as learn about their connections with the reign of Her Majesty the Queen.

Cultural celebrations will continue across the borough in June as not one, not two, but THREE exciting festivals take over venues in the Royal Docks.

Newham Heritage Month runs from the 3 – 30 June celebrating the legacy of London 2012 with over 30 free live participatory events and activities across Newham and online. From photography to screenings, music, workshops exhibitions and more, discover the history and heritage of Newham this summer.

Love the striking architecture of the Royal Docks? The London Festival of Architecture is running across the city during the entire month of June. In the Royal Docks, learn about innovative and carbon-neutral sustainable building materials, see how buildings can help shape our responses to challenges and step back in time with the power of Augmented Reality.

Newham will also be celebrating all things literature this June and into July as Newham Word Festival returns with creative workshops, art, music, discussions, author talks, poetry and more.

Moving into July, sport will take centre stage.

The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, will celebrate the finish of its record-breaking 40,000 nautical mile race around the world on 70-foot ocean racing yachts, in the Royal Docks on 30 July. This spectacular event will feature the arrival of the racing yachts in Royal Albert Dock in a breath-taking ‘Parade of Sail’. Cheer on the winning crew, celebrate with friends and soak up the dockside party atmosphere while listening to live music on stage, and enjoying delicious food and drink.

As the final of the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 rolls into London in July, a new cultural project Queens Roar! celebrates local women and girls’ football. Inspired by the vibrant culture and rich footballing heritage of Newham’s Green Street and Queen’s Roar! is a series of activities and events taking place in Green Street, the Royal Docks and online.

If E-car racing is more your thing, the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship returns to London this July with wheel-to-wheel racing action diving in and out of ExCeL London, as well as around the streets of the historical Royal Docks.

Despite so much sport in July, the summer outdoor arts are not to be outdone and we are delighted that Certain Black’s Ensemble Festival is back on 23 July in Western Gateway. An explosive mix of music, art and performance, Ensemble Festival features unmissable performances include Joli Vyann’s Timeless, Clay Connection’s Lives of Clay, Tara Theatre’s Final Farewell and Big Gay Disco Bike.

Kids Summer Splash returns to the Royal Docks all throughout August with delightful outdoor swimming, sandcastles, tasty food, cooling drinks and more. A large lido will be built out onto the Royal Victoria Dock, complete with a shallow end for younger children, sandpits and chill-out zones full of deckchairs, the whole family is in for a day out that’s full of fun.

August also sees some great community events popping up across the Royal Docks. Family Fun Days at Royal Docks Learning and Activity Centre and Britannia Village Green will bring the community together with lots of laughter, music, arts, crafts and activities for all ages. Grab a bite to eat at the Connections Café, a new pop-up which will give you a taste of the Caribbean in London.

As summer slows into September, there’s still more to get involved with as Anjunadeep and Anjunabeats features in Above & Beyond Group Therapy Weekender London at a brand new open-air multi-stage venue, Dockyards.

Other events coming up in September include, a gigantic, mesmerising installation, Charon, as part of Greenwich and Docklands International Festival and a new immersive theatre production Dido’s Bar, plus the return of Totally Thames and London Open House festivals.

This summer everyone is invited to explore the beautiful water, parks and venues of the Royal Docks, and don’t forget - you can now travel to the Royal Docks via the Elizabeth Line - just 15 minutes from the West End!

Click here to download a copy of our summer brochure to get your summer started!