Art & Culture
Royal Docks Summer Programme – Call for Proposals
The Royal Docks Team (RDT) is seeking engaging, inclusive, and creative activities for Royal Docks Summer Splash, a key part of our summer programme, At the Docks. We are looking to work with local activity providers, sports organisations, cultural groups, and artists to curate a vibrant programme that resonates with our diverse communities.
Examples include:
- arts and crafts workshops
- short outdoor family performances
- try-out sessions for sports
- dance or circus skills workshops
- games and play activities
- taster sessions for ongoing local activities
We are looking for events that can take place in our event tent and / or on the grass lawns outside City Hall.
You will be responsible for managing and delivering your activity with support from RDT's production company, Continental Drifts. The RDT will promote the activities as part of our summer programme, At the Docks.
About Royal Docks Summer Splash:
Since 2012, Summer Splash has offered a free, family-friendly day out for local people and visitors wanting to experience an urban waterfront in the heart of the city. Running from Friday 25th July to Sunday 17th August 2025 inclusive, Royal Docks Summer Splash will provide a safe space for people to relax on deckchairs and hang out in the urban water landscape of Royal Victoria Dock. Royal Docks Summer Splash is operated by Continental Drifts.
Support from the Royal Docks Team (RDT) and Continental Drifts:
The RDT will provide support with promotion as part of At the Docks - through newsletters, social media and website. Activity should be branded as 'supported by the Royal Docks Team'.
Continental Drifts manage the site and will be providing its infrastructure including:
- event lawn with sand pit and public lido for swimming
- toilets, including accessible/parent and child facilities
- changing facilities
- security, first aid, lifeguards, cleaning and site management staffing
- limited power (on pre-request and subject to location)
- deckchairs, picnic benches and umbrellas
- RDT can support selected operators to produce risk assessments and other documentation as required
Audiences / participants:
Activities programmed should be free, accessible, fun and appeal to a wide range of local audiences in terms of:
- a wide range of backgrounds
- different age groups - young people, older people, intergenerational
- family audiences
- culturally diverse communities around the Royal Docks
- heritage focussed audiences
- arts and culture focussed audiences
- audiences with an interest in sports and leisure
Dates:
Activities should take place within the dates of Royal Docks Summer Splash, ideally on the weekends of each week (26th and 27th July, 2nd, 3rd, 9th, 10th, 16th and 17th August) although other days may be available on request.
Budget:
£750 per activity / event. (We will consider costs up to £1,000 per event for those activities / events that may require additional infrastructure or equipment.)
Your proposal:
To submit your proposal, please complete this form by 23.59 on Sunday 15th June 2025.
If you would like to discuss your proposal before submitting, or if you need assistance to complete the form, please email RoyalDocksEvents@london.gov.uk with 'Summer Programme - At the Docks' in the subject line.
Location and access:
Address: Royal Victoria Dock London, E16 1GB
There is very limited parking near the site; vehicle access for drop offs can be arranged. We recommend travel by public transport where possible. The site is 1 minute from IFS Cloud Cable Car, 3 mins walk from Royal Victoria DLR, 10 mins walk from West Silvertown DLR and Custom House DLR and Elizabeth Line.
