Royal Docks Originals
Royal Docks Originals 2025: explore the full programme
Happening now!
From 15 September - 4 October, experience Royal Docks Originals, a free arts festival created by artists, creatives, and communities from across the Royal Docks.
Expect show-stopping art, dazzling installations and world-premieres all made and happening in the Royal Docks. Inspired by the theme of Metamorphosis: a celebration of transformation and journeys, we have some truly spectacular experiences to share with you.
WEEK ONE: 15 - 21 September
Create a glowing flower, get on your bike and uncover iconic Royal Docks landmarks
Eating Stories workshop
Thurs 18 Sept, 2:30pm
You are invited to delve into your personal relationship with food. An immersive and inclusive workshop led by Pepa Duarte.
Pump House Pulse
Thurs 18th Sept: 6:30 - 9pm
Certain Blacks will be presenting Pump House Pulse: an evening of live music, featuring the best in Jazz and Blues.
Docks Open Art Series: Tuk Tuk
Thurs 18 Sept - Tues 7 Oct
You can find Chila Burman's dazzling Tuk Tuk sculpture in the reception area of the Good Hotel.
Docks Open Art Commissions: Bioluminescent Garden
Fri 19 Sept: Drop-in 11am - 4pm
Make your own flower and as night falls watch it light up in this interactive installation celebrating transformation at the Royal Docks.
Get Moving!
Sat 20 Sept: 11am - 3pm
An afternoon of free family fun, performance, interactive exhibits and workshops to celebrate the opening of the Royal Docks Corridor.
Opening up: Millennium Mills, Tate Institute and The Factory
Sat 20 Sept, various times
Join a free tour of some of Royal Docks' most iconic historic buildings. Part of Open House Weekend 2025.
Our Docks: Behind the scenes of Royal Docks Originals
Sat 20 Sept - Fri 4 Oct
Discover the making process behind the festival and be part of its legacy!
WEEK TWO 22 - 28 September
Spark your imagination with our fire installation, make music in the cable car and explore open art commissions
Docks Open Art Series: Royal Reflections & Sweet Hope
Weds 24 Sept - ongoing
Chila Burman's iconic life size neon tiger sculpture forms the centrepiece of this vibrant neon installation.
Creative Careers at the Docks
Thurs 25 Sept, 12 – 5pm
Aged 18 – 30? Kickstart your creative career. Join us for employer-led workshops, near-peer creative discussions and an interactive marketplace with job opportunities.
Pump House Pulse
Thurs 25 Sept, 6:30 – 9pm
Certain Blacks will be presenting Pump House Pulse: an evening of live music, featuring the best in Jazz and Blues.
Rekindling
Thurs 25 Sept and Fri 26 Sept, 6:30 –10pm
A mesmerising fire installation featuring Compagnie Carabosse with Royal Docks communities
Docks Open Art Commissions: You Press
Fri 26th Sept, 6 - 10pm
Live music and spoken word featuring emerging artists and community storytellers
Blue Sky Making, Let your Creativity Soar!
Sat 27 Sept, 10am - 5pm
Jump on board the IFS Cloud Cable Car and ride with a composer, a poet, or an artist to co-create instant pieces of art while riding high across the Thames.
Docks Open Art Commissions: Docks Photobooth of Futures
Sat 27 Sept, 11am - 4pm
Take part in an interactive photo installation by local artist Kevin Audience designed to spark imagination and local pride through creative visual storytelling.
Royal Docks Market – Originals Edition
Sat 27 Sept, 10am - 5pm
Royal Docks Market will come alive with a vibrant celebration of local creativity and culture.
WEEK THREE 29 September - 4 October
You're all invited to our Compressor House Warming, get inspired at Royal Albert Wharf and decide who has the Docks Factor
Compressor House Warming: Arrivals + Departures
Mon 29 Sept - Sat 4 Oct
An artwork by YARA + DAVINA that explores birth, death and the journey in between.
Compressor House Warming: Charabancs and Cadillacs
Mon 29 Sept - Sat 4 Oct
Open a magic time capsule to discover Newham’s transport history and its impact on people’s lives.
Compressor House Warming: River of Hope
Mon 29 Sept - Sat 4 Oct
A showcase of film and art inspired by reflections of the river
Compressor House Warming: Unearthing Invisible Seafaring Histories of Empire
Mon 29 Sept from 6pm
An art installation and screening to commemorate 19th and 20th sailors at the Docks
Pump House Pulse
Thurs 2 Oct: 6:30 - 9pm
Certain Blacks will be presenting Pump House Pulse: an evening of live music, featuring the best in Jazz and Blues.
Compressor Housewarming: Royal Docks Reimagined
Thurs 2 - Sat 4 Oct, Thurs: 11am - 7pm, Fri: 3 - 7pm, Sat: 11am - 3pm
Bring your creative energy, crafty fingers and friends and family to reimagine the Royal Docks neighbourhoods, green spaces, water ways and community centres.
Compressor House Warming: Model Talk Series
Thurs 2 Oct - Sat 4 Oct
Learn about the stories of the Royal Docks – past, present and future and delve into the heritage of the area, as told by the community!
Compressor House Warming: The Newham Plays
Thurs 2 - Sat 4 Oct
See a series of powerful plays on film by writer and lecturer, James Kenworth.
The Docks Factor
Fri 3 Oct, 6:30 - 8.30pm
Like its TV namesake, performers will showcase their talents live on stage in front of a judging panel, and you, the audience, get to choose too!
Royal Docks Centre for Sustainability Discovery Day
Fri 3 Oct, 10am - 7:30pm
Open to all and jam packed full of activities including climate positive crafts, VR experiences and a chance to get hands on with the iconic Sugarcrete®.
Royal Albert Wharf Creative Open Day
Sat 4 Oct
Join us for a day of art, fashion, performance and community celebration, as the creative residents of Royal Albert Wharf –throw open their doors and welcome you in.
Browse Full Royal Docks Originals programme
THROUGHOUT THE FESTIVAL
Relax in the Festival Hub, take a tour of Open Art and uncover a Spectrum of Stories
Docks Open Art Series: Tuk Tuk
From the 18th September you can find Chila Burman's dazzling Tuk Tuk sculpture in the reception area of the Good Hotel.
Docks Open Art Series: Blue Sunset
Graphic Rewilding’s nature inspired mural is an ode to the energy, diversity and stories of the Royal Docks.
PolliNation
Taking inspiration from Blue Sunset, local schools have created their own flower inspired artworks which will be on display at the Festival Hub in the Pump House.
The Festival Hub at the Pump House
The Pump House, a landmark creative workspace in Royal Victoria Dock, will be transformed into a vibrant festival hub during Royal Docks Originals.
For the Record at the Festival Hub
Listen to For the Record: Talking Change and Future Hopes – stories from local people featured in Rekindling.
Our Docks: Behind the scenes of Royal Docks Originals
Discover the making process behind the festival and be part of its legacy!
Docks Open Art Series: Royal Reflections & Sweet Hope
Chila Burman's iconic life size neon tiger sculpture forms the centrepiece of this vibrant neon installation.
The Royal Docks: A People and Past in Pictures
An installation charting the maritime history and the heritage of the Royal Docks.
On the Waterfront: Love Open Water
Take the plunge with open water swimming
On the Waterfront: Sweheat Sauna
Unwind in an authentic wood-fired sauna session by the dock water
On the Waterfront: Tours and Trails
Discover themed trails and walking routes to suit every interest
On the Waterfront: WakeUp Docklands
Get your adrenaline flowing at London’s only inner-city water sports hub.
Browse Full Royal Docks Originals programme
For your visit
New Arrival
Business
Royal Albert Dock
This new commercial heart for London will stretch from Royal Albert DLR almost as far as Cyprus.
Places To Stay
Holiday Inn Express
There's unlimited breakfast at this three-star hotel right next to Royal Albert DLR.
Activities
NASSA Sport
Community basketball club for 8 to 18 year-olds from Newham, in partnership with UEL.
