Introducing Summer by the River London’s largest, free outdoor festival

Today I wanted to tell you about Summer by the River. It is London’s largest, free outdoor festival which is running from 1st June to 2nd September 2022. It promises to revive weary workers, tourists and locals alike with three months of free entertainment set against stunning views of the capital.

Summer by the River is being held at three locations in London Bridge City (The Scoop, Hay’s Galleria and The Pier) and offers three months of free entertainment including music, theatre, dance, comedy, film and fitness.

At The Scoop, Art Deco-inspired pop-up bar The Riverside Terrace will offer a little slice of South Beach complete with empanadas and piña coladas, while over at The Pier, Taqueria Garcia is bringing the heat with tacos and tequila.

Highlights include Gospeloke, Dabbers Bingo, Hip Hop Weekender, Tears of Jenny Greenteeth, Twelfth Night, BBC Introducing, Leah Weller, and Swing Patrol. Community and grassroots talent will be championed throughout the festival, including at the Folk and Roots Stage in Hay’s Galleria.

Summer by the River boasts two outdoor, Miami-inspired pop-up bars – The Riverside Terrace and Taqueria Garcia and the festival offers iconic views of London buildings including Tower Bridge, Tower of London and HMS Belfast. All you have to decide is what you’re going to wear! I suggest checking out Rebellious Fashion, it has festival co-ords like no other.

The first week of the festival coincided with Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee – and London Bridge City was one of the Beacon lighting locations.

Event Programme Highlights

Monday fitness activities will be led by BUA FIT and will include outdoor HIIT, yoga and boxing classes suitable for all abilities.
Tuesday films shown on the huge outdoor screen at The Scoop will feature a mix of classics and new releases including Encanto, King Richard and Dirty Dancing.
Wednesday theatrical performances will feature a range of Shakespearean classics (including a modern take of Twelfth Night set on Love Island!), the London debut of Tears of Jenny Greenteeth (a Ballet Folk production which combines contemporary ballet and folk music) and award-winning comedy performances from improv groups The Noise Next Door and Bumper Blyton.
Thursday music performances will champion up-and-coming talent as Soho Radio and BBC Introducing showcase emerging artists at The Scoop.
Friday party nights will include group sing-a-longs run by the legendary Massaoke, Hip Hop Karaoke and Gospeloke as well as group participation events led by Dabbers Bingo and Vinegar Strokes (of Ru Paul’s Drag Race fame).
Friday and Saturdays also see the opening of the Folk and Roots Stage in Hay’s Galleria – spotlighting grassroots acoustic music acts from early afternoon.
Saturday daytime kids entertainment will include Fly Kid (the hip hop & RnB party for London’s flyest kids and grown-ups) and Bunker, a piece of theatre by Chattering Tongues specially commissioned for the festival to bring to life WWII stories from local Southwark residents.
Saturday evening music entertainment will include Leah Weller (Paul Weller’s daughter – a soulful singer-songwriter with music in her veins!), Rayowa (three brothers from Essex making waves in the music scene with their “contemporary disco” sound) and Rock The Belles (an all female DJ crew who’ve built a rock solid reputation for throwing the hypest Hiphop parties). More artists will be revealed nearer the time.
Sunday global music fun will include social dances in the day such as London Goes Tango (an Argentine-style Milonga) and Havana Londres (the Cuban salsa dance school) and music performances in the evening including Bob Marley Revival (a tribute to the King of Reggae) and Grupo Lokito (a glorious cocktail of Cuban and Congolese sounds).

Heading into July, the festival will embrace another British institution – Wimbledon – with the screen in The Scoop showing all the key matches.