The River Thames is a joy to wander beside at any time of the year. But, as Kathryn Conway reveals, September is when this iconic waterway truly takes center stage.
Winding through the capital as a vital artery that transports both commuters and sightseers, London’s legendary river is where history, culture and everyday life in the city meet. Famous landmarks such as Battersea Power Station, the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye and The 02 share the waterfront with theatres, galleries and dining hotspots that draw people in with the promise of picture-perfect views. And right now is when the Thames really comes alive, as annual festivals bring cultural vibrancy, outdoor performances eke out every last drop of late summer sun and historic river races add competitive drama.
Take The Great River Race (12 Sep). As one of the capital’s most colourful sporting events, around 300 crews in everything from longboats and gigs to skiffs and cutters paddle or row the 21.6-mile course from Millwall in east London to Ham House near Richmond in the west. Attracting serious competitors keen to be first across the finish line to claim prizes such as The Challenge Trophy of The Company of Watermen & Lightermen as well as those in fancy dress simply keen for a fun day out on the water, lend your encouragement by cheering from the riverbank or the many bridges along the route.
The Company of Watermen & Lightermen is also the name behind the world’s oldest boat race, Doggett’s Coat & Badge Race (2 Sep). Created in 1715 by Thomas Doggett in honour of the accession of King George I, six watermen and lightermen take to the river in skulling boats to test their skills on the water between London Bridge and Cadogan Pier. The prize remains, as it always has done, the honour of donning a scarlet wool coat and silver badge. Although, since 2015, winners have also taken home with them a commemorative watch. Will anyone break the course record of 23 minutes and 22 seconds?
A wave of cultural fun
If you prefer foot-tapping fun to the thrashing of oars, Greenwich+Docklands International Festival is a free outdoor festival that transforms riverside spaces across Royal Greenwich, Newham and Thamesmead into stages for theatre, circus and dance (to 6 Sep). Under this year’s theme, ‘We Move’ – a celebration of London’s spirit of community – the programme includes Thingumajig Theatre’s Kismat Walla (3-4 Sep), where a magical cart is the backdrop to a puppet play about fate and destiny; performers testing the limits of balance in Benched (5 Sep) and a flashmob finale at (In)visible Dancing (6 Sep) where passers-by can join in the fun and show off their moves.
Taking place all month long. meanwhile, Totally Thames festival (1-30 Sep) offers walks, talks, site-specific artworks and immersive music performances along a 42-mile stretch of the river. Headlined by Turner Prize-nominated artist Catherine Yass, her film installation, Turning the Tide, which celebrates disabled young actors from disabled-led theatre company Graeae, will be projected onto the red columns of the old railway at Blackfriars Bridge (17-20 Sep). ‘My hope is that Turning the Tide will go some way towards turning the tide on attitudes to disability, giving people confidence to show who they are,’ Yass says.
Elsewhere, Sing for Water 2026 celebrates its 25th anniversary by filling Oxo Tower Courtyard with joyful music as around 300 singers from more than 40 choirs perform a free concert packed with water-inspired songs in support of WaterAid (12 Sep). And at Trinity Buoy Wharf in the Docklands, you can step aboard the world’s only surviving complete Victorian steamship, SS Robin, for an immersive mix of sound, moving image and live performance in River Recital (26-27 Sep).
A voyage through history
If historic ships float your boat, the Thames more than delivers. HMS Belfast near Tower Bridge provides a fascinating insight into life onboard a light cruiser and its latest exhibition, Pressure: The D-Day Decision, is one not to miss. It explores the ship’s role on D-Day in World War II in support of the release of Pressure (from 9 Sep), a film starring Andrew Scott and Brendan Fraser about the 72 hours preceding this pivotal moment in history.
Go further back in time on The Golden Hinde, a replica of the 16th-century English galleon which was captained by Elizabethan explorer Sir Francis Drake. Celebrating the 30th anniversary of its mooring at St Mary Overie Dock in Bankside, you can don a high-vis jacket and hard hat for a Shipyard Tour (6 Sep) or hop aboard for an atmospheric staging of Shakespeare’s The Tempest (8-22 Sep).
Or why not make a beeline for the historic Cutty Sark In Greenwich? Once the fastest tea clipper on the seas, this beautiful 19th-century vessel makes for a fabulous family day out as it brings Britain’s illustrious seafaring history vividly to life. Visitors can walk beneath the ship’s enormous copper-clad hull, take the helm at the wheel, explore the sailors living quarters and meet costumed characters with fascinating stories to share. You can also delight in the stirring harmonies of traditional sea shanties sung by resident groups, Swinging the Lead and The HogEye Men (5 Sep), or learn more about the busiest lifeboat station in the country – Tower – during RNLI Day (26 Sep).
From riverbank to rooftop
You’re now perfectly placed to explore a royal borough packed with numerous attractions. Aside from a week packed with lunar activities at the Royal Observatory (12-20 Sep) and ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year at the National Maritime Museum (from 18 Sep), ensure you get a photo with the giant ship in a bottle (close to the entrance to the National Maritime Museum), and take in the stunning architecture of The Queen’s House during an after-hours concert of classical music by DEBUT (3 Sep).
More incredible architecture – this time at the hands of Sir Christopher Wren – awaits at the grand Old Royal Naval College. Join its Behind the Scenes Secret Dome Tour (to 28 Sep) for a guided ascent up a winding staircase to the dome in the Chapel of St Peter and St Paul, where the view of the capital’s skyline will take your breath away.
Alternatively, if you like a panoramic vista with a side of house and garage beats, then get ready for High Frequency Reloaded when it returns to Up at The 02 (4 Sep). For one night only, you can climb the roof of this iconic riverside venue to enjoy a DJ set and live performance of old skool classics at the summit that will put you in the mood to dance. And why not use the London Cable Car from Royal Docks to Greenwich Peninsula to get there?
Take to the Thames
Of course, one of the best ways to experience the capital is from the water itself. City Cruises has a range of options, including daily guided Thames tours and its sights as well as leisurely meanders via its afternoon tea cruise. The Tower of London River Tour, meanwhile, is a round trip from Tower Bridge Quay packed with facts in its live commentary.
Thanks to Thames Rockets, thrill-seekers are catered for too. Board a high-speed RIB from London Eye (Waterloo) Pier or Bankside Pier and enjoy sightseeing with a serious shot of adrenaline. Finally, if you prefer your river adventure with a little more glamour, step aboard Thames Limo, the city’s first private water limousine inspired by the elegant Venetian Cantiere Serenella water taxis. Sit back, soak up the skyline and enjoy the VIP treatment.
The Thames is also home to some of London’s greatest cultural treasures. Experience William Shakespeare on the site of the Bard’s original playhouse at the Globe Theatre, where Much Ado About Nothing (to 24 Oct) and As You Like It (to 25 Oct) invite audiences into witty worlds full of romance and mischief.
From here, you’ve the perfect opportunity to wander along the South Bank, stopping at Tate Modern for a Family Tour (5 Sep) and to see Julio Le Pare’s kinetic sculptures in Julio Le Parc: Light. Colour: Action, before popping into the Gabriel’s Wharf Arts Festival (5 & 19 Sep) fo and music.
Be sure to lea hough time to continue to the Southbank Centre for another immersive experience, this time inside the Royal Festival Hall. Playing with Fire: Yuja Wang (from 9 Sep) sees an avatar of electrifying pianist Yuja Wang playing a selection of handpicked pieces on a self-playing Steinway Spirio piano. It’s utterly mesmerising.
Nothing beats Battersea
Finally, you’ll want to board a boat to visit Battersea Power Station, where families can be wowed by the artefacts on show in Ramses and the Pharaohs’ Gold: The Exhibition, revel in Southeast Asia culture at celebrASIA (11-13 Sep) or ascend The Chimney Lift to take in a 360-degree panorama.
So, whether you’re soaking up culture or discovering London’s maritime past, follow the river and see where it takes you.
