Thames Festival Trust

17/06/2026

First Announcement! Turner Prize-nominated Catherine Yass to headline Totally Thames 2026 festival programme

Tuesday 1st – Wednesday 30th September 2026

The Totally Thames festival draws on the River Thames as a vital source of creativity and community connection across London. This first wave of programming reveals a dynamic mix of site-specific installations, live performances and new writing. From large-scale public artworks and immersive musical experiences to intimate storytelling and emerging theatre voices, the 2026 events invite audiences to engage with the Thames as an asset for London which is rich with ecological, cultural, and heritage value. The Port of London Authority is festival’s principal sponsor.

Turning the Tide: Turner Prize-nominated artist Catherine Yass’s site-specific film installation, Turning the Tide (17th – 20th September) will be displayed on the iconic disused Blackfriars Railway Bridge columns.

Art on Your Doorstep: As part of the Creative Mile, Brentford Art Trail weekend (4th-6th September 2026), Art on Your Doorstep – Creative Mile partners with the National Gallery to transform Brentford into an open-air exhibition space.

Seed Funders: Our Seed Funder Programme provides early to mid-career artists with support to shape, develop and deliver their River Thames, waterway, or sustainability themed project.

Find out more @ https://bit.ly/4w0pTCp

Festival Supported by: Port of London Authority
Turning the Tide Creative Partners & Artists: Catherine Yass, Becky Bailey, Hugo Glendinning and Graeae
Turning the Tide Funded & Supported by: Arts Council England, Art Explora and City of London Corporation

Graeae Theatre Company | The Venus Bushfires | One City | City of London Corporation: City View | Port of London Authority | Arts Council England | Art Explora |

14/05/2026

A Look Back @ Life Afloat
The history of the floating villages on London’s Tidal Thames.

Just over 15,000 people live afloat in the UK today, with over 1,000 people living in floating residences on the tidal Thames. The first of these moored communities dates back to the 1930s. They proliferated in the 1960s and 70s as a cheap, alternative way of living in the capital. Although costs have escalated, the number of people living afloat has doubled over the last twenty years. However for many, life afloat lacks security and is a very fragile existence.

Until now, the story of living afloat has been largely unknown and one with no written account. Life Afloat draws together the past and the present through photography by Katherine Fawssett, film by digital:works, interviews, and archive research by volunteers from University College London, the London School of Economics and the Geffrye Museum to bring this untold history to life.

Watch our short films, podcasts and oral histories @ https://bit.ly/49vRQZN

Supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund


Photo by Katherine Fawssett

The history of the floating villages on London’s Tidal Thames.

13/05/2026

A Look Back @ The Story of Water
Teaching school children the importance of water through creativity.

The Story of Water is an arts based learning programme which aims to inspire teachers through creativity while meeting key National Curriculum objectives in Geography. The programme connects schools internationally, provides teachers with Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and educational resources and places artists in the classroom to create fabulous ‘water’ themed displays.

Schools in Hounslow, Stockton-on-Tees, Coventry, Newham, Warrington, Halton, and Peterborough have started their two year journey joined by schools in Nigeria, Ghana, Lebanon, Tanzania and India with whom they are partnered.

Based on a new educational resource pack, schools have begun to develop a host of work including poetry, artwork and whole school Global Goal learning.

Check out the poems, brochures and education packs @ https://bit.ly/2FEmrJN

Supported by British Council | Paul Hamlyn Foundation

The Story of Water is an international art project connecting primary schools all over the world. The project helps them with the resources they need to create art and educate their classes about the water and environment.

12/05/2026

A Look Back @ MSCTY x Thames
A sonic journey along the River Thames

The river is the heart of London, connecting the far corners of the city; MSCTY, led by BBC radio broadcaster and producer Nick Luscombe, seeked to introduce new creative links between locations along the river, through an innovative sound journey that builds a connection between the Royal Docks and London Bridge.

Watch our short film & listen to the tracks @ https://bit.ly/4eHwYSO

Supported by The Royal Docks | Team London Bridge | Uber Boat by Thames Clippers

A sonic journey along the River Thames

06/05/2026

Thames Path at 30: Photography Competition

We celebrate the opening of the Thames Tideway Tunnel and the 30th anniversary of the Thames Path with a special Thames Lens open-call photo competition. Everyone who walks and runs along the Thames Path is invited to respond to the beauty and diversity of this remarkable walkway alongside the River Thames through the heart of London. Submit your photos now!

Competition Close 11.59pm 18 June 2026
Apply @ https://bit.ly/48HXrvK

Tideway
National Trails
The Countryside Code

We celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Thames Path with a special Thames Lens open-call photo competition. Everyone who walks and runs along the Thames Path is invited to respond to the beauty and diversity of this remarkable walkway alongside the River

28/04/2026

Job Alert: Heritage Project Manager

We are looking for a Heritage Project Manager to join our team to work on an exciting new heritage project called Our Global London.

Thames Festival Trust is an arts organisation which delivers festivals, stand-alone commissions, river-based events, heritage projects and education programmes. We have a twenty-eight-year track record of using learning, culture and creativity to amaze, excite and inform. Our work helps bring communities together, originally around the River Thames, and now in cities across the UK and the world. The Trust is committed to producing excellent work. We strive to improve access and increase diversity across the Arts & Culture sector.

The Heritage Project Manager for Our Global London will work with our Director, Adrian Evans, and will be responsible for all elements of the project’s administration and delivery, ensuring that the project meets its objectives and that it comes in on time and within budget.

This project will be promoted as part of Totally Thames 2026, our annual season of events taking place along the River Thames in London during September.

Applications close midday on Wednesday 6th of May
Apply @ https://bit.ly/30iBHmS

27/04/2026

Job Alert: Our Global London Trainees

We want to recruit 10 trainees to take part in a new heritage project called Our Global London.

This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone looking to develop a career in the heritage, museums or wider arts & cultural sector. No previous experience is required. We particularly encourage applications from people aged 21-25 living or studying in the London Borough of Newham, but the opportunity is open to anyone. There’s more info about us and our previous heritage project here.

Deadline for applications: Wed 13 May
More information and apply @ https://bit.ly/4tyzPSt

The National Lottery Heritage Fund

21/04/2026

Job Alert: Heritage Project Manager

We are looking for a Heritage Project Manager to join our team to work on an exciting new heritage project called Our Global London.

Thames Festival Trust is an arts organisation which delivers festivals, stand-alone commissions, river-based events, heritage projects and education programmes. We have a twenty-eight-year track record of using learning, culture and creativity to amaze, excite and inform. Our work helps bring communities together, originally around the River Thames, and now in cities across the UK and the world. The Trust is committed to producing excellent work. We strive to improve access and increase diversity across the Arts & Culture sector.

The Heritage Project Manager for Our Global London will work with our Director, Adrian Evans, and will be responsible for all elements of the project’s administration and delivery, ensuring that the project meets its objectives and that it comes in on time and within budget.

This project will be promoted as part of Totally Thames 2026, our annual season of events taking place along the River Thames in London during September.

Applications close midday on Wednesday 6th of May
Apply @ https://bit.ly/30iBHmS

The National Lottery Heritage Fund

30/03/2026

Rivers of the World: Short Films

One Tour: Short films of the places and people who participated in our art and education project, Rivers of the Work.

On Location: Short films made on location at schools, events and workshops.

Watch our short films @ https://bit.ly/3fDf8Qv

Port of London Authority

Connecting students around the globe to their local river through environmental, economic and cultural learning and themes.