I lived and worked in Cambridge for about 10 months before moving to London. It took a while to get used to the city’s busy, loud, gritty nature. I fell in love with London on a sunny Saturday. I’d set off for Tate Modern and got lost. When I finally found the gallery and crossed the lower part of the Millennium Bridge, I could hear live music. Honestly, my heart was full of joy… and relief. From that day on, walking along the River Thames sparks my joy. It feels so therapeutic, but there are other ways to enjoy the river. Totally Thames is a notable event on the river’s annual calendar. It celebrates the river through art, heritage, ecology, and community connection. Launched in 2014, Totally Thames has aptly labelled London the ‘river city’, and it runs throughout September.
About Totally Thames
Totally Thames arose from the idea to expand and replace the hugely successful two-day Thames Festival along the South Bank and Bankside, which ran from 1997-2013. Now, it is an annual festival of unique and inclusive arts and culture throughout September, with activities taking place on, beneath, and along the River Thames.
The month-long programme runs along the 42-mile stretch of the Thames, working collaboratively with artists, local communities, river interest organisations and businesses. The programme is comprised of art installations, live performances, river clean-ups, environmental talks, boating events, workshops and so on. It invites Londoners and London’s visitors to experience the Thames as a living landscape shaped by the communities, histories and creativity that continues to define the city.
Family-Friendly Activities At Totally Thames 2026
This year, there are more than 80 events taking place along and around London’s iconic River Thames for the festival. Of course, there are family-friendly options as well. Events include everything from historic boats and mudlarking to free riverside festivals, live music, children’s activities and spectacular outdoor art.
Here are my picks of family-friendly events. Starting with Culture Cargo (1st – 30th September), which transforms the historic sailing barge Raybel into a floating cultural venue as it journeys from the Thames Estuary into central London. Stopping at communities along the river, the voyage offers a dynamic programme of live music, talks and mini performances while celebrating the Thames’ rich maritime heritage and exploring themes of trade, ecology and community. Offering a rare opportunity to experience London’s pre-industrial trading history, Culture Cargo reimagines the river as a moving cultural stage.
Tidefest (6 September) Chiswick Families are invited to experience the river in new ways at Tidefest. It’s a free family festival at Strand-on-the-Green, featuring live music, kayaking, paddleboarding, foreshore walks, children’s activities and London’s largest fishing competition.
Mudlarking (5–6, 19–20 & 26–27 September) Get hands-on with archaeological finds from the Thames and discover the fascinating history of the river. There are interactive exhibitions that uncover remarkable artefacts recovered from the Thames foreshore. Across the Roman Amphitheatre (5th – 6th September), St Paul’s Cathedral (19th – 20th September) and London Museum Docklands (26th – 27th September), visitors will have the rare opportunity to meet experienced mudlarkers, handle archaeological artefacts and discover centuries of London history through thousands of objects preserved beneath the Thames.
St Katharine Docks Classic Boat Festival (12–13 September): Around 50 historic boats, including steam tugs and Dunkirk Little Ships, alongside live music, talks and family activities. This will be the 17th year at St Katharine Docks Classic Boat celebrating Britain’s rich maritime heritage. There’s also the Great River Race (12 September), nearly 300 crews take on a 21.6-mile race along the Thames, making for a brilliant day of riverside spectating.
Ganga Aarti (13 September) in Greenwich is a free celebration of Indian culture with food, music and live entertainment, culminating in a spectacular ceremony of light.
Turning the Tide (17–20 September) at Blackfriars: there is a free large-scale artwork by Turner Prize-nominated artist Catherine Yass, projected onto Blackfriars Railway Bridge.
Kids’ Choir (19 September) at St Paul’s Cathedral: more than 300 young voices come together for a free celebration of music and community.
For the full Totally Thames itineary visit the website.
Get Social
As summer draws to a close, Totally Thames Festival is the way to hold on the sunny festive vibes a little longer. Your family is spoilt for choice of activities to do. Stay in the loop, sign up for the Totally Thames newsletter and/or follow on Instagram.
Do you have a hidden gem in London? What do you like to do for a day along the River Thames? Comment below I would like to hear from you. If you need inspiration, take a look at my Millbank to Battersea walk and let’s not forget rainy-day options in London. For more days out inspiration, CLICK HERE , and follow me on @Msxpat and @xpatathome on Instagram, those accounts need some love.
