Royal Victoria Dock

If you’re more of a sit-back-and-watch kinda person as opposed to a get-stuck-in kinda person, we’ve got some good news. North Face is hosting a Climb Festival at Canary Wharf South Dock, but don’t worry – you don’t have to do any climbing. Instead, watch some of the world’s top climbers scale 16-metre walls and complete deep-water solo climbs, from the safety of the ground. There’ll also be talks from climbers, hands-on workshops and DJ sets from the likes of Rinse FM, Femi Keleoso and Girls Don’t Sync, which will go on into the evening. 

Alfresco swimming season has officially arrived in London, and with a seemingly hot summer ahead of us, it is more than welcome. To celebrate, Royal Victoria Docks is opening its open-water lido daily over three weeks for Summer Splash. And while other open water swimming can often come with a price tag, this watery oasis is free to use throughout the event.  The lifeguard-supervised swimming spot also features sandpits, deckchairs and sunsafe areas to relax in. Head along to lane swim with a backdrop of stunning city views or look out for a programme of family-friendly activities.  Access to the water is divided into daily 90-minute sessions running at 11:00, 12:30, 14:00, and 15:30. No booking is required, although it’s best to arrive early for each slot.  

Watch people twist into gravity-defying shapes and perform experimental theatre at Ensemble Festival, a free two-day performance festival where some of the country’s most exciting artists will be performing circus, dance, and theatre. This year’s programme has been curated by Certain Blacks and will put a special emphasis on exploring identity and ecology through physical storytelling.  Highlights include Fragments of Us by the renowned Talawa Theatre in collaboration with contemporary dance company FUBUNATION and award-winning artist Sonia Hughes, a dance and spoken word performance exploring ancestry, belonging, and shared experiences. Garbh by Shyam Dattani and Mira Salat reimagines the Gujarati folk dance Garba through contemporary choreography and a visually rich design, while ElevateHer by Daughters of the Wire celebrates female camaraderie and empowerment through an all-female wire walking performance.