Countdown to Royal Greenwich Festivals

by our Staff Writer | Woolwich

Major events taking place over the second May Spring Bank holiday weekend form the start of a summer extravaganza of performing arts and outdoor events with activities and performances for all ages and interests.

Performers at the Royal Greenwich festivals launch.
Credit: RBG.

Greenwich Dances, Greenwich+Docklands International Festival (GDIF), The Greenwich Children’s Theatre Festival, Greenwich Music Festival, Sail Royal Greenwich, Greenwich World Cultural Festival and Parksfest are some of the many exciting strands to feature in this year’s festival.

The festivals continue to grow with new and exciting elements being added every year. This year it will feature new strands including the Greenwich Book Festival taking place in the beautiful buildings and grounds of the Old Royal Naval College.

The new Greenwich Film Festival, brings innovative, independent U.K. and international cinema to the Royal Borough; showcasing new films by up and coming directors along with films that are due to be released this year in independent cinemas.

Performers at the Royal Greenwich festivals launch.
Credit: RBG.

Over a million people attended last year’s Royal Greenwich Tall Ship Festival which formed part of the Royal Greenwich Festivals, last year’s events included imaginative street performance, music to suit all tastes and invigorating dance performances.

Many of the country’s best loved and most experienced cultural groups are based in the borough from the internationally renowned Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance to Greenwich and Docklands International Festival, whose Director Bradley Hemmings was joint Artistic Director for the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympic games.

Performers at the Royal Greenwich festivals launch.
Credit: RBG.

Councillor Miranda Williams, Royal Borough of Greenwich cabinet member for culture and creative industries said: “The Royal Greenwich Festivals have become a mainstay of the capital’s cultural scene attracting audiences from far and wide to enjoy the entertainment on offer.

Tourism and cultural industries are a key contributor to the local economy, and our support for the arts recognizes the important role they play in attracting visitors to the borough who in turn support over 12,000 jobs.

We are again looking forward to a great summer which will help to reinforce Royal Greenwich as a must-see destination.”

Events taking place include:

n  Greenwich Children’s Theatre Festival 

Dates: Saturday 23rd May - Sunday 31st May 2015

Greenwich & Lewisham Young People’s Theatre and Greenwich Theatre have once again joined forces to create an action packed Children’s Theatre Festival.

The Festival will feature not only some of the UK’s finest children’s shows but a taste of international excellence and a range of activities for children, families and young adults to get involved in.

It will start with the Big Workshop Day; a day full of free family friendly workshops from parkour to magic or puppetry to costume making, taking place at various venues across Greenwich.  Following this there is a week full of great theatre and arts shows not only at Greenwich Theatre and The Tramshed, Woolwich but in various outside locations too.

n  Greenwich Dances

Dates: Friday 22 – Saturday 30 May 2015

A festival of dance and movement in places and spaces across Royal Greenwich. Discover inspiring performances and join in fun workshops, as Greenwich Dance brings some of the UK’s leading dance artists to your doorstep – in streets, parks, libraries, museums and more.

Cost: A range of free and ticketed events

n  Greenwich Book Festival

Dates: Friday 21 to Monday 24 May 2015

The first Greenwich Book Festival takes its theme of discovery from the sense of adventure and exploration steeped in this beautiful historic location, celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Royal Greenwich.

Cost: A range of free and ticketed events

n  Greenwich Film Festival

Dates: Friday 19 – Sunday 21 July 2015

A brand new film festival bringing innovative, independent U.K. and International cinema to the Royal Borough; showcasing new films by up and coming directors along with films that are due to be released this year in independent cinemas. 

Cost: A range of free and ticketed events

n  Greenwich+Docklands International Festival (GDIF)

Dates: June 26 - July 5 2015

London's leading annual festival of free outdoor performing arts (theater, dance, and street arts). A celebration of extraordinary outdoor events that transform people's lives.

Cost: A range of free events

n  Parksfest

Dates: Sunday 31 May – Sunday 26 July 2015

A programme of free summer events across local parks in Royal Greenwich. Residents and visitors can enjoy live music concerts to electrifying dance performances.

Cost: A range of free events

n  Greenwich World Cultural Festival

Date: 12 July 2015

Greenwich Dance and Greenwich Theatre bring together professional artists and local community performers to transform the wide open spaces, secret hideaways and historic gardens of Eltham Palace. The whole family can enjoy this celebration of dance, theatre, circus and music from around the world.

Cost: To be confirmed

n  Greenwich Music Festival

Dates: June 2015 – March 2016

A series of public performances, including staged work, dance, chamber music concerts, film, lectures and educational outreach programs.

Cost: A range of free and ticketed events

n   ‘From Greenwich with Love’ - Greenwich Film Festival

Dates: Friday 19 June – Sunday 21 July 2015

A new film festival bringing innovative and independent UK and International cinema to the Royal Borough of Greenwich.

Reflecting the Borough’s status as one of the UK’s leading film locations, the weekend festival will showcase new films by up and coming directors along with films that are due to be released this year in independent cinemas.  Offering something for all the family, the films will be shown across the borough from Thamesmead to Greenwich and Woolwich to Eltham, on the Big Screen, in local cinemas and in a vintage mobile cinema!

n  Sail Royal Greenwich

Dates:  27 to 31 August 2015

A stunning fleet of Tall Ships will sail the Thames and offer visitors unforgettable views of iconic maritime Greenwich.

Cost: A range of ticketed and discounted events

For more information visit: www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/festivals.