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Mayor's Thames Festival

By , About.com Guide

Mayor's Thames Festival

Mayor's Thames Festival Fireworks

© Dave Wilcox / thamesfestival.org

About The Mayor's Thames Festival:

The Mayor's Thames Festival is a spectacular, free, outdoor celebration for London. It is London's biggest family-friendly festival featuring arts events, theater, circus and fantastic fireworks.

Launched in 1997 with an amazing high wire walk across the Thames, the festival has grown to become the capital's largest free, open-air arts festival.

Thames Festival commissions high-profile, cutting-edge arts events for unique environments on and around the river. It also showcases the best in street arts, with pyrotechnics (that's 'fireworks' to you and me), illuminations, art installations, river events, street theater, massed choirs, circus, and music. Tens of thousands dance in the streets at the festival's climactic event, a spectacular Night Carnival that's a vivid mixture of masquerade, dance, music, and fantastic costumes.

When:

An annual September event.

2011 Dates:

10 & 11 September 2011

2012 Dates:
8 & 9 September 2011

Where:

On the South Bank between Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge on the River Thames, on the river banks, and on the adjacent riverside walkways and public open spaces.

Tickets:

No ticket required. It's all free!

Times:

12 noon to 10pm
  • The finale is fireworks between Waterloo & Blackfriars Bridges on Sunday at 9.45pm.
See the full weekend program on the official website.

Nearest Tube Stations:

  • Blackfriars
  • Waterloo
  • Southwark
  • Embankment

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