Pumping club music will turn Woolwich town centre into a dancefloor for the first night of the Greenwich & Docklands International Festival, which will return in August.

The French choreographer Mehdi Kerkouche’s performance of 360 will kick off the festival, which will also include the return of Greenwich Fair, an immersive nature show in Thamesmead and a tribute to “fabulous and fearless” west African aunties in Woolwich.

All performances – which include shows in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and East Bank in Stratford – will be free. In total, there will be three world premieres, five UK premieres and ten London premiers, from 25 companies around the world, inspired by the theme “we move”.

360, which will open the festival on August 21, promises a “ravey new large-scale dance ritual” featuring a towering circular stage in General Gordon Square. The performance will follow last year’s opener, when the French parkour artists Lézards Bleus took over the town centre.

On August 22 and 23 Greenwich Fair will return to its original home by the General Wolfe statue in Greenwich Park, with street theatre, dance and games. Performances include Inertie by Underclouds Cie, featuring a circular installation evoking a giant sundial, set in motion by two tightrope walkers.

Man throwing himself through flares
Efectos Especiales will come to the Greenwich Peninsula. Image: José Maria Matheus

Efectos Especiales will take over the Greenwich Peninsula on August 29 and 30, an immersive experience where audiences are invited to enter a live film set where cinema and dance unfold in real time. The show, by the Argentine choreographer Luciana Acuña and the filmmaker Alejo Moguillansky, has already been a hit in Sydney, Santiago and Buenos Aires. 

On August 31, The Aunties: House of Masks, a dance-theatre show celebrating west African “aunties” through hip-hop and Afro dance, will come to Beresford Square in Woolwich, along with The Torch, inspired by the music and influence of the late Ghanaian musician Ebo Taylor. 

The Tump 53 nature reserve – a former ammunition store – in Thamesmead will host a  two-part immersive storytelling experience, Nature Speaks, on September 4 and 5 – one which “gives voice to nature” on the site, another “celebrating the connection between humans and trees”. 

Artists in colourful outfits in Peckham
The “fabulous and fearless” Aunties will be taking a trip to Woolwich. Image: Emmanuel Cole

And between September 1-5, Luca Silvestrini’s Protein dance company will take part in pop-up performances around Woolwich town centre, culminating in the grand finale of (In)Visible Dancing, with a promenade from Powis Street to General Gordon Square on the festival’s last day, September 6.

The initial programme, launched on Thursday morning, also includes performances at Queen’s Market in Upton Park and, for the first time, Romford Market. Plans for a show in Barking town centre will be announced at a later date. 

Bradley Hemmings, GDIF’s artistic director, said: “We’re living through the most difficult times when it feels more important than ever to keep each other close and remain hopeful. Our theme this year celebrates that legendary London spirit of resilience and community in the face of life’s myriad challenges, deftly expressed by young Londoners in the maxim ‘we move’. 

“Through mutual support and adaptation, life goes on, and this year’s festival celebrates that life-enhancing London vibe with free outdoor art, joy, wonder and participation.”

This year’s festival is part-funded by £55,000 from Greenwich Council. Sandra Bauer, the cabinet member for culture, said: “This year’s exciting GDIF programme supports our Cultural Impact Award, which is putting young people in the driver’s seat and delivering exciting opportunities to young audiences. 

“From global dance in Woolwich and immersive art in Thamesmead, to the beloved Greenwich Fair overlooking the London skyline, the Royal Borough of Greenwich is proud to once again support GDIF in bringing free, world-class performances to our residents and visitors.”

More details, including the events north of the Thames, are at festival.org/gdif-2026.

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