Greenwich+Docklands International Festival has announced the first wave of its 2026 programme, returning from Friday 21 August to Sunday 6 September across the Royal Borough of Greenwich, Newham and Thamesmead.
The award-winning festival will present a large-scale free programme of outdoor theatre, circus, dance and installations, featuring over 25 companies from across the globe.
The 2026 programme includes three world premieres, five UK premieres and ten London premieres, with artists travelling from Argentina, France, Catalonia, Germany, the Netherlands and Spain.
Inspired by the theme ‘We Move’, the festival celebrates resilience, community and the enduring spirit of London.
Bradley Hemmings MBE, 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.”
Opening the festival on 21 August is 360, a large-scale dance work by French choreographer Mehdi Kerkouche, transforming Woolwich into an immersive performance arena.
International highlights include the UK premiere of Efectos Especiales, an Argentinian production blending cinema and live performance, and Nature Speaks, a double bill of installations exploring humanity’s relationship with the natural world in Thamesmead.
Romford Market hosts Meet Me By The Fountain, a son et lumière spectacle combining storytelling, projection and sound to reawaken the Liberty fountain.
New commissions include London premieres of The Aunties: The House of Masks by Oluwatosin Omotosho, Man Down by Chris Fonseca, and The Torch by Kobby Taylor.
Festival favourites return, including Greenwich Fair in Greenwich Park and Dancing City, a one-day celebration of outdoor dance in Stratford and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
Councillor Sandra Bauer said: “Through its theme ‘We Move’, 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. Get the dates in your diary and lookout for more announcements soon on what’s set to be a packed and vibrant summer of culture in Royal Greenwich.”
The festival concludes with (In)Visible Dancing, a mass community dance finale led by Luca Silvestrini’s Protein, bringing together local performers in a vibrant celebration of connection and joy.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
