Greenwich+Docklands International Festival (GDIF) has announced its full programme for 2026, bringing a packed schedule of free outdoor theatre, dance, circus and installations to the Royal Borough of Greenwich, Newham and Thamesmead from 21 August to 6 September.
Building on the success of its 30th anniversary celebrations last year, the festival will present three world premieres, five UK premieres and ten London premieres from more than 25 companies from across the globe.
Inspired by the theme ‘We Move’, the 2026 edition explores resilience, community and collective action through a programme that spans large-scale spectacles, immersive experiences and family-friendly events.
Among the headline attractions is 360, a large-scale dance ritual from acclaimed French choreographer Mehdi Kerkouche, which will open the festival in Woolwich on 21 August. Performed on a towering circular stage, the production combines electronic music, immersive design and contemporary dance.
The festival will also present the UK premiere of Efectos Especiales, an immersive production from Argentina that merges cinema, dance and live performance. Set on Greenwich Peninsula, the experience transforms everyday streets into a live film set complete with dramatic weather effects and cinematic action.
Another major highlight is Nature Speaks, a double bill of installations at Thamesmead’s Tump53 Nature Reserve. Featuring I Have No Name by El Conde de Torrefiel and Canopy by Lorna Rees Company, the project invites audiences to reconsider humanity’s relationship with the natural world.
In Romford, Meet Me By The Fountain will bring one of the UK’s oldest market squares to life through projection, sound and storytelling, reawakening memories of the iconic Liberty Fountain.
GDIF’s popular festival-within-a-festival, Greenwich Fair, returns to Greenwich Park on 22 and 23 August with a programme of free family entertainment.
Newly announced productions include ElevateHer by Daughters of the Wire, a high-wire circus spectacle celebrating sisterhood and courage, alongside BUG, a street dance performance created by choreographer Lea Anderson and featuring a giant insect accompanied by an electronic soundtrack.
Families can also enjoy Kismat Walla from Thingumajig Theatre, a puppetry show inspired by South Asian street markets that explores stories of fate and fortune.
Meanwhile, Dancing City returns to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and East Bank on 5 September with a day of free outdoor dance performances.
Highlights include Garbh by Shyam Dattani, blending traditional and contemporary movement inspired by Gujarati folk dance, and As, Was, Is by Chandenie Gobardhan and Shawn Aimey, which fuses South Asian and street dance styles.
Also featured is Kokkon, a participatory outdoor journey from Grensgeval and Aifoon, and Cicatrius by Catalan choreographer Vero Cendoya, inspired by ancient rituals and traditions.
The festival concludes on 6 September with (In)Visible Dancing, a large-scale community performance created by Luca Silvestrini’s Protein and developed with local dance groups across Greenwich.
Artistic Director Bradley Hemmings MBE 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.”
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
