Minigolf, Markets, Movie Nights and More: What’s On at Canary Wharf This Summer – 20.05.22

• Canary Wharf is the place to be this summer with new arts, events and activities taking place across the season
• Brand new multi-coloured minigolf course launched this week in collaboration with international artists Craig & Karl
• Wharf Weekender shopping event takes place next week
• Travel to the Wharf in minutes on the new Elizabeth line

Summer is well on its way and Canary Wharf has a host of new activities, events and art lined up to see visitors through the warm days and balmy nights – all of which can be reached on the new Elizabeth Line, drastically cutting the time it will take visitors to get to their destination.

Its brand new minigolf course launched this week in collaboration with international artists Craig & Karl, who have transformed Montgomery Square with their signature fun, bold and vibrant style.

It joins an array of other free activities including the return of the hugely popular Summer Lights festival, multi-coloured murals set to transform the Estate for Pride and big screens in Canada Square Park and Union Square in Wood Wharf hosting all the big sporting events.

The events don’t stop there – Sofar Sounds will be hosting intimate gigs in mystery locations every other week and there will be lunch, night and farmer’s markets to fuel up visitors throughout the summer.

Art fans will have plenty of reasons to visit as Katrina Adams’ new Art Benches installation launches, joining the Estate’s many firm fixtures including the Children’s Art Trail, Camille Walala’s ‘Captivated by Colour’ walkway with new moving lights, and Helaine Blumenfeld’s ‘Look Up’ outdoor scultpure art exhibition.

To top it off, a number of restaurants will be opening their doors for alfresco dining. Visitors looking to dine outside should book for lunch or dinner at restaurants including Hawksmoor, Caravan, Emilia’s Crafted Pasta, Pergola, Iberica, Six by Nico and Gallio.  

Free Minigolf

London’s only free minigolf* is back for another season at Canary Wharf, just in time for summer. The colourful course has been designed by international artists Craig & Karl who have transformed Montgomery Square with their signature fun, bold and playful style.                                                

Designed to stand out even on grey days, the course boasts a neon orange jump ramp, pink and yellow chequered bridge, pop art style dotted obstacles and bright geometric shapes at every turn.

Elizabeth line, launching Tuesday 24 May

The hugely anticipated Elizabeth line launches for passenger service next Tuesday, hugely cutting journey times for Londoners looking to experience the Wharf’s activity-packed summer. With trains running every five minutes, visitors can take advantage of hugely reduced journey times of just 12 minutes from Tottenham Court Road and 6 minutes from Liverpool Street.

The new station sits below Crossrail Place Roof Garden, an oasis where visitors can wander through exotic plants, relax on benches nestled in hidden pathways or enjoy a show in the 80 seat amphitheater. Every Saturday it will host Crossrail Acoustic Sessions – afternoons of free music from some of London’s best busking talent, in partnership with Busk in London.

Wharf Weekender, Thursday 26 – Sunday 29 May

Next week will see four-day shopping event Wharf Weekender take over the malls with special offers and promotions across its shops, bars and restaurants.

Highlight offers include up to 50% off selected lines at Monica Vinader, 20% off selected lines at Paul Smith and a gift with purchase at Kiehl’s to name a few, while shoppers will be treated to special in store moments include complimentary facials, live music and glasses of bubbly throughout the weekend. 

Capital Karts

Capital Karts has opened the UK’s fastest indoor go karting track at Canary Wharf, offering an 800-metre track for both first-time-karters and seasoned pros.

The 80,000 square foot indoor track is located at 15 Cabot Square in Canary Wharf, and includes elite eco-friendly, re-chargeable electric karts with top speeds of 40MPH

The track features multiple twists and turns, and can facilitate up to 16 drivers on the track at one time. Sessions include 15-minute Super Sprints, Double Sprints and the Grand Prix, which offers a 15-minute practice run ahead of a 20-minute race – complete with a winner’s podium and trophy for the fastest on track.

Alfresco dining and markets until end of September

Make the most of the great outdoors and drink & dine continental-style as many of the Wharf’s restaurant terraces spill out onto the pavements, squares and rooftop spaces. Visitors looking to dine alfresco should head to Hawksmoor, The Ivy in the Park, Caravan, The Alchemist, Wahaca, Plateau, Gallio, The Pearson Rooms, Emilia’s Crafted Pasta, Humble Grape, No35 Mackenzie Walk and many more.

Montgomery Square will also be host to The Lunch Market every Thursday, a monthly Farmers’ Market launching on 25^th June until 24^th September and a special Night Market starting on 26^th May and every last Thursday of the month, with live music from 640 East’s resident DJ.

Summer Screens, 30 May – 22 September

Don’t miss any of the summer’s most exciting games, races and championships as Canada Square Park and Union Square in Wood Wharf is playing them all on the big screen with deck chairs to relax into while you watch – all sponsored by investment platform IG.

Movie fans can head down after the sport to catch one of a diverse lineup of feature films to get lost in on warm evenings, including Grease, Bohemian Rhapsody, Step Up, Dreamgirls and Back to the Future

Pride, 1 – 30 June

June will see the Wharf come to life with three abstract murals by graphic artist Lothar Götz in his signature abstract, geometric style.

The Estate’s Short Story Stations will produce comic strips for the first time illustrated by authors Fox Fisher and Lew Hancox, while moviegoers can watch a selection of iconic LGBTQ+ films every Wednesday in June on the big screen in Union Square.

Sofar Sounds, every other Wednesday, 1 June – 24 August

Sofar Sounds is a global movement bringing the magic back to live music. Every other Wednesday across the summer months, a mystery location will host an intimate performance with the location not revealed until the day. Each performance will feature different musical styles and guests won’t find out who the performers are until the moment they take the stage.

Summer Lights, 21 June – 20 August

The Wharf’s unique light festival is back – a mix of kaleidoscopic, open-air installations designed to be explored during the day when they dazzle in the sun’s light.

The exhibition will be made up of 11 colourful artworks by UK and international light artists, coming to life at sunrise as the daylight creates beautiful patterns, reflections and vibrant colours to celebrate the beauty of natural light.

Art Benches: Coming Together, from Thursday 19 May

Katrina Adams’ Coming Together’ is an installation of sculptural benches, inspired by 2D abstract prints based upon the architecture of Canary Wharf. The benches act to nurture relationships, reconnect, communicate and be intimate.

The benches can be moved about and slotted together, acting as one large installation or a number of smaller ones that act together as a collective. Rather than solid blocks, the sculpture celebrates the materials being used for the fabrication of the benches of mesh, wood and steel. 

The colours of the installation aim to spark play and curiosity about the architectural inspiration behind the design, and to trigger talk around our wellbeing and psychological relationship with colour.

Graphic Rewilding of Union Square, from Monday 30 May

The newly launched Union Square is opening in Wood Wharf where artists Baker & Borowski will install temporary walls with graphic images of flowers and plants around the area. It is part of an ongoing art project, Graphic Rewilding, which aims to introduce the diversity and colours of nature into urban environments. 

Ongoing

• Pergola Lates: Every Friday Pergola on the Wharf plays host to late night entertainment set amongst Canary Wharf’s Crossrail Place Roof Garden. The perfect excuse to stay late on a Friday with no tickets, no entry fee and no fuss, Pergola Lates’ are about great music and flowing drinks until the early hours. With a fresh line up of live acts and DJs every week, Pergola Lates is the place for a proper party on the Wharf.
• Short Story Stations: Bringing literature to unexpected places, a series of vending machines can be found dotted around the wharf, complete with touch free sensors. Simply select the length of the story and the dispenser will print one from classic or new writers on eco friendly paper. The Short Story Stations can be found in Jubilee Place, Canada Place and Crossrail Place Roof Garden.
• Sculpture Exhibition: Helaine Blumenfeld’s ‘Look Up’ sculpture exhibition gives an unrivalled opportunity to view the artist’s impressive work in the context of exterior architecture as well as carefully designed outdoor spaces. Work on display dates from 1993 to 2019 and is free to enjoy around Canary Wharf.
• Camille Walala Bridge: Camille Walala’s ‘Captivated by Colour’ artwork reimagines the Adam Plaza Bridge with enchanting geometric shapes and every aspect of the colour wheel, and is having new moving lights added for summer. When exploring by foot, visitors can enjoy a walk along the bridge complete with an optical patter that shrinks and elongates as it moves across the bridge.
• Children’s Art Trail: For little ones, the Children’s Art Trail features 12 pieces of art chosen to inspire young minds, plus a handy map to show where to find them. The artworks are a selection of over 75 permanently on display all over the Estate, both outside and indoors.
• Ping Pong: Open daily at Montgomery Square and Union Square Canary Wharf’s colourful competitive Ping Pong tables have been designed by Art of Ping Pong and are available to play throughout the year. Simply bring your own equipment and play anytime or alternatively, event stewards will be on site from 12 – 6pm daily and can provide you with bats and balls to play Space is limited and operates on a first come, first served basis. 

Click here to find out more about what’s on at Canary Wharf

ENDS

For further information, please contact:

Press Office
Canary Wharf Group plc
T: 020 7418 2166
E: pressoffice@canarywharf.com