Summer in the City: Alfresco Arts, Summer Screens and Open Water Swimming at Canary Wharf – 22.05.24

•  Huge mix of free activities at Canary Wharf include family movie nights, live screenings for a summer of sport, Minigolf by Craig & Karl and ping pong
• Open water swimming returns providing the opportunity to dip in the city’s most unique oasis
• Enjoy the Alfresco Arts summer series across Canary Wharf’s parks and open spaces, spanning music, theatre and family events
• Enjoy alfresco food and drink at the returning Lunch Markets with a variety of music performers 

Summer is just around the corner at Canary Wharf, and with that comes a full programme of things to do, places to explore, activities to test out and restaurants to tuck into. There are many free activities for everyone to enjoy including the return of Film Club on the big screens, Alfresco Arts summer series, open water swimming, Minigolf by Craig & Karl, and screenings of a busy summer of sport (including the Olympics, and Wimbledon).    

Fancy a splash to cool off this summer? Open water swimming is back by popular demand at the clear waters of Middle Dock from Saturday 13^th June until the end of October. This years’ roster of events caters for all swimming abilities, from visitors to residents, and office workers, with pre-work dips, sunset swimming sessions, Pride swims and Swim-Run events.

East London’s only free minigolf course is back, with the return of the vibrant 9-hole course by Craig & Karl to Montgomery Square. The free geometric ping pong tables are also back at Montgomery Square and Wren Landing, with visitors able to pick up bats and balls from event stewards at Montgomery Square everyday between 12pm and 6pm.

Canary Wharf’s 16.5 acres of green landscaped spaces and parks are the perfect spot to bask in the summer sun, with Canada Square Park showing all of this year’s sporting action, a varied programme of films and interactive games. The packed schedule of showings will keep all ages entertained, including sporting action during the Olympics and Wimbledon, in addition to classic films old and new like Shrek, Barbie, The Dark Knight, and Bollywood blockbuster Bajrangi Bahijaan.

For lovers of the performing arts and music, new this year to Canary Wharf is a packed Alfresco Arts programme. The Alfresco Arts series will feature theatre performances including a modern take on Shakespeare’s King Lear, curated by The Space Theatre, spotlighting an array of talent and classical music performances, including tunes songs celebrating Pride Month.

Alongside the Alfresco Arts: Music and Alfresco Arts: Theatre series, comes the brand-new Alfresco Arts: Family, with a programme of performances and workshops to keep the little ones entertained when school is out. From an interactive rocket making workshop to a ballet performance of Goldilocks, there is something for the whole family to enjoy.

Sofar Sounds is also returning to The Wharf with a series of pop-up performances at secret venues, with acts revealed on the night. The sessions are taking place on Wednesday 5^th June, 3^rd July, 7^th August and 4^th September.

Canary Wharf is home to the UK’s largest free to visit public art collection, with over 100 vibrant, bold, and captivating art pieces to discover from renowned artists including Camille Walala, Adam Nathaniel Furman, Henry Moore and Helaine Blumenfeld. Little ones can also enjoy free reading material from the Short Story Stations in Crossrail Place Roof Garden and Jubilee Place or can follow the Children’s Art Trail which aims to inspire young minds.  

Those looking to refuel after a busy day of activities have plenty of choice with over 70 bars, restaurants, and cafes, plus a Thursday Lunch Market from 12pm until 2:30pm with an array of traders serving up fresh flavours. From newly opened Roe, behind the team at Fallow dishing up nose-to-tail and route-to-stem dining; to mallow, an 100% plant-based restaurant; Watch House, for the coffee connoisseurs; or Pergola on the Wharf for some rooftop cocktails and nibbles; there is something for all taste buds to feast on. Those looking for some relaxation and a lounge on the grass can pop into Waitrose & Partners, Buns from Home or Badiani Gelato to build their own picnic while enjoying Summer Screens, after work or on a sunny weekend outing.

Anyone working at, living in and visiting the neighbourhood can download the Canary Wharf app to benefit from offers on food, drinks and shopping as well as to find out more about what’s going on this summer and view a map to help easily get around.

Find out more about the latest events and activities in Canary Wharf here.

 WHAT’S ON:  

Summer Screens & Film Club – Daily starting 4 June until 27 August

Canada Square Park

Passers-by are invited to enjoy the return of Summer Screens, relaxing with a picnic at lunch or a cocktail in the balmy evenings as they settle down to watch a variety of sport and movies.  

Favourites like Shrek, Monster’s Inc and Barbie will be shown, as well as Wimbledon, the Olympics and Paralympics.  

Find the movie listings and more at https://canarywharf.com/whats-on/film-club/

Open water swimming – Open 13 June until end of October  

Middle Dock 

Returning to Middle Dock this summer, residents, visitors and workers can take a dip in Canary Wharf’s waters. Suitable for swimmers of all abilities over the age of 10. 

Find out more at https://canarywharf.com/whats-on/open-water-swimming/

Minigolf by Craig & Karl – Open daily until 29 September

Montgomery Square 

Open every day from 12 to 6pm, Montgomery Square has once again been transformed with a multi-coloured, free to play minigolf course designed by creative duo Craig and Karl.  

Find out more at https://canarywharf.com/whats-on/minigolf/  

GoBoat – Open Daily

Depart from 22 Churchill Pl, London E14 5RE 

Open daily, visitors can cruise through Canary Wharf’s waters in a self-driving boat with a group up to eight people. It’s recommended to take in views of the Wharf over a few hours, with a picnic on board.  

No boating experience is necessary and prebooking is recommended. 

Find out more at https://goboat.co.uk/canary-wharf   

The Lunch Market – Thursdays until 26 September

Montgomery Square 

Grab a bite from 12 – 2:30pm every Thursday (until Thursday 26^th September) at the Canary Wharf Lunch Market. The market will bring a fresh choice of traders to the neighbourhood serving up a wide choice of flavoursome food, with both returning favourites and brand-new summer specials.  

Find out more at https://canarywharf.com/whats-on/the-lunch-market/ 

Alfresco Arts – Various dates 6 June – 28 August

Jubilee Park and Crossrail Place Roof Garden

New to Canary Wharf this year is the introduction of the Alfresco Arts series . Throughout the summer, there will be live music performers,theatre and family eventsto help stimulate the senses and get all ages enjoying the outdoors through music.

Find out more at https://canarywharf.com/whats-on/alfresco-arts/

Sofar Sounds – Wednesdays 5 June, 3 July, 7 August, 4 September 8 – 10pm

Secret Venue TBC 

Presenting an intriguing and varied line-up of up-and-coming musicians, Sofar Sounds will take place in a secret spot in Canary Wharf. Each event is thoughtfully planned to feature a range of sets by musicians in different genres, occasionally combined with spoken word, comedy or dance. Available once a month over the summer, there will be limited spaces so early bookings are encouraged. 

Find out more at https://canarywharf.com/whats-on/sofar-sound/

Ping Pong – Open daily

Montgomery Square and Wren Landing  

Table tennis is open every day at Montgomery Square and Wren Landing. Bring your best bats and balls to face your opponents across a bold table specially designed by Art of Ping Pong. Play is on a first come, first served basis. 

Find out more at https://canarywharf.com/whats-on/ping-pong/  

Short Story Stations – Open daily

Crossrail Place Roof Garden and Jubilee Place

Find these free story stations to print literature spanning a variety of genres with work from both classic and new writers dotted around Canary Wharf.

Find out more at https://canarywharf.com/whats-on/short-story-stations/  

Children’s Art Trail – Open daily

Throughout Canary Wharf 

Bring your little ones to discover and explore 12 pieces of art scattered across the Wharf, handpicked from the 100+ artworks on display across the Estate to inspire their little minds. This year, the popular trail has had a revamp – follow the new map to spot them all.  

Find out more at https://canarywharf.com/whats-on/childrens-art-trail/ 

Public Art Trail – Open daily

Throughout Canary Wharf 

Canary Wharf is home to the UK’s largest collection of free to view public art. With over 100 pieces to enjoy, Canary Wharf has partnered with free arts and culture app Bloomberg Connects to provide a digital guide as part of Canary Wharf’s accessibility to arts programme. 

Find out more at https://canarywharf.com/artwork/art-map/