River Cultures Festival

Celebrating 1000 years of life and work on the river,

Starting at 12 noon, the River Cultures Festival is wonderful day of events between Ravens Ait (Queen’s Promenade) and Canbury Gardens. Enjoy a colourful flotilla of boats through the ages, with crews in costume and commentary celebrating the cultures, lifestyles and industries that have shaped Kingston’s relationship with its rivers. Cheer on local crews in thrilling river races and pack a picnic for open air music, dance and theatre performances beside the Thames.

The River Cultures festival is part of Totally Thames and Kingston 2025, a landmark cultural celebration of Kingston’s past, present and future, marking the 1100 Anniversary of the crowning of King Athelstan, first King of a united England, in the heart of Kingston.

Get ready to rewind the clock with a spectacular flotilla of boats ranging from modern day cruisers to Saxons in the year 925! The cultural diversity, lifestyles and industries of the Royal Borough will be represented in the flotilla with commentary to explain the life of Kingston over the years. Crews and passengers will be dressed to match the era of their craft and to add historical colour. After the flotilla there will be a series of demonstration events from local sailing clubs who will show all their different craft with crews of all ages in a series of races between Ravens Ait and Kingston Bridge whilst below the Rail Bridge in front of Canbury Gardens the different unpowered craft will demonstrate their racing skills. The powered craft will be moored along the bank on display for all to see.  Visitors can also look forward to a parade, street theatre and live music.