A giant screen made from water, an illuminated orchard and a UV silent disco all pop up in south-east London next Saturday (4 March), as part of the Thamesmead Light Festival.
For one night only, visitors can follow a walking route through the local area on the hunt for illuminated installations and other entertainment — including a flash mob from the London College of Performing Arts, who could pop up anytime, anywhere.
The trail — which is free — starts at the Lakeside Centre, running along Bazalgette Way and parts of the Ridgeway footpath, ending at Crossway Park, where a colourful iceberg, illuminated by pedal power, will be floating in the lake.
Centrepiece of the festival is 'New Frontiers’, a 25m wide x 12m high water screen in Southmere Lake at the start of the trail, where four films will be shown throughout the event, all highlighting the beauty and importance of Thamesmead’s natural environment. Local filmmaker Simon Rattigan's work is featured, and he's not the only Thamesmead resident taking part; Miyuki Kasahara displays her ‘Folding Flocks’ origami installation in Crossway Park, and leads workshops at the Lakeside Centre Cafe, where you can make a medallion light pendant to wear on the trail.
Local artists Sarah Garrod, Lisa Cheung and Alex J Tuckwood also have work featured on the programme.
Alongside that glowing orchard in Crossway Park is a Rock Leopard truck, where the locally-based brewery is selling hot cider. Other warming drinks are available from Santa's Coffee, a little further along the route — providing some much needed refreshment after a quick boogie at the UV silent disco.
The Thamesmead Light Festival takes place Saturday 4 March 2023, 5pm-10pm. It's free to visit and a map is available online.
Battersea Light Festival — also free — runs nightly until Sunday 5 March.
