In the summer of 1971, the first Thamesmead Town Festival took place, featuring a 'throw the sponge at the vicar' stall.
That particular stall's long gone (good news for today's vicar), but the festival is still a fixture of the Thamesmead calendar, returning on Saturday 8 August 2026.
These days, the Thamesmead Festival is a riot of colour, expressing the artistic roots — and great diversity — of the south east London town's inhabitants.
Multiple stages pitch up at Southmere Park again this year — showcasing an eclectic mix of music, dance, comedy and more. Here's a selection:
🎤 Park Stage: The biggest stage of the lot features performances from the likes of chameleonic singer-songwriter Olivia Rose and four-piece punk-pop outfit Tricky Susan. Natalie Williams and the Soul Family Band headline.
🎤 Unplugged Stage: A stripped back set from Birmingham indie-rockers Sirenity, magic tricks turned by Vincent Gambini and a conversational set from South Sudanese flo-poet Becksy Becks feature.
🎤 Southmere Stage: Expect line-dancing from the Thamesmead Tornadoes, a dance-along with Bollywood Vibes Dance Company — plus the Thamesmead Dog Show.
Elsewhere across the festival site, you'll find:
🎪 Free to Be Sensory Zone: A space with creative workshops and calm areas where festivalgoers can learn new things and be themselves.
🎪 Kids' Zone: Circus skills and drumming workshops, bouncy castles and a chance to join in with the carnival parade.
🎪 Food and drink stalls: A wide range of goodies to scoff/slurp on site or take home for later.
And while you're in the hood, look out for six murals painted in 2023 — slathered on lift shafts, tower vents and garage doors. The commissions take their cue from Thamesmead itself; from its urban environment to its majestic swans.
Thamesmead Festival is at Southmere Park, Thamesmead on Saturday 8 August 2026, 12pm-7.30pm. Entry is free. It's a 15-minute walk from Abbey Wood station.
