CANARY WHARF SUMMER 2026: FESTIVAL, OUTDOOR SWIMMING, OPEN-AIR CINEMA & MORE!

London’s Canary Wharf is pulling out all the stops this summer with one of its biggest-ever seasonal programmes — and the best part? Most of it is completely free. From a brand-new four-day festival to outdoor swimming in a floating Olympic-sized pool, here’s everything happening at the Wharf from June through September 2026.

Summer Daze Festival: A Brand-New Free Festival at Wood Wharf

The headline addition for 2026 is Summer Daze Festival, a free four-day event running Thursday 23rd to Sunday 26th July at Wood Wharf. Expect outdoor theatre — including performances of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Pews at Ten — stand-up comedy, musical bingo, creative workshops, poetry pop-ups and family raves.

For comedy lovers, this is a rare chance to catch Edinburgh Fringe-style acts without leaving the capital. Performances run throughout the day and into the evening, making it easy to drop in at any point across the weekend.

Take the Plunge: Outdoor Swimming at Sea Lanes Canary Wharf

One of the most exciting launches of the summer is Sea Lanes Canary Wharf, opening on Friday 19th June at Eden Dock. The facility features a 50-metre, six-lane natural water pool floating within the dock — the first of its kind in this part of London.

Alongside the lifeguarded pool, Sea Lanes offers two saunas and a community clubhouse with a packed events calendar, including distance swim challenges for charity Level Water, SUP sessions, paddleboard yoga and social BBQs. Whether you’re a serious open-water swimmer or just want to try something different this summer, this is well worth a visit.

Alfresco Arts: Theatre, Music & Family Events All Summer Long

The beloved Alfresco Arts series returns for 2026, spanning three strands across the Wharf’s parks and waterside spaces:

• Theatre (2 June – 7 August, Westferry Circus & Union Square): Outdoor performances including King Arthur and the Holy Fail and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Bring a picnic.
• Music (12 June – 18 September, Eden Dock & Jubilee Park): Lunchtime classical concerts from Docklands Sinfonia, plus Dockside Sounds acoustic sets at Eden Dock.
• Family (6 June – 15 August, Jubilee Park & Crossrail Place Roof Garden): Inspired by the National Year of Reading, with storytelling, creative workshops and events like Bake Me a Fairy Tale and Alice in Wonderland Make & Take. Families are encouraged to bring a book to donate to the Mulberry Wood Wharf Primary School library.

Pride on the Wharf: Celebrating LGBTQIA+ Culture

Running throughout June and into July, Pride on the Wharf brings a vibrant programme of free events to Canary Wharf from 2 June to 30 July. Highlights include:

• Rebecca Strickson’s Look Back at Love installation at Eden Dock — a bold visual celebration of self-expression inspired by the visual language of trade unions and protest movements.
• Mini Pride with Curious Arts on Saturday 6 June, featuring arts and crafts and inclusive storytelling for families.
• A curated programme of LGBTQIA+ film screenings at Summer Screens.

Summer Screens: Open-Air Cinema & Live Sport at Canada Square Park

Summer Screens returns to Canada Square Park from 4 June to 1 September, bringing daily open-air cinema and live sport to the heart of the Wharf. This year’s film lineup includes Wicked: For Good, Barbie, Mamma Mia and Superman, while sport fans can catch F1, Wimbledon and key cricket fixtures on the big screen.

New this year: Mario Kart Championships and a special music quiz round. The series is sponsored by Delta Capita, Lululemon, Chipotle, Doughlicious and Charles Tyrwhitt, with The Cube sponsoring the gaming series.

Old Flo: Free Arts Events Inspired by Henry Moore

Canary Wharf is home to the UK’s largest outdoor, free-to-visit public art collection, and this summer two special events celebrate one of its most iconic pieces — Draped Seated Woman by Henry Moore, affectionately known as Old Flo.

• Storymakers Workshop (Saturday 27 June, Cabot Square): A storytelling and drama session for children led by Susie Pope, encouraging kids to create characters inspired by the sculpture.
• Spray Paint Workshop (Thursday 6 August, 6.30–7.30pm, Cabot Square): An after-work session with Spray’d, creating artwork using bespoke stencils drawn from Old Flo’s forms and Canary Wharf’s mural palette.

More to Explore This Summer

There’s plenty more packed into the programme:

• South Asian Heritage Month (throughout July): Hand-stitched panels, story soundscapes and community workshops celebrating South Asian culture across the Wharf.
• Run the Wharf (Thursday 3 September): A scenic 5km route taking in Cabot Square, Riverside and Harbord Square Gardens, with both competitive and social pace options and a post-run celebration with food and entertainment.
• Minigolf by Craig & Karl (daily until 27 September, Montgomery Square): A free, bold minigolf course designed by the acclaimed creative duo, with dedicated SEND sessions in July and August.
• The Lunch Market (Thursdays 12–2.30pm until 24 September, Montgomery Square): International street food traders serving fresh flavours weekly.
• Short Story Stations: Free story-printing stations at Crossrail Place Roof Garden, Cabot Place and Jubilee Place — spanning genres from classic to contemporary.
• Children’s Art Trail: A revamped trail for 2026 with 12 artworks to discover across the Wharf, complete with an interactive map.
• Ping Pong (daily, Montgomery Square & Wren Landing): First come, first served table tennis throughout the summer.

Where to Eat & Drink

With over 80 cafes, bars and restaurants across the district, there’s no shortage of options to refuel. New openings to try this summer include Din Tai Fung — the world-renowned Taiwanese restaurant celebrated for its xiao long bao — plus Mama Li and Nora, a modern Turkish restaurant with Istanbul-inspired dishes.

For entertainment beyond eating, Canary Wharf’s leisure offer continues to grow, with Padium, Fairgame, The Cube, Electric Shuffle and GoBoat all available this summer.

Plan Your Visit

Most events are free, with some requiring advance booking. Full programme details and ticketing are available via the Canary Wharf What’s On page. Canary Wharf is easily reached via the Jubilee line (Canary Wharf station), the DLR or the Elizabeth line.

Canary Wharf summer programme runs June–September 2026. Most events are free. Visit canarywharf.com for the latest listings and booking information.