Totally Thames festival announces further events for an astounding 2025 programme

Hands on History’s Mudlarking Weekend takes place at the London Museum Docklands as part of their ‘Secrets of the Thames’ exhibition. Running from 27th to 28th September, this offers an unmissable chance to discover thousands of historic artefacts uncovered from the muddy riverbed of the Thames. Visitors will be able to chat with the mudlarks themselves and explore the stories behind the objects. Amongst many others, the finds of Helen and Christopher Marsland (photographed above) are on display. Helen Marsland comments, Mudlarking is a way for us to connect with the ordinary people who lived through some of history’s biggest events, each item we find represents a life once lived. We take great pleasure in sharing what we learn about the everyday lives of people not so frequently spoken about in history books. 

Hands on History’s exhibition at Cutlers’ Hall on 13th to 14th September, features an extraordinary collection of over 1,000 bladed artefacts pulled from the Thames by mudlarks. Set within the surroundings of the Worshipful Company of Cutlers, visitors can discover collections of historic swords, knives and axes, including finds from celebrated mudlark Graham duHeaume and others. 

Hands on History’s exhibition on 6th to 7th September at London’s Roman Amphitheatre showcases a mudlarked collections of Roman artefacts recovered from the Thames. Set within this ancient archaeological site, each object offers a glimpse into the unique stories of life in Londinium. The exhibition on 11th to 12th October in The Crypt of St Paul’s Cathedral will host a medieval-themed mudlarking exhibition in its crypt. The display also features belongings lost during the Great Fire of London, sharing a sobering and evocative journey into one of the city’s most defining historical moments. 

On 6th September, Kingston will celebrate its riverside legacy with the Kingston River Cultures Festival from 12pm – 8pm, in a vibrant afternoon and evening of activity between Ravens Ait and Canbury Gardens. The festival will feature a spectacular boat flotilla tracing Kingston’s history from Saxon times to the present, with live races, static boat displays, family theatre, community stalls, and riverside music and dance. 

This year Thames Festival Trust has been working with ten young people on a new heritage project, Lost & Found revealing untold histories of Deptford and Greenwich through objects found on the foreshore by celebrated mudlark Nicola White. Heritage trainee Nadia Hirsi, the descendant of a Somali seafarer from Limehouse, is one of four expert panellists exploring the secret lives of the river at London Museum Docklands on 2nd September. Nicola herself will share some of her own extraordinary stories (and finds) at Enderby House, Greenwich on 10 September and at Woolwich Works on 21st September. 

Set aboard the iconic Theatreship in Canary Wharf, on 14th September For the Lost: Sonic Waves by Dee Sada explores the power of sound and performance as tools of identity and transformation. The programme brings together musicians, poets, and performers whose work transmits urgent truths of sustainability and reclaiming nature and space - the event is inspired by the river Thames as a resonant force for liberation. The performances will be recorded and broadcast on Dee's radio show, For the Lost which is a weekly show on Resonance FM.

Totally Thames will also welcome back its popular choral performances with two celebratory concerts on 14th September from over 300 children from primary schools across London. Kid’s Choir will sing together for the first time, having spent six months learning a specially selected repertoire with director Richard Frostick in a joyful afternoon celebration of youth, unity and the power of shared song. 

Later that same day, Sing for Water will present more than 500 singers from over 40 choirs across the UK to raise awareness and funds for WaterAid. Under the direction of Roxane Smith and Sharon Durant, the concert will feature melodies from Katy Rose Bennett’s The Water to the powerful rhythm and blues pieces like None of Us Are Free. This uplifting concert will also include a special guest appearance by phenomenal singer and composer Una May Olomolaiye. 

As part of the 2025 environmental and wellbeing programme, Serene Sounds on 20th September at Fulham Palace will offer a meditative musical journey led by pianist Elena Toponogova and soprano Eleanor Penfold. Combining classical music with instruments used in sound healing, the performance invites audiences to experience music as relaxation and reflection, offering a rare opportunity for pause and focus. 

On 20th September, Cody Dock’s Lighting Up the Lea will return with its annual open day celebrating the River Lea and its diverse ecological and cultural life. It will include free workshops, community performances, art installations and hands-on activities for all ages, shining a light on the ever-growing site as it expands into a hub for community, art, ecology and local heritage. Featuring the Cabinet of Curiosity No2, a lightbox installation exploring the tidal Lea’s pre-industrial history by the artist Zhiyan Cai. An opportunity to see fabulous flags which showcase the artwork created by hundreds of young people from Newham primary and secondary schools as part of our River of Hope programme. 

Throughout September, the Port of London Authority’s will host The Clean Thames Challenge inviting individuals and groups to help tackle litter along the river. Now in its second year, the challenge offers Clean Thames kits, including litter pickers and high vis vests to anyone taking part as a practical and empowering way to protect the river’s health and support biodiversity. 

On 13th September Creekside Discovery Centre will host its own sustainable celebration, as families and nature lovers explore the unique meeting point of the Thames and the Ravensbourne River, with activities such as river dipping, wildflower walks and pond exploration. Light refreshments will be available as the community comes together to celebrate the site’s wildlife and cultural richness from 11am – 3pm. 

Thames Festival Trust gratefully acknowledges Port of London Authority’s sponsorship of the Totally Thames festival. Jenny Cooper-Low, PLA’s Thames Vision and Partnerships Lead comments: Totally Thames plays a vital role in bringing the river to life for Londoners and visitors alike; not just as a waterway, but as a space of history, culture, and opportunity. The PLA is proud to support the festival in making the Thames more accessible and inclusive, particularly for young people and underrepresented communities. Through creative programming and community engagement, Totally Thames is helping to raise awareness of foreshore safety, promote environmental sustainability, and inspire future careers in the maritime sector; all of which directly contribute to the goals of our vision for the tidal Thames and our broader commitment to social impact.  

Supporters

Thames Festival Trust is sponsored by Port of London Authority and gratefully acknowledges the support of the Activate Arts, Arts Council England, British Council, City of London, City River Partnership, Gosling Foundation, National Lottery Heritage Fund, Norfolk & Norwich Festival, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Platinum Jubilee Pageant Foundation, The Royal Docks Team, Stockton International Riverside Festival and WaterAid.