Island of Foam - Image description: Rainbow coloured foam flies around as kids chase it

First Shows Announced for the Return of London’s Spectactular (and Free) GDIF Festival

Our ultimate favourite free festival – which never fails to provide spectacular thrills and spills, and eye-popping experiences – is, conveniently, right on our doorstep. So we can’t wait to get stuck in to the 2022 Greenwich + Docklands International Festival programme this summer.

As we await the full line-up, today sees the announcement of the first set of GDIF highlights… Time to get excited!

GDIF Greenwich + Docklands International Festival | 26 August – 11 September 2022

First Shows Announced for the Return of London's Spectactular (and Free) GDIF Festival 1

Artist Stephanie Lüning will unleash a tidal wave of multi-coloured foam at Greenwich Peninsula, with the aptly titled ISLAND OF FOAM: VERSION XVIII.

First Shows Announced for the Return of London's Spectactular (and Free) GDIF Festival 2

Peter Hudson’s CHARON, a 32ft high artwork featuring Zoetrope technology, will pop up at a new festival site in the Royal Docks.

First Shows Announced for the Return of London's Spectactular (and Free) GDIF Festival 3

House of Suarez will present HOUSE OF OAK AND IRON, a response to colonial history in the form of contemporary dance and voguing, at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich.

Participatory theatre from Fevered Sleep, THE SKY IS FILLED WITH THUNDER promises an immersive audio promenade experience in Thamesmead, capturing the voices of children’s hopes, fears and dreams.

First Shows Announced for the Return of London's Spectactular (and Free) GDIF Festival 4

A Royal Ballet collaboration with differently abled dancer Joe Powell-Main will result in SLEEPWALKER, taking place across the spaces and waterfronts of Canary Wharf.

Spanish company Cia Maduixa will tell the story of female migrants fighting for a place to call home in MIGRARE, deploying stilts and choreography against the backdrop of the Thames.

First Shows Announced for the Return of London's Spectactular (and Free) GDIF Festival 5

And, last (for now) but not least, CROWD_CTRL promises a mash-up of Afro street moves with tech and LED visuals in a dance and digital collaboration between choreographer AndroidX (AKA Malick Bright), scenographers MHz and the Dragonsquad busking crew.

Keep an eye on the GDIF Website for future announcements – and book tickets as soon as you can!