LONDON’S river takes centre stage this weekend with the free Mayor’s Thames Festival, a spectacular two-day event now in its 15th year.


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Hundreds of thousands of onlookers and participants are due on and along the river as now traditional events such as river races, live music and mega fireworks display draw in the punters.

The only downside is that David Walliams, on a charity swim from the source of the Thames, isn’t due in town until early next week.

Saturday’s Thames Festival River Parade, filled with a fleet of over 100 boats, is one of the obvious highlights, but the festival is as much about what happens alongside the river as on the Thames itself.

For instance, there’s the Festival Market (Saturday and Sunday) which features loads of small stalls; a cycle-in cinema (Saturday and Sunday); free 3D screenings at the BFI IMAX, massed choirs and to end it all a glittering Night Carnival involving over 2,000 dancers, musicians and masqueraders.

The Mayor’s Thames Festival takes place between Westminster and Tower bridges, from 12 noon to 10pm on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 September.