Greenwich Peninsula is a year-round location for enjoying exciting events, fabulous festivals and  thought-provoking art. From ever-changing free art exhibitions and weekend food markets to pop-up cinema and art installations in the least expected places, Greenwich Peninsula is where people are heading for culture and creativity.

At the tip of the Peninsula, standing proud at the edges of the River Thames, is The O2, the world’s most popular music and entertainment venue. The arena has an almost daily programme featuring top names and events in the music, comedy, sporting and entertainment worlds.

And it doesn’t stop at the arena – the iconic tented roof also covers a whole street (known as the Entertainment District) full of leisure activities, Outlet Shopping, bars and restaurants. London’s biggest cinema, Cineworld, is here offering  19 screens, many with special formats - such as 4DX, with moving seats, scent, water, wind, fog and snow - and hosts special events and movie screenings. You can also create your own moving pictures - with you as the star - at Selfie Factory, the UK's first Instagram™ inspired funhouse with themed rooms including a pink tube train and a doughnut wall!

Step outside the wonders of The O2 into the rest of the Peninsula and you have another whole day of art and architecture to explore, and a truly exciting events and festival programme. From regular events like the Urban Village Fete, which welcomes over 30,000 annually for a free celebration of art, craft, music and food, to regular pop-up events on more bespoke themes. There’s also Summer Sessions – free music, performance, cinema and food each weekend in August – and Turning Tides – two weekends in September crammed with music, cultural happenings, cinema, food and fun!

For art lovers, there’s no better way to explore the Peninsula than The Line. This ambitious public art trail is graced by sculptures by Anthony Gormley, Richard Wilson and others dotted around the Peninsula, running all the way to Stratford’s London Olympic village and the striking ArcelorMittal Orbit sculpture by Anish Kapoor. Wholly within Greenwich Peninsula, The Tide is London’s first elevated riverside park, artistically elevated with works by luminaries such as Damien Hirst and Morag Myerscough. Across from The Tide and, from this direction, serving as a grand entrance to the Design District is the NOW Gallery. Free to enter, it shows a changing flow of creative art exhibitions by established and up-and-coming artists.

Architecture buffs will love the varied, intelligent creations of the Design District, which neighbours other architectural eye-catchers The O2 and Ravensbourne University London. The 16 buildings in the Design District were designed by 8 different architects to create a mix of designs and ecologically advanced spaces for the creative industries and houses designers, craftspeople and other inventive types.

Got a taste for all this awesome art? Pop into the Canteen Food Hall & Bar, located in the centre of the Design District, stylish in design and also full of irresistible great value street food from around the world, plus superb coffee and cocktails.

Still hungry for a bit more exploring? Follow The Line round the curve of Greenwich Peninsula, to take in a few more art installations by Richard Wilson and Gary Hume and pause for refreshment at the elegant nautical-themed Clipper Bar at the InterContinental London - The O2 with beautiful river views.

So, for your next intake of beauty and creativity, head straight for Greenwich Peninsula, a wonderful experience of a refreshing riverside atmosphere, exhilarating events and the discovery of art indoors and out.

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Suggested Itinerary

Plan your visit around events that excite you and then fill your day with all this and be sure to visit our What's On page for even more inspiration!

Morning

• Talk a walk along The Line and take a ride on the IFS Cloud Cable Car for views over Greenwich Peninsula and as far as the Thames Barrier, not only a stunning landmark but also a feat of engineering
• Continue the route of The Line for a riverside walk, explore The Tide riverside park and so many art installations, as well as the architecture of The O2 and Ravensbourne University London

Lunch options

• InterContinental London The O2 – Meridian Lounge, Clipper Bar, Market Brasserie, Eighteen Sky Bar, Kinaara
• The O2 - explore an entire street of bar and restaurants

Afternoon

• NOW Gallery - free entry to exhibitions by established and up-and-coming artists
• Design District – wander around the striking architecture, with each of the 16 buildings of individual design and function, some you can enter for refreshment, a special event or even a new hairdo!

Dinner and drinking options

• Peninsula Square – restaurants located in and around the Square and alongside The Tide
• Design District - Canteen Food Hall, Bureau restaurant

Evening

• Hop on board Uber Boat by Thames Clippers for a scenic trip spotting even more London landmarks.

By Hugh McNaughtan