The fourth River Weekender returns packed with arts, inspired by the river and by the river.

This year, the packed programme includes Barcelona-based Osadia who will perform their very own brand of theatrical hair sculpture – will you be a pirate or a mermaid? Meanwhile, Watermans has partnered up with North London's ArchWay With Words Book Festival to bring Watermans With Words, an evening of captivating speakers and new writing. Iain Sinclair and Caitlin Davies present their latest books, and The London Sound Archive’s Ian Rawes plays vintage recordings of life on the river, while all around Watermans you'll find performances inspired by the Thames and its bridges, from MA writers at the RoyalCentral School of Speech and Drama, and London poets. And if all that’s making you hungry, Saturday evening sees AVM Curiosities take guests on an olfactory and tasting tour of the River Thames through the ages, according to Vanity Fair it’s "London at its crazy-best."

Families will love Mr Gumpy’s Outingfrom Artburst, an interactive journey down the river with the much-loved children’s character. Or introduce your kids to opera for the first time with Liquid History who will promenade around the building performing impromptu arias inspired by Thames flotsam – ending in a free 30-minute outdoor performance on Watermans’ Riverside Terrace.

The Riverside Terrace is also the location for two nights of Outdoor Cinema. 

Entry is free to the river weekender with some events ticketed but the majority are free.