Skip to main content

River Stage

Our free outdoor festival returns for summer 2024

A large group of performers in colourful and vibrant outfits performing at an outdoor summer event in the evening. They are surrounded by a large crowd watching.

Join us for a variety of exciting performances on the South Bank from three brilliant partners, in collaboration with the National Theatre.

We welcome The Glory, Greenwich+Docklands International Festival and Rambert.

Expect live music, theatre, dance, family workshops and club nights across four weekends in July.

Save the date

River Stage takes place every Friday – Sunday from 5 – 28 July

Event times:
Friday: 6:30pm – 11pm
Saturday: midday – 11pm
Sunday: midday – 6pm

Find us:
River Stage, National Theatre, Upper Ground, SE1 9PX
Get directions

Our weekend lineups

Two drag artists in black outfits performing on a stage.
Photo by Corinne Cumming.

The Glory

Friday 5 July- Sunday 8 July

The Glory is back for another spectacular weekend at River Stage 2024.

Hosted and curated by The Glory’s Grande-Dames of drag and performance, Jonny Woo and John Sizzle. They are calling on their top drag queens and kings, cabaret artists, DJs, and theatre makers to present probably London’s most exciting and radical, free weekend of queer music, performance and hi-jinx.

Laugh, dance, cheer, create and commune by the Thames at this annual summer jamboree.

Queer London at its best.

Greenwich+Docklands International Festival

Friday 12 July- Sunday 14 July

Greenwich+Docklands International Festival bring their much-loved mash-up of vibrant, inclusive and disruptive summer fun to River Stage 2024.

This celebratory line-up of street theatre, dance and circus will delight audiences of all ages.

The weekend begins the one month countdown to GDIF 2024.

Two performers doing an inverted hang from a trapeze, one of whom is in a wheelchair, in front of an audience with a city skyline in the background.
Photo by David Levene.
A dancer captured mid-motion against a pale blue background, her pose expressing dynamism and grace. She is dressed in a pastel pink sports bra and high-waisted shorts with a white long-sleeved shirt flowing behind her.
Photo by Daniel Shea.

Rambert

Friday 19 July- Sunday 21 July

The brilliant Rambert dance company returns to curate another memorable weekend at River Stage.

Join their talented teachers and diverse, inspiring artists for an unforgettable weekend.

Experience awe-inspiring dance performances, exciting special guest announcements, and the chance to learn new moves, suitable for all ages.

It’s your move.

National Theatre

Friday 26 July- Sunday 28 July

Join us as we bring River Stage to a close for another year.

We’ll be throwing open our doors, inviting everyone to dive into the diverse delights of our South Bank venue.

Expect the very best in family-friendly theatre, dance performances, live music, workshops for all ages, an NT Live screening, and our iconic tours of the building.

Prepare for a weekend brimming with free, exciting entertainment.

A group of vibrant and diverse individuals cheer enthusiastically in bright, summer attire at an outdoor event. Their expressions range from joyous singing to excited clapping, capturing a moment of collective enjoyment in the sunshine.
Photo by Stephanie Claire.

Feeling hungry?

People sitting at tables outdoors, in the sunshine, chatting and drinking.

A Taste of KERB on the South Bank

KERB’s open-air street food market returns to the National Theatre for summer. Tuck into the best street food London has to offer, with fiery Pakistani BBQ naan wraps from Baba Dhaba, fresh and zingy Mexican vegan tacos from Club Mexicana, and crispy buttermilk fried chicken burgers from Chicken Bandits.

Cool down with ice cream legends Hackney Gelato‘s slow churned gelato, and independent craft brewery Two Tribes beers, plus KERB’s signature pints of refreshing cocktails and slushies.

From Thursday 9 May.

Gallery

A performer striking a confident and dynamic pose at an outdoor summer event. She is wearing a black dress with separate red sparkly sleeves and dark glasses. A sparkly white fabric flower is pinned to her dress.
A performer striking a confident and dynamic pose at an outdoor summer event. She is wearing a black dress with separate red sparkly sleeves and dark glasses. A sparkly white fabric flower is pinned to her dress.
A performer striking a confident and dynamic pose at an outdoor summer event. She is wearing a black dress with separate red sparkly sleeves and dark glasses. A sparkly white fabric flower is pinned to her dress.
View 9 images
A group of people in summer attire dancing as part of a crowd. They are smiling and laughing. An homage to Kylie performed by a variety of drag artists from The Glory, on the River Stage A group of vibrant and diverse people in summer attire at an outdoor event. They are dancing, smiling, cheering, and clapping. A performer on a stage under purple lights, holding a microphone and speaking passionately. His right arm is raised with two fingers pointed in gesture. Audiences dancing in the dark to a performance on the River Stage outside the National Theatre A performer wearing a long red dress with an elaborate colourful headscarf and large gold earrings. She is sat on the steps of a stage at an outdoor summer event, holding a microphone. A crowd of people are watching from the side. A dance company performing on the open air River Stage, Seated audience members, trees, sky and an illuminated NT logo beyond. A performer on the River Stage, surrounded by large green leaves and bright stage lights.

Our Partners

Thanks to our partners for curating our 2024 River Stage line up.