This summer sees the activation of Barking Riverside’s riverfront with the ‘Summer Sessions’—10 weeks of food, drinks, activities and events all happening alongside the River Thames.

Following on from last year’s ‘By the River’ programme, this year’s Summer Sessions aims to expand the riverfront’s offerings with an action-packed summer programme for residents, as well as to provide an opportunity for visitors to discover this new East London neighbourhood.

Situated by the BRL Project Office, Summer Sessions kicked off in mid-July and will continue until mid-September—effectively the longest riverfront programme ever delivered by the BRL team. Residents can enjoy pop-up food and beverage vendors, as well as outdoor furniture, and a large sandpit for children. Highlights include a residency from Barking’s independent bar The Boathouse, weekly fitness and yoga classes, organic drinks served up by cocktail experts Meetini, and events such as the Barking Summer Games organised by the local Resident Events Panel, and specially themed parties.

Summer Sessions is designed with all audiences in mind. As part of a weekend aimed at families, BRL will be partnering with independent, grassroots music and events crew Big Fish Little Fish to deliver a must-see family rave.

Another event to look out for this summer is Emerge East—a community festival delivered in partnership with event organisers Hemingway Design. Emerge East will take place on two separate weekends this summer, and will see a selection of activities on offer, including DJs, family-friendly workshops, an outdoor sauna experience, and homecooked food stalls featuring Barking Riverside residents who have received specialised training.

Sarah McCready, Head of Placemaking and Communications, comments: “Our Summer Sessions programme is a pop-up-style amenity for the growing community living in Barking Riverside, and is also open to all Londoners who want to explore this emerging neighbourhood. The programme activates one of East London’s most undiscovered stretches of the River Thames, and provides a unique summer offering for residents and non-residents alike. Barking Riverside has experienced huge changes in the last year, with the opening of the Uber Boat by Thames Clippers pier and the Barking Riverside Overground station, both of which make it easier for people to explore what we have on offer here.”

Summer Sessions is hosted by BRL in partnership with selected partners, and takes place throughout July, August and September.

What’s on
• Mobile cocktail bar from Meetini: 22nd June–3rd September (Thursdays–Sundays)
• Summer Sessions x The Boathouse: 20th–23rd July, 17th–20th August, 7th–10th September (Thursdays–Sundays)
• Riverside fitness classes: Saturdays 11:20am–12pm (HIIT, and legs, bums and tums), Sundays 11am–12pm (yoga)
• Pop-up from NUGS (London’s first-ever chicken nugget shop): Saturday 2nd & Sunday 3rd September
• Family rave with Big Fish Little Fish: Saturday 2nd September (pre-booking required)
• Emerge East, in partnership with Hemingway Design, with the support of homebuilders Bellway and L&Q: Saturday 5th & Sunday 6th August, Saturday 16th September

For more information about the Summer Sessions programme.