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Visit Greenwich
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An Exciting Year Ahead for Greenwich
From the Platinum Jubilee and several major anniversaries to an outstanding line-up of festivals and new experiences, the Royal Borough is set for another exceptional year of events.
Here’s a look at what’s to come.
2022 is the year of celebrations in Greenwich. With the Queen marking 70 years of service with her Platinum Jubilee, the Royal Borough will be gearing up to join the festivities in style, while also celebrating some
huge anniversaries of its own.
This year marks the 10th anniversary since Greenwich was centre stage as a host borough of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Opening in the same year, both the Emirates Air Line and Up at The O2 will celebrate their 10th birthdays, while June marks 15 years since The O2 first opened its doors back in 2007. 2022 also marks 25 years since Maritime Greenwich was awarded World Heritage Site status, and after the stunning illuminations of 2017 it’s safe to say there will be some very special events to look forward to!
© National Maritime Museum,
Greenwich, London
New for 2022 at Royal Museums Greenwich
Royal Museums Greenwich is home to the Royal Observatory, Cutty Sark, Queen’s House and National Maritime Museum. 2022 is set to be an exciting year with the opening of a new major exhibition and a number of events taking place throughout the year, including a brand new experience at Cutty Sark. At the National Maritime Museum, from 1 April, is Canaletto’s Venice Revisited. This major exhibition will display the complete set of 24 Venetian views painted by Canaletto in the 1730s, in the height of his career. The works, from the worldfamous collection at Woburn Abbey, form the largest single commission the Italian artist ever received. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see the collection up close alongside drawings, prints, photographs, and other objects from Royal Museums Greenwich’s collections. Coming on 2 April, for the first time since arriving in Greenwich in 1954, visitors to Cutty Sark will be able to climb the famous masts and enjoy views of the Thames and London like never before with the Cutty Sark Rig Climb Experience. Step up from the Main Deck onto the ship’s ratlines and climb up the shrouds, just as the sailors did over a hundred years before. Thrillseekers will then traverse one of the ship’s lower yardarms before taking in the unique views from the platform, standing amidst the rigging of a true London icon.
Eventful Greenwich
Following an extended period of closure, The Fan Museum will be reopening its doors to the public on 16 February. With updated displays across the ground floor featuring works by impressionist artist, Paul Gauguin, the museum will also be unveiling its new exhibition, The Allure of Lace. London’s leading festival of free outdoor theatre and performing arts, Greenwich+Docklands International Festival, returns from 26 August – 10 September for 16 days of incredible events. Taking place across the Borough from the beautiful historic setting of the Old Royal Naval College to Eltham’s bustling high-street and the dynamic twin Woolwich locations of General Gordon Square and Royal Arsenal Riverside. Annual spring favourites, the Vitality Big Half and the Virgin Money London Marathon, now take place in the Autumn, on Sunday 4 September and Sunday 2 October respectively. With cheering spectators lining the routes around Greenwich icons, the races are a highlight for locals and visitors alike.
The O2 is Back with a BOOM
Having just opened in December, Boom: Battle Bar is the latest addition to the ever-growing Entertainment Avenue at The O2. The wild choice of games includes Bavarian Axe Throwing, Crazier Golf, Digital Darts, Shuffleboard, American Pool plus a menu of delicious street food, cocktails and craft beers. The O2 looks set to have a fantastic programme of events this year with more than 70 scheduled shows in the Arena alone. The showstopping line-up for the year includes The BRIT Awards, Dave, Country to Country, Genesis, Stormzy, John Bishop, Blondie, Dua Lipa, Premier League Darts, Celine Dion, Alan Partridge, Queen + Adam Lambert, Billie Eilish, Diana Ross, Cirque du Soleil and the Laver Cup.
Outside the iconic tent, Greenwich Peninsula’s popular SAMPLE is back on 2 April, showcasing the season’s best in food, fashion, design and homeware out on Peninsula Square. There will also be food from Design District Canteen, local produce, coffee, cocktails and some of the capital’s coolest DJs. Now in its 8th year, Urban Village Fete returns to Greenwich Peninsula on 15 May with its eclectic array of market traders, crafting workshops, live DJ sets, dancing and more. The unique drinking and dining experience, London in the Sky, is also back from April to June. Choose from a sky-high breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, cocktails and afternoon tea - all served 100ft up with astonishing views of the river Thames, Canary Wharf and beyond.
A Mythical World Emerges in Woolwich
After opening its doors in September 2021, Woolwich Works hits the ground running this year. Coming in late spring, The Burnt City by Punchdrunk is sure to continue its success. Enter an immersive world set in the neon backstreets of Troy as Greece teeters on the brink of victory. Audiences are invited to explore the colossal sensory playground at their own pace, experiencing scenes in a non-linear way as the story unfolds around them. In other exciting news for Woolwich, Crossrail remains on track to open the Elizabeth line in the first half of 2022. The final phase of the programme, Trial Operations, is now underway and is the final step before passenger services can commence. The new Woolwich Elizabeth line station will provide better and quicker travel between Woolwich and the rest of London, with trains to/from Canary Wharf in 7 minutes, Liverpool Street in 14 minutes and Bond Street in just 21 minutes.
