Greenwich+Docklands International Festival will go ahead in 2020

New dates announced in response to Covid-19

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Based on latest government advice, discussions with local authorities, partners, funders and artists the Festival is currently being rescheduled to take place from Friday 28 August – Saturday 12 September.

Artistic Director, Bradley Hemmings today said: “The welfare of artists, staff, and audiences at GDIF is paramount. With current projections that the peak of the Covid-19 epidemic in the UK is likely to coincide with the intense participation and rehearsal period in the lead up to our traditional June dates, we’ve taken the difficult decision to move this year’s Festival to the end of the summer.

At a time when social distancing is keeping us safe, we want our audiences to know that we’re planning towards a time when we can once again be together and share the very best of free outdoor theatre and performing arts. I’m very grateful to our funders and supporters who continue to commit their support to the Festival in these difficult times”.

Councillor Danny Thorpe, Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich said today: “Greenwich+Docklands International Festival has been a part of life in Greenwich and East London for almost a quarter of a century. The next days, weeks and months are going to be lonely ones for many of us and the challenge of what lies ahead is unquantifiable. But, as difficult as it is now, it will get better. And it will end. Knowing that GDIF is there, as a distant friend, waiting to help us make sense of it all, is incredibly reassuring. And we’re going to need it more than ever”.

Over the coming weeks, keep up to date with programme announcements and stay creatively connected through the GDIF website and social media channels. The team will be posting updates on engagement projects, creative challenges, and providing a platform for communities to connect in these difficult times.

A look back at GDIF 2019

Described by the Guardian as, “an unreal takeover of the streets”, GDIF 2019 saw giant puppets parading down the streets of Roman Road, cows in Sir Christopher Wren’s Old Royal Naval College, and a transformation of public spaces in Woolwich and the Royal Albert Dock into glittering outdoor ballrooms.

We had over 60,000 people attending GDIF events, which took place in 9 different locations across London.

A huge thank you goes out to our partners, without whom the Festival wouldn’t be possible.

The jam-packed programme was made up of over 130 shows from 43 companies hailing from 12 countries across the globe, including France, Italy and Australia. This year, over 500 participants took part in GDIF events, including dancers, young local photographers and school groups taking part in circus workshops.

And we couldn’t have done it without our volunteers. We had 120 volunteers who cumulatively gave over 1,800 hours of their time to make the Festival the special and memorable event that it was.

And of course YOU the audience – here are some of the lovely things that you have said so far.

“What an amazing evening – it lifted the eyes and the spirits”

Audience member, GDIF Opening Night

“To see a community come together when this circus came to a housing estate in Thamesmead was truly uplifting & the acrobatics were amazing.”

Audience member, Thamesmead

Want to know more about what happened at the 2019 Festival? Check out the 2019 programme to find out what went on at the Festival.

Check out what happened in the GDIF 2019 programme

Read the GDIF 2019 brochure

Keep in touch with the latest news from GDIF

Be the first to hear about GDIF 2020 and what’s in store for next year by signing up to receive email updates from GDIF.

GDIF is the flagship annual event produced by FESTIVAL.ORG.

One more thing…

We’re delighted to announce that we are the proud winners of the Culture and Creative Excellence Award a part of the Best of Royal Greenwich Business Awards 2019. The award was sponsored by Drury Tea and Coffee and run by Royal Borough of Greenwich.