There’s a summer-long events programme underway at Barking Riverside and it’s looking very exciting. Here’s what’s going on at the Summer Sessions.
*sponsored by Barking Riverside Limited*
Hot news from east London: Barking Riverside’s Summer Sessions – a programme of events along the riverfront, are in full swing and it looks brilliant!
It’s already underway with a whole bunch of killer things ranging from fitness classes, riverside saunas, DJ sets, food and drink pop-ups and family raves.
It’s all run by Barking Riverside Limited – the folks that hosted Emerge East, the area’s first community festival, held in December of 2022. If that one was anything to go by then what they’ve got going on over the summer should be seriously good fun.
The sessions will be running until the 17th of September. Here’s what’s coming up…
The Lowdown on Barking Riverside’s Summer Sessions Calendar
Meetini Mobile Cocktail Bar
24th – 27th August, 31st August – 3rd September, 7th + 8th September, 14th – 17th September
For the last two weekends of August and into September the riverside pop-ups will be joined by the Meetini Cocktail Bar – a mobile bar who’re regular traders at Broadway Market and will be serving up delicious cocktails and drinks in a setting that fosters a bit of socialising.
The Boathouse
9th + 10th September
Barking-local, The Boathouse Cafe and Bar, will be coming down to take over a spot by the Thames to lay on a lovely bit of al fresco drinking and dining. Their Rhythm and Blues inspired party will feature live music, DJ sets and a special BBQ menu. Good vibes guaranteed.
Riverside Fitness Classes
Every weekend
Feeling a little overindulged? Hit a few of the Summer Sessions’ weekend fitness classes. Taking place right on the waterfront you’ve got Leg, Bums and Tums workouts every Saturday morning from 11.20am – 12pm.
Then on Sundays things get a little more chilled with riverside yoga classes running from 11am-12pm. Dreamy.
Classes are just £5 and include a healthy drink at the end of the session.
NUGS Pop-Up
2nd + 3rd September
For the first weekend of September NUGS – the UK’s first dedicated chicken nugget shop – will pop up on the riverside slinging a bit of what they do best: nuggets in a wild array of flavours ranging from jerk and buffalo to Korean and more.
Big Fish Little Fish Family Rave
2nd September
The 2nd September is all about the family rave with Big Fish Little Fish, the OG family rave crew who’ve been running banging parties for people big and small since way back.
Practice makes perfect, right? Perhaps that’s why they’re also the best at it. Get ready for brilliant DJs, heaps of visuals, craft areas, childrens’ cocktails and the all important fully-licensed bar for the big people in the room.
Book tickets for the family rave here
Emerge East Festival
16th September
The community festival first held in 2022 is back. They’re teaming up with Hemingway Design to bring a full schedule of DJs, craft workshops, nature walks, an outdoor sauna experience (yes, you read that correctly) and more.
They’ve even got local residents to put on food stands with the aim of becoming food entrepreneurs. You could be eating food from London’s next top chef…
More info and the full lineup of events can be found here.
So Why Barking Riverside?
Well, apart from just being a scenic spot for a killer summer programme, Barking is really putting itself on the map of late. The neighbourhood is on the up and up. Heaps of new things are opening and events are happening on the regular.
Barking Riverside is cool. There’s a bunch of housing being built in the area, alongside new community facilities, green spaces and amenities. We’re into it because 50% of the housing being built in Barking Riverside is affordable and therefore easing the shortage of homes in London – something we totally get behind.
Barking Riverside Summer Sessions: Practical Information
When: Every weekend until September 17th
Where: Barking Riverside, next to the Project Office, off Project Road, IG11 0YP
Directions You can reach Barking Riverside via the Overground line from Gospel Oak, which also connects to the Hammersmith & City line, District line and c2c line at Barking Station, or by using the Uber Boat by Thames Clippers pier.
Tickets: Each event is ticketed differently (and most are free). You can find all the tickets and info you need here: Barking Riverside Summer Sessions
