Royal Docks Summer Splash: call-out for activities

The Royal Docks Team (RDT) want to work with local creative, cultural organisations and artists to deliver a varied programme that appeals to diverse local communities. We're inviting proposals from a variety of cultural activities / projects and sports.

Examples include:

• arts and crafts workshops
• short outdoor family performances
• try-out sessions for sports
• dance or circus skills workshops
• games and play activities

We're also interested in hearing from our Summer Splash attendees about what they would like see in the future, so would welcome ideas for creative listening activities.

The selected organisations will be responsible for managing and delivering their activity with support from RDT's production company, Continental Drifts. RDT will promote the activities as part of our summer programme, At the Docks.

Activities must:

• be free to audiences / participants
• take place within the Royal Docks Summer Splash festival location, primarily in the Event Lawn area where picnic tables are positioned (these can be moved slightly or used if required) OR on the grass area outside City Hall, for events that may need more space (subject to agreement with City Hall Facilities Management - some restrictions apply)
• be delivered by or with Newham/local-based creative organisations and artists
• ideally be a drop-in activity, although we will consider short performances and workshops with several sessions per day
• be accessible, relevant and appealing to diverse communities
• be produced and managed by the selected organisation (supported by Continental Drifts and overseen by RDT)
• provide appropriate method statements, risk assessments and other health and safety documentation including £5m PLI

About Royal Docks Summer Splash
Since 2012, Summer Splash has offered a free, family-friendly day out for local people and visitors wanting to experience an urban waterfront in the heart of the city. Running from Friday 24 July to Sunday 16 August 2026 inclusive, Royal Docks Summer Splash will provide a safe space for people to relax on deckchairs and hang out in the urban water landscape of the Royal Victoria Dock. Royal Docks Summer Splash is a Royal Docks Team initiative and operated by Continental Drifts.

Support from the RDT and Continental Drifts
The RDT will provide support in the promotion as part of our Summer Season At the Docks - through newsletters, social media and our website. Activity should be branded as 'supported by the Royal Docks Team'. Continental Drifts manage the site and will be providing its infrastructure including:

• event lawn with sand pit and public lido for swimming
• toilets, including accessible/parent and child facilities
• changing facilities
• security, first aid, lifeguards, cleaning and site management staffing
• limited power (on pre-request and subject to location)
• deckchairs, picnic benches and umbrellas
• RDT can support selected operators to produce risk assessments and other documentation as required

Audiences / participants
Activities programmed should be accessible, fun and appeal to a wide range of local audiences in terms of:

• a wide range of backgrounds
• different age groups - young people, older people, intergenerational
• family audiences
• culturally diverse communities around the Royal Docks, including those who may speak limited English
• heritage focussed audiences
• arts and culture focussed audiences
• audiences for whom arts, culture and heritage engagement may be very new
• audiences with an interest in sports and leisure

Dates
Activity needs to take place during the dates of Royal Docks Summer Splash – specific dates are detailed in the form.

Budget
We are looking for activity with budgets of up to £750 per day. In those applications with a high cost for materials, we will consider proposals up to £1,000.

Your proposal
To submit your proposal, please complete this form by midnight on Sunday 28 June 2026.

If you would like to discuss your proposal before submitting, or if you need assistance to complete the form, please email RoyalDocksEvents@london.gov.uk with 'Summer Programme - At the Docks' in the subject line.