
Art & Culture
After Dark Festival 2025
UEL: After Dark returns Thursday 27 February 2025 5pm - 8pm, with the theme of Fire & Circus. Hosted at our Docklands campus, wellness, culture and connection will be taking centre stage.
Prepare to be captivated by fire displays, dazzling acrobatic performances and hands-on workshops to spark your creativity. Join us at 5.30pm on an illuminated community parade through the campus to SportsDock, which will be transformed for one night only into a Big Top! After Circus Pzazz’s show from 6:15-7pm you can try out your own juggling and monocycle skills at our drop-in workshops. Other mesmerising acts will include:
- Air Giants with Luma
- Worldbeaters Spark!
- Lightfires’ music and fire installations
- The dazzling Show Globes, all four together for the very first time
- Circo Rum Baba’s Light Gliders
- Murmuration Arts’ four Lullaby installations, a perfect performance to captivate younger families
UEL: After Dark is free of charge and open to everyone, with a range of local street food on offer to warm up your winter evening. Visit uel.ac.uk/after-dark-festival to book your place for a chance to come together, try something new and celebrate the energy and diversity of our East London community.
For your visit
Activities
London Royal Docks Open Water Swimming
Swim outside year round against the historic backdrop of Royal Victoria Dock. Safety tagging included.
Outdoors
Lyle Park
It's easy to miss Lyle Park's narrow entrance, but its triangle of green with a river view is worth exploring.
Food & Drink
China Palace
Dim sum, karaoke, and tradition Chinese cuisine next to the ExCeL centre.