Thousands of people filled General Gordon Square on Friday night as Woolwich turned into a town-wide dancefloor for Greenwich+Docklands International Festival (GDIF).
The free outdoor show was 360 degrees giant circular stage spectacle by internationally celebrated GDIF. Local traders were on hand to keep everyone going with street food from around the globe in one postcode thanks to Woolwich Summer Lates.
Next door in Beresford Square, the party ran all evening. Just Louis opened on the decks at 3pm with the world food market opening at 4pm. Roon’s Catering in partnership with Mama Udey Foundation brought Somali dance to the square at 6pm.
Crowds sampled Woolwich’s food scene late into the evening, including Nigerian suya by Smoke & Spice, Meat-o-Fresh, London’s first Somai food truck Roon's Catering and Bob's Your Uncle. There was also fun for all the family with a mobile library and sport activities run by Better.
The showstopping evening was part of the council’s Royal Greenwich Festivals and Woolwich Summer Lates. Summer Lates runs to Saturday 12 September 2026. Royal Greenwich has secured £70,000 from the Mayor of London's Summer Streets programme to transform Woolwich town centre this summer with outdoor dining, evening entertainment and family-friendly activities.
Councillor Anthony Okereke, Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, said: “When Woolwich looks like it did on Friday, there’s not many other places in London who do it better. We’ve backed Woolwich with a the multi-million-pound revamp of Beresford Square, Woolwich Waves and Powis Street – and parties like this are the icing on the cake. Thousands of residents from across the borough and beyond; enjoying the atmosphere and spending on the high street. A complete win-win, and one we’re proud to put on.”
Councillor Adel Khaireh, Cabinet Member for Culture, Equalities and Leisure, said: "Woolwich looked incredible on Friday night. Thousands of people, one square, world-class art on their doorstep and all of it free. This is what Greenwich does - we put culture where people live, not somewhere they have to travel to, because we are the place to be. GDIF has only just kicked off, there’s plenty more to come on top of everything else the council funds to make sure people across Greenwich can have a good time without breaking the bank.”
Councillor Asli Mohammed, Cabinet Member for Economy, Town Centres and Co-operatives, said: "Our traders were rushed off their feet, and that is exactly the point. Every person in that square was also putting money through the till of a local business. Culture and high streets grow together. Woolwich has some of the best street food in London. Friday night put it in front of thousands of people, many of them here for the first time. Summer Lates runs until September. Come back, bring a friend and support local businesses."
Justine Simons OBE, Deputy Mayor of London for Culture and the Creative Industries, said: “It was fantastic to see so many people out in the heart of Woolwich dancing, eating brilliant street food and enjoying live music as part of the Mayor’s Summer Streets programme and the Greenwich+Docklands International Festival. Across London, the Mayor’s Summer Streets funding is helping boroughs and local businesses turn high streets and public spaces into vibrant and welcoming places where people want to spend their evenings. I encourage Londoners to head down and enjoy Woolwich Summer Lates over the coming weeks, as we build a better London for all.”
GDIF continues until Sunday 6 September 2026 with an extraordinary programme of theatre, circus and dance. The next events in Woolwich town centre are The Aunties: House of Masks and The Torch, both on 31 August. Funded by Royal Borough of Greenwich and Arts Council England to produce great art for everyone, and bringing joy, live connection and lots of fun to our streets.