Another weekend of free Kingston 2025 fun is taking place tomorrow (Saturday, 6 September).

The River Cultures Festival is a celebration of our royal borough's enduring relationship with the river.

A colourful flotilla with over 100 boats dating from the Saxon era to the modern day will sail from Raven's Ait to Canbury Gardens, starting at 12pm.

Commentary will be broadcast at Eagle Brewery Wharf and the bandstand in Canbury Gardens.

Thrilling river races follow, while at Canbury Gardens there will be dance, music, stalls, children's theatre and street theatre performances.

Moreover, the Durga Idol will be seen at the festival along with a musical performance by Papia Ghoshal.

This will be the first time the Durga Idol is being showcased at a festival says Kingston and Surbiton Green Party member, Dr Debojyoti Das.

The Durga Idol will be showcased at the festival (Credit: Heritage Bengal Global)

The festival is also a great opportunity to visit the Friends of Queen's Promenade new Athelstan Garden, set to officially open on the day.

The garden is a lasting tribute to the 1100 anniversary of the crowning of King Athelstan in the heart of Kingston, the first king of a united England.

Part of the Kingston 2025 celebrations and Totally Thames, visitors can enjoy a flotilla of boats through the ages, thrilling river races, and superb music, dance and theatre all celebrating 1000 years of life and work on the river.

Event highlights include:

• Flotilla launching 12 noon, commentary available at Eagle Brewery Wharf and Canbury Gardens. Notable boats include a Saxon replica craft Sae Wylfing, the Royal Shallop Jubilant, and Lindsey 2111, a WWII RAF flying boat refueller.  
• Dozens of community stalls in Canbury Gardens sharing information about all things Thames - from how to get into sailing to protecting river wildlife. 
• Live music at the new look Eagle Brewery Wharf, curated by Paper Garden Records 
• Traditional and contemporary dance performances.  
• Street theatre for all the family including ‘Upstream’ enchanting puppetry perfect for young families and comedic performances from ‘Punt’ and ‘Coneheads’.  
• Thrilling river races from 2pm as sailors compete on powered and unpowered craft 
• Athelstan Garden, designed and planted by Queens Promenade Friends, officially opens on the day. 
• A final chance to join artist in residence Carlos Cortes' creative workshops making colourful boat sculptures for the Kingston Carnival Parade the following day.

Make a day of it by packing a picnic or fueling up at one of our pop up catering stands or relaxing at your favourite riverside bar or eatery and see out the summer in style.