London’s Burning: Festival Will Culminate With a City Ablaze on the Thames

A vast wooden sculpture will float along the River Thames and set alight on September 4th, to mark the 350 anniversary of the Great Fire of London. © Matthew Andrews

The London’s Burning Festival is sweeping through landmark locations across the city.

The festival that started on Aug. 30 will culminate in a finale event on Sunday, Sept. 4, when a massive 120-metre-long wooden sculpture of the 17th Century skyline will float along the River Thames. The sculpture will then be set alight, highlighting the devastating fire that struck London in 1666.

It will also be live streamed online.



The festival has been organised by Artichoke, the creatives behind Lumiere London.

Other fire events include fiery projections lighting up St. Paul’s Cathedral and the National Theatre, a Fire Garden at Tate Modern, and a nightly Fire Food Market in Guildhall Yard this weekend.

St Paul's Cathedral and the National Theatre will be lit up with fiery projections by Martin Firrell. © C. Totman

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said in a statement: “The Great Fire of London was one of the most important moments in the history of the capital. The range of fantastic events taking place around its 350th anniversary shows once again that London is open to visitors from around the world.”