Over 20 global artists, free entry, and a vocal jam finale light up St Katharine Docks for the August Bank Holiday weekend.
St Katharine Docks is closing out summer with the kind of weekend that turns a bank holiday into something worth sticking around town for. The St Kat’s Jazz Festival runs from 28–30 August, three days of live jazz on Marble Quay with free entry, world-class musicians, and the kind of waterside setting that makes you forget you’re in Zone 1.
The lineup is serious. Over 20 artists confirmed, with headliner Olivia Swann — who’s been artist in residence all summer — appearing throughout the weekend. Jazz legends Ian Shaw and Esther Bennet anchor the programming, while award-winners Jamie Safir and Louise Balkwill bring the musicianship. International flavour comes courtesy of Angie Pastor, flying in from NYC, and Mike Harrison from Chicago. Rising stars Noah Stoneman, Kelly Craige, Grace Sheene, Lauren Bush, Sophya, Fraser Urquhart, Inés Nassara, Wura Abimbola, Emmanuel Ayeni, Rupert Cox, Kate Threlfall, and Stephanie Da Silva round out the roster — a mix of old favourites and fresh buzz that’s been months in the making.
Waterside Vibes and Festival Food
Marble Quay overlooks the marina basin, yachts in the background, light shifting across the water as the evening rolls in. The entire estate transforms into a festival-sized celebration without losing the intimate, sophisticated vibe that’s defined St Kat’s Sessions all summer. Music runs 4–8:30pm on Friday and 1–8:30pm Saturday and Sunday, with the site open from 11am each day.
Independent London food traders hold it down on the dining front: The Pizza Club London, Heavy Slice cheesecake, &KAFFEIN coffee, and Bite Me Baby healthy café. The full bar pours Nyetimber and Opihr Gin all weekend.
Vocal Jam Finale
Sunday evening at 7:00pm, the festival wraps with an open Vocal Jam where anyone can sign up to sing or play with the house band. You can register via Instagram @stkatssessions or on the day — the perfect finale if you fancy turning the festival into your own live music moment.
Free entry, world-class jazz, and three days on the water. Full details and festival info are over at the St Katharine Docks website, and if you’re looking for more London summer closers, the vibe’s not too far off what Labyrinth on the Thames delivered earlier this season.
