A stunning line-up of entertainment and events has been revealed by the Royal Borough of Greenwich as the Rendez-Vous 2017 Tall Ships Regatta, organised by Sail Training International, draws closer.

Taking place over the Easter weekend of 13 – 16 April, and featuring up to 30 beautiful Tall Ships at Greenwich town centre and the Woolwich Royal Arsenal, there will also be two festival sites packed with activities and entertainment for all ages.

For the last Tall Ships event held in Royal Greenwich in 2014, over 1 million visitors came to the festival and it is hoped even more will travel to the Royal Borough for the four day event this year – the biggest in London this Easter weekend.

Councillor Denise Scott-McDonald, Cabinet Member for Culture, Creative Industries and Community Well-Being, said: “The Tall Ships themselves will be a marvellous sight, and the Festival activities that visitors can enjoy will be absolutely amazing!

“We’ve got re-enactors in period costumes, roving street performers to enthral and entertain; live music from jazz, blues, folk, modern and flamenco; face-painting and other activities for younger children and fireworks to dazzle.

“The Tall Ships extravaganza will kick off on the Fentimans Music Stage in Woolwich with an amazing water-inspired opening night spectacular by outdoor performance masters, Avanti and Spark!, on Thursday 13 April, that is sure to captivate everyone who sees it. I’m also really looking forward to seeing our very own Woolwich-born Glenn Tilbrook on stage.

“We’ve got a Nautical Adventure Trail for families and an English Heritage Riverside Walk, and as well as the huge amount and variety of acts and performances at both festival sites, there will be events, art exhibitions and performances popping up in cafes, shops and bars around many town centres across the borough so don’t be surprised if someone spontaneously starts dancing or singing while you’re doing a spot of shopping!

“We will also be showcasing some home-grown local talent with young boy-band, Decks and Quartz, who hail from Eltham in the Royal Borough. We’ve got a fantastic four-day event lined up – make sure you don’t miss a thing!”

Other exciting entertainment lined up includes an evening exhibition by renowned artist David Bray at the Ben Oakley Gallery in Greenwich Market.

Part of the legacy of the Rendez-Vous 2017 Tall Ships Regatta is that 50 local young people are being sponsored for the opportunity of a lifetime to crew a Tall Ship, thanks to the generous sponsors of the Sail Trainees – Peabody, U+I Thames Clipper, Visit Greenwich, Port of London Authority, London City Cruise Port and the event’s official Charity Partners, Seafarers UK. The Royal Borough is proud to be working with official Charity Partners, Sea Cadets and Seafarers UK, to increase opportunities for young people.

Follow the Tall Ships event on twitter – @Royal_Greenwich, and use the hashtag #TallShips or follow the event on Facebook.

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