This Week in E20: 24–30 August

This is the last full week of August. Three of the park's signature summer programmes close by the end of the weekend - making this a good week to catch anything you've been meaning to get to. Alongside the usual events listings, there's a significant planning story affecting the area: the final phase of Stratford Cross has formally been submitted to Newham Council.

Closing this week

Planetarium Go

If you haven't made it to Planetarium Go yet, this is the week. The state-of-the-art mobile planetarium sits at the foot of the ArcelorMittal Orbit, using a 360-degree dome and immersive sound to take audiences through space — from the history of astronomy to adventure-filled animated films. It closes on Friday. Book online; ticket holders also get 30% off Zip World experiences including Helix on the same visit.

Pop-Up Padel Tennis

The pop-up padel court on the park has its last day on Saturday. Padel is played in doubles on an enclosed court, using a solid bat and a slightly depressurised ball - easier to pick up than tennis and genuinely good fun. Sessions are free to try and walk-up friendly. Worth a visit before it goes.

Toy Story 5: Bonnie's Playtime, The Experience

The free Toy Story 5 interactive experience at Westfield Stratford has its final day on Sunday - the last day of the school holidays. No booking required. If you have younger children and haven't been yet, it's a natural stop before schools return.

Saturday 30 August

Skate Gals & Pals

The BPOC and LGBTQ+ skate community Skate Gals & Pals runs its weekly inclusive session at City Mill Skatepark on Saturday. Boards, pads and helmets are provided, and experienced coaches are on hand throughout. Sessions are capped at 15 to keep things manageable — book your spot on Eventbrite if you want to go.

Also on the park this week

Black Arsenal Exhibition

Still running and worth seeing if you missed it last week: the Black Arsenal Exhibition at UCL East Marshgate traces the people, communities and cultural movements behind Arsenal Football Club's Black British identity. Developed with Dr Clive Nwonka's research and presented alongside Arsenal FC and Adidas. Free, no booking.

The Music Is Black: A British Story

V&A East's opening exhibition - a multi-sensory journey through 125 years of Black British music - continues throughout the week. The museum is open daily and entry to the exhibition is free.

Development news

Stratford Cross final phase: 2,000 homes submitted for planning

Plans for the final phase of Stratford Cross - the mixed-use development between Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and Westfield Stratford City — have been submitted to Newham Council. Designed by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris (AHMM) on behalf of Impact Partnership, a joint venture between Lendlease and The Crown Estate, the proposals include around 2,000 new homes across five towers, with the tallest rising to 41 storeys.

The application includes detailed designs for 782 homes in four residential blocks on plots S3 and S10, plus outline designs for student accommodation on Plot S2. Homes would be a mix of affordable housing, private housing, student accommodation and co-living. The scheme would also deliver a new public park and active ground-floor retail, with improved walking and cycling connections between Stratford station, the Olympic Park and surrounding neighbourhoods.

The proposals follow community engagement that ran from January to March 2026. Subject to planning approval, construction is expected to begin in 2028. The final phase would complete the 11-building Stratford Cross masterplan first designed by RSHP.

Looking ahead

September brings a strong programme to the park. V&A East hosts a free listening party and live conversation, 'Who invented Grime?', on 3 September - exploring the origins and ownership of one of east London's defining musical exports. On 5 September, Dancing City arrives for a free outdoor dance festival across the park as part of the Greenwich and Docklands International Festival. Also from 3 September, The Music is Black: Industry Insights series begins at East Bank, exploring how Black creativity has shaped the music landscape. Abstract Painting returns to Barge East on 8 September (7–9:30pm, ticketed on Eventbrite) - the artist-led sessions inspired by Joan Mitchell continue into the new month. And if you've seen the East Village Dog Day article - that's coming in September too.