Things to do at the O2 Arena

Prince! Madonna! Ariana Grande! The Killers! Leonard Cohen! Sabrina Carpenter! Just a smattering of the household names who have graced the stage at the 20,000-capacity O2 Arena down the years. Don’t like live music? What’s the matter with ya? But also, no problem: the arena’s busy schedule also makes space for major-league comedians like Peter Kay, Eddie Izzard and Chris Rock, and has played host to several seismic sporting events, including tennis tournaments, boxing matches, WWE wrestling, and even some 2012 Olympic and Paralympic events. Something, as they say, for everyone.

But it ain't’ all about entertainment colossi here: you can also catch lesser-known acts at the more intimate Indigo at The O2 venue, which sees up-and-coming bands and comedians performing to much smaller audiences. You can find tickets for both at the official O2 Arena website.

Ever gazed at The O2 and thought ‘now there’s an iconic London attraction I’d love to climb’? Well, you’re in luck. The 90-minute Up at The O2 experience sees willing participants ascend 170 feet to the summit of this dome-shaped Greenwich-peninsula icon. You will of course be suited, booted, harnessed and safety-briefed to within an inch of your life, but we’re afraid you’ll have to massage your own quads and glutes once you’re back on terra firma. In the meantime, you’ll get to enjoy some fine views of this part of London, including the space-age skyscrapers of Canary Wharf, the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, and cable cars soaring high over the River Thames.

You’ve seen the movie. Maybe you’ve even seen the stage musical. Complete the Mamma Mia triple with a great big Greek night out at The O2 Arena’s immersive ‘Mamma Mia! The Party’. Here’s your chance to come over all Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan at an all-singing, all-dancing and all-dining extravaganza complete with classic ABBA hits including Take a Chance on Me, Fernando, Thank You For The Music and – it probably goes without saying – Mamma Mia.

The shamelessly camp four-hour experience includes epic Greek stage sets – all balconies and bougainvillea – plus live performances, a Mediterranean banquet at Nikos’ taverna, and a chance to unleash your inner dancing queen (or king) at the ABBA disco.

Like wearing branded clothing but prefer not to pay branded prices? The O2 has your back. And legs. And feet. And head. Prepare to give your credit card a solid workout: there are more than 60 designer outlet stores under the dome’s massive roof, including French Connection, Calvin Klein, Nike, Hackett, Radley, Hotel Chocolat and many more. Once you’re all shopped out, you can retreat with your quarry to one of dozens of bars and restaurants, including the likes of Chipotle, Nando’s and Five Guys.

There are several activities with which adrenaline fiends can get their fix at The O2 Arena, not least the opportunity to go skydiving. iFly indoor skydiving offers all the benefits of freefalling and aerial acrobatics without all the pesky added complications of getting into an actual plane. Meanwhile, the kaleidoscopic interiors of Clip ‘n Climb promise colourful climbing walls for budding mountaineers of all ages and ability levels. Heck, Oxygen Activeplay even has a full-on trampoline park, plus a high-ropes assault course, dodgeball courts and foam pits galore. Dive in!

It shouldn’t come as a huge surprise that The O2’s Cineworld complex has the largest capacity of any cinema in the UK, with a whopping 19 screens in total. These include 4D movie experiences, wraparound screens and the ultra-impressive Superscreen, complete with multi-dimensional Dolby Atmos surround sound. In other words, if you’re in the Greenwich area and in the market for a blockbuster movie experience, The O2 is well positioned for putting the pop in your corn.

Remember the days when bar-room games largely consisted of threadbare snooker tables, battered darts boards and playing cards that fell apart in your hands? Well, you’ll find none of that at The O2, where ultra-modern facilities at the Toca Social mean you can combine cocktails and Willy Wonka-inspired desserts with interactive football and foosball games. And where you can go full ‘Kingpin’ mode (or try your hand at a slightly less physical game of shuffleboard) in the Hollywood Bowl.

Not enough variety for ya? Then pimp up your socialising at the Boom Battle Bar which, as the name suggests, pits punters against one another at a whole range of out-there pub games. We’re talking crazy golf, beer pong, axe throwing, and even the chance to unleash your inner Mariah to dumbstruck pals in the private karaoke rooms.

The O2 Arena is as good a place as any to kick off a spot of London sightseeing as any. Its location next to North Greenwich Underground station means fast Jubilee line connections to Central and East London, It’s just a short stroll to the IFS Cloud Cable Car – an attraction in its own right – which takes passengers high over the Thames to the north bank, with spectacular views of The O2 Arena and London skyline en route.

A couple of clicks south of The O2, the hip enclave of Greenwich proper is home to fine foodie markets, kooky antique stores and some excellent indie shops selling retro fashions and vintage vinyl records. It’s also where you can find landmark London attractions including the Cutty Sark, Royal Greenwich Observatory, the National Maritime Museum and Eltham Palace. 

There are several Greenwich attractions included with The London Pass®, which could save you up to 47% on standard admission prices for more than 100 London tours, activities and attractions, including bucket-listers like St Paul’s Cathedral, The View from The Shard and the Tower of London. Click here to find out more and choose your pass.