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An engine of creativity, we’re home to art and culture that brings people together

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More info for Anish Kapoor
Large red texture sculpture hanging down from the ceiling to the floor in a space with stone floors and pillars
Art & exhibitions

Anish Kapoor

Venture into a world of mystery through the artist’s awe-inspiring works at our major exhibition
Hayward Gallery
More info for An Evening with David Sedaris
David Sedaris sitting at a typewriter smoking a pipe.
Literature & poetry

An Evening with David Sedaris

One of America’s most celebrated satirists and humour writers shares new and unpublished stories
Royal Festival Hall
More info for Anish Kapoor in Conversation with Darian Leader
Anish Kapoor wearing glasses and a black suit, standing in front of a red and black artwork
Literature & poetry

Anish Kapoor in Conversation with Darian Leader

The internationally celebrated artist shares rare insight into his remarkable work
Queen Elizabeth Hall
More info for Lambeth Music Service: Harmonise Youth Showcase
A music ensemble of young musicians play instruments on stage with blue lights
Family & young people

Lambeth Music Service: Harmonise Youth Showcase

Talented young musicians from Brixton Hill and In Harmony Lambeth bring their music to our stage.
Queen Elizabeth Hall
More info for Rug Rhymes: Summer
Young children with their parents/guardians at a Rug Rhymes session at the National Poetry Library
Literature & poetry

Rug Rhymes: Summer

Share your favourite nursery rhymes and learn new ones in a playful session for under-5s
National Poetry Library
More info for Benjamin Zephaniah: A Celebration
A man with long dreadlocks and a gap-toothed smile wearing a purple suit and making peace signs with both hands.
Literature & poetry

Benjamin Zephaniah: A Celebration

An evening of poetry, music and memories to celebrate the life and legacy of the ‘people’s poet’
Royal Festival Hall
Multi-buy
More info for Southbank Centre Tours
A concrete brutalist building with the London Eye and Big Ben in the background
Tours & activities

Southbank Centre Tours

See our spectacular venues from a whole new perspective during our 75th anniversary year
Across the site
More info for Gift to the Future
A large concrete building with colourful text decals affixed to its facade stands near a riverfront square, with the London Eye visible in the background.
Art & exhibitions

Gift to the Future

See our brutalist buildings transformed with a giant poetry installation
Site wide
Tickets Free
More info for London Parks: An Exhibition
A diverse group of twelve people pose playfully on and underneath a bright yellow external concrete staircase outdoors.
Art & exhibitions

London Parks: An Exhibition

See London’s green spaces anew in a photo exhibition created by young refugees and asylum seekers
Riverside Terrace
Tickets Free
More info for Quentin Blake: The Southbank Parade
A trio of illustrations by Quentin Blake depicting members of an orchestra; a woman in a long dress playing a violin, a person in a wheelchair plating the cymbals and a man in tails playing the flute
Art & exhibitions

Quentin Blake: The Southbank Parade

The much-loved illustrator and author celebrates the 1951 Festival of Britain for this installation
Site wide
Tickets Free
More info for Kulpreet Singh: Indelible Black Marks
From above, people in white run through a dry field trailing long white banners that are being consumed by fire.
Art & exhibitions

Kulpreet Singh: Indelible Black Marks

A meditation on the urgent link between climate change and agricultural crises
Hayward Gallery
Tickets Free
More info for TONIC FLOW: A Communal Chorus in Colour and Sound
Two women jump in the air in front of a brightly colored, geometric mural on an outdoor basketball court.
Art & exhibitions

TONIC FLOW: A Communal Chorus in Colour and Sound

Imagine a future overflowing with hope through a collaborative sound and visual installation
Royal Festival Hall
Tickets Free
More info for Luke Jerram: Stepping Out
A young boy jumps across large colorful dots painted on the ground at London\'s Southbank Centre on a sunny day.
Art & exhibitions

Luke Jerram: Stepping Out

Your feet make the music in an interactive installation by artist Luke Jerram and composer Dan Jones
Riverside Terrace
Tickets Free
More info for Floating Together
A woman with long wavy dark hair wears a double-breasted red blazer, standing in front of an art studio wall with sketches.
Art & exhibitions

Floating Together

See a new artwork honouring people who’ve sought sanctuary, inspired by this year’s theme of courage
Riverside Terrace
Tickets Free
More info for Poetic Unity + Live Band
Group of people of varying ages sat down with their arms in the air smiling
Literature & poetry

Poetic Unity + Live Band

Poetry meets music as the Poetic Unity community share their words accompanied by a live band
The Clore Ballroom
Tickets Free

Festivals & series

View all festivals & series
More info for Summer Time
A yellow sun with pink and orange zig zag rays

Summer Time

Until Mon 31 Aug
Dive in for art, performance, music, free events and outdoor fun this summer
More info for Riverside Sessions
A dense crowd dances at an outdoor Riverside Terrace Bar under a canopy of colorful hexagonal decorations.

Riverside Sessions

Thu 11 Jun – Mon 21 Sep 2026
Join our celebration of music, youth and summer joy, curated by young people for everyone.
More info for Performance & Dance
A dancer in a dark, dusty outfit is captured mid-air during a dynamic leap or fall on a stage, with a massive, textured black mound or cave-like structure dominating the background.

Performance & Dance

Spring/Summer 2026
Spotlighting cutting-edge new work from around the world
More info for Poetry International Festival
Abstract digital art featuring overlapping, semi-transparent rectangles in red, green, blue, and orange on a purple background.

Poetry International Festival

Fri 10 – Sun 12 Jul 2026
Poetry International Festival is taking poetry off the page this summer
More info for Rough Trade 50
Black 50 in a white box with black border

Rough Trade 50

Fri 17 – Sun 19 Jul 2026
A takeover celebrating 50 years since the first Rough Trade record shop opened its doors
More info for Steel Scenes
Vintage black and white photo of two men playing steel pans outside

Steel Scenes

Fri 24 – Sun 26 Jul 2026
Our site thrums with the sound of pan at a weekend takeover marking 75 years of steel pan in the UK
More info for Goalhanger: The Rest Is Fest
Composite image featuring the hosts of multiple Goalhanger podcasts against a black background.

Goalhanger: The Rest Is Fest

Fri 4 – Sun 6 Sep 2026
Indulge in your favourite podcasts live as we welcome Goalhanger’s impressive starting line-up
More info for Creative Intelligence
A graphic of an eye made up of tiny black numbers, with orange and purple shadows

Creative Intelligence

Fri 11 – Sun 13 Sep 2026
Explore how AI and digital innovation are reshaping the world we live in
More info for Letters to the Future
A lady in a beige jumper with her hair up resting her head on one hand.

Letters to the Future

Fri 18 – Sun 20 Sep 2026
Address today’s pivotal issues in a series of talks and debates led by the thinkers of tomorrow
More info for Classical Music
Blue, purple and pink spirographs

Classical Music

Autumn/Winter 2026/27
Extraordinary live music experiences

Recently announced

More info for LIVE + BREATHE: Climate Futures Marketplace
Three people in casual clothing are standing in front of a tall building and trees. They are looking directly into the camera which is placed on the ground.
Art & exhibitions

LIVE + BREATHE: Climate Futures Marketplace

Hear from local voices and explore how positive climate action can be collectively joyful
The Clore Ballroom
Tickets Free
More info for LIVE + BREATHE: Sounds of Solidarity
A person with long red hair in a ponytail and gold hoop earrings is dancing in front of a tall green tree
Gigs

LIVE + BREATHE: Sounds of Solidarity

Hear from those championing local climate action and celebrate solidarity through a day full of music
Riverside Terrace
Tickets Free
More info for Felsmann + Tiley
A black-and-white studio portrait of two men in black turtlenecks standing staggered against a grey gradient background.
Gigs

Felsmann + Tiley

The German synth duo serves up cinematic dance music that taps into deep emotions
Purcell Room
More info for Jeanette Winterson: Creativity, Artists, Us
A close-up portrait of a woman with short, curly brown hair wearing a green v-neck sweater, leaning against a white column.
Literature & poetry

Jeanette Winterson: Creativity, Artists, Us

Join the renowned author for a fearless discussion about art, AI and our future
Queen Elizabeth Hall
More info for Jack Thorne: Authorship in the Age of AI
A close-up portrait of Jack Thorne smiling, wearing a blue suit, white shirt, and dark textured tie.
Literature & poetry

Jack Thorne: Authorship in the Age of AI

The award-winning screenwriter takes an urgent look at what AI means for the future of storytelling
Queen Elizabeth Hall
More info for Kevin Peter He: Vestige
A dancer arches backward on stage beneath a large digital projection of a leaping figure and a robotic arm sculpture.
Performance & dance

Kevin Peter He: Vestige

Two performers search for contact across stage and screen in a magnetic live dance-theatre work
Purcell Room
More info for Amit Tandon: Aise Kaise
Amit Tandon sitting cross-legged wearing a red shirt
Comedy

Amit Tandon: Aise Kaise

Sharp wit and relatable humour in a new show from one of India's most renowned comedians
Queen Elizabeth Hall
More info for THE DELUSION: I Can’t Move With You
Six people sitting around a circular table, which is a game board, and looking at a screen
Art & exhibitions

THE DELUSION: I Can’t Move With You

Brave a post-apocalyptic world and play artist Danielle Brathwaite-Shirley’s interactive game
The Clore Ballroom
Tickets Free
More info for Kim Noble: How to Write
a man in a black blazer looking directly at the camera while a chaotic cluster of books and a roll of masking tape are bound tightly to his head and stuffed into his mouth using beige tape.
Literature & poetry

Kim Noble: How to Write

A witty lecture about the comedic artist’s new book with writing advice from the greats and his mum
Purcell Room
More info for Algorave
Two women dance on a dark stage in front of a giant projection screen displaying color-coded lines of live computer code.
Gigs

Algorave

See a spectacle be created in real time at a live-coded electronic music event hosted by AlgoRhythms
Queen Elizabeth Hall
Tickets Free

Free events

View all free events
More info for Gift to the Future
A large concrete building with colourful text decals affixed to its facade stands near a riverfront square, with the London Eye visible in the background.
Art & exhibitions

Gift to the Future

See our brutalist buildings transformed with a giant poetry installation
Site wide
Tickets Free
More info for London Parks: An Exhibition
A diverse group of twelve people pose playfully on and underneath a bright yellow external concrete staircase outdoors.
Art & exhibitions

London Parks: An Exhibition

See London’s green spaces anew in a photo exhibition created by young refugees and asylum seekers
Riverside Terrace
Tickets Free
More info for Quentin Blake: The Southbank Parade
A trio of illustrations by Quentin Blake depicting members of an orchestra; a woman in a long dress playing a violin, a person in a wheelchair plating the cymbals and a man in tails playing the flute
Art & exhibitions

Quentin Blake: The Southbank Parade

The much-loved illustrator and author celebrates the 1951 Festival of Britain for this installation
Site wide
Tickets Free
More info for Luke Jerram: Stepping Out
A young boy jumps across large colorful dots painted on the ground at London\'s Southbank Centre on a sunny day.
Art & exhibitions

Luke Jerram: Stepping Out

Your feet make the music in an interactive installation by artist Luke Jerram and composer Dan Jones
Riverside Terrace
Tickets Free
More info for Floating Together
A woman with long wavy dark hair wears a double-breasted red blazer, standing in front of an art studio wall with sketches.
Art & exhibitions

Floating Together

See a new artwork honouring people who’ve sought sanctuary, inspired by this year’s theme of courage
Riverside Terrace
Tickets Free
More info for Kulpreet Singh: Indelible Black Marks
From above, people in white run through a dry field trailing long white banners that are being consumed by fire.
Art & exhibitions

Kulpreet Singh: Indelible Black Marks

A meditation on the urgent link between climate change and agricultural crises
Hayward Gallery
Tickets Free
More info for TONIC FLOW: A Communal Chorus in Colour and Sound
Two women jump in the air in front of a brightly colored, geometric mural on an outdoor basketball court.
Art & exhibitions

TONIC FLOW: A Communal Chorus in Colour and Sound

Imagine a future overflowing with hope through a collaborative sound and visual installation
Royal Festival Hall
Tickets Free
More info for Poetic Unity + Live Band
Group of people of varying ages sat down with their arms in the air smiling
Literature & poetry

Poetic Unity + Live Band

Poetry meets music as the Poetic Unity community share their words accompanied by a live band
The Clore Ballroom
Tickets Free
More info for Poetry International Festival Zine Fair
Rows of tables with zines and crowds of people walking between
Literature & poetry

Poetry International Festival Zine Fair

Unearth hidden treasures at a zine fair for innovative and affordable publishing
Royal Festival Hall
Tickets Free
More info for Apples and Snakes: Managers’ Match
A woman performs spoken word poetry on stage with her arms outstretched, a large screen with text behind her.
Literature & poetry

Apples and Snakes: Managers’ Match

Ninety minutes of fast-paced, thought-provoking poetry performances from top-of-the-table poets
The Clore Ballroom
Tickets Free
More info for From the Lips to the Moon
Two musicians perform on a dark stage with red light projections; the singer wears red gloves and
Literature & poetry

From the Lips to the Moon

Surreal, misbehaving music, poetry and performance by Pouya Ehsaei, Tara Fatehi and guests
The Clore Ballroom
Tickets Free
More info for A Poet in Every Port – London
Two lead tutors, Vanessa Kisuule and Will Harris stand on stage. Vanessa reads from a pamphlet whilst speaking into a microphone.
Literature & poetry

A Poet in Every Port – London

Celebrate poetry, language and local identity as the mobile National Poetry Library lands in London
Queen's Walk
Tickets Free
More info for Apples and Snakes Word Cup – Showcase Final
A diverse audience sits on wooden benches in a large indoor hall, smiling and clapping after a performance.
Literature & poetry

Apples and Snakes Word Cup – Showcase Final

Seven teams of young poets go head-to-head in a high-energy poetic play-off
The Clore Ballroom
Tickets Free
More info for A Poet in Every Port: Live
Roger McGough seated on a wooden bench wearing a blue cap
Literature & poetry

A Poet in Every Port: Live

Join Roger McGough and the New Poets Collective for a celebration of the poetry of the UK
The Clore Ballroom
Tickets Free
More info for Primary Schools Morning: Anish Kapoor
Students in yellow safety vests look through the window of a wooden shack art installation inside a modern museum gallery.
Art & exhibitions

Primary Schools Morning: Anish Kapoor

Primary school groups are invited to explore our current Hayward Gallery exhibition for free
Hayward Gallery
Tickets Free
More info for Secondary Schools Morning: Anish Kapoor
Three young people view a wall display filled with a colorful grid of vintage vinyl record album covers, including David Bowie and The Rolling Stones, in a gallery.
Art & exhibitions

Secondary Schools Morning: Anish Kapoor

Secondary school groups are invited to explore our current Hayward Gallery exhibition for free
Hayward Gallery
Tickets Free

While you’re with us

Make the most of your visit and explore all our venues and spaces have to offer.

Jeppe Hein: Appearing Rooms
People enjoying the Jeppe Hein Fountain at the Southbank Centre

Jeppe Hein: Appearing Rooms

A summer favourite returns to our site with water fountains to splash around and cool down in.

Shopping
Wooden displays in the Southbank centre shop, featuring books, plushies, and colourful merchandise

Shopping

A vibrant range of inspiring books, homeware, prints, accessories and more.

Klaus Weber: Thinking Fountains
Two statues; a green human body with water spouting from its neck and another of human legs with water pouring down from above displayed outdoors

Thinking
Fountains

Water cascades and spouts over Klaus Weber’s bronze figures.

Modified Social Benches
Two children eating ice cream on a red cirrcular bench

Modified Social Benches

Benches that challenge the space and distance we place between one another.

William Pye's Zemran
A photograph showing Riverside Terrace at Southbank Centre, with the metal sculpture Zemran in the foreground, next to Queen Elizabeth Hall

William Pye's Zemran

Pye’s beautiful stainless steel sculpture sits overlooking the Thames.

Natura Nostra Forest
Bright sunlight bursts through green leaves with a lens flare, set against a blue sky and a textured concrete building.

Natura Nostra Forest

Our growing pocket forest creating a natural oasis.

Magazine

Get closer to the arts and artists shaping our culture.

Discover more stories

How I create… with artist Luke Jerram
Artist Luke Jerram – a white man with short dark hair – stands in front of his work Museum of the Moon
Article

How I create… with artist Luke Jerram

The artist known for his large-scale installations talks about his creative approach, from a milkman’s work ethic to choosing which rules to follow.

Max Porter: ‘Loss of control is the most beautiful thing’
The author Max Porter, a white man in his early 40s, stands leaning against a garden fence
Article

Max Porter: ‘Loss of control is the most beautiful thing’

In an in-depth interview the writer discusses political convictions, power in collaboration and what lies ahead.

Steel impact: the story of the first ever steelpan performance in Britain
Lieutenant Joseph Nathaniel Griffith conducts the Trinidad All-Steel Percussion Orchestra during their first public performance at the Festival of Britain on 26th July 1951
Article

Steel impact: the story of the first ever steelpan performance in Britain

Read the fascinating story behind the first ever steelpan performance on these shores, 75 years ago this summer.

Sci-fi, celebrations and chairs: The History Gossip on the Festival of Britain
Katie Kennedy, a young woman with reddish brown hair sits among the auditorium seats of an otherwise empty Royal Festival Hall
Video

Sci-fi, celebrations and chairs: The History Gossip on the Festival of Britain

Join The History Gossip for a look back at the nationwide celebration that gave us the Royal Festival Hall.

5 things to know about Rough Trade
A Rough Trade tote bag hangs on the end of a rack records in a Rough Trade music store
Article

5 things to know about Rough Trade

A look at the much-loved independent label as it celebrates its 50th year.

Who is choreographer Hofesh Shechter?
The choreographer Hofesh Shechter, pictured in 2013, sits among the empty red seats of a theatre auditorium
Article

Who is choreographer Hofesh Shechter?

Get an introduction to the celebrated choreographer ahead of the London premiere of his work for Shechter II, IN THE BRAIN.

Artist on artist: Neil Hannon on the ‘aesthetically brilliant’ William Morris
A man in a dark blue blazer and green sweater vest sits at a café table with a cup of coffee, looking contemplative.
Article

Artist on artist: Neil Hannon on the ‘aesthetically brilliant’ William Morris

The singer-songwriter and frontman of the Divine Comedy discusses his ever-growing admiration for the 19th century designer and polymath.

My mixtape: Thamarai’s 10 songs that shaped the independent British Tamil music scene
British Tamil musician Pritt , a young woman with long dark hair, lounges on some rocks. The words 'My Mixtape' appear over the top of the image.
Playlist

My mixtape: Thamarai’s 10 songs that shaped the independent British Tamil music scene

Listen to this playlist of artists who’ve shaped, and continue to shape the British Tamil sound, curated by Thamarai’s Ara Vetha.

More to explore

Create & learn
Artistic shot of a blue painted face person leaning over a yellow staircase over the blue sky

Create, learn & take part

Fuel your creativity and be inspired by connecting to the arts with us.

Become a Member
A performer on stage wearing a dramatic black dress smiling and holding a microphone with band behind lit by red lights

Our Members get more

Get a host of great benefits and help us to keep doing what we do.

About us
His Majesty King George VI and Queen Elizabeth at Royal Festival Hall’s opening concert

Our story

From our roots in the Festival of Britain to the impact we’re making today.