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

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On now & coming up

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

Tue 16 Jun – Sun 18 Oct 2026

Venture into a world of mystery through the artist’s awe-inspiring works at our major exhibition

Hayward Gallery

More info for caroline + My New Band Believe

Two band photos: on the left, a group poses outdoors by a fence; on the right, a black and white shot of people on a couch.

Gigs

caroline + My New Band Believe

Sun 19 Jul 2026, 7.30pm

Revel in caroline’s expansive sounds and the always-in-flux music of My New Band Believe

Queen Elizabeth Hall

More info for Hofesh Shechter: IN THE BRAIN

Dancers in silhouette perform on a dark stage beneath a row of intense vertical blue spotlights.

Performance & dance

Hofesh Shechter: IN THE BRAIN

Wed 22 Jul – Sat 25 Jul 2026

Surrender to the rhythm and music of acclaimed dance company Shechter II’s latest work

Queen Elizabeth Hall

More info for Relaxed Hours: Anish Kapoor

Vantablack works in plinths by Anish Kapoor at the Palazzo Manfin in Venice

Art & exhibitions

Relaxed Hours: Anish Kapoor

Thu 23 Jul – Tue 22 Sep 2026

Experience our exhibition in a more relaxed environment with access to additional support

Hayward Gallery

More info for Stadio Live with Nish Kumar

Black and white image of two people sitting, smiling and leaning to the right

Literature & poetry

Stadio Live with Nish Kumar

Thu 23 Jul 2026, 7.45pm

Join Ryan Hunn and Musa Okwonga for a live edition of Stadio: A Football Podcast

Purcell Room

More info for Beethoven's Ninth

A wide shot of a full orchestra and choir performing on stage, led by a conductor in a tuxedo.

Classical music

Beethoven's Ninth

Fri 24 Jul 2026, 7.30pm

Feel the power of Beethoven’s monumental Choral Symphony with its climactic ‘Ode to Joy’

Royal Festival Hall

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

Sun 19 Jul – Sun 27 Sep 2026

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

Sun 19 Jul – Sun 30 Aug 2026

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

Sun 19 Jul – Sun 8 Nov 2026

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

Tue 16 Jun – Sun 2 Aug 2026

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

Sun 19 Jul – Sun 20 Sep 2026

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

Sun 19 Jul – Wed 30 Sep 2026

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

Sun 19 Jul – Mon 21 Sep 2026

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 Kinetika Bloco x Tomorrow’s Warriors

Left: A crowd in vibrant green, yellow, and red costumes cheers. Right: A woman plays a large silver tuba in an orchestra.

Gigs

Kinetika Bloco x Tomorrow’s Warriors

Thu 23 Jul 2026, 6pm

Two of London’s best youth arts initiatives join forces for an evening of live music under the stars

Riverside Terrace

Tickets Free

More info for Steel Rising

Members of Kinetika Bloco smiling while wearing harnesses holding steel pans

Gigs

Steel Rising

Fri 24 Jul 2026, 5pm

Youth ensembles capture the power of the steel pan as a community force at a day of free performances

Riverside Terrace

Tickets Free

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 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 Riverside Sessions

A dense crowd dances at an outdoor Riverside Terrace Bar under a canopy of colorful hexagonal decorations.

Riverside Sessions

Thu 16 Jul – Sun 30 Aug 2026

Join our celebration of music, youth and summer joy, curated by young people for everyone.

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

Classical Music

Autumn/Winter 2026/27

Extraordinary live music experiences

More info for Season Opening Week

A group of young women hold open scissors above their heads in both hands

Season Opening Week

Tue 22 – Sun 27 Sep 2026

The start of a classical year full of stories that speak to us today

Recently announced

More info for Bob Dylan

Gigs

Bob Dylan

Thu 3 Dec – Tue 8 Dec 2026

The inimitable Bob Dylan is back in the UK with an unmissable run of five shows

Royal Festival Hall

More info for Musquiqui Chihying: A Life of Navigation

a man seemingly lifting the rear end of a large, teal inflatable replica car wedged onto a curbside parking space in front of a residential building.

Art & exhibitions

Musquiqui Chihying: A Life of Navigation

Tue 25 Aug – Sun 18 Oct 2026

A multimedia exhibition from the Taiwanese artist that serves up both humour and societal critique

Hayward Gallery

Tickets Free

More info for Vangelis: Albedo 0.39

Lights shine out from a dark stage, showing the silhouette of an orchestra.

Gigs

Vangelis: Albedo 0.39

Sat 21 Nov 2026

A 50-year celebration of the musician’s album, reimagined for electronics, jazz quartet and orchestra

Queen Elizabeth Hall

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

Sun 30 Aug 2026, 2pm

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

Sun 30 Aug 2026, 2pm

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

Sun 22 Nov 2026, 7.30pm

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

Sun 13 Sep 2026, 3pm

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

Sun 13 Sep 2026, 7.30pm

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

Sat 12 Sep 2026, 8.15pm

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

An archival display shelf featuring historical black and white photographs, concrete cylinders, and architectural signs.

Art & exhibitions

Rhythm of History Exhibition

Sat 25 Jul 2026, 11.30am

Cast your eyes (and ears) back at an interactive exhibition about the steel pan’s incredible journey

Royal Festival Hall

Tickets Free

More info for (Re)imagining Operation Britain: On Community

A woman in a bright patterned top guides a young girl's hand with a paintbrush during a mono-printing workshop at a white table.

Courses & workshops

(Re)imagining Operation Britain: On Community

Sat 25 Jul 2026, 12pm

Learn the story of TASPO, share your own stories and help build a living archive of community action

Royal Festival Hall

Tickets Free

More info for Steel Sounds with Just Vibez

People dancing on Southbank Centre Riverside Terrace for Just Vibez Carnival as part of M.I.A.'s Meltdown festival

Gigs

Steel Sounds with Just Vibez

Sat 25 Jul 2026, 12pm

Steel bands from across the UK take over the Riverside Terrace, celebrating the pan’s spirit and power

Riverside Terrace

Tickets Free

More info for Rhythms of Reggae with UFO Steelband

Close-up eye-level view of shiny steelpan drums on stands arranged across a stage in a modern, multi-story hall.

Courses & workshops

Rhythms of Reggae with UFO Steelband

Sat 25 Jul 2026, 1.30pm

Master the infectious skank and melodic drive of the all-time classic ‘Monkey Man’ on steel pan

The Clore Ballroom

Tickets Free

More info for Calypso Grooves with RASPO

Members of the RASPO steel orchestra perform outdoors in matching red shirts, playing chrome steelpans on a sunny day.

Courses & workshops

Calypso Grooves with RASPO

Sat 25 Jul 2026, 3.45pm

Pick up your sticks and learn to play like the pros with Reading All Steel Percussion Orchestra.

The Clore Ballroom

Tickets Free

More info for Beginnings of Pan with Impact Steel Band

A close-up shot focuses on a musician playing a polished chrome steel drum with a mallet, wearing a black graphic t-shirt and an Apple Watch.

Courses & workshops

Beginnings of Pan with Impact Steel Band

Sun 26 Jul 2026, 11.30am

Major fun awaits! Learn simple scales, play your first song on pan and fill our terrace with music

Riverside Terrace

Tickets Free

More info for Steel Legacies

Dancers with raised arms lead a large crowd under Caribbean flags, including Guyana, Trinidad, Jamaica, and Barbados.

Gigs

Steel Legacies

Sun 26 Jul 2026, 12pm

One instrument, 75 years of history in the UK: witness a full day of steel bands in Jubilee Gardens

Jubilee Gardens

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.

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

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.