Welcome to the heart of London’s cultural life
An engine of creativity, we’re home to art and culture that brings people together
On now & coming up
More info for Anish Kapoor
Art & exhibitions
Anish Kapoor
Venture into a world of mystery through the artist’s awe-inspiring works at our major exhibition
More info for Playing with Fire
Classical music
Playing with Fire
Get closer to the explosive talent of Yuja Wang at a groundbreaking concert merging VR and live piano
More info for The Moth Mainstage: Tightrope
Literature & poetry
The Moth Mainstage: Tightrope
Hear extraordinary true stories, told live, about what happens when there's no clear path ahead
More info for Olivia Belli
Gigs
Olivia Belli
The pianist known for her poetic compositions makes her Southbank Centre debut
More info for Paul Smith: Threads
Literature & poetry
Paul Smith: Threads
Fashion icon Paul Smith brings his story, and his wit, warmth and eccentric flair, to our stage
More info for Creative Intelligence Summit
Talks & debates
Creative Intelligence Summit
An industry day for the culture-makers, artists, writers, designers and engineers shaping our world
More info for Rug Rhymes: Autumn
Literature & poetry
Rug Rhymes: Autumn
Share your favourite nursery rhymes and learn new ones in a playful session for under-5s
More info for Gift to the Future
Art & exhibitions
Gift to the Future
See our brutalist buildings transformed with a giant poetry installation
More info for Quentin Blake: The Southbank Parade
Art & exhibitions
Quentin Blake: The Southbank Parade
The much-loved illustrator and author celebrates the 1951 Festival of Britain for this installation
More info for TONIC FLOW: A Communal Chorus in Colour and Sound
Art & exhibitions
TONIC FLOW: A Communal Chorus in Colour and Sound
Imagine a future overflowing with hope through a collaborative sound and visual installation
More info for Luke Jerram: Stepping Out
Art & exhibitions
Luke Jerram: Stepping Out
Your feet make the music in an interactive installation by artist Luke Jerram and composer Dan Jones
More info for Floating Together
Art & exhibitions
Floating Together
See a new artwork honouring people who’ve sought sanctuary, inspired by this year’s theme of courage
More info for Musquiqui Chihying: A Life of Navigation
Art & exhibitions
Musquiqui Chihying: A Life of Navigation
A multimedia exhibition from the Taiwanese artist that serves up both humour and societal critique
More info for futuretense: Teshay Makeda + NEONE The Wonderer
Gigs
futuretense: Teshay Makeda + NEONE The Wonderer
Sparks fly as genres fuse in this double bill of reggae, soul and R&B and alt hip-hop vibes
More info for Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg: Pollinator Pathmaker
Art & exhibitions
Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg: Pollinator Pathmaker
A kaleidoscopically colourful digital artwork exploring garden design for pollinators
Festivals & series
More info for Creative Intelligence
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
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 Autumn
Autumn
Mon 1 Sep – Sun 1 Nov
Find inspiring art and activities for all in the heart of London
More info for Classical Music
Classical Music
Autumn/Winter 2026/27
Extraordinary live music experiences
More info for Season Opening Week
Season Opening Week
Tue 22 – Sun 27 Sep 2026
The start of a classical year full of stories that speak to us today
More info for Performance & Dance
Performance & Dance
Autumn/Winter 2026/27
Spotlighting cutting-edge new work from around the world
More info for London Literature Festival
London Literature Festival
Tue 20 Oct – Sun 1 Nov 2026
The global superstar and founder of the Service95 Book Club curates a line-up of her favourite writers
More info for KUNSTY
KUNSTY
Wed 4 – Fri 6 Nov 2026
Our performance series platforming the rad, the queer and the uncategorisable returns
More info for EFG London Jazz Festival
EFG London Jazz Festival
Fri 13 – Sun 22 Nov 2026
Spectacular shows light up our stages in this annual festival showcasing global and homegrown talent
More info for futuretense
futuretense
Find your next music obsession with our twice monthly free gigs
Recently announced
More info for Stadio Live
Literature & poetry
Stadio Live
Take a fresh look at football with co-hosts Musa Okwonga and Ryan Hunn at a live show of the podcast
More info for Kate Atkinson: Our Noble Selves
Literature & poetry
Kate Atkinson: Our Noble Selves
One of the great chroniclers of our times introduces her new novel, set in post-World War Two London
More info for Rug Rhymes: Winter
Family
Rug Rhymes: Winter
Share your favourite nursery rhymes and learn new ones in a playful session for under-5s
More info for Out-Spoken: January
Literature & poetry
Out-Spoken: January
Poet and author Joelle Taylor hosts our regular night of London’s most irresistible poetry and music
More info for Special Edition: A Razmik Davoyan Celebration
Literature & poetry
Special Edition: A Razmik Davoyan Celebration
An evening of readings and music honouring the 85th anniversary of the renowned Armenian poet
More info for Indie Night: December
Literature & poetry
Indie Night: December
Uncover books from independent publishers at our night with hosts Eliza Clark and Okechukwu Nzelu
More info for Indie Night: February
Literature & poetry
Indie Night: February
Books that defy the ordinary: Okechukwu Nzelu introduces writers published by independent presses
More info for The Booker Prize 2026 Shortlist Readings
Literature & poetry
The Booker Prize 2026 Shortlist Readings
Meet the six authors up for this year’s Booker Prize, as they read from and discuss their books
More info for TS Eliot Prize Shortlist Readings
Literature & poetry
TS Eliot Prize Shortlist Readings
Hear the best new poetry coming out of the UK and Ireland in an event hosted by poet Ian McMillan
More info for The Orwell Lecture 2026: Sarah Wynn-Williams
Literature & poetry
The Orwell Lecture 2026: Sarah Wynn-Williams
The lawyer and former director of global public policy at Facebook delivers this year’s Orwell Lecture
Free events
More info for Gift to the Future
Art & exhibitions
Gift to the Future
See our brutalist buildings transformed with a giant poetry installation
More info for Quentin Blake: The Southbank Parade
Art & exhibitions
Quentin Blake: The Southbank Parade
The much-loved illustrator and author celebrates the 1951 Festival of Britain for this installation
More info for Musquiqui Chihying: A Life of Navigation
Art & exhibitions
Musquiqui Chihying: A Life of Navigation
A multimedia exhibition from the Taiwanese artist that serves up both humour and societal critique
More info for Floating Together
Art & exhibitions
Floating Together
See a new artwork honouring people who’ve sought sanctuary, inspired by this year’s theme of courage
More info for TONIC FLOW: A Communal Chorus in Colour and Sound
Art & exhibitions
TONIC FLOW: A Communal Chorus in Colour and Sound
Imagine a future overflowing with hope through a collaborative sound and visual installation
More info for Luke Jerram: Stepping Out
Art & exhibitions
Luke Jerram: Stepping Out
Your feet make the music in an interactive installation by artist Luke Jerram and composer Dan Jones
More info for futuretense: Teshay Makeda + NEONE The Wonderer
Gigs
futuretense: Teshay Makeda + NEONE The Wonderer
Sparks fly as genres fuse in this double bill of reggae, soul and R&B and alt hip-hop vibes
More info for Kate Crawford & Vladan Joler: Anatomy of an AI System
Art & exhibitions
Kate Crawford & Vladan Joler: Anatomy of an AI System
Investigate the vast, intricate web of resources, labour and data behind a single Amazon Echo
More info for Katie Paterson: Ideas
Art & exhibitions
Katie Paterson: Ideas
A constellation of reflections on deep time and imagined worlds forms a dreamlike sound installation
More info for Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg: Pollinator Pathmaker
Art & exhibitions
Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg: Pollinator Pathmaker
A kaleidoscopically colourful digital artwork exploring garden design for pollinators
More info for Andrew Thomas Huang: The Deer of Nine Colors
Art & exhibitions
Andrew Thomas Huang: The Deer of Nine Colors
A hypnotic, dreamlike installation offering a modern sci-fi retelling of a Buddhist folktale
More info for Get Your Hands-Dirty with Creative Tech
Art & exhibitions
Get Your Hands-Dirty with Creative Tech
Performances, workshops and interactive art showcasing London’s creative computing communities
More info for Virtual Orchestra: Play Along
Family
Virtual Orchestra: Play Along
Pick up a virtual instrument and play your heart out alongside the Philharmonia Orchestra
More info for Exploration Bazaar
Tours & activities
Exploration Bazaar
Ignite your curiosity, play with new ideas or join a debate at an exploration of creative AI innovation
More info for Google Arts & Culture
Art & exhibitions
Google Arts & Culture
Try intriguing interactive projects transforming learning, storytelling and play
More info for THE DELUSION: I CAN'T MOVE WITH YOU
Art & exhibitions
THE DELUSION: I CAN'T MOVE WITH YOU
Brave a post-apocalyptic world and play artist Danielle Brathwaite-Shirley’s interactive game
While you’re with us
Make the most of your visit and explore all our venues and spaces have to offer.
Klaus Weber: Thinking Fountains
Thinking
Thinking
Fountains
Water cascades and spouts over Klaus Weber’s bronze figures.
Modified Social Benches
Modified Social Benches
Benches that challenge the space and distance we place between one another.
William Pye's Zemran
William Pye's Zemran
Pye’s beautiful stainless steel sculpture sits overlooking the Thames.
Artist on artist: Jasmin Kent Rodgman on the ‘genius’ of Steve Reich
Article
Artist on artist: Jasmin Kent Rodgman on the ‘genius’ of Steve Reich
The co-artistic director of Manchester Collective shares her fandom for the pioneering New York composer.
Cassie Kinoshi: ‘making any kind of art comes down to the relationships you have with people’
Article
Cassie Kinoshi: ‘making any kind of art comes down to the relationships you have with people’
The musician, composer and Southbank Centre Associate Artist discusses finding community in music, avoiding jazz and writing in all its forms.
5 things to know about Musquiqui Chihying
Article
5 things to know about Musquiqui Chihying
An introduction to the Taiwanese artist, whose first solo exhibition in a UK public institution can currently be seen in our HENI Project Space.
Who is ornithologist Mya-Rose Craig?
Article
Who is ornithologist Mya-Rose Craig?
Introducing the remarkable award-winning young author, speaker, environmentalist and activist.
My mixtape: Mariam Batsashvili’s 10 perfect piano pieces
Playlist
My mixtape: Mariam Batsashvili’s 10 perfect piano pieces
The classical pianist curates a collection of ten of her favourite piano pieces into a perfect playlist.
Is AI killing creativity?
Article
Is AI killing creativity?
Ahead of Creative Intelligence, our new celebration of art, imagination and technology, we look at what AI means for the future of creativity.
Don’t believe your eyes: Ralph Rugoff on Anish Kapoor
Video
Don’t believe your eyes: Ralph Rugoff on Anish Kapoor
Our outgoing Hayward Gallery director leads you on a video tour of several of Kapoor’s stand out sculptures.
How I create… with screenwriter Jack Thorne
Article
How I create… with screenwriter Jack Thorne
The multi-award-winning screenwriter and playwright on developing ideas and what success feels like.
More to explore
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Our story
From our roots in the Festival of Britain to the impact we’re making today.