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 CBeebies House Party Live
Family
CBeebies House Party Live
Get together for a family fun-packed stage show with sensational songs and mega moments
More info for Southbank Centre Tours
Tours & activities
Southbank Centre Tours
See our spectacular venues from a whole new perspective during our 75th anniversary year
More info for Colin Grant: What We Leave We Carry
Literature & poetry
Colin Grant: What We Leave We Carry
An evening of candid, profoundly human, sometimes funny and always moving stories of migration
More info for Gaia x BBC Concert Orchestra: Sounds of the Earth
Classical music
Gaia x BBC Concert Orchestra: Sounds of the Earth
Under the glow of Luke Jerram’s replica of our planet, hear a concert of heavenly works for strings
Performers
BBC Concert Orchestra
Chloé van Soeterstède conductor
Nathaniel Anderson-Frank violin
Miwa Rosso cello
Repertoire
Vaughan Williams: Fantasia on a theme by Thomas Tallis
Hildur Guðnadóttir: Bær; Opaque from Without Sinking
Dobrinka Tabakova: Sun Triptych
Barber: Adagio for strings
Arvo Pärt: Cantus in memoriam Benjamin Britten
More info for Mieko Kawakami: Sisters in Yellow
Literature & poetry
Mieko Kawakami: Sisters in Yellow
The author of Breasts and Eggs presents her bold noir thriller, in conversation with Georgina Godwin
More info for Gaia x Eric Whitacre: Eternity in an Hour
Classical music
Gaia x Eric Whitacre: Eternity in an Hour
Time melts away beneath a stunning replica of Earth with a spellbinding electro-choral concert
Performers
Eric Whitacre Singers
Eric Whitacre conductor, electronics
Laura van der Heijden cello
William Morrison piano
Repertoire
Eric Whitacre: Eternity in an hour for chorus, cello, piano & electronics
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 London Parks: An Exhibition
Art & exhibitions
London Parks: An Exhibition
See London’s green spaces anew in a photo exhibition created by young refugees and asylum seekers
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 Heart n Soul’s Let It Be Awesome Party!
Gigs
Heart n Soul’s Let It Be Awesome Party!
The inclusive creative community turns 40 with dancing, live music and its much-loved crew of DJs
Festivals & series
More info for Summer Time
Summer Time
Until Mon 31 Aug
Dive in for art, performance, music, free events and outdoor fun this summer
More info for Riverside Sessions
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 Goalhanger: The Rest Is Fest
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
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 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
Recently announced
More info for Shovel Dance Collective
Gigs
Shovel Dance Collective
A nine-piece band exploring the beauty, force and political charge of traditional folk music
More info for Koestler Arts: Rock, Paper, Scissors
Art & exhibitions
Koestler Arts: Rock, Paper, Scissors
An exhibition showcasing the artistic talent of people in criminal justice settings, curated by PIC
More info for Johnny Flynn & Lillie Flynn
Gigs
Johnny Flynn & Lillie Flynn
The brother-and-sister duo tap into their shared history in heartfelt, folk-inspired music
More info for A High Room with Storefront Church & Friends
Gigs
A High Room with Storefront Church & Friends
LA’s best-kept secret brings his raw and intimate sound to London
More info for Youth Voices Open Day
Family
Youth Voices Open Day
Drop in for a fun and welcoming sample session with the Youth Voices choir
More info for Relaxed Sessions: Acrobalance with Mimbre
Family
Relaxed Sessions: Acrobalance with Mimbre
Unlock your acroskills at an inclusive workshop with Mimbre’s professional acrobats
More info for Relaxed Sessions: A Festive Cracker
Family
Relaxed Sessions: A Festive Cracker
Join us for a Relaxed festive special with games, dances and crafty activities for families
More info for Saturday Sessions: Acrobalance with Mimbre
Family
Saturday Sessions: Acrobalance with Mimbre
Drop in to unleash your own acrobatic skills with help from Mimbre’s professional acrobats
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 Relaxed Sessions: Drawing Futures with MATT+FIONA
Family
Relaxed Sessions: Drawing Futures with MATT+FIONA
An adapted family workshop with games and activities for designing architecture-inspired 3D drawings
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 London Parks: An Exhibition
Art & exhibitions
London Parks: An Exhibition
See London’s green spaces anew in a photo exhibition created by young refugees and asylum seekers
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 Heart n Soul’s Let It Be Awesome Party!
Gigs
Heart n Soul’s Let It Be Awesome Party!
The inclusive creative community turns 40 with dancing, live music and its much-loved crew of DJs
More info for LIVE + BREATHE: Climate Futures Marketplace
Art & exhibitions
LIVE + BREATHE: Climate Futures Marketplace
Discover the voices, artists, communities and campaigners championing local climate action in London
More info for LIVE + BREATHE: Sounds of Solidarity
Gigs
LIVE + BREATHE: Sounds of Solidarity
Hear from those championing local climate action and celebrate solidarity through a day full of music
More info for Creative Encounters: (Almost) Ikebana
Courses & workshops
Creative Encounters: (Almost) Ikebana
A restorative workshop bringing together the Japanese art of flower arranging, drawing and painting
More info for Members' Private View: Anish Kapoor
Art & exhibitions
Members' Private View: Anish Kapoor
Step into Anish Kapoor’s artistic world at a Members’ Private View at the Hayward Gallery
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 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 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 Katie Paterson: Ideas
Art & exhibitions
Katie Paterson: Ideas
A constellation of reflections on deep time and imagined worlds forms a dreamlike sound installation
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
Jeppe Hein: Appearing Rooms
A summer favourite returns to our site with water fountains to splash around and cool down in.
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.
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.
5 things to know about Heart n Soul
Article
5 things to know about Heart n Soul
Get to know the South London creative community and arts charity who’ve been championing the talent of people with learning disabilities since 1986.
Playlist: futuretense 2026
Playlist
Playlist: futuretense 2026
Find your next favourite musician in our playlist of acts who’ve appeared at this year’s futuretense gigs series.
5 things to know about Tomorrow’s Warriors
Article
5 things to know about Tomorrow’s Warriors
Meet the pioneering talent development charity who’ve quietly reshaped the UK jazz scene.
My mixtape: Hekayyatna's 10 SWANA tracks that go straight to the heart
Playlist
My mixtape: Hekayyatna's 10 SWANA tracks that go straight to the heart
London-based community organisation Hekayyatna offer up a sonic flavour of Southwest Asia and North Africa in this playlist.
Who is composer Julia Wolfe?
Article
Who is composer Julia Wolfe?
A look at the multi-award winning composer and hugely influential contemporary music figure who never intended to study music.
Ivan Michael Blackstock: ‘Dance became my outlet before I even knew I needed one’
Article
Ivan Michael Blackstock: ‘Dance became my outlet before I even knew I needed one’
In an in-depth interview the dancer, curator, choreographer discusses transitions, Traplord and learning to listen to his body.
Islands and oil drums: the history of steel pan
Video
Islands and oil drums: the history of steel pan
Did you know that 2026 marks 75 years since the first ever steel pan performance in the UK?
More to explore
Create & learn
Create, learn & take part
Fuel your creativity and be inspired by connecting to the arts with us.
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About us
Our story
From our roots in the Festival of Britain to the impact we’re making today.