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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 REPLAY: A Limitless Recycled Playground
Children playing in a loose parts play installation
Family & young people

REPLAY: A Limitless Recycled Playground

Explore a world of play and invention in a recycled playground for children and their grown-ups
Royal Festival Hall
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 Anmol Mohara: Across The Sea
A man in a white t-shirt sits on the floor surrounded by a drum kit and several traditional hand drums.
Gigs

Anmol Mohara: Across The Sea

The rich culture and traditions of Nepal infuse the award-winning percussionist and composer’s music
Purcell Room
More info for Dave Eggers in Conversation with Nick Hornby
Dave Eggers wearing a black shirt standing in front of a bookshelf.
Literature & poetry

Dave Eggers in Conversation with Nick Hornby

The two authors discuss Contrapposto, Eggers’ new novel on the complicated beauty of art and life
Royal Festival Hall
More info for REPLAY: Relaxed
Children and their families playing with loose parts play in the REPLAY installation
Family & young people

REPLAY: Relaxed

Enjoy our world of play and invention for families in a gentler, less busy session
Royal Festival Hall
More info for Rekesh Chauhan: Classically Reimagined
Composite image of a pianist in smart clothes and a side profile of a woman looking to the left.
Gigs

Rekesh Chauhan: Classically Reimagined

A sonic journey through Indian folk roots and film epics with pianist Rekesh Chauhan
Queen Elizabeth Hall
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 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 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 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 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 Gift to the Future
Collage of handwritten poetic notes about the future pasted over a black-and-white line drawing of city buildings.
Art & exhibitions

Gift to the Future

See our brutalist buildings transformed with a giant poetry installation
Site wide
Tickets Free
More info for European Poetry Festival: Latvia
Reader standing on stage in front of an audience at the National Poetry Library.
Literature & poetry

European Poetry Festival: Latvia

Celebrate continental poetry and hear new work by contemporary Latvian poets
National Poetry Library
Tickets Free
More info for Simmer Down
Two women dancing together
Gigs

Simmer Down

Get ready to feel the reggae rhythm at this free monthly meet-up and daytime dance
The Clore Ballroom
Tickets Free

Festivals & series

View all festivals & series
More info for Classical Music
Pink, purple and yellow spirographs

Classical Music

Spring/Summer 2026
This is classical music in the 21st century
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 South Asian Sounds
A man with a mustache and beard in a yellow button-up stands clapping behind light-streak overlay reflections.

South Asian Sounds

Wed 1 – Sun 5 Jul 2026
Celebrating contemporary and classical music from India and Pakistan
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

Recently announced

More info for Orchestra Baobab
The band Orchestra Baobab stands smiling together in matching white tunics in front of a large Senegal flag.
Gigs

Orchestra Baobab

A euphoric, unmissable performance from the Senegalese legends
Royal Festival Hall
More info for The Smeds and the Smoos
A colorful children's illustration of a red alien and a blue alien holding hands on a desert planet under a huge moon.
Family & young people

The Smeds and the Smoos

Star-crossed aliens, magical music and cosmic laughs in a stellar stage adaptation of a beloved book
Queen Elizabeth Hall
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

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 The Social Infrastructure of Steel
A woman in a memorial t-shirt sits with a young girl holding a Trinidad and Tobago flag, watching an indoor stage performance.
Literature & poetry

The Social Infrastructure of Steel

Examine how steel pan functions in our society at this panel discussion
Purcell Room
More info for Hot Hot Hot with New Generation
A musician playing a chrome steelpan on an outdoor stage decorated with Caribbean flags and a
Gigs

Hot Hot Hot with New Generation

Capture the groove of legendary tune ‘The Merrymen’ at a hands-on steel pan workshop
Riverside Terrace
Tickets Free
More info for Rhythm of History Exhibition
An archival display shelf featuring historical black and white photographs, concrete cylinders, and architectural signs.
Art & exhibitions

Rhythm of History Exhibition

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 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

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

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 futuretense: alya isha & The RA KHOLECTIV + FIZA
A side-by-side diptych presents a dreamy, warm-toned color shot of a band performing in a hazy, vintage-styled room next to an intimate, high-contrast black-and-white portrait of a curly-haired woman
Gigs

futuretense: alya isha & The RA KHOLECTIV + FIZA

A free gig of irresistible harmonies from singer-songwriter FIZA and global jazz funk from alya isha
Queen Elizabeth Hall
Tickets Free
More info for Defining the Modern Pannist
Close-up of a silver steelpan drum with hand-written musical notes and two wooden mallets resting inside.
Talks & debates

Defining the Modern Pannist

Join a vital talk on the education of steel pan and carving better paths to professional careers
Purcell Room

Free events

View all free events
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 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 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 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 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 Gift to the Future
Collage of handwritten poetic notes about the future pasted over a black-and-white line drawing of city buildings.
Art & exhibitions

Gift to the Future

See our brutalist buildings transformed with a giant poetry installation
Site wide
Tickets Free
More info for European Poetry Festival: Latvia
Reader standing on stage in front of an audience at the National Poetry Library.
Literature & poetry

European Poetry Festival: Latvia

Celebrate continental poetry and hear new work by contemporary Latvian poets
National Poetry Library
Tickets Free
More info for Simmer Down
Two women dancing together
Gigs

Simmer Down

Get ready to feel the reggae rhythm at this free monthly meet-up and daytime dance
The Clore Ballroom
Tickets Free
More info for futuretense: alya isha & The RA KHOLECTIV + FIZA
A side-by-side diptych presents a dreamy, warm-toned color shot of a band performing in a hazy, vintage-styled room next to an intimate, high-contrast black-and-white portrait of a curly-haired woman
Gigs

futuretense: alya isha & The RA KHOLECTIV + FIZA

A free gig of irresistible harmonies from singer-songwriter FIZA and global jazz funk from alya isha
Queen Elizabeth 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

Live electronic music and performative poetry collide for a night of otherworldly experimentation
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

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

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.

How I create… with painter and illustrator Malak Mattar
A woman with long wavy dark hair wears a double-breasted red blazer, standing in front of an art studio wall with sketches.
Article

How I create… with painter and illustrator Malak Mattar

The Palestinian painter on how art saved her, and discovering the valuable skill of collaboration.

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.