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Welcome to the heart of London’s cultural life

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

Venture into a world of mystery through the artist’s awe-inspiring works at our major exhibition
Hayward Gallery
More info for Dog Man: The Musical
A cartoon drawing of Dog Man from the popular book series, wearing a police uniform and crown, walking on a line above a purple city skyline, set against a blue polka dot sky.
Family & young people

Dog Man: The Musical

Dive into this epic adventure featuring the hilarity and heart of Dav Pilkey’s beloved characters
Queen Elizabeth Hall
More info for Neoprene Genie: Dream Jump
Dancer onstage at a previous Neoprene Genie event.
Literature & poetry

Neoprene Genie: Dream Jump

An eddying, wild ride of speech, music, poetry and visuals untangling what it means to dream today
Purcell Room
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 James Acaster
A blond man sips a martini behind a large ice cream sundae at an outdoor cafe overlooking a sunny waterway.
Comedy

James Acaster

A brand new show, full of everything you love about James Acaster and more!
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

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 Tomorrow’s Warriors: Continuum feat. David Kayode
Young jazz musicians perform under a blue-and-white tent; the lead singer smiles while holding a gold saxophone.
Gigs

Tomorrow’s Warriors: Continuum feat. David Kayode

Journey through the musical influences of ska, mento and calypso at this good-times jam session
Riverside Terrace
Tickets Free
More info for SOUNDS LiKE CHAOS: Bring the Noise
Performers dance on a stage with purple tinsel; a woman in a green outfit stands center with her arms outstretched.
Performance & dance

SOUNDS LiKE CHAOS: Bring the Noise

Let the DJs take you on a sonic journey through the ages, curated by a south-east London collective
Riverside Terrace
Tickets Free
More info for Sounds Like Chaos: Concrete & Confetti
A young girl drops a token into a green cup held by a man with a microphone, while a smiling crowd watches in the background.
Performance & dance

Sounds Like Chaos: Concrete & Confetti

The collective famous for its devised performances takes over the Riverside Terrace
Riverside Terrace
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 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
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
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
More info for Performance & Dance
A blurry image of a group of dancers all wearing black

Performance & Dance

Autumn/Winter 2026/27
Spotlighting cutting-edge new work from around the world
More info for London Literature Festival
Dua Lipa with long straight brown hair, wearing a satin yellow shirt.

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
Two people in suits hold toast and mugs, wearing floor-length neon green ties that trail on the ground.

KUNSTY

Wed 4 – Fri 6 Nov 2026
Our performance series platforming the rad, the queer and the uncategorisable returns

Recently announced

More info for Tice Cin: Safe Spaces
A woman with long dark hair and a light-colored top leans against a tree trunk in an outdoor setting.
Literature & poetry

Tice Cin: Safe Spaces

Enter the world of the extraordinary new novel Safe Spaces in a multi-art form event
Purcell Room
More info for The Funny Business of Serious Literature
A man with salt-and-pepper facial hair and dark hair looks toward the camera with a gentle smile while sitting in a wheelchair near a coastal walkway with the sea in the background.
Literature & poetry

The Funny Business of Serious Literature

Literary legends offer a joyful refutation of the myth that serious literature must be solemn
Purcell Room
More info for Creative Future Writers' Day: Live Stream
Speakers seated onstage at Creative Future Writers Day
Literature & poetry

Creative Future Writers' Day: Live Stream

Tune in to the live stream as writers and literary professionals share tips in a day of talks
Online Events
Tickets Free
More info for Service95 Book Club: Fierce Sounds
Kae Tempest against a dark orange background
Literature & poetry

Service95 Book Club: Fierce Sounds

A stellar line-up of writers makes fiction feel alive, discussing rhythm, form and sound in writing
Queen Elizabeth Hall
More info for V. E. Schwab: Victorious
A woman with reddish-brown hair and glasses smiles while sitting in a dimly lit room surrounded by houseplants.
Literature & poetry

V. E. Schwab: Victorious

The best-selling author discusses the triumphant conclusion to her thrilling Villains series
Queen Elizabeth Hall
More info for Michael Lewis: Blockers
A close-up portrait of a smiling man with brown hair wearing a white collared shirt under a dark navy blue v-neck sweater.
Literature & poetry

Michael Lewis: Blockers

The author’s new book tells the story of the unsung heroes who fought back against US government cuts
Royal Festival Hall
More info for Indie Night: October
Two peoples profiles are grey and collaged with an image of piles of books and a dotted square.
Literature & poetry

Indie Night: October

Get to know an eclectic mix of writers at our series championing independent publishing
Purcell Room
More info for The Goldsmiths Prize Shortlist Readings
Audience members seated in an auditorium chatting with the people around them
Literature & poetry

The Goldsmiths Prize Shortlist Readings

Join the six authors shortlisted for this year’s prize as they read from and discuss their novels
Purcell Room
More info for Malorie Blackman: Noughts & Crosses at 25
Portrait of author Malorie Blackman. She sits in a garden wearing a patterned blue top and a lace cover up.
Literature & poetry

Malorie Blackman: Noughts & Crosses at 25

Celebrate the legacy of this bestselling YA novel with reflections from the author and special guests
Queen Elizabeth Hall
More info for Hernan Diaz: Ply
A close-up portrait of a man with short buzzed hair looking into the camera, wearing an olive-green buttoned jacket.
Literature & poetry

Hernan Diaz: Ply

Hear from the Pulitzer Prize-winning author about his new futuristic thriller
Purcell Room

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 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 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 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 Tomorrow’s Warriors: Continuum feat. David Kayode
Young jazz musicians perform under a blue-and-white tent; the lead singer smiles while holding a gold saxophone.
Gigs

Tomorrow’s Warriors: Continuum feat. David Kayode

Journey through the musical influences of ska, mento and calypso at this good-times jam session
Riverside Terrace
Tickets Free
More info for SOUNDS LiKE CHAOS: Bring the Noise
Performers dance on a stage with purple tinsel; a woman in a green outfit stands center with her arms outstretched.
Performance & dance

SOUNDS LiKE CHAOS: Bring the Noise

Let the DJs take you on a sonic journey through the ages, curated by a south-east London collective
Riverside Terrace
Tickets Free
More info for Sounds Like Chaos: Concrete & Confetti
A young girl drops a token into a green cup held by a man with a microphone, while a smiling crowd watches in the background.
Performance & dance

Sounds Like Chaos: Concrete & Confetti

The collective famous for its devised performances takes over the Riverside Terrace
Riverside Terrace
Tickets Free
More info for Femi Koleoso Presents Situation Dance
A dense crowd dances at an outdoor Riverside Terrace Bar under a canopy of colorful hexagonal decorations.
Gigs

Femi Koleoso Presents Situation Dance

A musical love letter to London and an open-air party for all
Riverside Terrace
Tickets Free
More info for Tomorrow's Warriors: Extraordinary Summer Showcase
Close-up of a young man playing an alto saxophone in a line of musicians under purple and red stage lights.
Gigs

Tomorrow's Warriors: Extraordinary Summer Showcase

Catch live music from some of the finest young jazz musicians on London’s bubbling scene
Queen Elizabeth Hall
Tickets Free
More info for Tomorrow’s Warriors: Resonance feat. Zeñel
Three young jazz musicians playing the tuba, saxophone and singing perform on stage as part of Tomorrow's Warriors ensemble
Gigs

Tomorrow’s Warriors: Resonance feat. Zeñel

Get down to electronic jazz vibes and ambient grooves at a live set by Zeñel and Sister Midnight DJs
Riverside Terrace
Tickets Free
More info for Raw Material: Journey to the Soul
A smiling young woman in a brown leather jacket performs on a dimly lit stage while a woman behind her holds a microphone.
Gigs

Raw Material: Journey to the Soul

The young creatives join us from Brixton to curate an evening of free entertainment by the river
Riverside Terrace
Tickets Free
More info for Bass in the Borough
From behind, a keyboardist plays for a cheering crowd while a brass band performs under purple and pink lights.
Gigs

Bass in the Borough

Live music and a DJ set feature in the return of Kinetika Bloco’s summer dance bonanza
The Clore Ballroom
Tickets Free
More info for Hekayyatna: 1001 Movements
A smiling woman with a colorful headscarf and gold jewelry dances in an indoor space with a
Gigs

Hekayyatna: 1001 Movements

Get ready to shake with a full day of music, dancing, dabke and DJs
Riverside Terrace
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

5 things to know about Tomorrow’s Warriors
Close-up of a young man playing an alto saxophone in a line of musicians under purple and red stage lights.
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
Musician Tul8te performs live at Fabrique in Milan, Italy. They are wearing a purple jacket with gold embroidery and a white balaclava as they sing into a hand-held microphone. The words ‘My Mixtape’ are placed over the top of the image.
Playlist

My mixtape: Hekayyatna's 10 SWANA tracks that go straight to the heart

London-based community organisation Hekayyatna 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’
Artist Ivan Michael Blackstock wearing a black jacket, black baseball cap and sunglasses.
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.

5 things to know about Kinetika Bloco
A large number of members of youth group Kinetika Bloco in bright clothing, some are playing instruments
Article

5 things to know about Kinetika Bloco

Get to know a little bit more about our vibrant and inspiring Resident Organisation.

Do poems have to rhyme?
Full bookshelves within the National Poetry Library
Article

Do poems have to rhyme?

In this edition of our Arts Unravelled series we speak with poets Lily Blacksell and Lorraine Mariner about whether poems need to rhyme.

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.

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.