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Talks & debates

Overview Calendar

Saturday 5 September

Football Cliches: Live
Three men sitting on a green sofa on an empty stage.

Football Cliches: Live

Literature & poetry
Purcell Room
Book Now

Last few tickets

The Rest Is Politics: The Special Relationship
Hosts of The Rest is Politics US and UK sitting together on a green and brown bench.

The Rest Is Politics: The Special Relationship

Literature & poetry
British Sign Language interpreted (BSL) - The performance includes a live interpreter who translates the show into British Sign Language. Speech-to-Text transcribed - A transcribed performance shows live text of the dialogue and sound on screens.
Royal Festival Hall
Sold out
Empire: Live
Hosts of the Empire podcast sitting together at a table, wearing blue and yellow.

Empire: Live

Literature & poetry
Speech-to-Text transcribed - A transcribed performance shows live text of the dialogue and sound on screens.
Queen Elizabeth Hall
Book Now

Last few tickets

The Rest Is History: The Ultimate Victorian Adventure
Hosts of The Rest is History standing against a beige background.

The Rest Is History: The Ultimate Victorian Adventure

Literature & poetry
British Sign Language interpreted (BSL) - The performance includes a live interpreter who translates the show into British Sign Language. Speech-to-Text transcribed - A transcribed performance shows live text of the dialogue and sound on screens.
Royal Festival Hall
Book Now

Last few tickets

Sherlock & Co.
Drawing of a messy room with two people sleeping on the couch and a man playing the violin next to them.

Sherlock & Co.

Literature & poetry
Purcell Room
Book Now

Last few tickets

Scaramucci vs The Rest Is Classified: Team America
Hosts of Team America against a grey background.

Scaramucci vs The Rest Is Classified: Team America

Literature & poetry
Speech-to-Text transcribed - A transcribed performance shows live text of the dialogue and sound on screens.
Queen Elizabeth Hall
The Rest Is Science: Live
A man with a graying beard and glasses in a green sweater poses next to a woman with red hair in a white suit.

The Rest Is Science: Live

Literature & poetry
Speech-to-Text transcribed - A transcribed performance shows live text of the dialogue and sound on screens.
Queen Elizabeth Hall
Sold out
The Book Club
Hosts of The Book Club leaning against a book shelf.

The Book Club

Literature & poetry
Purcell Room
Sold out
The Rest Is Entertainment: Live
Two presenters on a dark stage with Christmas lights: a blonde woman in a red dress and a man with a beard and glasses in a Fulham Football Club Christmas sweater.

The Rest Is Entertainment: Live

Literature & poetry
British Sign Language interpreted (BSL) - The performance includes a live interpreter who translates the show into British Sign Language. Speech-to-Text transcribed - A transcribed performance shows live text of the dialogue and sound on screens.
Royal Festival Hall
Book Now

Last few tickets

Sunday 6 September

The Real Housewives of Regency England
Tom Holland and Marina Hyde standing against a grey background.

The Real Housewives of Regency England

Literature & poetry
Speech-to-Text transcribed - A transcribed performance shows live text of the dialogue and sound on screens.
Queen Elizabeth Hall
The Three Ayatollahs: An Iranian Dynasty
William Dalrymple and Anita Anand in front of an ornate background.

The Three Ayatollahs: An Iranian Dynasty

Literature & poetry
Speech-to-Text transcribed - A transcribed performance shows live text of the dialogue and sound on screens.
Purcell Room
Sold out
Stanley Tucci: Film, Food and Me
Black and white image of Stanley Tucci wearing a plain T Shirt.

Stanley Tucci: Film, Food and Me

Literature & poetry
British Sign Language interpreted (BSL) - The performance includes a live interpreter who translates the show into British Sign Language. Speech-to-Text transcribed - A transcribed performance shows live text of the dialogue and sound on screens.
Royal Festival Hall
Ancient Myths: Mary Beard & Josephine Quinn
Three ivory coloured statues against an ivory background.

Ancient Myths: Mary Beard & Josephine Quinn

Literature & poetry
Speech-to-Text transcribed - A transcribed performance shows live text of the dialogue and sound on screens.
Queen Elizabeth Hall
We Have Ways of Making You Talk
Two men in blue shirts sit in front of an antique-style world map showing transatlantic communication lines, with one man having his arms crossed.

We Have Ways of Making You Talk

Literature & poetry
Purcell Room
Book Now

Last few tickets

The Rest Is Politics US: Trump on a Knife Edge
A smiling blonde woman in an orange patterned shirt poses next to a man in a blue suit and purple tie, who is holding up a peace sign with his right hand.

The Rest Is Politics US: Trump on a Knife Edge

Literature & poetry
British Sign Language interpreted (BSL) - The performance includes a live interpreter who translates the show into British Sign Language. Speech-to-Text transcribed - A transcribed performance shows live text of the dialogue and sound on screens.
Royal Festival Hall
Book Now

Last few tickets

The Rest Is Politics: Off the Record
Hosts of The Rest is Politics UK sitting on a sofa reading the news.

The Rest Is Politics: Off the Record

Literature & poetry
British Sign Language interpreted (BSL) - The performance includes a live interpreter who translates the show into British Sign Language. Speech-to-Text transcribed - A transcribed performance shows live text of the dialogue and sound on screens.
Royal Festival Hall
Book Now

Last few tickets

The Rest Is Quiz
Richard Osman and Marina Hyde sitting in front of a red curtain.

The Rest Is Quiz

Literature & poetry
Speech-to-Text transcribed - A transcribed performance shows live text of the dialogue and sound on screens.
Queen Elizabeth Hall
Book Now

Last few tickets

Sherlock & Co.
Drawing of a messy room with two people sleeping on the couch and a man playing the violin next to them.

Sherlock & Co.

Literature & poetry
Purcell Room
Book Now

Last few tickets

Thursday 10 September

Paul Smith: Threads
Paul Smith sitting with his head in his hand against a grey background.

Paul Smith: Threads

Literature & poetry
Speech-to-Text transcribed - A transcribed performance shows live text of the dialogue and sound on screens.
Queen Elizabeth Hall

Friday 11 September

Creative Intelligence Summit
An abstract, highly stylized digital graphic of a human eye rendered in textured orange, purple, and pale grey tones.

Creative Intelligence Summit

Talks & debates
Speech-to-Text transcribed - A transcribed performance shows live text of the dialogue and sound on screens.
Queen Elizabeth Hall

Saturday 12 September

Saturday Talks Programme
An audience watches two women speaking at a panel discussion in a modern event space at night.

Saturday Talks Programme

Talks & debates
Royal Festival Hall
Free
Google Arts & Culture
A computer game graphic of a safari with flamingos in the foreground and in a pond

Google Arts & Culture

Art & exhibitions
Royal Festival Hall
Free
Exploration Bazaar
Glossy white molecular-style structures sit on a beige plane, linked by glowing pink and yellow light filaments.

Exploration Bazaar

Tours & activities
The Clore Ballroom
Free
Saturday Talks Programme
An audience watches two women speaking at a panel discussion in a modern event space at night.

Saturday Talks Programme

Talks & debates
Royal Festival Hall
Free
Saturday Talks Programme
An audience watches two women speaking at a panel discussion in a modern event space at night.

Saturday Talks Programme

Talks & debates
Royal Festival Hall
Free

Sunday 13 September

Google Arts & Culture
A computer game graphic of a safari with flamingos in the foreground and in a pond

Google Arts & Culture

Art & exhibitions
Royal Festival Hall
Free
Exploration Bazaar
Glossy white molecular-style structures sit on a beige plane, linked by glowing pink and yellow light filaments.

Exploration Bazaar

Tours & activities
The Clore Ballroom
Free
Sunday Talks Programme
An audience sits in rows of chairs watching a presentation at the far end of a modern event space.

Sunday Talks Programme

Talks & debates
Royal Festival Hall
Free
Sunday Talks Programme
An audience sits in rows of chairs watching a presentation at the far end of a modern event space.

Sunday Talks Programme

Talks & debates
Royal Festival Hall
Free

Friday 18 September

Amelia Dimoldenberg: The Future of Digital Media
A lady in a beige jumper with her hair up resting her head on one hand.

Amelia Dimoldenberg: The Future of Digital Media

Literature & poetry
British Sign Language interpreted (BSL) - The performance includes a live interpreter who translates the show into British Sign Language. Speech-to-Text transcribed - A transcribed performance shows live text of the dialogue and sound on screens.
Royal Festival Hall
Multi-buy

Saturday 19 September

Rebecca F Kuang: The Future of Education
Rebecca F Kuang sat at a table in a restaurant, resting her head on her hand with a glass of water next to her.

Rebecca F Kuang: The Future of Education

Literature & poetry
Speech-to-Text transcribed - A transcribed performance shows live text of the dialogue and sound on screens.
Queen Elizabeth Hall
Multi-buy
Reimagining Shared Spaces: The Future of Housing
A photograph of a 70s block of flats with balconies.

Reimagining Shared Spaces: The Future of Housing

Literature & poetry
Purcell Room
Multi-buy
Olly Alexander: The Future of Queer Storytelling
A man with short curly hair wearing a flower-patterned green suit

Olly Alexander: The Future of Queer Storytelling

Literature & poetry
Speech-to-Text transcribed - A transcribed performance shows live text of the dialogue and sound on screens.
Queen Elizabeth Hall
Multi-buy

Sunday 20 September

Mya-Rose Craig: Beyond the Climate Crisis
A black-and-white photo of a woman with long dark hair wearing a turtleneck jumper and big hoop earrings

Mya-Rose Craig: Beyond the Climate Crisis

Literature & poetry
Speech-to-Text transcribed - A transcribed performance shows live text of the dialogue and sound on screens.
Queen Elizabeth Hall
Multi-buy
The Future of Images in a Post-Truth Era
A piece of abstract artwork depicting the bust of a young boy in a collage style.

The Future of Images in a Post-Truth Era

Literature & poetry
Purcell Room
Multi-buy
Ash Sarkar: The Future of Relationships
A woman with long dark hair and red lipstick poses in a pinstripe blazer and gold hamsa necklace against a gray wall.

Ash Sarkar: The Future of Relationships

Literature & poetry
Speech-to-Text transcribed - A transcribed performance shows live text of the dialogue and sound on screens.
Queen Elizabeth Hall
Multi-buy

Tuesday 22 September

The Booker Prize 2026 Shortlist Announcement
Five people posing for a photo in a room with wooden floors and navy walls

The Booker Prize 2026 Shortlist Announcement

Literature & poetry
British Sign Language interpreted (BSL) - The performance includes a live interpreter who translates the show into British Sign Language. Speech-to-Text transcribed - A transcribed performance shows live text of the dialogue and sound on screens.
Queen Elizabeth Hall
Liane Moriarty: Big Little Truths
Liane Moriarty wearing a black jacket and white shirt against a black background

Liane Moriarty: Big Little Truths

Literature & poetry
Purcell Room

Thursday 24 September

Omar El Akkad in Conversation
Omar El Akkad wearing a white T shirt against a beige background.

Omar El Akkad in Conversation

Literature & poetry
Speech-to-Text transcribed - A transcribed performance shows live text of the dialogue and sound on screens.
Queen Elizabeth Hall

Sunday 27 September

Brutal(ism) Love and Hate
Black and white image of the Southbank Centre showcasing its brutalist architecture.

Brutal(ism) Love and Hate

Literature & poetry
Purcell Room
Book Now

Last few tickets

Saturday 3 October

Vikki Heywood & Francis Spufford: Hidden London

Vikki Heywood & Francis Spufford: Hidden London

Literature & poetry
Purcell Room
Emily St John Mandel: Exit Party
Emily St John Mandel wearing a black top against a navy background.

Emily St John Mandel: Exit Party

Literature & poetry
Purcell Room
Book Now

Last few tickets

Sunday 4 October

About Us! Artists' Scratch Showcase
Charlotte, a Black women artist smiles as she reads her own poetry in front of a yellow screen.

About Us! Artists' Scratch Showcase

Gigs
The Clore Ballroom
Tickets Free

Thursday 15 October

Iconic Women of the Hayward Gallery
Woman with white curly hair wearing black standing in front of a red wall with her arm resting on a red plinth.

Iconic Women of the Hayward Gallery

Literature & poetry
Purcell Room

Friday 16 October

Nussaibah Younis: Fundamentally
Nussaibah Younis wearing a blue dress sitting at a blue table.

Nussaibah Younis: Fundamentally

Literature & poetry
Purcell Room

Tuesday 20 October

Michael Lewis: Blockers
Man wearing a blue shirt sitting at a wooden table with a notebook against a background of red curtains.

Michael Lewis: Blockers

Literature & poetry
British Sign Language interpreted (BSL) - The performance includes a live interpreter who translates the show into British Sign Language. Speech-to-Text transcribed - A transcribed performance shows live text of the dialogue and sound on screens.
Royal Festival Hall

Thursday 22 October

Service95 Book Club: Nadia Murad in Conversation
A three-quarter portrait of a woman with long, wavy brown hair looking forward, wearing an asymmetrical terracotta dress.

Service95 Book Club: Nadia Murad in Conversation

Literature & poetry
Purcell Room
Book Now

Last few tickets

Saturday 24 October

Orwell's England: 85 Years Later
British author and screenwriter Nikesh Shukla wearing a black shirt and leaning on the back of a chair

Orwell's England: 85 Years Later

Literature & poetry
Royal Festival Hall
Sold out
Dua Lipa & Zadie Smith: White Teeth
Author Zadie Smith wearing hoop earrings and a red shirt

Dua Lipa & Zadie Smith: White Teeth

Literature & poetry
British Sign Language interpreted (BSL) - The performance includes a live interpreter who translates the show into British Sign Language. Speech-to-Text transcribed - A transcribed performance shows live text of the dialogue and sound on screens.
Royal Festival Hall
Book Now

Last few tickets

Sunday 25 October

Creative Future Writers' Day
People browse books at tables in a large, wide brutalist hall with exposed concrete pillars and warm wooden ceiling lights.

Creative Future Writers' Day

Literature & poetry
Speech-to-Text transcribed - A transcribed performance shows live text of the dialogue and sound on screens.
Purcell Room
Free
Creative Future Writers' Day: Live Stream
Speakers seated onstage at Creative Future Writers Day

Creative Future Writers' Day: Live Stream

Literature & poetry
Speech-to-Text transcribed - A transcribed performance shows live text of the dialogue and sound on screens.
Online Events
Free
Debut London Literature
Author Eden McKenzie-Goddard wearing a grey & white jumper, leaning against a tree

Debut London Literature

Literature & poetry
Royal Festival Hall
Dua Lipa & Patti Smith: Bread of Angels
A black and white portrait of Patti Smith raising her hand with palm facing out, leaning against a wooden fence.

Dua Lipa & Patti Smith: Bread of Angels

Literature & poetry
British Sign Language interpreted (BSL) - The performance includes a live interpreter who translates the show into British Sign Language. Speech-to-Text transcribed - A transcribed performance shows live text of the dialogue and sound on screens.
Royal Festival Hall
Sold out
V. E. Schwab: Victorious
A woman with reddish-brown hair and glasses smiles while sitting in a dimly lit room surrounded by houseplants.

V. E. Schwab: Victorious

Literature & poetry
Speech-to-Text transcribed - A transcribed performance shows live text of the dialogue and sound on screens.
Queen Elizabeth Hall

Wednesday 28 October

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.

Malorie Blackman: Noughts & Crosses at 25

Literature & poetry
Speech-to-Text transcribed - A transcribed performance shows live text of the dialogue and sound on screens.
Queen Elizabeth Hall

Friday 30 October

Creative Future Writers' Award Showcase: Live Stream
Audience members chat and laugh in their seats during an intermission at a brightly lit indoor cultural event.

Creative Future Writers' Award Showcase: Live Stream

Literature & poetry
Speech-to-Text transcribed - A transcribed performance shows live text of the dialogue and sound on screens.
Online Events
Free
Creative Future Writers' Award Showcase
An audience sits in a row, looking up at a stage and clapping under warm lighting at a literary event or convention.

Creative Future Writers' Award Showcase

Literature & poetry
Speech-to-Text transcribed - A transcribed performance shows live text of the dialogue and sound on screens.
Royal Festival Hall
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.

The Funny Business of Serious Literature

Literature & poetry
Purcell Room
Service95 Book Club: Fierce Sounds
Kae Tempest against a dark orange background

Service95 Book Club: Fierce Sounds

Literature & poetry
Speech-to-Text transcribed - A transcribed performance shows live text of the dialogue and sound on screens.
Queen Elizabeth Hall

Sunday 1 November

Xiaolu Guo: AI-esque – Live Stream
A black and white close-up portrait of a woman looking over her shoulder, seated in front of large windows on a boat.

Xiaolu Guo: AI-esque – Live Stream

Literature & poetry
Online Events
Free

While you're with us

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.