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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, old and new, that speak to us today

The full sonic and emotional range of classical music is celebrated in our Season Opening Week.

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Tuesday 22 September

Fire in My Mouth
A choir of women in blue dresses holds open scissors above their heads

Fire in My Mouth

Classical music
Royal Festival Hall
Multi-buy

Wednesday 23 September

The Multi-Story Orchestra: Dreamer
A diverse group of musicians plays stringed instruments in a raw, industrial-style space with concrete ceilings.

The Multi-Story Orchestra: Dreamer

Classical music
Queen Elizabeth Hall
Multi-buy

Thursday 24 September

Santtu & Sol Gabetta
A woman with light brown hair in a pleated green high-neck top poses against a plain white background.

Santtu & Sol Gabetta

Classical music
Royal Festival Hall
Multi-buy

Friday 25 September

Pekka Kuusisto, Ale Carr & Aurora Orchestra: Four Seasons
A man in glasses and a black shirt holds a violin like a guitar against a vibrant purple background.

Pekka Kuusisto, Ale Carr & Aurora Orchestra: Four Seasons

Classical music
Queen Elizabeth Hall
Multi-buy

Saturday 26 September

Mariam Batsashvili: Bach & Liszt
Mariam Batsashvili in a white blouse on a teal background

Mariam Batsashvili: Bach & Liszt

Classical music
Queen Elizabeth Hall
Multi-buy
Britten’s War Requiem
Black and white photo of a conductor with white hair using a baton to lead an orchestra on a dark stage.

Britten’s War Requiem

Classical music
Royal Festival Hall
Multi-buy
Steve Reich at 90: Triple Quartet + After Dark
Steve Reich wearing a baseball cap and suit, standing on a bridge with the skyline of New York in the background

Steve Reich at 90: Triple Quartet + After Dark

Classical music
Purcell Room
Multi-buy
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Last few tickets

Steve Reich at 90: After Dark
Composer Steve Reich in a black cap and jacket, posing in front of a dark tapestry featuring horses and riders.

Steve Reich at 90: After Dark

Classical music
Queen Elizabeth Hall
Multi-buy

Sunday 27 September

Jean Rondeau: Goldberg Variations
Portrait of a man with a messy beard and hair, wearing a gray hoodie against a weathered, neutral-toned wall.

Jean Rondeau: Goldberg Variations

Classical music
Queen Elizabeth Hall
Multi-buy
Steve Reich at 90: Music for 18 Musicians
Paraorchestra performing surrounded by audience

Steve Reich at 90: Music for 18 Musicians

Classical music
Audio Described - The performance includes live narration of visual elements for blind and visually impaired audiences.
The Clore Ballroom
Multi-buy
Steve Reich at 90: London Sinfonietta & Jonny Greenwood
Close-up portrait of an older man in a brown cap and olive jacket looking off-camera against a blurred forest background.

Steve Reich at 90: London Sinfonietta & Jonny Greenwood

Classical music
Royal Festival Hall
Multi-buy
Steve Reich at 90: Music for 18 Musicians
Paraorchestra performing surrounded by audience

Steve Reich at 90: Music for 18 Musicians

Classical music
Audio Described - The performance includes live narration of visual elements for blind and visually impaired audiences.
The Clore Ballroom
Multi-buy

While you're with us

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.