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Festivals & Series

Southbank Centre was born out of the ideals of the 1951 Festival of Britain, and festivals remain at the heart of all we do. Our festivals happen year-round and showcase a diverse range of art forms and topics, with a mix of free and paid activities and events.

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explore our festivals

Robert Smith’s Meltdown
Robert Smith curates the UK’s longest-running artist-curated music festival in its 25th year

Classical Season
There’s nothing quite like experiencing a concert at the home of classical music

Africa Utopia
Talks, workshops, music and performances celebrating the arts and culture of Africa
Man Booker 50 headshots 128733 BBC World Book Club: Hilary Mantel 2018

Man Booker 50
A programme of literary debates, readings and masterclasses

Unlimited
Unlimited is back for 2018 celebrating the artistic vision and originality of disabled artists
Kumar Bose and Tejendra Majumdar

Darbar
Discover the enchanting melodies and rhythms of Indian classical music at Darbar

London Literature Festival
London Literature Festival celebrating the world's most visionary writers and artists

WHY?
WHY? is our biannual festival celebrating the rights of children and young people

China Changing
Talks, workshops, music and performances celebrating the arts and culture of China at Southbank Centre

EFG London Jazz Festival
EFG London Jazz Festival, renowned for showcasing an eclectic mix of musicians from around the world
Robert Webb in discussion with Nihal Arthanayake

Being A Man
Being A Man festival is a celebration of masculine identity
Southbank Centre Winter Market .Riverside Terrace.Shops.Market.Royal Festival Hall

Wintertime
Celebrate the festive season with our winter warmers

Imagine Children's Festival
12 days of jam-packed half-term fun in our annual festival run by kids for kids

WOW – Women of the World
WOW celebrates the power of women and girls and addresses the challenges they face

Ligeti in Wonderland
György Ligeti's music spins fantastical webs and plays impossible games.  

Alchemy
Alchemy is our festival of art and culture from South Asia and the UK
Cleo Laine & John Dankworth photographed at home in Wavendon Bucks Dec 2007

(B)old
(B)old celebrates great artists aged 65 years and over

try out our event series

FUNharmonics at London Philharmonic Orchestra 2014

Family fun
Family and baby fun activites and events plus facilities at Southbank Centre

Concrete Lates
Concrete Lates is our new late-night electronic music series, bringing you underground sounds

Friday Lunch
Enjoy free lunchtime music every week in The Central Bar at Royal Festival Hall

Friday Tonic
Our Friday Tonics bring you performances from emerging artists in London and around the world
Author, Reni Eddo-Lodge

talks & debates
A chance to see and hear from leading thinkers, activists, politicians and cultural observers

get involved

Southbank Centre Tours
Go behind the scenes and discover our secrets

Nordic Matters
Southbank Centre invites you to look more closely at what’s happening in Nordic art and culture

Women in Music at Southbank Centre
Southbank Centre presents Women in Music from all spheres of classical and contemporary music

Voicelab
An open invititation to explore your voice and participate in festivals, workshops and performances
Southbank Gamelan Players

Gamelan
Southbank Centre London gamelan courses, classes, workshops & performances, Indonesian music, Javanese percussion orchestra

Social Dance
Everyone is welcome at our free Social Dances, which take place at least once a month on The Clore Ballroom floor in Royal Festival Hall

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Past festivals & series
Explore some of the most memorable festivals in our history
Light Show at Hayward Gallery, London. .Photo by Linda Nylind. 27/1/2013.

Hayward Gallery past exhibitions
See the Hayward Gallery archive of exhibitions