Winter Festival

Wondrous Winter Market
Stroll along the Thames under twinkling lights at our Winter Market, where you can sample delicious drinks and street food or browse for Christmas gifts. At our seasonal pop-ups, take part in alpine-themed curling at The Curling Club, toast marshmallows at Fire & Fromage and enjoy more goodies at Beltane & Pop, Choco Fruit and The Thirsty Farrier. 

Festive family fun
Little ones will love Bluey’s Big Play as the playful Heelers are brought to real life in a brand new theatrical adaptation of the smash-hit TV show. Follow Marinka, a young girl trying to find her feet in The House with Chicken Legs, featuring puppets, projection and live music. And start your family’s New Year celebrations early at our free daytime party Kids’ Countdown with Len Blanco.

Spellbinding shows
Dive into a glittering winter wonderland at an immersive reimagining of the festive classic Nutcracker, packed with hope, heart and humour. After the Nutcracker performance ends, the Tuff Nutt Jazz Club transforms into a speakeasy on selected nights, with new jazz musicians playing. Australian comedian Reuben Kaye brings brutally funny comedy and cabaret to the Purcell Room with Reuben Kaye: The Butch is Back, supported by a full band. Or enjoy the ultimate festive variety show, Christmas Actually, curated by Love Actually writer and director Richard Curtis.

Dance for days
Get your dancing shoes on for the popular Christmas Eve social Five Go Jiving plus our New Year’s Day Ceilidh, and don’t miss Heart n Soul’s Winter Rave, an evening of revelry. Bollyqueer invites you to enjoy a fun and empowering dance class with a queer dose of Bollywood entertainment. Finally, join riotous party starters Pxssy Liquor as they take over the Southbank Centre for one night only at Pxssy Liquor’s Office Christmas Party.

Luminous art
While you’re soaking up the atmosphere of our site, take in our free outdoor Winter Light exhibition. Then head indoors where there’s more art to see at the Hayward Gallery’s Hiroshi Sugimoto photography exhibition, and, in the Royal Festival Hall, the free Koestler Arts: IN CASE OF EMERGENCY exhibition, curated by poet Joelle Taylor.

Glorious music and choirs
We invite you to join us for free choirs and concerts including winter classics at Fab-YULE-ous Voices, and our Southbank Centre Youth Voices: Winter in Song. Plus, we’ve a procession of festive classical music performances including Christmas Classics, ET in Concert with the Philharmonia Orchestra and Christmas in Tinseltown.