Virtual Orchestra: Play Along
Pop on a headset, pick up a virtual instrument and play your heart out alongside the Philharmonia Orchestra in this free virtual reality experience.
Are you curious about how technology is changing the way we learn?
Virtual Orchestra invites you to take your place on stage among some of the best players in the world, taking you from complete beginner to performing alongside the orchestra in under 30 minutes.
Grab a VR headset and choose your instrument. Through a series of interactive challenges and tutorials led by Philharmonia musicians, learn to read your part in the score, rehearse and then join the orchestra in a live concert on the Royal Festival Hall stage for the exhilarating finale of Rossini’s William Tell Overture.
Back by popular demand following its Southbank Centre launch earlier this year, this is your chance to experience orchestral music from inside the action and find out whether you can keep up with the orchestra.
No previous musical or VR experience is required.
Creative Intelligence is commissioned and produced by the Southbank Centre. Curated with PACT – Planetary Art Culture Technology.
Need to know
Reviews
‘An extraordinary glimpse inside the sights and sounds of a symphony orchestra’
The Guardian
Times & tickets
Dates, times and prices
Dates & times
12 Sep & 13 Sep 2026, 12 noon
Run time
7 hours and 30 minutes (approx)
All timings are approximate and subject to change
Standard entry
Free – no ticket required
Concessions
Learn more about concession discounts
Refunds and exchanges
Find out more about our refund and exchange policy
Make a donation
Help us open up the arts to everyone by making a one-off or a recurring donation.
For your visit
This event is held at the Royal Festival Hall Southbank Centre
The Royal Festival Hall is open six days a week.
Tuesday – Sunday, 10am – 11pm
Monday, closed.
Plan your visit
The Royal Festival Hall is home to our largest auditorium as well as The Clore Ballroom, National Poetry Library, Members’ Lounge, Festival Bar & Kitchen, Ballroom Cafe and Skylon restaurant.
Getting here
Our address is Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX.
The nearest tube stations to us are Waterloo and Embankment; Waterloo is also the nearest train station. And more than 20 different London bus routes pass within 500 metres of our venues. More information on getting here by rail, road or river is available on our Getting here page.
We’re cash-free
Please note that we’re unable to accept cash payments across our venues.
Access
We’re working hard to remove barriers, so that our facilities and events can be accessible to as many people as possible.
All help points, toilets, performance and exhibition spaces at the Southbank Centre are accessible to all, as are the cafes, bars and restaurants. We also have excellent public transport links with step-free access.
All information about booking wheelchair spaces, step-free access, blue badge parking, access maps and guides and other help available whilst you’re here, including details about our Access Scheme, can be found on our Access page.
Food & drink
On Level 2 of our Royal Festival Hall you can grab a slice of life by the Thames with drinks and freshly made pizza at our Festival Bar & Kitchen which opens out onto our Riverside Terrace. You can grab a coffee and a slice of freshly made cake from our Ballroom Cafe. Or alternatively enjoy destination dining in the restaurant at Skylon.
From coffee to cocktails, filling favourites to fine dining, plus some of London’s best street food – it’s all here at the Southbank Centre.