Skip to main content

Welcome to the heart of London’s cultural life

An engine of creativity, we’re home to art and culture that brings people together

What’s on Plan your visit

On now & coming up

More info for REPLAY: A Limitless Recycled Playground
Children playing in a loose parts play installation
Family & young people

REPLAY: A Limitless Recycled Playground

Explore a world of play and invention in a recycled playground for children and their grown-ups
Royal Festival Hall
More info for Southbank Centre Tours
A concrete brutalist building with the London Eye and Big Ben in the background
Tours & activities

Southbank Centre Tours

See our spectacular venues from a whole new perspective during our 75th anniversary year
Across the site
More info for The Distraction Pieces Podcast: Live
Left: Black and white close-up portrait of an artist. Right: Close-up of a bearded man illuminated by blue stage light.
Art & exhibitions

The Distraction Pieces Podcast: Live

Creative minds collide as artist Tomo Campbell joins host and recording artist Scroobius Pip
Purcell Room
More info for REPLAY: Relaxed
Children and their families playing with loose parts play in the REPLAY installation
Family & young people

REPLAY: Relaxed

Enjoy our world of play and invention for families in a gentler, less busy session
Royal Festival Hall
More info for Erika de Casier
Erika De Casier wearing a black long sleeve shirt, looking over her shoulder
Gigs

Erika de Casier

Trip-hop textures and one-of-a-kind pop structures create the artist’s dreamy, effortlessly cool sound
Royal Festival Hall
More info for Stephen Fretwell
A man in a black jacket plays an acoustic guitar while standing on a dimly lit wooden stage under warm spotlights.
Gigs

Stephen Fretwell

The singer and songwriter is a master of heartfelt lyrics and splendid storytelling
Purcell Room
More info for Fousheé
A woman laying on a wooden floor, next to a chandelier
Gigs

Fousheé

Revel in next-level songwriting, stirring vocals and an eclectic, genre-bending sonic palette
Queen Elizabeth Hall
More info for London Parks: An Exhibition
A diverse group of twelve people pose playfully on and underneath a bright yellow external concrete staircase outdoors.
Art & exhibitions

London Parks: An Exhibition

See London’s green spaces anew in a photo exhibition created by young refugees and asylum seekers
Riverside Terrace
Tickets Free
More info for Quentin Blake: The Southbank Parade
A trio of illustrations by Quentin Blake depicting members of an orchestra; a woman in a long dress playing a violin, a person in a wheelchair plating the cymbals and a man in tails playing the flute
Art & exhibitions

Quentin Blake: The Southbank Parade

The much-loved illustrator and author celebrates the 1951 Festival of Britain for this installation
Site wide
Tickets Free
More info for TONIC FLOW: A Communal Chorus in Colour and Sound
Two women jump in the air in front of a brightly colored, geometric mural on an outdoor basketball court.
Art & exhibitions

TONIC FLOW: A Communal Chorus in Colour and Sound

Imagine a future overflowing with hope through a collaborative sound and visual installation
Royal Festival Hall
Tickets Free
More info for Relaxed Sessions: Dad Dancing
A man in a black bandana leads a group of children in a dance on a large wooden floor during an indoor community event.
Family & young people

Relaxed Sessions: Dad Dancing

Dad dancers, bring your kids to the dance floor for a gentle, inclusive artist-led dance workshop
The Clore Ballroom
Tickets Free
More info for Skate 50
A skater skates near the Undercroft Skate Space
Art & exhibitions

Skate 50

Our exhibition uncovers the story of London’s original skate space through imagery, audio and film
Queen Elizabeth Hall
Tickets Free
More info for Saturday Sessions: Dad Dancing
Two men hold a black jacket like a limbo bar for a young child to go under, surrounded by a cheering crowd indoors.
Family & young people

Saturday Sessions: Dad Dancing

Dad dancers, bring your kids to the dance floor for a playful workshop with great music
The Clore Ballroom
Tickets Free
More info for Riverside Boogie: Meltdown Edition
A crowd dances at an outdoor festival as a performer in a bright feathered costume dances on a stage in the background.
Family & young people

Riverside Boogie: Meltdown Edition

There’s a party happening on our Riverside Terrace, and the whole family’s invited to share the joy
Riverside Terrace
Tickets Free
More info for Midnight Train
A group of friends cheers and dances behind a DJ controller in a dark room illuminated by warm, low lighting.
Gigs

Midnight Train

All aboard for a social dance workshop and DJs spinning selections for the midnight music groovers
Riverside Terrace
Tickets Free

Festivals & series

View all festivals & series
More info for Harry Styles’ Meltdown
Harry Styles leans back in a chair, wearing a navy blue suit jacket, white shirt, brown silk tie and yellow shorts.

Harry Styles’ Meltdown

Thu 11 – Sun 21 Jun 2026
The culture-defining artist curates the 31st edition of Meltdown
More info for Classical Music
Pink, purple and yellow spirographs

Classical Music

Spring/Summer 2026
This is classical music in the 21st century
More info for Summer Time
A yellow sun with pink and orange zig zag rays

Summer Time

Until Mon 31 Aug
Dive in for art, performance, music, free events and outdoor fun this summer
More info for Riverside Sessions
A dense crowd dances at an outdoor Riverside Terrace Bar under a canopy of colorful hexagonal decorations.

Riverside Sessions

Thu 11 Jun – Mon 21 Sep 2026
Join our celebration of music, youth and summer joy, curated by young people for everyone.
More info for Performance & Dance
A dancer in a dark, dusty outfit is captured mid-air during a dynamic leap or fall on a stage, with a massive, textured black mound or cave-like structure dominating the background.

Performance & Dance

Spring/Summer 2026
Spotlighting cutting-edge new work from around the world
More info for Refugee Week
British-American woman wearing an orange top and a big blue ring

Refugee Week

Thu 25 – Sun 28 Jun 2026
Music, talks, film and public programming centred on this year's theme of 'courage'
More info for South Asian Sounds
A man with a mustache and beard in a yellow button-up stands clapping behind light-streak overlay reflections.

South Asian Sounds

Wed 1 – Sun 5 Jul 2026
Celebrating contemporary and classical music from India and Pakistan
More info for Poetry International Festival
Abstract digital art featuring overlapping, semi-transparent rectangles in red, green, blue, and orange on a purple background.

Poetry International Festival

Fri 10 – Sun 12 Jul 2026
Poetry International Festival is taking poetry off the page this summer
More info for Rough Trade 50
Black 50 in a white box with black border

Rough Trade 50

Fri 17 – Sun 19 Jul 2026
A takeover celebrating 50 years since the first Rough Trade record shop opened its doors
More info for Steel Scenes
Vintage black and white photo of two men playing steel pans outside

Steel Scenes

Fri 24 – Sun 26 Jul 2026
Our site thrums with the sound of pan at a weekend takeover marking 75 years of steel pan in the UK

Recently announced

More info for Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra
A flautist playing the flute surrounded by other flautists.
Classical music

Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra

Kensington Symphony Orchestra performs Bartók’s spectacular orchestral showpiece
Queen Elizabeth Hall
More info for Creative Intelligence Summit
An abstract, highly stylized digital graphic of a human eye rendered in textured orange, purple, and pale grey tones.
Talks & debates

Creative Intelligence Summit

An industry day for the culture makers, artists, writers, designers and engineers shaping our world
Queen Elizabeth Hall
More info for Get Your Hands-Dirty with Creative Tech
Close-up of hands sewing electronic components onto an orange felt cutout during a creative technology workshop.
Art & exhibitions

Get Your Hands-Dirty with Creative Tech

Performances, workshops and interactive art showcasing London’s creative computing communities
Queen Elizabeth Hall
Tickets Free
More info for Holly Herndon: Listening Session
A woman with red hair lounges in a blue chair in a rehearsal room with stacked chairs and a Go board nearby.
Gigs

Holly Herndon: Listening Session

Rewrite the rules of art-making with an artist and composer at the frontier of music and AI
Queen Elizabeth Hall
More info for Pitchfork Music Festival London: Hania Rani
A sepia-toned double-exposure portrait of a woman in a white jacket standing on a sandy beach under a cloudy sky.
Gigs

Pitchfork Music Festival London: Hania Rani

Surrender to the hypnotic trance of the extraordinary pianist, composer and vocalist’s music
Royal Festival Hall
More info for Disney Princess – The Concert
An illustration of Disney princesses surrounding three dark singing silhouettes on a deep purple gradient background.
Family & young people

Disney Princess – The Concert

Dreams do come true – Broadway and West End stars bring the songs of Disney princesses to life
Royal Festival Hall
More info for Brian Elias & Ben Goldscheider: TOUCHING THE QUICK
Left: Profile of an older man looking left against a dark backdrop. Right: A smiling young man holding a french horn.
Art & exhibitions

Brian Elias & Ben Goldscheider: TOUCHING THE QUICK

Experience a live performance of distinctive compositions tailored to sculptures in Anish Kapoor
Hayward Gallery
More info for Hayward Gallery Lates: Anish Kapoor
A brutalist building at night, featuring a large pink neon sign that reads
Art & exhibitions

Hayward Gallery Lates: Anish Kapoor

Stop by and join us for a special late-night viewing of the artist's awe-inspiring exhibition
Hayward Gallery
More info for London Oratorio
A diverse choir in white clothing sings passionately in front of a giant black and white sketch of a fish and flora.
Classical music

London Oratorio

Feel the buzz of the capital city in Es Devlin’s epic-scale choral work performed by hundreds
Royal Festival Hall
More info for Vikki Heywood & Francis Spufford: Hidden London
Literature & poetry

Vikki Heywood & Francis Spufford: Hidden London

Unearth the hidden lives and forgotten acts of resilience and rebellion in 20th-century Britain
Purcell Room

Free events

View all free events
More info for London Parks: An Exhibition
A diverse group of twelve people pose playfully on and underneath a bright yellow external concrete staircase outdoors.
Art & exhibitions

London Parks: An Exhibition

See London’s green spaces anew in a photo exhibition created by young refugees and asylum seekers
Riverside Terrace
Tickets Free
More info for Quentin Blake: The Southbank Parade
A trio of illustrations by Quentin Blake depicting members of an orchestra; a woman in a long dress playing a violin, a person in a wheelchair plating the cymbals and a man in tails playing the flute
Art & exhibitions

Quentin Blake: The Southbank Parade

The much-loved illustrator and author celebrates the 1951 Festival of Britain for this installation
Site wide
Tickets Free
More info for TONIC FLOW: A Communal Chorus in Colour and Sound
Two women jump in the air in front of a brightly colored, geometric mural on an outdoor basketball court.
Art & exhibitions

TONIC FLOW: A Communal Chorus in Colour and Sound

Imagine a future overflowing with hope through a collaborative sound and visual installation
Royal Festival Hall
Tickets Free
More info for Relaxed Sessions: Dad Dancing
A man in a black bandana leads a group of children in a dance on a large wooden floor during an indoor community event.
Family & young people

Relaxed Sessions: Dad Dancing

Dad dancers, bring your kids to the dance floor for a gentle, inclusive artist-led dance workshop
The Clore Ballroom
Tickets Free
More info for Skate 50
A skater skates near the Undercroft Skate Space
Art & exhibitions

Skate 50

Our exhibition uncovers the story of London’s original skate space through imagery, audio and film
Queen Elizabeth Hall
Tickets Free
More info for Saturday Sessions: Dad Dancing
Two men hold a black jacket like a limbo bar for a young child to go under, surrounded by a cheering crowd indoors.
Family & young people

Saturday Sessions: Dad Dancing

Dad dancers, bring your kids to the dance floor for a playful workshop with great music
The Clore Ballroom
Tickets Free
More info for Riverside Boogie: Meltdown Edition
A crowd dances at an outdoor festival as a performer in a bright feathered costume dances on a stage in the background.
Family & young people

Riverside Boogie: Meltdown Edition

There’s a party happening on our Riverside Terrace, and the whole family’s invited to share the joy
Riverside Terrace
Tickets Free
More info for Midnight Train
A group of friends cheers and dances behind a DJ controller in a dark room illuminated by warm, low lighting.
Gigs

Midnight Train

All aboard for a social dance workshop and DJs spinning selections for the midnight music groovers
Riverside Terrace
Tickets Free
More info for Steam Down: Sounds of the Diaspora
From behind a drummer, a spotlit saxophonist with long locs plays intensely on a dark stage with a live band.
Gigs

Steam Down: Sounds of the Diaspora

This afternoon’s terrace takeover unites sound, spirit and community, rooted in the diaspora
Riverside Terrace
Tickets Free
More info for Kulpreet Singh: Indelible Black Marks
From above, people in white run through a dry field trailing long white banners that are being consumed by fire.
Art & exhibitions

Kulpreet Singh: Indelible Black Marks

A meditation on the urgent link between climate change and agricultural crises
Hayward Gallery
Tickets Free
More info for Luke Jerram: Stepping Out
A young boy jumps across large colorful dots painted on the ground at London\'s Southbank Centre on a sunny day.
Art & exhibitions

Luke Jerram: Stepping Out

Your feet make the music in an interactive installation by artist Luke Jerram and composer Dan Jones
Riverside Terrace
Tickets Free
More info for Amex Unsigned
A blonde woman plays an acoustic guitar on stage, facing a massive outdoor festival crowd under a canopy of green trees.
Gigs

Amex Unsigned

A selection of emerging artists from the Amex Unsigned programme perform on our outdoor stage
Riverside Terrace
Tickets Free
More info for futuretense x Meltdown: Joviale + Loie
Left: A woman in a white fur coat poses with a retro mic under red lights. Right: close up portrait of a woman in a white top with dark hair
Gigs

futuretense x Meltdown: Joviale + Loie

Sink into the sumptuous sounds of Joviale’s soulful electric blend and Loie’s sleek jazz-R&B
Riverside Terrace
Tickets Free
More info for Members' Private View: Anish Kapoor
Photograph of man looking into hole in the floor, artwork title 'Descent into Limbo' by Anish Kapoor, 1992-2016
Art & exhibitions

Members' Private View: Anish Kapoor

Step into Anish Kapoor’s artistic world at a Members’ Private View at the Hayward Gallery
Hayward Gallery
Tickets Free
More info for Mix & Move: Bollywood Groove
People dancing and smiling with purple lighting
Courses & workshops

Mix & Move: Bollywood Groove

Come on down for easy-to-learn routines, good energy and fresh takes on Bollywood dance
The Clore Ballroom
Tickets Free
More info for Push the Button
A packed, vibrant nightclub crowd dances under purple lights and disco balls, with some people in festive costumes.
Gigs

Push the Button

London's premier pop party brings all the hits from the last 35 years of pop to our terrace!
Riverside Terrace
Tickets Free

While you’re with us

Make the most of your visit and explore all our venues and spaces have to offer.

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 on Wednesday 17 June.

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.

Magazine

Get closer to the arts and artists shaping our culture.

Discover more stories

How I create… with painter and illustrator Malak Mattar
A woman with long wavy dark hair wears a double-breasted red blazer, standing in front of an art studio wall with sketches.
Article

How I create… with painter and illustrator Malak Mattar

The Palestinian painter on how art saved her, and discovering the valuable skill of collaboration.

5 things to know about Refugee Week
A man sits on a stage floor beside a kora, silhouetted against a large, glowing orange circular backdrop.
Article

5 things to know about Refugee Week

Find out about how Refugee Week has grown, and how it will be celebrated here at the Southbank Centre this year.

Skating history: the story of the Undercroft Skate Space
Young skateboarders in action at the undercroft skate space in 1976; in the foreground one skateboarder pulls along a nother one who is sitting on his board.
Article

Skating history: the story of the Undercroft Skate Space

A brief look at the history of this iconic skateboard space on the South Bank that sits within the concrete of our buildings.

Artist on artist: Raymond Antrobus on the irreplaceable Benjamin Zephaniah
Poet Raymond Antronbus sits at a table in the covered area of a garden
Article

Artist on artist: Raymond Antrobus on the irreplaceable Benjamin Zephaniah

The multi-award-winning poet shares his personal lifelong connection with the hugely popular figure once dubbed ‘the people’s laureate’.

Playlist: South Asian Sounds 2026
Singer Shalini Rani sits cross legged in a patterned dark red outfit. The word Playlist is emblazoned over the top of her.
Playlist

Playlist: South Asian Sounds 2026

Listen to a playlist of contemporary and timeless South Asian music from artists appearing at the 2026 edition of South Asian Sounds.

5 things to know about Anish Kapoor
Artist Anish Kapoor stands in front of a red, white and black background. His hands are in the pocket of his brown coat and he looks directly at the camera
Article

5 things to know about Anish Kapoor

Ahead of his major exhibition at the Hayward Gallery, get a primer on one of the most influential artists of our time.

Shabaka: ‘If you don't follow the artistic path, you have nothing’
Shabaka stood in a forest with arms by side facing camera. Wearing berret & glasses
Article

Shabaka: ‘If you don't follow the artistic path, you have nothing’

In an in-depth interview the musician and composer discusses Tomorrow’s Warriors, taking a saxophonic sabbatical and performing jazz with a small ‘j’.

Who is drummer Anmol Mohara?
A man in a white t-shirt sits on the floor surrounded by a drum kit and several traditional hand drums.
Article

Who is drummer Anmol Mohara?

Introducing the young drummer and bandleader who fuses traditional Nepali music with a modern jazz sound.

More to explore

Create & learn
Artistic shot of a blue painted face person leaning over a yellow staircase over the blue sky

Create, learn & take part

Fuel your creativity and be inspired by connecting to the arts with us.

Become a Member
A performer on stage wearing a dramatic black dress smiling and holding a microphone with band behind lit by red lights

Our Members get more

Get a host of great benefits and help us to keep doing what we do.

About us
His Majesty King George VI and Queen Elizabeth at Royal Festival Hall’s opening concert

Our story

From our roots in the Festival of Britain to the impact we’re making today.