Opening times
Don't get caught waiting outside, here are the opening times for each of our Southbank Centre venues.
Royal Festival Hall
Our Royal Festival Hall is open
Monday & Tuesday, 10am – 6pm**
Wednesday – Sunday, 10am – 11pm
**On evenings where there are events taking place in the Royal Festival Hall the building remains open until the end of the event.
Queen Elizabeth Hall and Purcell Room
Open 90 minutes before an event until the end of the event. Closed at all other times.
The building closes at 6pm, except on event days, when it closes later.
Hayward Gallery
The Hayward Gallery is open for Tavares Strachan: There Is Light Somewhere
Tue – Fri, 10am – 6pm
Sat, 10am – 8pm
Sun, 10am – 6pm
Closed Mon
National Poetry Library
The National Poetry Library is located on Level 5 of the Royal Festival Hall. Step-free access is available via the JCB Glass Lift. The Library is closed on Mondays, but is open
Tuesday, 12 noon – 6pm
Wednesday – Sunday, 12 noon – 8pm
Booking is optional, but if you wish to plan ahead please email
Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden
Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden opening times:
Wednesday – Sunday, 12pm – dusk
Roof Garden bar & kitchen opening times:
Wednesday – Friday, 4pm – dusk
Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays, 12pm – dusk
The Roof Garden may be closed in bad weather and for private events.
Southbank Centre Food Market
Located on the Belvedere Road side of our Royal Festival Hall
Friday: 12 noon – 9pm
Saturday: 11am – 9pm
Sunday: 12 noon – 6pm (or 11am – 9pm when a Bank holiday Monday follows)
Bank holiday Mondays: 12 noon – 6pm
Archive Studio
Our Archive Studio can be found on Level 2 of our Royal Festival Hall.
The Archive Studio is closed currently, but research access is available, by appointment, on Wednesdays and Fridays. Access to the Studio is free.