The Royal Festival Hall’s Level 2 foyer spaces are currently being refurbished, as we work to bring you a brand new cafe, bar, shop and Ticket Office. Find out more

The Queen Elizabeth Hall is closed from the morning of Monday 18 March until the morning of Thursday 21 March. The Royal Festival Hall Level 1 Ticket Desk is open for tickets and information.

Opening times

An illustration to denote opening hours featuring a clock
Southbank Centre

Don't get caught waiting outside, here are the opening times for each of our Southbank Centre venues.

Please check below for opening times for each of our venues over the Easter bank holiday weekend.

The Royal Festival Hall’s Level 2 foyers are getting a refresh. From Tuesday 20 February 2024, we’re making improvements to the Level 2 foyer spaces, as we work to bring you a brand new cafe, bar, shop and Ticket Office. Thanks for your patience during the upgrades.

Throughout the refurbishment, the Queen Elizabeth Hall’s Concrete Cafe and Ticket Office are open daily from 10am. The Level 4 and Level 5 bars of the Royal Festival Hall are also offering drinks and snacks from 60 minutes before an event. The National Poetry Library, Members’ Lounge and Mandela Walk shop are open as usual.

The Royal Festival Hall building viewed from Hungerford Bridge, the trees on the riverside are leafless and some people can be seen walking on Queen's Walk
Royal Festival Hall by TwobyTwo Photography

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.

From Tuesday 20 February 2024, we’re making improvements to the Royal Festival Hall’s Level 2 foyer spaces, as we work to bring you a brand new cafe, bar, shop and Ticket Office.

Over the Easter weekend, the Royal Festival Hall is closed to the public on Sunday 31 March and Monday 1 April.

Upcoming events in our Royal Festival Hall

Queen Elizabeth Hall and Purcell Room

The Queen Elizabeth Hall is open every day from 10am while the Royal Festival Hall’s Level 2 foyer spaces are being refurbished.

The building closes at 6pm, except on event days, when it closes later.

Over the Easter weekend, the Queen Elizabeth Hall is open 12 noon – 8pm on Sunday 31 March and Monday 1 April.

Upcoming events in our Queen Elizabeth Hall

Upcoming events in our Purcell Room

Hayward Gallery

Tue – Fri, 10am – 6pm
Sat, 10am – 8pm
Sun, 10am – 6pm
Closed Mon

The gallery will be open 10am – 6pm on Monday 6 May 2024  

Over the Easter weekend, the Hayward Gallery is open 10am – 6pm on Sunday 31 March and is closed to the public on Monday 1 April

Book now for When Forms Come Alive

The interior of the National Poetry Library including a table, a bust of Dylan Thomas and several anthologies and collections on book shelves
Southbank Centre / National Poetry Library

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

Email the National Poetry Library

More information about visiting the National Poetry Library

The Southbank Centre's Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden in the summer with people sat around chatting, as seen from the Level 5 balcony of the Royal Festival Hall
India Roper Evans

Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden

Located, as its name suggest, on the roof of our Queen Elizabeth Hall, our garden is currently closed for the winter. It will reopen again in the spring.

People enjoying the Southbank Centre Food Market

Southbank Centre Food Market

Located on the Belvedere Road side of our Royal Festival Hall, our food market is closed

Fridays, 12 noon – 9pm
Saturdays, 11am – 9pm
Sundays 12 noon – 6pm*
Bank holiday Mondays, 12 noon – 6pm

*On bank holiday weekends the market is open 11am – 9pm on Sundays

People viewing the archive display at the Future Exhibition Makers on the Open Foyer Policy
Pete Woodhead

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.

Email to arrange a visit to the Archive Studio