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The Royal Festival Hall is closed to the public on Tuesday 16 June. It will reopen for Harry Styles & Jules Buckley Orchestra ticket holders only at 5pm.

Welcome to the heart of London’s cultural life

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

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On now & coming up

More info for Anish Kapoor
Large red texture sculpture hanging down from the ceiling to the floor in a space with stone floors and pillars
Art & exhibitions

Anish Kapoor

Venture into a world of mystery through the artist’s awe-inspiring works at our major exhibition
Hayward Gallery
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 Dog Man: The Musical
A cartoon drawing of Dog Man from the popular book series, wearing a police uniform and crown, walking on a line above a purple city skyline, set against a blue polka dot sky.
Family & young people

Dog Man: The Musical

Dive into this epic adventure featuring the hilarity and heart of Dav Pilkey’s beloved characters
Queen Elizabeth Hall
More info for Chicane
A DJ with glasses and headphones around his neck performs behind Pioneer DJ decks under atmospheric purple stage lighting.
Gigs

Chicane

Go big and celebrate 30 years of Chicane with all the hits, a full orchestra and a live band
Royal Festival Hall
More info for Kenny G
Kenny G in a blue suit holds a soprano saxophone, standing against a split white and dark blue background.
Gigs

Kenny G

The bestselling instrumental artist of the modern era returns to the UK for a live show
Royal Festival Hall
More info for CBeebies House Party Live
CBeebies presenters, Mr Tumble, and Hey Duggee smile playfully together against a starry night sky and colorful clouds.

CBeebies House Party Live

Get together for a family fun-packed stage show with sensational songs and mega moments
Royal Festival Hall
More info for Gaia x BBC Concert Orchestra: Sounds of the Earth
Left: A giant inflatable Earth globe among green trees. Right: A full orchestra performing in front of a massive pipe organ.
Classical music

Gaia x BBC Concert Orchestra: Sounds of the Earth

Under the glow of Luke Jerram’s replica of our planet, hear a concert of heavenly works for strings
Royal Festival Hall
More info for Mieko Kawakami: Sisters in Yellow
Mieko Kawakami wearing a black dress standing against a pale blue background.
Literature & poetry

Mieko Kawakami: Sisters in Yellow

The author of Breasts and Eggs presents her bold noir thriller, in conversation with Georgina Godwin
Purcell Room
More info for Gaia x Eric Whitacre: Eternity in an Hour
A man with medium-length brown hair and a denim shirt poses with his hand to his chin against a neutral background.
Classical music

Gaia x Eric Whitacre: Eternity in an Hour

Time melts away beneath a stunning replica of Earth with a spellbinding electro-choral concert
Royal Festival Hall
More info for Luke Jerram: Gaia
Luke Jerram's Gaia on display in Belfast, with audience members silhouetted in front of it
Art & exhibitions

Luke Jerram: Gaia

Gaze in awe-struck wonder at Luke Jerram’s striking replica of our planet, suspended above our stage
Royal Festival Hall
More info for Billy Corgan: Mellon Collie & the Infinite Sadness
Billy Corgan in a black double-breasted coat stands in an empty theater with blue lighting on the stage behind him.
Gigs

Billy Corgan: Mellon Collie & the Infinite Sadness

Revisit the decade-defining album with the frontman and creative force behind The Smashing Pumpkins
Royal Festival Hall
More info for Letters Live
Performers at a Letters Live event standing onstage in a line.
Literature & poetry

Letters Live

A surprise all-star cast brings remarkable correspondence to life through unforgettable readings
Royal Festival Hall
More info for Gift to the Future
A large concrete building with colourful text decals affixed to its facade stands near a riverfront square, with the London Eye visible in the background.

Gift to the Future

See our brutalist buildings transformed with a giant poetry installation
Site wide
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 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

Festivals & series

View all festivals & series
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 Goalhanger: The Rest Is Fest
Composite image featuring the hosts of multiple Goalhanger podcasts against a black background.

Goalhanger: The Rest Is Fest

Fri 4 – Sun 6 Sep 2026
Indulge in your favourite podcasts live as we welcome Goalhanger’s impressive starting line-up
More info for Creative Intelligence
A graphic of an eye made up of tiny black numbers, with orange and purple shadows

Creative Intelligence

Fri 11 – Sun 13 Sep 2026
Explore how AI and digital innovation are reshaping the world we live in
More info for Letters to the Future
A lady in a beige jumper with her hair up resting her head on one hand.

Letters to the Future

Fri 18 – Sun 20 Sep 2026
Address today’s pivotal issues in a series of talks and debates led by the thinkers of tomorrow
More info for Classical Music
Blue, purple and pink spirographs

Classical Music

Autumn/Winter 2026/27
Extraordinary live music experiences
More info for Season Opening Week
A group of young women hold open scissors above their heads in both hands

Season Opening Week

Tue 22 – Sun 27 Sep 2026
The start of a classical year full of stories that speak to us today
More info for Performance & Dance
A blurry image of a group of dancers all wearing black

Performance & Dance

Autumn/Winter 2026/27
Spotlighting cutting-edge new work from around the world
More info for London Literature Festival
Dua Lipa with long straight brown hair, wearing a satin yellow shirt.

London Literature Festival

Wed 21 Oct – Sun 1 Nov 2026
The global superstar and founder of the Service95 Book Club curates a line-up of her favourite writers

Recently announced

More info for test sold out before on sale event
Comedy

test sold out before on sale event

More info for Dua Lipa & Mustafa: Nour
A black and white close-up portrait of a man looking over his shoulder while seated inside a vehicle, gripping a backpack strap.
Literature & poetry

Dua Lipa & Mustafa: Nour

Poetry that moves us is central to Mustafa’s collection Nour, and to this discussion with Dua Lipa
Royal Festival Hall
More info for Wasafiri: New Writing Prize 2026
Four panelists sit on a stage speaking into microphones before an audience, with large windows overlooking a city at night.
Literature & poetry

Wasafiri: New Writing Prize 2026

Join the magazine of international contemporary writing as they announce their prize winners
Royal Festival Hall
More info for Michael Lewis: Blockers
A close-up portrait of a smiling man with brown hair wearing a white collared shirt under a dark navy blue v-neck sweater.
Literature & poetry

Michael Lewis: Blockers

The author’s new book tells the story of the unsung heroes who fought back against US government cuts
Royal Festival Hall
More info for Indie Night: October
Two peoples profiles are grey and collaged with an image of piles of books and a dotted square.
Literature & poetry

Indie Night: October

Get to know an eclectic mix of writers at our series championing independent publishing
Purcell Room
More info for Dua Lipa & Zadie Smith: White Teeth
Author Zadie Smith wearing hoop earrings and a red shirt
Literature & poetry

Dua Lipa & Zadie Smith: White Teeth

Dig in to this modern classic with the author herself, in conversation with Dua Lipa
Royal Festival Hall
More info for A Celebration of British Somali Poetry
A three-quarter portrait of Momtaza Mehri looking upward, wearing a black hijab and matching black linen jacket.
Literature & poetry

A Celebration of British Somali Poetry

Explore how diaspora Somali poets rework an ancient tradition with an eye on the concept of ‘home’
Purcell Room
More info for The 2026 Forward Prizes for Poetry Ceremony
Five smiling award winners stand in a row holding blue booklets against a black, yellow, and blue curtain backdrop.
Literature & poetry

The 2026 Forward Prizes for Poetry Ceremony

Join us for live readings and experience the best poetry published in the UK and Ireland this year
Queen Elizabeth Hall
More info for Creative Future Writers' Award Showcase
Audience members applauding
Literature & poetry

Creative Future Writers' Award Showcase

Find your next read at this year’s award showcase of under-represented writers
Royal Festival Hall
More info for Out-Spoken: October
Poet Kwame Dawes in front of a tree
Literature & poetry

Out-Spoken: October

Mark the return of our regular poetry and music night with a standout line-up
Queen Elizabeth Hall

Free events

View all free events
More info for Gift to the Future
A large concrete building with colourful text decals affixed to its facade stands near a riverfront square, with the London Eye visible in the background.

Gift to the Future

See our brutalist buildings transformed with a giant poetry installation
Site wide
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 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 Duckie: Why Do Benders Love Divas?
A high-contrast pink stencil illustration of a singer on a black background, performing with arms spread wide.
Performance & dance

Duckie: Why Do Benders Love Divas?

David Hoyle, David McAlmont and Rupert Smith chat about the fierce queer connection to women icons
The Clore Ballroom
Tickets Free
More info for Primary Schools Morning: Anish Kapoor
Students in yellow safety vests look through the window of a wooden shack art installation inside a modern museum gallery.
Art & exhibitions

Primary Schools Morning: Anish Kapoor

Primary school groups are invited to explore our current Hayward Gallery exhibition for free
Hayward Gallery
Tickets Free
More info for Secondary Schools Morning: Anish Kapoor
Three young people view a wall display filled with a colorful grid of vintage vinyl record album covers, including David Bowie and The Rolling Stones, in a gallery.
Art & exhibitions

Secondary Schools Morning: Anish Kapoor

Secondary school groups are invited to explore our current Hayward Gallery exhibition for free
Hayward Gallery
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 with water fountains to splash around and cool down in.

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

Max Porter: ‘Loss of control is the most beautiful thing’
The author Max Porter, a white man in his early 40s, stands leaning against a garden fence
Article

Max Porter: ‘Loss of control is the most beautiful thing’

In an in-depth interview the writer discusses political convictions, power in collaboration and what lies ahead.

Steel impact: the story of the first ever steelpan performance in Britain
Lieutenant Joseph Nathaniel Griffith conducts the Trinidad All-Steel Percussion Orchestra during their first public performance at the Festival of Britain on 26th July 1951
Article

Steel impact: the story of the first ever steelpan performance in Britain

Read the fascinating story behind the first ever steelpan performance on these shores, 75 years ago this summer.

Sci-fi, celebrations and chairs: The History Gossip on the Festival of Britain
Katie Kennedy, a young woman with reddish brown hair sits among the auditorium seats of an otherwise empty Royal Festival Hall
Video

Sci-fi, celebrations and chairs: The History Gossip on the Festival of Britain

Join The History Gossip for a look back at the nationwide celebration that gave us the Royal Festival Hall.

5 things to know about Rough Trade
A Rough Trade tote bag hangs on the end of a rack records in a Rough Trade music store
Article

5 things to know about Rough Trade

A look at the much-loved independent label as it celebrates its 50th year.

Who is choreographer Hofesh Shechter?
The choreographer Hofesh Shechter, pictured in 2013, sits among the empty red seats of a theatre auditorium
Article

Who is choreographer Hofesh Shechter?

Get an introduction to the celebrated choreographer ahead of the London premiere of his work for Shechter II, IN THE BRAIN.

Artist on artist: Neil Hannon on the ‘aesthetically brilliant’ William Morris
A man in a dark blue blazer and green sweater vest sits at a café table with a cup of coffee, looking contemplative.
Article

Artist on artist: Neil Hannon on the ‘aesthetically brilliant’ William Morris

The singer-songwriter and frontman of the Divine Comedy discusses his ever-growing admiration for the 19th century designer and polymath.

My mixtape: Thamarai’s 10 songs that shaped the independent British Tamil music scene
British Tamil musician Pritt , a young woman with long dark hair, lounges on some rocks. The words 'My Mixtape' appear over the top of the image.
Playlist

My mixtape: Thamarai’s 10 songs that shaped the independent British Tamil music scene

Listen to this playlist of artists who’ve shaped, and continue to shape the British Tamil sound, curated by Thamarai’s Ara Vetha.

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.

More to explore

Create & learn
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Create, learn & take part

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

Become a Member
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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.