Skip to main content
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

Join the conversation shaping tomorrow

Address the pivotal issues of today through a weekend of talks and interactive debates driven by the leading thinkers of tomorrow.

Filter events in this group

Choose dates
View All Events Calendar
More info for futuretense x Letters to the Future
Abstract image of layered glowing triangles and stripes in neon blue, purple, and pink over a dark structure.
Gigs

futuretense x Letters to the Future

A special edition of futuretense and a special chance to discover artists on the up
Queen Elizabeth Hall
Tickets Free
More info for Amelia Dimoldenberg: The Future of Digital Media
A lady in a beige jumper with her hair up resting her head on one hand.
Literature & poetry

Amelia Dimoldenberg: The Future of Digital Media

Amelia Dimoldenberg curates and leads a panel decoding content creation’s explosive growth
Royal Festival Hall
Multi-buy
More info for Future Sounds: RAP Party x Out-Spoken
An audience watching a poet with a DJ off to one side, in a studio theatre with multi-coloured lighting
Literature & poetry

Future Sounds: RAP Party x Out-Spoken

Inua Ellams’ Rhythm and Poetry Party brings a night of live literature and music
Queen Elizabeth Hall
Multi-buy
More info for Rebecca F Kuang: The Future of Education
Rebecca F Kuang sat at a table in a restaurant, resting her head on her hand with a glass of water next to her.
Literature & poetry

Rebecca F Kuang: The Future of Education

The bestselling author unpacks the challenges and transformative ideas redefining learning today
Queen Elizabeth Hall
Multi-buy
More info for Reimagining Shared Spaces: The Future of Housing
A photograph of a 70s block of flats with balconies.
Literature & poetry

Reimagining Shared Spaces: The Future of Housing

Come together with architects, community organisers and artists to reimagine the house as a home and true site of belonging
Purcell Room
Multi-buy
More info for Olly Alexander: The Future of Queer Storytelling
A man with short curly hair wearing a flower-patterned green suit
Literature & poetry

Olly Alexander: The Future of Queer Storytelling

Join the singer and LGBTQIA+ advocate and uncover the bold voices telling the stories that matter
Queen Elizabeth Hall
Multi-buy
More info for BUMPAH x Future Rhythms
An architectural light installation featuring concentric neon triangles glowing in blue, purple, and pink on a dark wall.
Gigs

BUMPAH x Future Rhythms

A free celebration of the DJs pushing the boundaries of sound
Queen Elizabeth Hall
Tickets Free
More info for Mya-Rose Craig: Beyond the Climate Crisis
A black-and-white photo of a woman with long dark hair wearing a turtleneck jumper and big hoop earrings
Literature & poetry

Mya-Rose Craig: Beyond the Climate Crisis

The ornithologist and campaigner argues for an urgent shift in the stories we tell about nature
Queen Elizabeth Hall
Multi-buy
More info for Future Rhythms DJ Takeover
Low-angle view of a geometric ceiling with wood slats, purple neon lighting, and yellow and blue light panels.
Gigs

Future Rhythms DJ Takeover

A free celebration of the DJs pushing the boundaries of sound
Queen Elizabeth Hall
Tickets Free
More info for The Future of Images in a Post-Truth Era
A piece of abstract artwork depicting the bust of a young boy in a collage style.
Literature & poetry

The Future of Images in a Post-Truth Era

An eye-opening talk on the politics, power and perspectives behind our visually saturated world
Purcell Room
Multi-buy
More info for Letters to My Younger/Future Self
A woman in a white shirt stands in the centre of a theatre balcony, while the rest of the audience reach out towards here holding letters
Literature & poetry

Letters to My Younger/Future Self

Big stars and bright new talent share hilarious stories, dark secrets and sage advice
Royal Festival Hall
Multi-buy
More info for Ash Sarkar: The Future of Relationships
A woman with long dark hair and red lipstick poses in a pinstripe blazer and gold hamsa necklace against a gray wall.
Literature & poetry

Ash Sarkar: The Future of Relationships

The lecturer, broadcaster and bestselling author unpacks the urgent issues of our time
Queen Elizabeth Hall
Multi-buy

While you're with us

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.