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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.

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, old and new, that speak to us today

The full sonic and emotional range of classical music is celebrated in our Season Opening Week.

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Tuesday 22 September

Julia Wolfe's Fire in My Mouth with Marin Alsop
A choir of women in blue dresses holds open scissors above their heads

Julia Wolfe's Fire in My Mouth with Marin Alsop

Classical music
Multi-buy

Wednesday 23 September

The Multi-Story Orchestra: Dreamer
A diverse group of musicians plays stringed instruments in a raw, industrial-style space with concrete ceilings.

The Multi-Story Orchestra: Dreamer

Classical music
Queen Elizabeth Hall
Multi-buy

Thursday 24 September

Santtu & Sol Gabetta
A woman with light brown hair in a pleated green high-neck top poses against a plain white background.

Santtu & Sol Gabetta

Classical music
Multi-buy

Saturday 26 September

Britten’s War Requiem
Black and white photo of a conductor with white hair using a baton to lead an orchestra on a dark stage.

Britten’s War Requiem

Classical music
Multi-buy

Sunday 27 September

Steve Reich at 90: London Sinfonietta & Jonny Greenwood
Close-up portrait of an older man in a brown cap and olive jacket looking off-camera against a blurred forest background.

Steve Reich at 90: London Sinfonietta & Jonny Greenwood

Classical music
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.