Our 75th anniversary
The arts centre of the future
Throughout 2026, we’re celebrating 75 years of the Southbank Centre with a vibrant, inclusive programme that looks to the future.
In 1951, the Royal Festival Hall was built as part of the Festival of Britain, bringing a message of hope after World War Two. We draw inspiration from that spirit over a year packed with events for everyone to enjoy.
‘We’re not here just to reflect the present. We’re here to help shape the future.’
Elaine Bedell, CEO
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Watch our launch trailer
Highlights
You Are Here
Sun 3 May 2026
A once-in-a-generation spectacle takes over the whole centre. Created, directed and designed by Danny Boyle, Gareth Pugh, Carson McColl and Paulette Randall featuring a cast of thousands.
Anish Kapoor
Tue 16 Jun – Sun 18 Oct 2026
One of the most influential artists of our time returns to the Hayward Gallery with a landmark immersive exhibition.
Goalhanger: The Rest Is Fest
Fri 4 – Sun 6 Sep 2026
A major festival brings together all of Goalhanger’s chart-topping podcasts for the first time.
Steel Scenes
Sat 25 & Sun 26 Jul 2026
Steel pan groups from across the UK come together for a weekend takeover to mark 75 years since the first UK steel pan performance, at the Festival of Britain.
Playing with Fire: Yuja Wang
Fri 11 Sep – Sun 13 Dec 2026
A groundbreaking mixed-reality immersive experience, starring the world-renowned pianist Yuja Wang.
Skate 50
Thu 30 Apr – Sun 21 Jun 2026
An exhibition explores 50 years of our Undercroft Skate Space through photography, moving image and sound.
2026 at a glance
Take a look at what’s coming up in our 75th anniversary year
Nationwide
A Poet in Every Port
In a project led by the National Poetry Library, our mobile poetry library tours to ten coastal locations to celebrate poetry from across the UK.
Hometown Meltdown
In a new partnership with the Music Venue Trust, we take our legendary Meltdown festival to local music venues in six towns across the country.
Sixty Artworks for 2026
Hayward Gallery Touring has commissioned 60 artists for a national touring exhibition, offering an overview of British art over the past 45 years.
Get closer
The creative pulse of a changing city
Since opening our doors in 1951, we’ve been a creative engine, driven by innovation and optimism, and a stage for the world’s leading artists and thinkers.
Membership
Never miss an unmissable moment with priority booking to all of our events, unlimited free entry to the Hayward Gallery and so much more. Join as a Member and get ready to fill your diary.
A year at the Southbank Centre
3.7 million
visitors enter our spaces
100,000
visitors to the UK’s longest running
children’s festival, Imagine
10,000+
participants in Creative
Engagement activity
7,149
artists on our stages, in our
galleries and across the site
5,000+
events, of which at
least 50% are free
400+
supported through our Talent &
Artist Development programme
250
species of wildflowers
in our Roof Garden
40+
towns and cities hosting events
as part of our 75th anniversary