Southbank Centre Literature & Spoken Word Spring 2026 Forward Planner

The 2026 Spring Literature & Spoken Word Season opens with an inspiring programme spotlighting the very best established and emerging literary talent. On the 75th anniversary of the pioneering Festival of Britain, the Southbank Centre continues to place the next generation of writers and thinkers at its heart with world-class cultural experiences available to all.

Ted Hodgkinson, Head of Literature & Spoken Word, says: “From Indie Night – a new quarterly series celebrating the radical power of independent publishers – through to the words of Gisèle Pelicot and Deborah Levy, the Southbank Centre’s Spring 2026 Literature season platforms many of today’s most salient voices alongside some of the most exciting emerging writers out there. More so than ever, we’re proud to spotlight the essential role the written and spoken word takes in reflecting our most pressing societal issues, while also celebrating the immense power of great writing to captivate, provide space for debate, and inspire positive change.”

Mark Ball, Artistic Director at the Southbank Centre, says: “Since the doors of the Royal Festival Hall first opened during the Festival of Britain in 1951, the Southbank Centre has been a home to boundary-pushing art and a place to nourish artists at every stage of their career. Within the Spring 2026 Literature & Spoken Word Season, we’re particularly proud to support independent publishers and their writers through our new series, Indie Night, demonstrating our commitment to the artists of the future”

Find more Literature & Poetry events