Planet Summer

Make connections with the natural world and find inspiration for change at our summer season of events. Bringing together responses to the climate emergency, Planet Summer is filled to the brim with inspirational speakers, impactful artworks and boundary-pushing performances, all contributing towards a powerful call to action.

Art is all around

The season is inspired by our groundbreaking Hayward Gallery exhibition, Dear Earth: Art and Hope in a Time of Crisis, but the gallery isn’t the only place that you can find climate-focused artworks this summer. Explore our site to see if you can spot free installations including a miniature forest and a wildlife-friendly garden, eye-catching banners and flags – and a six-metre panther (or two). You can also experience powerful perspectives on the climate emergency at Reframe: The Residency Exhibition, an immersive audiovisual exhibition of 80 emerging Black artists.

Eye-opening talks

Leading writers and activists join us to ask vital questions and open up new perspectives. In The Climate Conversation, speakers including Greta Thunberg, Tori Tsui and Vanessa Nakate take stock. Mikaela Loach, Dominique Palmer, Rebecca Solnit and Thelma Young Lutunatabua encourage us to embrace positive change, philosopher William MacAskill speaks for making a better future, and Mark Carney addresses the economics of climate action.

Poetry International

Our major biannual poetry festival joins the Planet Summer billing, with ecopoetry taking centre stage. The line-up includes CAConrad, John Kinsella, Jorie Graham, Olive Senior and Yang Lian with readings and workshops, and we look to the next generation of climate activist poets at the Ginkgo Prize shortlist readings. Cerys Matthews takes us on a trip back to Dylan Thomas’ beloved Under Milk Wood, and we close Poetry International festival with a very special celebration: the National Poetry Library turns 70.

Performances and music

Theatrical innovators Ontroerend Goed ask whether environmental catastrophe is inevitable in the daring show Are we not drawn onward to new erA. Fusing choral singing, movement and body percussion, Earth Makes No Sound is inspired by the elements. And for all the family, The SpongeBob Musical makes a splash in its five-week run, following the citizens of Bikini Bottom protecting their home and saving the undersea world.

Join in for free

It wouldn’t be summer without free events on our Riverside Terrace, and this year’s no exception. Step on it for our parties with Electric Pedals, powered by green energy (created by you!). Plus, learn about queer ecology with Bi-Curious George and contribute to public art installation The Forum. Bring the family to Plot 17: A Hip-Hop Garden Block Party – and while you’re here, make time to visit our ever-popular playful summer fountain installation, which uses recycled water: Jeppe Hein’s Appearing Rooms