Welcome to the Southbank Centre
The holiday season doesn’t end for us here as the year turns: we are extending the magic into the first week of January with our seasonal shows Dolly Parton's Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol and Hey Duggee: The Live Theatre Show, bringing sparkle to these long, dark nights. And casting a glow around our riverside site, our outdoor exhibition Winter Light continues.
With the new year our ambitious classical music programme continues to celebrate excellence and innovation, drawing together the most exciting artists working in the art form today, including our family of Resident Orchestras.
Whether you’re a first-time attender or a Southbank Centre regular, we hope to welcome
you many times in 2023 – we can’t wait to share all we’ve got in store for you in the year ahead.
Mark Ball Artistic Director, Southbank Centre
Open the year with classical music
As the new year begins, we’re illuminating the short days and dark evenings with the power and beauty of classical music
At the end of January our Autumn/Winter programme comes to a dazzling end. Read on for a few of our highlights for the month ahead – and a peek at what’s to come in our Spring/ Summer programme, which starts in February, offering glorious vistas ahead.
Our Resident Orchestras
We are home to six renowned orchestras: Aurora Orchestra, Chineke! Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, London Sinfonietta, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and Philharmonia Orchestra.
This month, the LPO tells a tale of wonder in Tan Dun’s Buddha Passion, here in its UK premiere; the OAE celebrates Saint-Saëns, the original French master of colour, with Steven Isserlis; and the Philharmonia sets sparks flying with violinist Nemanja Radulović.
Artist Residencies
In collaboration with our Resident Orchestras, we champion the work of pioneering artists through our Artist Residencies. Our Resident Artists for Autumn/Winter 2022/23 are cellist Abel Selaocoe, violinist Daniel Pioro, ensemble Manchester Collective, cellist Sheku KannehMason and pianist Víkingur Ólafsson.
Pioro joins forces with organist James McVinnie in an exploration of Baroque composer Biber’s mystical Rosary Sonatas, taking us from daybreak to sunset over three performances. And closing the Autumn/Winter programme, Ólafsson appears with the LPO in Schumann's joy-filled Piano Concerto.
Stars of keyboard and chamber music
From the majesty of a full orchestra to the power of a single instrument: our Keyboard and Chamber Music programmes showcase brilliance and creativity in intimate performances.
Pianist Eric Lu, praised by The Guardian for his ‘grace, wisdom and poetry’, invokes the greats in a programme of Chopin, Mozart and Schubert; and rising stars pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason and the Maxwell Quartet come together for an evening of works from across the centuries.
Future classics
Looking ahead to the start of Spring/Summer, we’re thrilled to welcome revered pianist Mitsuko Uchida to our stage once more, while Aurora takes us inside Beethoven in an immersive performance at industrial venue Printworks in our Alternative
Experiences strand. In our boundary-breaking Contemporary Edit, the London Sinfonietta celebrates the work of their collaborator Sir Harrison Birtwistle, and later in spring Abel Selaocoe and Seckou Keita present a brand new work with the Chineke! Orchestra.
Manchester Collective brings more premieres to our halls, starting with a bewitching project from Alice Zawadzki. Plus, Sheku KannehMason, also the Philharmonia’s Featured Artist for the season, launches his Spring/Summer with a performance of Bloch’s profound Schelomo. Alice Sara Ott also joins our roster of Resident Artists, performing masterpieces of the chamber repertoire.
For the next generation of classical music fans, don’t forget to bring the whole family to get involved at our Imagine Children’s Festival in February.
For more details of our classical music programme, check our website or pick up a guide from the Royal Festival Hall
January highlights
Also this month...
Hey Duggee: The Live Theatre Show
A colourful, interactive production of the much-loved CBeebies show bursts onto our stage. It’s a family-friendly treat, with all of your favourite characters, music, puppets and laughter.
Until Sunday 8 January
Winter Light
Transforming our site with light and colour, this free group exhibition is installed across our buildings and along the riverfront. Follow the trail with our map, which is in the art and exhibitions section of this issue.
Until Tuesday 31 January
Strange Clay: Ceramics in Contemporary Art
Encounter the unexpected at our five-star Hayward Gallery exhibition, ending this month. Called ‘a show to delight and amaze’ by The Times, the exhibition features 23 international artists who’ve stretched the possibilities of clay.
Fairy tale forests, surreal takes on the mundane and even a giant squid: the artworks on show encompass small abstract works and large-scale installations that take the medium beyond the kiln.
While contributing to the broadening dialogue between art and craft, this exhibition provides a closer look at this tactile medium.
Until Sunday 8 January
Find out more about the exhibition on our website
Dolly Parton's Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol
The Dickens tale gets a Tennessee twist in an all-new musical with a soundtrack written by the Queen of Country herself.
Until Sunday 8 January
Daniel Pioro & James McVinnie: Rosary Sonatas
Biber’s ritual journey in music, his Rosary Sonatas, takes place in three sets from morning till dusk.
Sunday 22 January
TS Eliot Prize Shortlist Readings
Dive into the best new poetry coming out of the UK and Ireland, as the ten shortlisted poets for this year’s prize read their work in an event hosted by Ian McMillan.
Sunday 15 January
Poetry Games
Our National Poetry Library exhibition takes a look at the exciting space where poetry and games combine – and you can get involved with interactive works.
Until Sunday 15 January
Classical music
Our programme celebrates classical music in the 21st century, bringing together some of the most exciting artists and ensembles working in classical music today
Thursday 12
A Fresh Take on Beethoven
The multi-faceted beauty of the strings is this concert’s theme, but the focus is on a cornerstone of the violin repertoire, Beethoven’s astoundingly beautiful concerto.
London Mozart Players
Leslie Suganandarajah conductor
Leia Zhu violin
Jessie Montgomery Strum for strings; Coleridge-Taylor 4 African Dances, Op.58 arr. George Morton for violin & chamber orchestra; Mozart Symphony No.31 (Paris); Beethoven Violin Concerto
7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15 – £40
Friday 13
London Philharmonic Orchestra: Miloš Plays Rodrigo
With guitarist Miloš Karadaglić, the London Philharmonic Orchestra sets Rodrigo’s and Falla’s famous evocations of Spain alongside the dance music of Mexico.
Karen Kamensek conductor Miloš Karadaglić guitar
Copland El Salón México; David Bruce The Peacock Pavane for guitar & orchestra (World premiere); Rodrigo Concierto de Aranjuez for guitar & orchestra; Gabriela Ortiz Antrópolis; Falla The Three-Cornered Hat, Suites 1 & 2
7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £14 – £65
The Last Waltz
Theatrical legend Sir David Suchet joins Odyssey Festival Orchestra to explore the clash of high art music and jazz in the 1920s. Odyssey Festival Orchestra
Peter Ash conductor
Sebastian Flore piano
Sir David Suchet narrator
Ravel Valses nobles et sentimentales; Gershwin An American in Paris; Rhapsody in Blue; Ravel La valse
7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £10 – £45
Saturday 14
Glenn Miller Orchestra
Swing back in time with Glenn Miller’s favourite wartime chart toppers and hits from the 1940s. Ray McVay musical director
The Swing Time Jivers 3pm; Royal Festival Hall; £19.50 – £39.50
The Owl and the Nightingale with Simon Armitage
The Poet Laureate narrates his witty and enchanting new version of the Middle English debate poem, staged with actors as the two birds, engaging in a fierce verbal contest to prove which is the superior species. The argument moves entertainingly from the eloquent and philosophical to the ribald, risqué and ridiculous, interspersed with avian-themed music including works by Vivaldi, Ligeti, Couperin, Shostakovich and Vasks. For ages 12+.
City of London Sinfonia
Jenifer Toksvig director
Alexandra Wood director
Simon Armitage narrator
7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15 – £36
Sunday 15
OAE Tots: Travel with the OAE – Pack Your Bags!
Bring your little ones to sing, stomp and clap their hands as they set off on a musical journey. For ages 2 – 5.
10.30am & 12 noon; Royal Festival Hall; £3 (child), £12 (adult)
Eric Lu: Chopin, Mozart, Schubert
The pianist sets Mozart alongside melancholic Schubert and crystalline Chopin for a concert of piano giants.
Chopin Nocturne in C minor, Op.48 No.1; Polonaise in C sharp minor, Op.26 No.1; Waltz in D flat, Op.70 No.3; Waltz in C sharp minor, Op.64 No.2; Mozart Piano Sonata in A minor, K.310; Schubert Sonata in A, D.959
3pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15 – £45
Wednesday 18
London Philharmonic Orchestra:
Rachmaninov’s First Plunge into a world of gothic melodrama: dark, turbulent and burning with unrequited passion.
Enrique Mazzola conductor Kinan Azmeh clarinet
Brett Dean Amphitheatre – scene for orchestra; Kinan Azmeh Clarinet Concerto (UK premiere); Rachmaninov Symphony No.1
7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £14 – £65
Lambeth Orchestra: Mahler, Strauss & Humperdinck
Join the celebrations as Lambeth Orchestra turns 50, performing an ambitious programme with friends old and new.
Christopher Fifield conductor *
Michael Cobb conductor **
Peter Selwyn conductor ***
Nadine Benjamin soprano
Humperdinck Overture, Hansel and Gretel *; Strauss Four Last Songs **; Mahler Symphony No.1 (vers. original in 5 movements including Blumine) ***
7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15 – £21
London Philharmonic Orchestra & Kinan Azmeh
In a late-night event, clarinettist/ composer Kinan Azmeh performs his music with musicians from the LPO.
Kinan Azmeh The Fence, the Rooftop and the Distant Sea for clarinet & cello (or clarinet & string quartet); Café Damas for violin, cello & double bass; In the Element for clarinet & string quartet
10pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £20
Thursday 19
Philharmonia Chamber Players: Three Trios
Three principal players from the Philharmonia Orchestra, on flute, viola and harp, join forces.
Samuel Coles flute
Yukiko Ogura viola
Heidi Krutzen harp
Debussy Sonata for flute, viola & harp; Bax Elegiac Trio; David Heath Falcon Spirit for flute, viola & harp (World premiere)
6pm; Royal Festival Hall; Free, but ticketed
Philharmonia Orchestra: Santtu & Nemanja Radulović
Violinist Nemanja Radulović is known for his adventurous, thrilling and technically masterful playing, perfect for the tumultuous finale of Prokofiev’s Second Violin Concerto.
Santtu-Matias Rouvali conductor Nemanja Radulovic violin
Shostakovich Suite No.2 for jazz orchestra (original) reconstructed & orchestrated Gerard McBurney; Prokofiev Violin Concerto No.2 in G minor, Op.63; Beethoven Symphony No.2
7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £13 – £65
Sunday 22
Daniel Pioro & James McVinnie: Rosary Sonatas
Join us for a day-long deep-dive into the world of Biber's Rosary Sonatas from sunrise to sunset, featuring three performances from Daniel Pioro and James McVinnie, in addition to talks and other events bringing to life Biber's virtuosic masterpiece.
Daniel Pioro violin
James McVinnie organ, harpsichord
Biber Rosary (Mystery) Sonatas
8am – 9am Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer: Set 1 (Nos.1 – 5)
12 noon – 1pm Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall: Set 2 (Nos.6 – 10)
4pm – 5pm Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer: Set 3 (Nos.11 – 15)
8am, 12 noon & 4pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer & Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15 per set
London Philharmonic Orchestra: Tan Dun’s Buddha Passion
Tan Dun himself conducts this UK premiere of his Buddha Passion: a tale of wonder, of truth and of gentle but irresistible transformation.
Tan Dun conductor Sen Guo soprano Huiling Zhu mezzo-soprano Kang Wang tenor
Shenyang bass-baritone
London Philharmonic Choir
London Chinese Philharmonic Choir
Tan Dun Buddha Passion (UK premiere)
7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £14 – £65
Wednesday 25
London Philharmonic Orchestra: Three Britons
The orchestra’s celebration of British composers culminates with Elgar’s glorious First Symphony.
Edward Gardner conductor Steven Osborne piano
Coleridge-Taylor Solemn Prelude (London premiere); Tippett Piano Concerto; Elgar Symphony No.1 7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £14 – £65
Booking fees apply online (£3.50) and over the phone (£4). There are no booking fees for in-person bookings, Southbank Centre Members, Supporters Circles and Patrons.
Classical music multi-buy: with our multibuy offers, you can book concerts from across our classical music programme and receive a discount. There is a small number of events that aren’t included in the multibuy offer. Check individual event pages on our website for further details.
Children aged 7+ are welcome at most Southbank Centre classical concerts, except where indicated.
Unclassified Live: Bell Orchestre
The Montreal-based six-piece Bell Orchestre performs its album House Music for a special live edition of the deep-diving BBC radio programme Unclassified BBC Concert Orchestra André de Ridder conductor Elizabeth Alker presenter Programme includes Bell Orchestre: House Music
8pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £12 – £22
Thursday 26
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment: Sounds for the End of a Century
Cellist Steven Isserlis performs Saint-Saëns’ Cello Concerto No.1 in an event celebrating the French composer and master of colour. Maxim Emelyanychev conductor Steven Isserlis cello
James McVinnie organ
Saint-Saëns Phaéton - symphonic poem, Op.39; Cello Concerto No.1 in A minor, Op.33; Danse macabre; Symphony No.3 in C minor (Organ) 7pm; Royal Festival Hall; £10 – £82
Academy of St Martin in the Fields & Joshua Bell
The Academy showcases Paganini’s show-stopping Violin Concerto No.1 and Schumann's Second Symphony.
Academy of St Martin in the Fields Joshua Bell director, violin Schumann Carnaval, Op.9 arr. Ravel (surviving fragments); Paganini Violin Concerto No.1 (with cadenza by Joshua Bell); Schumann Symphony No.2 in C 7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £22.50 – £80
Friday 27
Isata Kanneh-Mason & Maxwell Quartet
Pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason joins the Maxwell Quartet for proclamations of love, defiance and joy from across the centuries.
Maxwell Quartet
Isata Kanneh-Mason piano
Mendelssohn Piano Trio No.2 in C minor, Op.66; Eleanor Alberga Clouds for piano quintet; Dohnányi Piano Quintet No.1 in C minor, Op.1 7pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15 – £45
Saturday 28
London Philharmonic Orchestra: Spirits of Delight
‘Rarely, rarely, comest thou, Spirit of Delight!’ Elgar’s Second Symphony opens on a mighty surge of confidence and pride.
Edward Gardner conductor Víkingur Ólafsson piano
Mendelssohn Overture, The Fair Melusine; Schumann Piano Concerto; Elgar Symphony No.2 7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £14 – £65
Sunday 29
FUNharmonics
Family Concert: The Colour Monster
Help untangle the Colour Monster’s messy emotions through the wonder of orchestral music with the LPO. For ages 5+.
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Rebecca Tong conductor
Lucy Hollins presenter 12 noon; Royal Festival Hall; £8 –£12 (child), £16 – £24 (adult)
Gigs
A year after their first performance here, Fabio & Grooverider and The Outlook Orchestra return with their talked-about show for two nights of iconic drum and bass
Friday 20 & Saturday 21
Fabio & Grooverider & The Outlook Orchestra
Fabio & Grooverider return to our stage with The Outlook Orchestra to throw down the history of jungle and drum and bass in two celebratory live performances. For ages 14+.
8pm; Royal Festival Hall; £35 – £55
Saturday 21
Concrete Lates x Outlook Orchestra: Fabio & Grooverider Drum and bass shakes the brutalist concrete of our buildings, as living legends Fabio & Grooverider DJ into the early hours. For ages 18+ only.
10.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer; £20
Family
Our events are not just for the grown-ups – this month, bring the whole family for fun-tastic family shows, captivating ceramics and interactive concerts
Until Sunday 8
Dolly Parton's
Smoky Mountain
Christmas Carol
Part of Winter Festival
The classic Dickens tale gets a Tennessee twist in an all-new musical with a soundtrack written by the Queen of Country herself. For ages 8+.
Shows at 2.30pm, 3pm & 7.30pm (check website for specific dates & times); Queen Elizabeth Hall; £18.50 – £120
Hey Duggee: The Live Theatre Show
Part of Winter Festival
Be part of the hit CBeebies show and join Duggee and the Squirrels in this vibrant interactive production bursting with music, puppets and barrels of laughs. The show on Thu 5 Jan at 11am is a Relaxed Performance (RP). Suitable for all ages.
Shows at 11am & 2.30pm (check website for specific dates & times); Royal Festival Hall; £18.50 – £28.50
Strange Clay: Ceramics in Contemporary Art
Part of Winter Festival
Marvel at artists who’ve stretched the possibilities of clay in unexpected ways at our Hayward Gallery exhibition.
Wed, 11am – 9pm; Thu – Sat, 11am – 7pm; Sun, 10am – 6pm (closed Mon & Tue); Hayward Gallery; Hayward Gallery supporter £16.50*; standard £15; under-12s free
Sunday 15
OAE Tots: Travel with the OAE – Pack Your Bags!
Bring your little ones to sing, stomp and clap their hands as they set off on a musical journey. For ages 2 – 5.
10.30am & 12 noon; Royal Festival Hall; £3 (child), £12 (adult)
Sunday 29 FUNharmonics
Family Concert: The Colour Monster
Help untangle the Colour Monster’s messy emotions through the wonder of orchestral music with the LPO. For ages 5+.
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Rebecca Tong conductor
Lucy Hollins presenter 12 noon; Royal Festival Hall; £8 –£12 (child), £16 – £24 (adult)
Booking fees apply online (£3.50) and over the phone (£4). There are no booking fees for in-person bookings, Southbank Centre Members, Supporters Circles and Patrons.
* Supporter tickets include a voluntary donation of at least 10% of the standard admission charge, to support the Southbank Centre’s work. If you buy a supporter ticket and make a Gift Aid declaration, we can claim the tax paid on the full ticket price, not just the donation.
Classical music multi-buy: with our multibuy offers, you can book concerts from across our classical music programme and receive a discount. There is a small number of events that aren’t included in the multibuy offer. Check individual event pages on our website for further details.
Children aged 7+ are welcome at most Southbank Centre classical concerts, except where indicated.
Art & exhibitions
From internationally acclaimed artists at the Hayward Gallery to pop-up installations and immersive experiences, art and exhibitions can be found all around our site
Until Sunday 8
Strange Clay: Ceramics in Contemporary Art
Part of Winter Festival
Marvel at artists who’ve stretched the possibilities of clay in unexpected ways at our Hayward Gallery exhibition.
Wed, 11am – 9pm; Thu – Sat, 11am – 7pm; Sun, 10am – 6pm (closed Mon & Tue); Hayward Gallery; Hayward Gallery supporter £16.50*; standard £15; under-12s free
Until Sunday 15 Poetry Games
Explore the intersection of poetry and play by jumping into interactive games at the current National Poetry Library exhibition.
Tue, 12 noon – 6pm; Wed – Sun, 12 noon –8pm (closed Mon); National Poetry Library, Level 5, Blue Side, Royal Festival Hall; Free
Until Monday 30
Fred Tschida and Neon Workshops
Discover the art of neon lights through the eyes of artist Fred Tschida and Neon Workshops in this free display.
Daily, from 10am; Archive Studio, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free
Wednesday 4
Members-Only Hours: Strange Clay
Part of Winter Festival
Enjoy our current Hayward Gallery exhibition away from the crowds in this Members-only time slot.
6.30pm; Hayward Gallery; Free to Members
Throughout the month The Hop
Jyll Bradley’s luminous public canopy links our urban landscape to the hop gardens of Kent.
Daily, 24 hours; Hayward Gallery Terrace; Free
Winter Light
Part of Winter Festival
Featuring new works and returning favourites, this group exhibition is installed across our buildings and along the riverfront, transforming our site with light and colour. Find all the works in this free exhibition with the help of our map.
From dusk until late; Across the site; Free
Supporter tickets
Performance & comedy
Cheeky comedy, musical marvels and fun-filled family shows: discover international artists and up-and-coming names here in our venues
Until Sunday 8
Dolly Parton's
Smoky Mountain
Christmas Carol
Part of Winter Festival
The classic Dickens tale gets a Tennessee twist in an all-new musical with a soundtrack written by the Queen of Country herself. For ages 8+.
Shows at 2.30pm, 3pm & 7.30pm (check website for specific dates & times); Queen Elizabeth Hall; £18.50 – £120
Hey Duggee: The Live Theatre Show
Part of Winter Festival
Be part of the hit CBeebies show and join Duggee and the Squirrels in this vibrant interactive production bursting with music, puppets and barrels of laughs.
The show on Thu 5 Jan at 11am is a Relaxed Performance (RP).
Suitable for all ages.
Shows at 11am & 2.30pm (check website for specific dates & times); Royal Festival Hall; £18.50 – £28.50
Friday 6 & Saturday 7
Wolf and Owl Live
Romesh Ranganathan and Tom Davis shoot the breeze in a live version of the no-format podcast. The event on Sat 7 Jan is Speechto-Text transcribed (STT). For ages 16+.
8pm; Royal Festival Hall; £24 – £30
Literature & talks
We are the home of literature and spoken word events in the UK, and our programme is brimming with today’s bestselling authors, rising literary stars and award-winning poetry
Until Sunday 15 Poetry Games
Explore the intersection of poetry and play by jumping into interactive games at the current National Poetry Library exhibition.
Tue, 12 noon – 6pm; Wed – Sun, 12 noon –8pm (closed Mon); National Poetry Library, Level 5, Blue Side, Royal Festival Hall; Free
Wednesday 11
Poetry Games CoCommission Launch
Celebrate the launch of a new poetry game co-commissioned with Phoenix Cinema and Arts Centre.
8pm; National Poetry Library, Level 5, Blue Side, Royal Festival Hall; Free
Sunday 15
TS Eliot Prize
Shortlist Readings
The best new poetry coming out of the UK and Ireland, read by the poets shortlisted for the celebrated prize. This event is British Sign Language interpreted (BSL). For ages 16+.
7pm; Royal Festival Hall; £12 – £15 Also available as a live stream; £7.50
Sunday 22
Out-Spoken
Masterclass: January
Pens at the ready for another edition of Out-Spoken’s poetry workshop for writers of all abilities. For ages 18+.
1pm; Sunley Pavilion, Level 3, Green Side, Royal Festival Hall; £20
Thursday 26
Out-Spoken: January
Part of Purcell Sessions
New Year’s resolution to see more live poetry and music? You’d be hard pushed to do better than OutSpoken, the monthly show offering you just that. For ages 16+.
7.45pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £12
Free events
There’s lots to see and do for free at the Southbank Centre –while you’re here, make sure you look out for our dazzling outdoor artworks and pop into the National Poetry Library
Until Sunday 15 Poetry Games
Explore the intersection of poetry and play by jumping into interactive games at the current National Poetry Library exhibition.
Tue, 12 noon – 6pm; Wed – Sun, 12 noon –8pm (closed Mon); National Poetry Library, Level 5, Blue Side, Royal Festival Hall; Free
Until Monday 30
Fred Tschida and Neon Workshops
Discover the art of neon lights through the eyes of artist Fred Tschida and Neon Workshops in this free display.
Daily, from 10am; Archive Studio, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free
Wednesday 11, 18 & 25
Southbank Centre Youth Voices
Young people aged 11 – 18 are invited to join Southbank Centre Youth Voices to discover the joy of singing with vocal leaders Nathan Devonte and Osnat Schmool.
Wednesdays during term time; 5pm – 7pm; Violet Room, Level 1, Royal Festival Hall; Free (email emergingartists@southbankcentre. co.uk to sign up)
Wednesday 11
Poetry Games CoCommission Launch
Celebrate the launch of a new poetry game co-commissioned with Phoenix Cinema and Arts Centre. Suitable for all ages.
8pm; National Poetry Library, Level 5, Blue Side, Royal Festival Hall; Free
Friday 13
Archive Drop-in
Drop in to try your hand at organising the history of the Southbank Centre. Recommended for ages 18+.
2pm; Archive Studio, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free, but ticketed
Thursday 19
Philharmonia Chamber Players: Three Trios
Three principal players from the Philharmonia Orchestra, on flute, viola and harp, join forces.
Samuel Coles flute
Yukiko Ogura viola
Heidi Krutzen harp
Debussy Sonata for flute, viola & harp; Bax Elegiac Trio; David Heath Falcon Spirit for flute, viola & harp (World premiere)
6pm; Royal Festival Hall; Free, but ticketed
Throughout the month The Hop
Jyll Bradley’s luminous public canopy links our urban landscape to the hop gardens of Kent.
Daily, 24 hours; Hayward Gallery Terrace; Free
Winter Light
Part of Winter Festival
Featuring new works and returning favourites, this group exhibition is installed across our buildings and along the riverfront, transforming our site with light and colour. This free exhibition is visible from outdoor locations around our site.
From dusk until late; Across the site; Free
Presale tickets
Get the first chance to book with priority booking.
Eye-popping art
See it all with a whole year of free entry to the Hayward Gallery.
Knockout views
Take in the Thames from your own Members’ Lounge.
Delicious discounts
Treat yourself with up to 20% off in our shops and restaurants.
Upcoming highlights
Imagine Children’s Festival
Get ready for our annual festival for children aged 0 –11 and their grown-ups: 11 days jam-packed with more than 100 events, 50% of which are completely free.
Imagine Children’s Festival turns 21 in 2023, but has no intention of growing up any time soon!
Mitsuko Uchida & Mahler Chamber Orchestra
This phenomenal partnership returns to perform two of Mozart’s last piano concertos alongside Schoenberg.
Wednesday 1 February
Abel Selaocoe & Friends:
Mokete wa Badimo
Resident Artist Abel Selaocoe, joined by friends including Dudu' Kouate and Kit Downes, explores ideas of ritual, ancestral dialogue, language and communal gathering.
Friday 24 February
You can find the very best children's theatre, comedy, music, literature, poetry, dance and, most importantly, full-on fun for families this February half-term.
Wednesday 8 – Saturday 18 February
Also coming soon
Holly Blakey Presents: Cowpuncher My Ass
A colourful and often violent tale of the Wild West, choreographer Holly Blakey’s dance show is back with the London Contemporary Orchestra performing Mica Levi’s score.
Wednesday 15 February
TAAHLIAH x LCO
Hear what happens when the London Contemporary Orchestra teams up with TAAHLIAH, an artist icing a sugary layer of pop over hard-dance bass.
Wednesday 1 February
Mike Nelson: Extinction Beckons
Our next Hayward Gallery exhibition is the first major survey of work by internationally acclaimed British artist Mike Nelson.
Wednesday 22 February – Sunday 7 May
Sheku Kanneh-Mason Plays Bloch
The Philharmonia Orchestra
Featured Artist and Southbank
Centre Resident Artist is the soloist in Ernest Bloch’s entrancing Schelomo
Sunday 26 February
Eat & explore
The Hop
It may be the depths of winter, but the green shoots of Jyll Bradley’s The Hop have stood through the cold. This outdoor installation, a luminous public pavilion sprouting from the side of the Hayward Gallery, has been inviting people under its canopy since May 2022, and is staying in place till April. In the words of Hayward Gallery Director Ralph Rugoff: ‘It’s a piece that you’ve got to explore, but there’s so much to look at that if you spend some time, it will reward your attention.’
Constructed from green and blue plexiglass and wood, Bradley’s piece recreates the specific way hops are grown in Kent. It’s a piece inspired by local history: until the 1960s, thousands of working class families from Lambeth travelled away from the pollution of
London every summer for a working ‘holiday’ in the Kentish hop fields.
Though the work was hard, the trips were a brief but treasured escape from city life. The Hop, with its limbs raised to the sun, captures that communal feeling of elation in its form. And if you’re lucky enough to visit it in the sharp winter sun, you’ll see it at its best, as its greens and blues cast coloured shadows on the grey concrete below.
Daily until April 2023; Hayward Gallery Terrace; Free
Riverside Terrace Cafe
A student hunches over their laptop, scribbles something on a notepad. One old friend rises out of their seat, greets another old friend with a warm hug and a hot coffee. Two thinkers stare across a Scrabble board. Around them, people hurry to tonight’s show. Outside, beyond the glass walls, visitors criss-cross our site, heading for an exhibition or gig, or a refuge from the cold.
This all happens at our Riverside Terrace Cafe, on Level 2 of the Royal Festival Hall, a welcoming, bustling hub that’s many things to many people – a meeting spot, an eating spot, a room for reading and board games, a place to rest and watch the world go by.
It’s a place to sip organic tea from Hope & Glory, or Union Coffee’s house blend, Camino, ethically sourced from Jaén in Peru, and roasted in east London before hitting your cup. There’s hot food too, and sandwiches, and cakes – all made in-house –plus fresh fruit and snacks to grab in a hurry, or to keep you going if you’re staying a while longer.
Mon & Tue, 10am – 6pm; Wed – Sun, 10am – 8.30pm; Riverside Terrace Cafe, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall
About us
We’re the largest arts centre in the UK and one of the nation's top visitor attractions, showcasing the world’s most exciting artists at our venues in the heart of London. We’re here to present great cultural experiences that bring people together, and open up the arts to everyone.
The Southbank Centre is made up of the Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell Room, Hayward Gallery, National Poetry Library and Arts Council Collection. We're also one of London’s favourite meeting spots, with lots of free events and places to relax, eat and shop next to the Thames.
We hope that you enjoy your visit – and if you need any information or help, please ask a member of staff.
While you're here
Eating, drinking and shopping? Take in the views over food and drinks at the Riverside Terrace Cafe, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall, and visit our shops for products inspired by our great cultural experiences, iconic buildings and central London location. And around our site you can find more to explore, with Beany Green, Côte Brasserie, Foyles, Giraffe, Honest Burger, Las Iguanas, Le Pain Quotidien, Ping Pong, Pret, Strada, Skylon, Spiritland, Topolski, wagamama and Wahaca.
Access
The Southbank Centre is accessible to all and level access is available to all of our venues. For further information and details of accessible events, see our website. southbankcentre.co.uk/access
Membership
Become a Member and get the first chance to book for go-downin-history gigs, sublime symphonies and blockbuster literature events. Members also get a discount on selected retailers and restaurants; check our website for more details. southbankcentre.co.uk/membership
Supporters Circles
Enjoy all the benefits of Membership as well as getting closer to the artists with invitations to rehearsals, openings and more. southbankcentre.co.uk/join
Name a seat
Starting from £100, dedicate a seat in one of our concert halls to your favourite person. southbankcentre.co.uk/nameaseat
Getting here
Please check our website for opening times before travelling to our venues over the holiday period.
By train
The nearest stations are: Waterloo Waterloo East Charing Cross Blackfriars
By tube Waterloo (200 metres) Embankment (600 metres)
By bus
Routes 1, 26, 59, 68, 76, 139, 168, 172, 176, 188, 243, 341, 521, N1, N68, N171, N343 and X68 stop on Waterloo Bridge (a two-minute walk away)
Routes 76, 77, 211, 381, 507 and N381 stop on York Road (a five-minute walk away)
How to book tickets
By phone
020 3879 9555*
For information about concessions, see southbankcentre.co.uk
*Booking fees apply online (£3.50) and over the phone (£4). There are no booking fees for in-person bookings, Southbank Centre Members, Supporters Circles and Patrons. Booking fees for Hayward Gallery exhibition tickets: £3 online, £3.50 over the phone.
Scan the QR code to see our full event listings.
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© John Davis
Inside cover: Víkingur Ólafsson © Ari Magg
This month's highlights: Installation view of Takuro Kuwata, Strange Clay: Ceramics in Contemporary Art at the Hayward Gallery (26 October 2022 – 8 January 2023). Photo: Mark Blower. Courtesy the Hayward Gallery; Hey Duggee: The Live Theatre Show © Licenced by BBC Studios; Dolly Parton's Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol © J Faatz Media / Corwin Wickersham; TS Eliot Prize Shortlist Readings © Herbert Vandyk, by permission of Houghton Library, Harvard University; David Ogle, Loomin, 2020. Photo: Owen Billcliffe. Courtesy of the artist; Daniel Pioro & James McVinnie © Alex Kozobolis; Poetry Games, image courtesy of the Southbank Centre
Header images: Classical music: Eric Lu © Benjamin Ealovega; Gigs: Fabio & Grooverider © kitchisme; Family: Dolly Parton's Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol © J Faatz Media / Corwin Wickersham; Art & exhibitions: Jakob Kvist, Dichroic Sphere © Christoffer Askman; Performance & comedy: Wolf and Owl © courtesy of Off The Kerb; Literature & talks: OutSpoken; Free events: Philharmonia Chamber Players, Samuel Coles © Camilla Greenwell
Upcoming highlights: Imagine Children’s Festival; Mitsuko Uchida & Mahler Chamber Orchestra © Geoffroy Schied; Holly Blakey Presents: Cowpuncher My Ass © Daniele Fummo; Mike Nelson, MAGAZIN, Büyük Valide Han, 2003. Installation view, Büyük Valide Han, 8th
International Istanbul Biennial, Istanbul, 2003. Photo credit: Mike Nelson. Courtesy the artist and 303 Gallery, New York; Galleria Franco Noero, Turin; Matt’s Gallery, London; and neugerriemschneider, Berlin. Abel Selaocoe © Parlophone Records Ltd; TAAHLIAH © Spit Turner; Sheku Kanneh-Mason © Camilla Greenwell
Eat & explore: The Hop © Photo: Thierry Bal. Dancer: Evie Webzell; Riverside Terrace Cafe © Steve Thompson
Image credits On the cover: Isata Kanneh-Mason