From hidden gardens to free exhibitions, pop-up festivals and unusual sightseeing attractions, South Bank has a wealth of different attractions that won't cost you a penny to enjoy.
Free South Bank events: Winter 2025
Note that for most free events you can just pitch up, although some events (particularly those aimed at families) tend to have more limited space and you may be required to register for your free tickets online beforehand.
Free concerts, parties & performances
From live jazz performances, chamber music concerts and open-air DJ parties to traditional dance showcases and pop-up theatre stages, when it comes to live performance, there's always something happening in South bank that you can enjoy for free. Here's a look at what's coming up this season.
WHEN & WHERE: Thu 1 Jan from 1pm at Clore Ballroom, Royal Festival Hall
Join London’s most radical and vivacious ceilidh band, the Ceilidh Liberation Front, and kick the new year off with dancing for everyone. Combining music, dance, and a sprinkling of theatrics, this is ceilidh music as you’ve never heard (or seen!) it before. This is a family-friendly experience and everyone's welcome, no prior experience or knowledge of ceilidhs is necessary. No tickets or booking is required.
Free talks, discussions & workshops
Get creative at a free arts and crafting workshop, explore the neighbourhood on a historical walking tour or join in the debate at a free lecture or discussion.
Mould the Moment - Sip Sculpt. Photo by Pete Woodhead
WHEN & WHERE: Monthly from 6pm at the Clore Ballroom at Royal Festival Hall
Join Creative Encounters for a social evening of conversation, music, art and making. Each month a different artist leads an evening of playful creativity on a different theme. All events are free and there's no need to book.
WED 17 DEC | Mingle & Mould | Pinch and coil pot making workshop with Princess Fingall WED 21 JAN | Sketch Social | Sketching, contemplation and connection with 2B or Not 2B Collective’s life drawing class WED 4 FEB|Your Stories in Colour | A beginner-friendly painting workshop with Portland N’ Pals WED 18 FEB | Exploring STINKY! Sauces | Explore the tastes of East and Southeast Asian ‘smelly’ sauces, before capturing your experience in zine form WED 25 MAR | Shadow Puppets from Kerala | Make your own Keralan shadow puppet with artist and designer Rose Antony
Free exhibitions
Many of South Bank's cultural venues, independent galleries and museums host free exhibitions throughout the year that are free to attend. Here's a look at the latest free exhibitions to explore in South Bank this season.
The 2025 Linbury Prize exhibition
WHEN & WHERE: 2 Dec until March 2026 at National Theatre
Celebrating the work of the next generation of innovative theatre designers from across the UK, the Linbury Prize for Stage Design is a showcase of exciting and original new theatre design. On display at the National Theatre, this free exhibition showcases the work of twelve designers nominated for a Linbury Prize this year. The exhibition presents original designs created for a wide range of productions, accompanied by plenty of detail from the designers, shedding light on their creative process and inspirations.
The Greeks: Radical Intervention
WHEN & WHERE: Until Feb 2026 at National Theatre
Presented in the Wolfson Gallery at National Theatre (next to the Lasdun restaurant), this richly detailed exhibition highlights the imaginative and authentic ways that ancient Greek dramas have been presented at the National over the decades. The exhibition includes costume designs, rehearsal footage, model boxes, listening stations, and digital screens, while the stories behind these objects are brought to life through recitals of ancient Greek verse, and recordings of music, speeches and dances from these past productions.
WHEN & WHERE: 18 Nov to 21 Dec at County Hall Pottery
The latest exhibition at South Bank’s independent ceramic arts gallery, County Hall Pottery, brings together 50 ceramic artists and makers from around the world. An exploration of how ceramics can shape the spaces we live in, the collection ranges from functional objects to sculptural works: lamps, stools, vessels, and tableware that sit somewhere between art and utility. All works are also for sale, making this a great opportunity to pick up some unique Christmas gifts.
Free events for families
Bring your little ones along to South Bank to join in free storytelling sessions, creative workshops and interactive activities that will spark their imaginations.
WHEN & WHERE: 8 to 24 Dec at The Sidings at Waterloo Station
This December, The Sidings at Waterloo Station is spreading some special Christmas cheer with a free Christmas grotto for the kids. Located on the upper floor of The Sidings (just after Kiehl’s and before the Lion & Unicorn), young visitors can meet Santa and his cheerful elves, share their wish lists, and leave with a special gift to take home (official pictures with Santa available for an extra cost). Entrance to the grotto is free – book your slot to visit online here.
WHEN & WHERE: Wed 31 Dec from 10.30am at Clore Ballroom, Royal Festival Hall
Start your family’s New Year celebrations early as the Just Vibez collective takes you to the Caribbean, around the globe and back to send off the year in style. This popular annual family event at Southbank Centre starts from 10:30am with the clock counting down to twelve o'clock - midday, not midnight - meaning all the family get to enjoy the New Year's Eve spirit, and get to bed at a nice early hour! No prior booking required.
WHEN & WHERE: Fortnightly on Friday mornings at the Clore Ballroom in Royal Festival Hall
Every fortnight, songwriter Emma Lee Moss performs a magical collection of songs for children at the Southbank Centre's free WordPlay sessions at the Clore Ballroom. Aimed at children aged 0-5 (and their families), WordPlay is all about the joy of words and communication, centred on sing-alongs and storytelling that let little imaginations grow. There are two sessions: the 10:15am session is aimed at children aged 0–2 and the 11:30am session is for those aged 3–5.
WHEN & WHERE: Monthly Saturdays at 1:30pm at the Clore Ballroom in Royal Festival Hall
Aimed at young families (aged 5-11), the monthly Saturday Sessions provide a fun and energetic place for kids to come together and watch a performance, make something and play with other children and their families. There is also a Relaxed Session at 11am, designed for families who would benefit from a sensory-adapted space and smaller group experience. These are free drop-in events and there's no need to book.
SAT 24 JAN | The Art of Doodling SAT 7 FEB | Ballroom Boogie with Bridgitte Aphrodite at 2:45pm, Relaxed Session poetry workshop at 11am
Quirky attractions
In addition to world-famous attractions like the London Eye, South Bank has several smaller attractions that are free to visit including some fascinating cultural spaces where you can often catch pop-up exhibitions, talks, free workshops and other interesting events.
Watch archive films at the BFI Mediatheque
Explore highlights from the world’s greatest film and TV archive in BFI Southbank’s free digital viewing space, the Mediatheque. Visitors can view over 95,000 titles from the BFI National Archive. The available film footage covers more than a century of film and TV material including news reels, feature films, TV shows and commercials. Simply choose a booth and touch the screen to start your viewing. Headphones are provided, but you are also welcome to bring your own. The Mediatheque is very popular, so we recommend arriving early to grab a space (they open from 11am Tue-Sun). Find out more here.
Go behind the scenes at Sherling High-Level Walkway
Described as central London's biggest factory, every aspect of the National Theatre's theatre production works - from metalwork, carpentry and painting to prop manufacture and rehearsals - takes place inside the theatre complex itself. You can view the theatre's workshops from the Sherling High-Level Walkway where informative exhibition boards outline the different production preparations taking place. Open 12pm-6pm on Wed and Sat, entrance via Dorfman Theatre.
The National Poetry Library(located on the 5th floor of the Royal Festival Hall) is the largest public collection of modern poetry in the world. In addition to a massive selection of anthologies, magazines and journals, the library hosts free temporary exhibitions themed around poetry and poets.
Iconic sights
They say the best things in life are free and when it comes to iconic sightseeing opportunities that won't cost you a penny, you are spoiled for choice in South Bank! Take a stroll along the river and stop and sit for a while to soak up the views.
Possibly London’s most famous riverside promenade, the Queen’s Walk is stacked with iconic views. Favourite photo opportunity stops include the world-famous views of the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, the grandeur of the London Eye and the views of St Paul’s Cathedral as seen from Observation Point in front of Gabriel’s Wharf. Read our guide to what to see on your Queen's Walk stroll here.
This 300-metre-long tunnel runs all the way beneath Waterloo Station connecting South Bank with the Lower Marsh High Street in Waterloo. Leake Street is London’s longest graffiti wall and every inch of space is covered with an ever-changing collection of street art murals. Anybody is free to leave their mark and the graffiti changes daily. A great place to take some fun photos and to watch local graffiti artists at work!
Watch the street performers
While strolling the Queen’s Walk take time out to watch the street performers. Every day brings a different collection of talented buskers, acrobats and other performers to the banks of the river. Performers can be found at the dedicated busking spots near the Southbank Centre in front of Jubilee Gardens, next to Hungerford Bridge and on the pedestrian crossings of the Golden Jubilee Bridges.
A picnic in the park
Next to the London Eye, take time out from the crowds with a picnic on the lawns atJubilee Gardens. Behind the iconic Oxo Tower is the pretty Bernie Spain Gardenand its lush herbaceous borders. A little more off the beaten track, is Archbishop's Park (once part of the expansive Lambeth Palace Gardens), where you’ll find an excellent kid's playground and some ping pong tables. The small St Thomas Gardens next to the hospital have a handful of picnic tables and benches offering some of the best views of Big Ben.
More ways to save in South Bank
While the following activities aren't all free entry, here are some more top tips on how to make the most of South Bank on a budget.
NATIONAL THEATRE FRIDAY RUSH Looking for bargain-priced tickets for the National Theatre's shows? A limited number of £20 tickets are available to purchase directly at the box office in South Bank on the day of a show from 10am. Even better yet, every Friday at 1pm £10 Friday Rush tickets are released online for each of the following week’s performances. An incredible offer worth setting an alarm for!
LAMBETH AND SOUTHWARK RESIDENTS DISCOUNTS If you are a resident of the Lambeth or Southwark boroughs you can become an OV Local member at the Old Vic, which entitles you to 20% off tickets, food and drinks at the Old Vic. Find out more here. Lambeth residents can also get £8 tickets to exhibitions at the Hayward Gallery Wed–Fri and after 5pm on Saturday, as can visitors aged under 30. Find out more and book online here.
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