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.
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.
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.
WHEN & WHERE: 25 Aug to 18 Sep at HENI Project Space, Hayward Gallery
The Hayward Gallery's HENI Project Space presents a free multimedia exhibition from the Taiwanese artist Musquiqui Chihying. Serving up both humour and societal critique to explore themes of urban life and technological advancement, the exhibition brings together four works by Musquiqui Chihying, showcasing his imaginative, idiosyncratic and quietly provocative practice.
WHEN & WHERE: 16 Oct to 29 Nov at Queen Elizabeth Hall Undecroft exhibition space (behind the SkatePark)
From over 7,500 entries received from prisons across the UK, around 200 artworks have been selected for display at this free annual exhibition, that this year is curated by young curators who themselves have experienced parental imprisonment. Reflecting on their own experiences, the young curators explain that; "we want people going through the exhibition to think differently about what it means to grow up with a parent in prison. We want visitors to remember that everybody in prison was once a child too, and they are not just the sum of their sentence." Open 12pm–8pm, closed Mon.
WHEN & WHERE: From 20 July until end of September at Bankside Hotel
The latest exhibition at Bankside Hotel's White Box gallery space explores the relationship between fine art, textiles, craft and design. Bringing together five contemporary artists, including three former Bankside Hotel Artists in Residence, the exhibition celebrates material as both medium and message, featuring layered surfaces, sculptural textiles, hand-finished details and experimental techniques. Note that the gallery is located inside the hotel and exhibition times can vary, so it is worth calling ahead to confirm times at: 020 3319 5988.
WHEN & WHERE: 16–23 Oct The Old Crypt at St John's Waterloo
Coinciding with this year's Frieze week, this free exhibition shows major works by the late Anthony Lawrence, whose distinctive work blends classical technique, pop-cultural wit, and poetic imagination. In particular, this exhibition shows major works that speak to prominent themes throughout the artist's career such as Dante, Tannhäuser and the Damned Demoiselles, portraiture, and spirituality, including several works from private collections.
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: Monthly Thursdays at the Queen Elizabeth Hall foyer, Southbank Centre
The Southbank Centre's futuretense series is all about showcasing the best new British and international music, giving you the chance to discover artists on the up, and find your next musical obsession – for free!
FRI 2 OCT, 9.30pm | futuretense x DOTWAVNOTWAVE
UK hip-hop takes over as the London music platform presents 0RACL3 live with her band
WHEN & WHERE: 14 to 22 Nov at Clore Ballroom in Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre
In addition to a thrilling two-week lineup of major jazz performances happening across Southbank Centre's concert halls, music fans can also look forward to two weekends of brilliantly curated afternoon jazz parties happening in Royal Festival Hall's Clore Ballroom.
Sat 14 Nov, from 12pm until 7:30pm | South Asian Jazz
Celebrate the influence of South Asian musical traditions on the evolution of UK jazz, from pioneering artists to a new generation of boundary-pushing musicians.
Sun 15 Nov, from 2pm until 7pm | Sound Lines: Voice and Percussion
Dive into the global traditions of vocal and percussive music, passing through Brazilian jazz, Colombian bullerengue rhythms and Portuguese polyphonic choirs.
Sun 22 Nov, from 12.30pm until 7pm | Homegrown
Rooted in London’s jazz scene but taking influence from all over the world, Homegrown presents a line-up of artists making waves in the industry and celebrates the youth organisations who support and develop this community.
From boutique craft markets where you can shop for the very best locally-made artisanal gifts to colourful interactive pop-ups and brand activations, there's always something different to look out for.
WHEN & WHERE: Sun 11 Oct at Leake Street
Passyunk Avenue's tailgate parties are the stuff of legend, and for a Philadelphia-themed dive bar, tailgates don't get much bigger than those welcoming the Philadelphia Eagles – in town to play the Jacksonville Jaguars at the 2026 NFL London Games. Expect the very best of Philly hospitality throughout the afternoon and evening with a huge screen in the Leake Street graffiti tunnel, live entertainment, mobile bars and classic Philly food from a pop-up Reading Terminal Market. The match kicks off at 2:30pm.
WHEN & WHERE: Sun 25 Oct from 12pm-5pm at Between the Bridges
SoLo Craft Fair, a collective of 60+ independent small makers and artisans from south London, returns to South Bank for a fun Halloween weekend pop-up edition of their market at Between the Bridges. Shop for gifts and support small local businesses in a lively and friendly atmosphere, and enjoy food and drinks from the many bars and stalls in the Between the Bridges courtyard afterwards.
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.
Known for his reportage work, for most of his career the late British-Polish artist Feliks Topolski created his art from a studio inside one of the arches beneath Hungerford Bridge next to the Southbank Centre. The Topolski Studio is now part of a charity and archive run by his family, who host regular salon evenings and talks, bringing people together to explore art, archiving and join in the conversation with the studio's resident artists and archivists.
Upcoming talks and open studio events include:
TUE 6 OCT, 6PM–8PM
Home, Studio, Archive: exploring Feliks Topolski's life, work & legacy
Join Archivist Cecilia Borgenstam in a conversation with Dr. Sue Breakell and Dr. Harriet Atkinson, exploring how space and materiality impact the provenance of artist archives, and examining how artist workspaces can function simultaneously as sites of creative production and living repositories for their own history. Entrance is Free, but booking is essential.
THU 15 OCT, 5PM–7PM
Open Studio & New Artist Residency Launch
Taking place during Frieze 2026, this event sees the launch of a new Artist Residency, inspired by Topolski's legacy of observational artwork, championing the role of the Citizen Artist, and the artist’s eye on society. Entrance is Free, but booking is essential.
WHEN & WHERE: 8–19 Oct at BFI Southbank
The BFI's annual London Film Festival boasts an extensive free events programme packed with talks and discussions, as well as short film screenings and DJ nights.
There are dozens of events on the schedule, and with the exception of their weekend DJ nights at the BFI Bar, you need to book your free tickets in advance. Tickets are over-allocated to compensate for no-shows and if you arrive early it can be possible to snap up a free ticket to a talk on the day.
This year’s free talks and workshops delve into a fascinating array of topics, ranging from the power of storytelling and changing representations on screen to disability, identity, gaming, internet culture, documentary filmmaking and the future of cinema.
There are more than 40 LFF For Free events on the programme this year. You can view the full lineup of free events here.
WHEN & WHERE: Sat 24 Oct from 11am at the Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer, Southbank Centre
The National Poetry Library’s annual poetry day features readings and a workshop, and shows off the collection’s hidden gems. Highlights of the day's free events programme include readings and performances by poets from the Southbank Centre’s New Poets Collective (from 1:30pm) and drop-in poetry writing workshops throughout the day. Free event with no tickets required!
WHEN & WHERE: Sat 24 Oct from 3pm at Clore Ballroom, Southbank Centre
Curated by Dua Lipa's Service95 Book Club as part of this year's London Literature Festival, Play, get down to the Clore Ballroom to explore and be creative with an afternoon of activities from the team behind the Authors of the Estate storytelling movement, artist André Anderson, Abdou Cissé and Nabil Al-Kinani.
Sun 25 Oct, from 10.30am at Purcell Room, Southbank Centre
Writers, publishers and literary professionals share hints, tips and initiatives in a day of talks and panel events as part of the free programme at this year's London Literature Festival. The day includes short talks from Creative Future and other leading writing development agencies, followed by panel events with Q&As, including with successful self-published authors from under-represented backgrounds, poetry publishers and literary agents.
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 21 Oct, 6pm | Inky Poems
Play with words and stamp-making to help create a giant, collaborative visual poem in this London Literature Festival edition of Creative Encounters.
Wed 28 Oct, 6pm | Manifesto Library
Join artist Zoe Thompson for an evening of making inspired by Livraria Lello’s Manifesto Library: a permanent library of books challenging power and censorship.
Wed 11 Nov, 6pm | String Looping
Find your rhythm as you learn the ancient, meditative art of looping to handcraft your own mini baskets using yarn.
Wed 18 Nov, 6pm | We Knead to Talk
Fold your memories and stories of home and food into little dumpling charms crafted from salt dough, at a playful craft workshop from SPILLLL Collective.
Wed 9 Dec, 6pm | Tin Embossing
Gather round this winter and create your own delicate hanging decorations inspired by the Southbank Centre’s iconic architecture, with artist Phoebe Kaniewska.
Wed 16 Dec, 6pm | Matchbox Canvases
Design and make your own beautiful keepsake inspired by vintage South Asian matchboxes and take home a pocketful of potential.
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: Fri 30 Oct, from 10.30am to 12pm at Clore Ballroom, Southbank Centre
Use art, play and imagination to explore what home means to you and your family at a workshop inspired by Jacqueline Wilson’s The Bed and Breakfast Star and led by theatre company Cardboard Citizens. The workshop is aimed at kids aged 5+. All material is provided and no prior booking is required.
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.
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.
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.
One of the largest libraries of its kind in the world, the state-of-the-art Lambeth Palace Library is home to The National Library & Archive of the Church of England, a collection which contains tens of thousands of books, maps, manuscripts, letters and other written materials, some of which are 1,000 years old! The library is free to visit and hosts free temporary exhibitions that highlight treasures from the library’s collection, as well as free evening lectures (space is limited so make sure to book). See what's on here.
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!
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.
Next to the London Eye, take time out from the crowds with a picnic on the lawns at Jubilee Gardens. Behind the iconic Oxo Tower is the pretty Bernie Spain Garden and 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.
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.
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 opportunity to see world-class shows for just a tenner – definitely worth setting an alarm for!
You don't need to spend a fortune to enjoy a great day out sightseeing in South Bank.
