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.
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: Fri 13 Mar from 7pm at Clore Ballroom at Royal Festival Hall
Improvisation makes the music and the audience brings the energy in this open jam and cross-arts performance by The Five Points Project community. The Five Points Project is a platform built to alleviate loneliness through live music and open collaboration. It’s a cross-genre, fully improvised jam session where instrumentalists, singers and rappers come together to create something truly unique.
WHEN & WHERE: Monthly Thursdays at the Queen Elizabeth Hall foyer, Southbank Centre
In collaboration with BBC Introducing, the Southbank Centre's futuretense series showcases the best new British and international music, allowing you to discover artists on the up, and find your next musical obsession – for free! Gigs kick off from 6pm and the music is an eclectic mix of everything from punk to pop, rap and metal, with two different acts playing at each edition. Acts on the upcoming schedule include:
FRI 27 FEB | Pair Pollyfromthedirt’s distinctive Northern Droll and Splitting Edges’ eclectic indie-rock blend in this electric gig.
THU 5 MAR | MISFYA’s bold, brash club sounds are paired up with Brbko’s razor-sharp vocals for a blistering double bill.
THU 19 MAR | Inspired by experimental Black artists, Hillarynx brings a fresh iteration of soul, while ROZZZQWEEN taps into r’n’b and beyond for her emotional sound.
WHEN & WHERE: Monthly Fridays in the Clore Ballroom at Royal Festival Hall. Usually starts from 3pm and lasts 3 hours
Mix & Move is Southbank Centre's monthly programme of accessible dance workshops that are typically aimed at older adults. Showcasing dance styles and dancers from across the globe, each event lets you explore different forms of dance, learn new moves and meet new people. You don’t need to be a dancer, and no experience or dance partner is needed.
Fri 30 Jan–Fri 20 Mar
Winter 2026 is Ballroom and Latin Blend season, with each monthly session led by ballroom dancer and dance DJ Jacky Logan. Learn the steps that form the foundations of popular ballroom and Latin dance styles, ranging from quickstep, waltz and jive to rumba and cha cha. Upcoming free dance workshops on: Fri 27 Feb and Fri 20 Mar. Find out more here.
17 Apr–16 June
Spring 2026 is Bollywood Groove season led by dance artist Krupa Chavda, who will be taking the room through classic footwork, traditional hand gestures, accessible adaptations and simple routines to make you feel like a pro. Catch these free dance workshops on: Fri 17 Apr, Fri 15 May, Fri 16 June. Find out more here.
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.
WHEN & WHERE: Sat 21 Mar at venues across South Bank and Waterloo
Debuting this spring, this new weekend art trail is led by Make Space Studios, a quirky artist studio collective tucked away in a hidden corner of Lambeth facing the railway tracks of Waterloo Station. This year, in addition to their annual spring Open Studio Day, Make Space Studios is organising the River Art Walk, a free initiative that invites curious art lovers to explore the lesser-known creative spaces, studios and galleries across the wider area.
Free event and activations happening in South Bank as part of River Art Walk include a free tour of Feliks Topolski's historic artist studio next to the Southbank Centre, a guided night tour exploring Leo Villareal Illuminated River illuminations on London's bridges, and free drop-in plant drawing workshops at Garden Museum with painter Melissa Scott-Miller. Find out more about what's on the programme here.
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 4 MAR | The Londoners' Printing Press | Try your hand at typography and collaborative print-making, and learn the art of letterpress with artist Theo Hersey and a DIY printing press.
WED 25 MAR | Shadow Puppets from Kerala | Make your own Keralan shadow puppet with artist and designer Rose Antony
WED 1 APR | A Shrine to the Everyday | Step into a gentle, sensory space of celebration and create your own pocket shrine with artists Vroomlab and Alysha Nelson.
WED 15 APR | Your City in Paper | Dream big and craft a mini paper palace with Assemblage Collective.
WED 29 APR | Drag Up Your Mask | Create your own papier-mâché mask and unleash the fantastical creativity of drag makeup with The Bitten Peach collective.
WED 6 MAY | Spice-Blending Stories | Create your own seasonal chai mix with researcher and artist Roo Dhissou and reflect on the stories and histories that infuse every cup.
WED 27 MAY | Beyond the Algorithm | Come down for an evening of conversation, poetry and collaboration to rediscover your curiosity away from algorithms and digital platforms.
WED 10 JUN | Create with Courage | Bring your stories, curiosity and courage for a special edition of Creative Encounters for Refugee Week 2026, in collaboration with Counterpoints Arts.
The Philharmonia Orchestra’s series of free debates around music and identity continues this season. These talks precede performances at the Royal Festival Hall and are designed to complement the orchestra's programme, lasting around one hour.
Thu 12 Mar at 6pm, Level 5 | Philharmonia debates... Composing Across Cultures
Where do we draw the line between appreciation and appropriation, who is ‘allowed’ to compose, perform and earn a living from certain kinds of music and does Western classical music with folk roots bring both genres to a broader audience, or does it dilute the original significance of the traditions that inspired it?
Sun 12 Apr at 1:15pm, Clore Ballroom | Philharmonia debates... Music & Sexuality
What impact does a composer’s sexuality have on the music they write? Does awareness of a composer’s sexuality affect a performer’s or listener’s response to their work? Join the discussion ahead of the Philharmonia’s concert featuring music by Britten, Ravel and Tchaikovsky.
Thu 7 May at 6pm, Clore Ballroom | Philharmonia Debates... Music & Mentoring
The crucial relationship between teacher and pupil creates a sense of continuity in musical interpretation. Is this always a positive thing, or are there hidden dangers
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: 28 January to 4 May at Lambeth Palace Library
Timed to coincide with the confirmation of Sarah Mullaly as the new Archbishop of Canterbury, the latest free exhibition at the Lambeth Palace Library traces the Archbishop’s role across centuries of English and global Anglican history. Featuring rare centuries-old artefacts from the Lambeth Palace (the historic home of the Archbishops) the exhibition explores the ceremony, duties and global significance of the office and the evolving responsibilities of the position.
29 January to 29 March at Garden Museum
Artist Melissa Scott-Miller celebrates the precious parks and gardens of our capital city. Painting in oils en plein air, Melissa meticulously captures the urban landscape of London, painting a vivid portrait of the verdant corners of life. Displayed in the nave of the old church that houses the Garden Museum, the canvases in this beautiful free exhibition depict the museum's delightful green spaces, as well as other green corners of London, such as public parks and gardens, and the artist's own back garden in Islington.
WHEN & WHERE: 13 Jan until 8 Mar at County Hall Pottery
For their latest exhibition, contemporary ceramics gallery County Hall Pottery presents Undergrowth, a group exhibition featuring works inspired by the layers of undergrowth beneath trees and plants. The artists featured in this exhibition explore themes of biodiversity, shelter and the cycle of decomposition, alongside metaphorical themes of the often overlooked layers of existence, ideas and processes operating beneath the surface.
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.
WHEN & WHERE: 25 February to 1 March at Oxo Gallery
This photography exhibition at Oxo Gallery marks the launch of FIFTY FOUR MAGAZINE's combined Issue 12/13 and explores African identity as lived presence, inheritance, and global belonging, moving across continents and generations. Featuring photographic works by Giovanna Aryafara, Trevor Cole, and Albert Chime, alongside contemporary reinterpretations by Kwabena Lartey.
WHEN & WHERE: 31 March to 6 April at Oxo Gallery
This Easter, artists from the Skylark Galleries collective celebrate their 30th birthday with a special exhibition at the Oxo Gallery. The exhibition showcases a range of artwork, including painting, ceramics, textiles, sculpture and printmaking, created by artists from the collective, and all works are for sale.
WHEN & WHERE: 9 to 19 April at Oxo Gallery
Sponsored by leading art pencil makers Derwent, the Derwent Art Prize is a leading award for upcoming artists working specifically in pencils. Now in its 8th edition, this year the competition attracted more than 20,000 entries from 75 countries, with a final selection of works by 80 artists on show at the exhibition.
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: 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 7 MAR | Improvising with Ascension Dance | Shake loose as Ascension Dance demonstrates the craft of improvising, showing us how to ignite imaginations to make anything and nothing into something new.
SAT 4 APR | Inspiring Exhibitions | Make your own art in response to our Hayward Gallery exhibition Chiharu Shiota: Threads of Life with artist Kirsty Reynolds.
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.
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.
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.
You don't need to spend a fortune to enjoy a great day out sightseeing in South Bank.
