Free Things to do in South Bank

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.

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.

BFI Flare 2026 free events programme

WHEN & WHERE: 18 to 29 March at BFI Southbank

This long-running annual film festival is a celebration of queer filmmaking from around the world. Alongside the film screenings, there's a variety of events, talks, parties and exhibitions - most of which are free to attend! Highlights include:

Community Stalls and Badge Cafe
On Sunday 22 March the BFI hosts a variety of LGBTQI+ community groups, charities and non-profits showcasing their initiatives and services. There's also the opportunity to visit Ben Walters crafty Badge Cafe where you can swing by and join in the fun, putting old books and magazines to use.

Treat Yourself Well: Queerwell Workshops and PlayShops

Presented by Queerwell, the national LGBTQ+ mental health charity, the BFI hosts a range of workshops and playshops on mental wellbeing, shared histories, community and belonging. Look out for Queer Hope and Joy! (Sun 22 Mar at 12:30pm) a free creative PlayShop inspired by the AIDS quilt with participants invited to create their own bunting panels, and Queer & Neordivergent: Intersectional Identity Mapping (Sun 22 Mar at 4pm), a gentle and reflective guided visual mapping session exploring identity through a queer neurodivergent lens.

Free BFI Flare DJ Nights

Free themed DJ Nights kick off on weekends in the BFI Bar from 9pm to 1am. Join in the anniversary celebrations at the Opening Night (Wed 18 Mar) and Closing Night (Sat 28 Mar) parties, and look out for themed parties including east London's FLINTA favourites Fèmmme Fraîche (Fri 20 Mar), Club Kali (Sat 21 Mar) a queer Bollywood night with DJ Ritu MBE, Back to '86 (Thu 26 Mar) a non-stop 80s classic night with DJ Mike Menace, and Sexistential (Sat 27 Mar), an electro-pop night inspired by Robyn's new album and led by DJ Joe Egg.

Futuretense

WHEN & WHERE: Monthly Thursdays at the Queen Elizabeth Hall foyer, Southbank Centre

futuretense 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:

THU 7 MAY, 6pm Let the day melt away under the spell of Millie Mountain’s raw, authentic lyricism and Raquel Martin’s Latin-infused alternative sound.
THU 2 APR, 6pm Catherine’s subtle club-music-influenced synths and jazz rhythms pair with Sola’s expansive take on trip-hop in a truly alluring gig.
THU 7 MAY, 6pm Let the day melt away under the spell of Millie Mountain’s raw, authentic lyricism and Raquel Martin’s Latin-infused alternative sound.
THU 14 MAY, 6pm Genre-blurring R&B sounds to soothe the soul and ignite the dance floor with two sparkling talents, J P Rose and India Shan.

Mix & Move

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.

Easter at Gabriel's Wharf

WHEN & WHERE: Sat 4 Apr & Mon 6 Apr at Gabriel's Wharf

Celebrate the Easter bank holiday weekend with free live music, independent shopping, and an eclectic variety of food and drink at the quirky Gabriel's Wharf.

Head down from 12pm–4pm on Saturday 4 April with an afternoon of upbeat live music, including a blend of flamenco, classical and rock-pop by Anglo-Brazilian guitarist Billy Watman followed by a jazz and soul set led by Danusia Samal (vocals) and Ed Gaughan (guitar), who bring their jazz standards and soulful sounds back to the Wharf.

On Monday 6 April there's more live music in store with local favourite Joseph Gravil (popularly known as mex.fS) transporting audiences with his atmospheric, other‑worldly soundscapes and distinctive lap‑tap guitar style, while guitarist Nathan Osgood and harmonica player Joff Watkins close the celebrations on a high with an upbeat fusion of bluegrass and jazz.

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.

Creative Encounters at Southbank Centre

WHEN & WHERE: Monthly from 6pm at the Clore Ballroom at Royal Festival Hall

Mould the Moment - Sip Sculpt. Photo by Pete Woodhead

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 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.

Philharmonia Debates

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.

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

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.

Primate of all England: The Archbishop of Canterbury Through Time

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.

Melissa Scott-Miller: London Parks and Gardens

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.

2126: A Ceramic Odyssey

WHEN & WHERE: 17 Mar to 3 May at County Hall Pottery

Curated by artist Jihyun Kim, the latest exhibition at the leading contemporary ceramics gallery County Hall Pottery explores how ceramic practice might evolve in the next century, inviting visitors to step inside a speculative future of ceramics. Through experimental craftsmanship and innovative material languages, these artists reinterpret nature, biological systems, and organisms through clay in ways that align with bio-futuristic thinking.

Our Freedom: Then and Now

WHEN & WHERE: Fri 20 Mar – Sat 25 Apr at Southbank Centre Riverside Terrace

This pop-up exhibition brings together stories of participants who took part in 60 locally led projects across the UK, exploring what ordinary people think freedom means today, and what it meant in 1945. The featured images were captured by 22 photographers who followed each project closely, and feature a diverse range of people aged from 0 to 100, including schoolchildren, veterans and artists.

Skylark Galleries: Love of Art

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.

The Derwent Art Prize

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.

Skate Space 50

WHEN & WHERE: 30 April to 21 June at Queen Elizabeth Hall

Taking place as part of the Southbank Centre's 75th birthday programme, this new exhibition explores the 50-year history of the iconic Skate Space beneath the Queen Elizabeth Hall, a destination often dubbed 'the birthplace of British skating culture'. Hosted in an undercroft space behind the skate park itself, the exhibition looks at the five generations of the skating community who have made this place their home-from-home, portrayed through photography, moving image and sound. Entrance is free for skaters with a board, otherwise entrance is on a 'pay what you can' basis.

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.

WordPlay

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.

Saturday Sessions

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.

vSAT 4 APR | Inspiring Exhibitions | Make your own art in response to our Hayward Gallery exhibition Chiharu Shiota: Threads of Life with artist Kirsty Reynolds.

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.

Poetry at The National Poetry Library

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.

Sightseeing on the Queen’s Walk

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.

Watch graffiti artists at work on Leake Street

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!

A street acrobat performs in front of Jubilee Gardens

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 view of the London Eye from Jubilee Gardens on a sunny day

A picnic in the park

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.

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.

Pagination