Free Things to do in South Bank

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.

Undergrowth

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.

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.

Ukraine Between the Sirens

WHEN & WHERE: 11 to 18 February at Oxo Gallery

Ukraine: Between the Sirens is a solo exhibition by French photographer Laetitia Vançon, presented by art producer Yaroslove Bystrushkin and Save Art International. The exhibition showcases a selection from Vançon’s long-term series “Tribute to Odesa” (2022–2026), which documents civilian life during the ongoing war. Through intimate and compelling imagery, the series reveals a country living between air-raid sirens, uncertainty, and the persistent will to move forward.

AFRICA EVERYWHERE: Identity, Art and the Spaces Between 

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.

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, but prior booking is required.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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 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.