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 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.
WHEN & WHERE: First Fri of the month. Entrance at corner Belvedere Rd and Concert Hall Approach (beneath Hungerford Bridge)
Known for his reportage work, for most of his career the late British-Polish artist Feliks Topolski worked from a studio inside one of the arches underneath Hungerford Bridge next to the Southbank Centre. The studio is now part of a charity run by his family and hosts a monthly 'Friday Salon' bringing people together to explore art, archives and conversation with the studio's resident artist and the studio's archivist. Reserve your free ticket here.
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.
Steel pan groups from across the UK descend on the South Bank this weekend for a huge celebration of the unique sound of the steel pan band. Throughout the weekend, there are free open-air steel pan performances taking place at Southbank Centre, including:
Fri 24 Jul from 5pm | Steel Rising Youth ensembles capture the power of the steel pan as a community force at a day of free performances, each bringing a fresh perspective to pan.
Sat 25 Jul from 12pm | Steel Sounds with Just Vibez A high-energy line-up of steel pan bands from across the UK take over the Riverside Terrace, with music from traditional calypso to modern-day arrangements.
Sun 26 Jul, from 12pm | Steel Legacies In a full day of free performances on the new Jubilee Gardens stage, Southbank Centre's brings together an incredible selection of the UK’s finest steel bands.
WHEN & WHERE: 16 July to 30 August at Southbank Centre Riverside Terrace
For this summer's Riverside Terrace takeover, the Southbank Centre has handed over the reigns to the city's youth, with a packed lineup of weekend parties, performances and gigs on the Riverside Stage that have been curated by different youth-led collectives from across London including: The SORI Collective (Speaking Out, Reimagining Institutions), Kinetika Bloco, Tomorrow’s Warriors, Sounds Like Chaos, Raw Materials, Hekayyatna, Tracks on Tap, Boundless, ZooNation Youth Company, Arts Emergency, Raze Collective and Heart n Soul.
Look out for a packed lineup of free performances, music, dance, workshops, DJ parties and so much more on the Riverside Terrace every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
WHEN & WHERE: 29 June to 13 Sep at Casson Square, Southbank Place
Throughout the summer, Casson Square in Southbank Place (the complex of tower blocks behind Jubilee Gardens) hosts a summer of sports on their big screen. Relax on a deck chair with a drink and a bite to eat from one of the nearby grab-and-go chains and soak up an afternoon of summer sport. Featured sporting events on the schedule include Wimbledon, Tour de France, Diamond League Athletics, The Hundred and the Commonwealth Games. Please note this screen does not show football.
WHEN & WHERE: Fri 25 July & 28 August at The Understudy, National Theatre
Signature Brew craft beer and KERB’s Tastes Like London summer pop-up at National Theatre have joined forces to present this new free summer concert series on the riverside piazza outside the Understudy bar, bringing together independent artists, DJs and live performers on monthly Fridays throughout the summer.
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.
WHEN & WHERE: June through September in the Lyttelton Lounge at National Theatre
Showing in tandem with National Theatre's new musical Pride, this free exhibition brings together a powerful collection of historical photography on loan from Queer Britain, the UK’s national LGBTQ+ museum and charity. Documenting early Pride movements, trans pioneers, activists, politicians and cultural icons, these images capture individuals who both reflected and reshaped their times. You can find the exhibition on show in the Lyttelton Lounge, on the Lyttelton Circle foyer level.
WHEN & WHERE: 18 May to 22 July at Lambeth Palace Library
From medieval orchards to today’s vibrant ten-acre landscape, the latest exhibition at Lambeth Palace Library brings together items from the Library’s collections and everyday objects to explore how the immense Lambeth Palace Garden (located next door) has grown, changed, and connected people for over 800 years.
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: 17 June to 31 August at Southbank Centre
Jeppe Hein’s Appearing Rooms, one of the Southbank Centre'smost popular installations, returns for another summer. The dancing fountain installation sees different sections of the fountain switched on at unpredictable intervals, creating watery ‘rooms’ that kids (and adults) love to explore (especially on a hot day). Note the fountains are switched on from 10am, Wed-Sun.
Quirky free 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.
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.
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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