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: 4–15 Nov at Oxo Gallery, Oxo Tower Wharf
Explore the work of 60+ makers from the Society of Designer Craftsmen in the latest exhibition at the Oxo Gallery in Oxo Tower Wharf. From neon-coloured ceramics, mosaics, jewellery and metalwork to sculptural glass and new textile and tapestry works, this eye-catching annual design showcase encompasses a range of approaches and materials.
WHEN & WHERE: 16 Oct to 29 Nov at Queen Elizabeth Hall Undercroft exhibition space (behind the Skate Park)
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: Every Sun afternoon from 15 Nov to 20 Dec at Between the Bridges
The perfect place to find unique Christmas gifts, Between the Bridges hosts this beautifully curated artisanal craft fair every Sunday during the festive season. The fair features 60+ different local makers from across south London and you can browse and buy everything from quirky jewellery and accessories to homemade candles, hand-printed gift cards, colourful ceramics, screen-printed T-shirts, unusual Christmas decorations and so much more!
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 14 Nov from2pm-5pm at Topolski Studio
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, and this space is now preserved as the Topolski Studio and archive. The latest event at this unusual artistic space is the launch of the first works from “Common Wealth”, a collaborative project led by Topolski Studio's resident artist who worked with local students on works addressing local social and environmental change and challenges. This event sees the the studio open for the afternoon to present the first works from the project. Find out more 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 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.
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: 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.
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!
Thu 10 Dec, 6pm | Fisaya + P Wavey
Feel the vibrant energy, infectious rhythms, and feel-good vibes of two London-based artists going for gold.
WHEN & WHERE: Sat 12 Dec from 12.30pm in the Clore Ballroom at Southbank Centre
Harmonies, hits and seasonal favourites are on the festive menu at a day of joyful choral performances. A mix of singing groups and choirs from across London and beyond are coming together at Southbank Centre share the joyful power of group singing. Expect seasonal classics and a mix of performances to spark festive moods all around with free performances in the ballroom throughout the day.
WHEN& WHERE: Sun 13 Dec from 5pm at Clore Ballroom, Royal Festival Hall
Tomorrow’s Warriors present their Extraordinary Winter Showcase, featuring some of the finest young jazz musicians on London’s bubbling scene. Tomorrow’s Warriors is a talent development organisation, creative producer, learning and training provider, charity and consultancy specialising in jazz. The live music showcase lasts approximately 2 hours. No tickets and booking is required!
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: Wed 31 Dec from 10.30am at Clore Ballroom, Royal Festival Hall
Start your family’s New Year celebrations early as the Just Vibez collective takes you to the Caribbean, around the globe and back to send off the year in style. This popular annual family event at Southbank Centre starts from 10:30am with the clock counting down to twelve o'clock - midday, not midnight - meaning all the family get to enjoy the New Year's Eve spirit, and get to bed at a nice early hour! No prior booking required.
WHEN & WHERE: Thu 1 Jan from 1pm at Clore Ballroom, Royal Festival Hall
Kick the new year off with dancing for everyone at this fun and free ceilidh in the ballroom at Southbank Centre. Combining music, dance, and a sprinkling of theatrics, this is ceilidh music as you’ve never heard (or seen!) it before. This is a family-friendly experience and everyone's welcome, no prior experience or knowledge of ceilidhs is necessary. No tickets or 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.
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.
