Imagine Children's Festival

Now in its 22nd year, Southbank Centre's Imagine Children’s Festival is the UK’s leading arts festival for children aged 0–11 years and their grown-ups. The festival's multi-artform programme presents music, storytelling, dance, crafts, comedy and more for children and their families covering a huge variety of themes and genres.

Happening during the February half-term holidays, the festival boasts more than 130 creative, imaginative and fun-filled events on the programme – 40% of which are completely free to attend!

This is a ‘relaxed festival’, meaning visitors can enter and leave venues and events freely, and there’s also an open attitude towards audience noise and movement during the performances. The festival also features specific sensory-adapted shows, and BSL-interpreted and non-verbal performances, all designed to ensure an environment that feels inclusive and welcoming for all.

Imagine Children’s Festival 2024 highlights

From storytelling to physical theatre, interactive exhibitions and classical music, here’s a look at just some of the many highlights of the 2024 programme. Visit the Southbank Centre website for the full programme.

Starchitects: A Cosmic Adventure (15–17 Feb). Gravity-defying choreography and digital projections come together in this acclaimed show that was shortlisted for the Fantastic for Families Awards 2023.

The Sticky Dance (7–9 Feb). Families are invited to find their groove with interactive, engaging, tactile and colourful performance installations in this brand-new piece that was specially commissioned by Southbank Centre.

ZooNation's Hip Hop Half Term (11 Feb). Always a high-energy highlight of the festival, the event features, a DJ jam and an exclusive performance by the ZooNation Youth Company.

CBeebies Ocean Adventure (13 Feb). Take a deep breath and dive underwater in the concert hall submarine led by the BBC Symphony Orchestra including CBeebies favourites JoJo and Gran.

Rockaby (13–15 Feb). A classical music experience inspired by an Arabic lullaby that the Syrian composer Jaber Fayad listened to during his childhood.

YolanDa’s Band Jam (12 Feb). The Southbank Centre hosts a live version of the hit CBeebies TV show.

Shelf: The Kids Show! (13 Feb). Giggle along to the best family-oriented sketch comedy in this award-winning show that also includes an interactive workshop.

Amazing Bodies with Dr. Ronx (16 Feb). Exploring a wide range of themes from newly released literature, budding scientists are introduced to human anatomy through fascinating games and fun-filled quizzes.

Luna Loves Gardening (17 Feb). Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho and award-winning illustrator Fiona Lumbers showcase their newest book Luna Loves Gardening with a storytelling performance.

John Agard (11 Feb). Author and performance poet John Agard reads from his books including Windrush Child, When Creature Met Creature and Follow That Word.

The Mish Mash Family Trail (7–16 Feb). A new Southbank Centre commission designed by Heart n Soul Feel Good Designers, arrives as a free and immersive journey with interactive art installations.