Royal Festival Hall

The Basics

Part of the Southbank Centre—the United Kingdom’s largest arts center, comprising multiple venues—the Royal Festival Hall was built during the Festival of Britain, and was the city’s first postwar building to be granted protected status. Home to the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the venue also attracts world-renowned musicians and other performers to its stage.

Given its pride of place on the South Bank, you’ll likely glimpse the Royal Festival when sightseeing in London, whether you’re on a hop-on hop-off bus tour, a Thames river cruise, or a private driving tour. It’s also easy to book tickets to a show and go on your own.

Things to Know Before You Go

• The Royal Festival Hall’s Central Bar presents free lunchtime performances every Friday.

• Auditorium doors open 30 minutes before an event’s start time.

• The Royal Festival has several on-site bars and cafés. You’ll also find a wealth of drinking and dining options in the South Bank.

• All of the Southbank Centre’s exhibition and performance spaces, restrooms, and cafés have step-free access, and a number of assisted events are offered.

• Event tickets can be purchased over the phone, online, or at the on-site box office (credit cards only).

How to Get There

It’s convenient to get to the Royal Festival by metro: take the Northern, Bakerloo, Jubilee, or Waterloo & City line to Waterloo station, or the District or Circle line to Embankment station. The venue is also served by numerous bus lines, riverboats, taxis, and rideshares.

When to Get There

Though the Royal Festival Hall is open daily, performance times vary. The venue is particularly lively during the South Bank’s annual festivals, including the Underbelly Festival (spring and summer), Meltdown (August), and the London Jazz Festival (October).

What Else to Do in the South Bank

The South Bank is one of London’s top destinations for culture and entertainment. Check out local food trucks and vendors in the outdoor Southbank Centre Food Market, explore the SEA LIFE® London Aquarium, or take a ride on the London Eye.

Ways to explore

The best way to experience the Royal Festival Hall is to book a ticket to a concert; you can book online on the Southbank Centre website, through the London Philharmonic Orchestra, or via a reputable ticket reseller. Alternatively, stop by the venue for a drink with views of the Thames or a meal at its riverside restaurant.

Otherwise, River Thames sightseeing cruises pass by the South Bank. Some photography tours stop here for the chance to use the hall’s brutalist architecture as a backdrop.

Accessibility

The site is wheelchair accessible with a step-free entrance via a lift beside the Artists’ Entrance located on Southbank Centre Square. Wheelchair spaces can be booked in the stalls, there are accessible restrooms, and loan wheelchairs are available. Service dogs are welcome. Many accessible events are run at the venue, including performances with British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters, captioning, and audio descriptions.

Age limits

Kids under 7 aren’t allowed in classical music concerts. There may be other restrictions depending on the specific event.

What to pack

The site is cashless, so bring credit or debit cards or a device for payment methods. Opt for a small bag; the venue requests that large bags aren’t brought in, and will be subject to search.

What to wear

There are no rules, but many London concert-goers like to dress up for a performance.

Not allowed

Cigarettes and e-cigarettes, latecomers (admission can’t be guaranteed), sitting on the floor, alcohol, glass bottles, cameras

Amenities

Coatroom, eateries (bar, café, restaurant), ticket office, welcome desk for information, restrooms

Address

The Royal Festival Hall is on the riverfront South Bank in central London. It’s part of the Southbank Centre complex, which also includes Queen Elizabeth Hall and the Hayward Gallery. It’s near the London National Theatre, and is a quick stroll away from the London Dungeon and the London Eye.

Driving

If you travel here by car, you’ll have to pay the London Congestion Charge, and the ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone) fee if applicable for your vehicle. Parking is very limited in the area, so public transportation is recommended.

Public transportation

Take the tube to Waterloo station—Bakerloo, Jubilee, Waterloo & City, or Northern lines—around an 8-minute walk away. By boat, hop off at London Eye Pier and walk north, or Embankment Pier and cross the river. Multiple bus routes stop nearby, including the 59, 139, and 188 from central London.

Best times to visit

The Royal Festival Hall is typically open from 10am until 11pm, and most performances take place in the evening. Doors open 1.5 hours before a performance, and the usual etiquette is to aim to arrive at least 30 minutes in advance. Its eateries operate their own hours, so check ahead if there’s somewhere specific you’d like to stop by.

Best days to visit

The site is open Tuesday through Sunday. Typically, there is greater availability for tickets on mid-week days.

Best months to visit

The South Bank area is especially lively in the peak summer months between June and August, with more outdoor events, live music, and general bustle.

Special events

Events take place year-round, but the Summer Time series on the South Bank adds roof garden fun with street food and music at the neighboring Queen Elizabeth Hall, and summer art exhibitions around the wider Southbank Centre.