Events, Festivals and Exhibitions

London’s Southbank winter festival returns to the UK capital on 28 October, running through to the New Year. The Southbank Centre Winter Festival is a highlight of the winter season in London and includes plenty of free events.

Part of the great features of this London festival is that you can enjoy it while taking a London Southbank walk beside the Thames. On the way you will pass pop-up bars, twinkling markets and free shows, as well as great outdoor artworks and fun for all the family.

Drink and eat at the Winter Market from 2 November until Boxing Day. Make sure to warm up with some mulled wine.

Try some curling at The Curling Club pop-up. Or if that sounds to active them why not toast some marshmallows at Jimmy’s.

Winter Festival Shows and Art

Amongst the many events during the festival will be performances of Nutcracker (28 October to 6 January), as well as Reuben Kaye: The Butch is Back (8 to 30 December) in the Purcell Room with the eponymous Australian comedian. For more festive cheer, enjoy Christmas Actually (7 to 11 December), which is curated by Richard Curtis, director of Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill and naturally enough Love Actually.

Musically, Handel’s Messiah will be performed on 4 December, with a Christmas Carol Singalong six days later. Or you can join in Five Go Jiving on Christmas Eve or the New Year’s Day Ceilidh.

Luminous Art

Outdoors there will be a free outdoor exhibition, Winter Light exhibition. The Hayward Gallery will present Hiroshi Sugimoto‘s photography while in the Royal Festival Hall, the free Koestler Arts: IN CASE OF EMERGENCY exhibition runs from 2 November to 17 December.

Free events

Although some of the above events are ticketed and charged for, many are free, including DJs, art sessions, and carol singing.

Where is the Southbank Centre Winter Festival

It is located at the London Southbank Festival on the south bank of the river Thames between Waterloo and Westminster Bridges?

When is the Southbank Winter Festival?

It runs from 28 October 2023 to 7 January 2024.

How To Get To the London Southbank Centre?

You can either take the bus or the Tube. Nearest stations are Waterloo, Charring Cross, Westminster and Embankment.

More information on the Southbank Winter Festival

If you want further information on what to do at the festival or generally at the London Southbank Centre, click here.