Site-wide installation by Sir Quentin Blake marking the 1951 Festival of Britain, with his characters inside the Royal Festival Hall and a procession outside.
Sir Quentin Blake has a site-wide installation running at the Southbank Centre through to Sunday 8 November, part of the centre's 75th anniversary celebrations. It's called The Southbank Parade, and it marks the 1951 Festival of Britain. The work is spread across the indoor spaces, and a procession of Blake's characters has stood outside the Royal Festival Hall since May.
The illustrations pay tribute to the many legends who've graced the centre's stages over the decades, while honouring the Londoners of all backgrounds who fill the riverfront each day. You'll find characters like rock stars, ballet dancers, authors, skaters, parkour athletes, dub poets and jazz singers. It's a wide cast, and the figures are scattered throughout the building, so you can pick your way through them at your own pace rather than seeing them in one go.
Every week we pick 🏆 the 5 best 🏆 things to do in London and send them to your inbox. Just one weekly email, no spam.
By submitting your email, you accept our Privacy Policy
It's a free installation, and you don't need a ticket to see it. The site is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 11pm, so it works as a quick stop on your way to something else or as a proper wander through the halls. Under-12s need to be accompanied by an adult. It's been up since February, so if you've been around the Southbank this year, you might have already spotted the procession outside the Royal Festival Hall—this is the full thing, inside and out.
Date
21 October – 8 November
Price
Free
Recommended Age
+14 years
