Highlights of the festival include Africa Utopia led by Baaba Mal, Poetry Parnassus led by Simon Armitage and the triumphant return of Gustavo Dudamel and the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra.

The site will be at its most vibrant with installations around every corner, including the reopening of the Queen Elizabeth Hall roof garden, an urban beach with a twist and the return of the E4 Udderbelly.

There has never been a better time to hold your event at Southbank Centre.  Alongside this amazing artistic programme we have a number of unique spaces available for hire for receptions and private dining, award ceremonies and graduations, conferences and meetings, weddings and private parties.  And if you are looking to combine your event with watching the Games live, you can also benefit from:

• Excellent transport links to the Olympic Zones
  o            25 mins Waterloo to Stratford via Jubilee Line
  o            Within walking distance of the Central Zone (volleyball, archery, triathlon)
  o            On river (Festival Pier), for River Zone
  o            Overland train Waterloo to Windsor for Eton Dorney rowing
• Proximity to large hotels (Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, Park Plaza County Hall, Park Plaza Riverbank, Marriott County Hall)
• Views of iconic London landmarks and the River Thames
• Flexible event spaces, accommodating from 20-2500

For more information on hiring a venue at Southbank Centre contact the events team on 020 7921 0702 or http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/venuehire

For more information on the Festival of the World http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/world