What to Expect

We’d recommend arriving 30–45 minutes before the concert begins, so that you have time to get a drink, find your seat and settle in.

Your e-ticket will be sent to you by email from [email protected] with the subject line ‘Your paperless ticket from the London Philharmonic Orchestra’ one week before the concert. Just have it ready on your phone before you arrive – we’ll scan it as you head into the hall, so there’s no need to stop by the Ticket Office.

Can’t find it? Don’t worry – just drop us a message at [email protected] before 5pm on the day of the performance, and we’ll send it again.

If you need a hand with your tickets on the night, come and find an LPO team member at the Southbank Centre Ticket Office – we’ll be there from 90 minutes before the concert begins and are always happy to help. The Ticket Office can get very busy on concert nights, so it’s a good idea to arrive a little early if you have any questions. For any last-minute bookings, please speak to the Southbank Centre staff.

There’s no dress code at our concerts – wear whatever you like!

Yes, there is a cloakroom at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall. You can find it opposite the Ticket Office in the Green Side Foyer, Level 2. It’s £2 per item, card only. The cloakroom opens about an hour before ticketed events, and closes around 15 minutes after the performance ends.

Yes, you can bring small bags into the Royal Festival Hall and Queen Elizabeth Hall. Bags that are larger than 40 x 25 x 25cm won’t be allowed into the auditoriums and must be checked into the cloakroom.

These things happen! If you do arrive late, you might need to wait until a suitable break in the performance, usually after the first piece, before taking your seat. The Southbank Centre staff will be able to advise you.

Most classical concerts last about 2 hours, including a 20-minute interval – perfect for grabbing a drink, a snack, or just stretching your legs. For more specific timings, take a look at the concert page where we list running times when available.

To ensure the best experience for everyone, we kindly ask that you don’t take photos or videos during the performance, as it can be distracting to the musicians and fellow audience members.

However, feel free to snap away during the applause – we’d love to see your photos! Share your experience and tag us on social media to let us know what you thought of the evening.

Knowing when to clap at a classical concert can sometimes feel a little intimidating, but it doesn’t need to be! Traditionally, audiences clap when the conductor and any soloists come on to the stage, and then wait until the end of an entire piece to applaud, rather than clapping between movements (the shorter sections within a piece).

If you’re ever unsure, just take your cue from those around you. And if you do happen to clap at the ‘wrong’ moment, don’t worry. We’re just happy you’re here and enjoying the music.

Yes – you can bring drinks purchased from Southbank Centre bars into the concert hall, but please be mindful of noise once the performance starts.

Not at all! You don’t need any prior knowledge to enjoy a classical concert. If you’re curious to learn more, our free programmes, pre-concert talks, or a quick read online can offer some extra context, but they’re entirely optional. Check out our programmes here.

There’s no right or wrong way to experience the music. Just come as you are and enjoy the evening!

For events at the Southbank Centre, the price of your ticket may include a £2 restoration levy, which enables the centre to care for its historic buildings.