Festival of Britain

22 April-4 September. This year the Southbank Centre celebrates the 60th anniversary of the Festival of Britain, the annual four-month festival of British culture and artistic creativity.

Visitors can enjoy performances, talks, events, concerts and gigs by some of Britain's foremost artists. By the river on Queen's Walk is a 70-metre long urban beach with 14 bespoke beach huts, while on the rooftop of the Queen Elizabeth Hall is the Eden Project's garden.

The wildlife of the British countryside, including a giant straw fox, comes to town, while vintage funfair rides, Austin cars and a helter skelter are also available. One of the festival's most anticipated participants however is former Kinks frontman Ray Davies, who penned 1960s London classics such as "Waterloo Sunset and is now curating Meltdown.

Other figures to look out for are Tracey Emin, Lang Lang, Billy Bragg, John Berger, Meera Syal and Tony Benn. For full programme details see website.