Discover an eclectic schedule of art, cinema, dance, music and theater events at one of the largest performing arts centers in Europe.
The Barbican Arts Centre is a multilevel cultural center and a one-stop venue for wide-ranging performing arts events. It is a place to experience and be inspired by the talents of exceptional artists and artistic organizations. The Barbican Arts Centre is home to a cinema, concert halls, galleries and theaters in addition to bars, cafés and restaurants. Queen Elizabeth II inaugurated the center in 1982 and it is billed as a gift to the people from the city of London.
There is something to suit almost all tastes at the center. Attend recitals by the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the London Symphony Orchestra. Watch performances by contemporary musicians such as the South African pianist Abdullah Ibrahim and the Japanese drumming ensemble, Kodo. Delight in interpretations of Baroque and classical music by the Academy of Ancient Music.
Peruse the traveling exhibitions on display at the Barbican Art Gallery. Admire works by Turner-prize winning artists and discover a celebration of the influential 20th-century designers Charles and Ray Eames. Find more art on display at The Curve gallery.
Enjoy performances of Shakespearean plays by the Royal Shakespeare Company at the Barbican Theatre. Encounter experimental theater, such as interactive puppet shows, at the intimate The Pit. See everything from the latest Hollywood blockbusters to independent movies and 3-D screenings at the center’s cinema.
Spend some time appreciating the center’s architecture, which displays a prominence of the Brutalist movement of the mid-1900s. Learn about the history of the building, its architects and astonishing facts on guided architecture tours.
Situated to the north of London’s City of London neighborhood, the Barbican Arts Centre is easily accessible via public transport. The Tube stations Barbican and Moorgate are just a short walk from the center. The center has an on-site car park, for which fees are applicable.
The center is open daily and admission is free, although fees apply for individual exhibitions and shows. A full schedule of events, talks and workshops is available on the center’s official website.
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