It is immediately in front of the Royal Festival Hall and National Film Theatre, and serves the South Bank complex.

The pier is used for summer leisure cruises between Westminster and Tower Bridge Quay operated by Crown River Cruises.

A High Speed RIB service also runs from this pier between March and November operated by Rib Tours London.

On 21 May 1991, the central section of Festival Pier collapsed.

There were no injuries, but the pier was closed for several months for repair.