71 upcoming art events
Still life: Splendid everyday objects
Mon, 8 Jun 2026
The National Gallery
Join a curator-led talk on 'Still life: Splendid everyday objects' at the National Gallery on 8 June 2026, part of the House Members Exhibition. Learn how ordinary objects become art as gallery staff and members discuss still life themes in a formal, intellectual setting.
Julio Le Parc
Thu, 11 Jun 2026
Tate Modern
At Tate Modern, Argentinian-born Julio Le Parc's joyful, kinetic works light up the gallery, inviting visitors to play with color, movement, and perceptual delight in contemporary art’s vibrant heart.
Blyth art Fellowship Exhibition 2
Wed, 10 Jun 2026
South Kensington
Explore the Blyth Art Fellowship Exhibition 2 at Imperial College London’s South Kensington campus, presenting the fellows’ latest artworks in a contemporary gallery setting. This indoor, all-day showcase offers a thoughtful window into emerging art practice within a university environment.
British Sign Language talk: Celebrating 250 Years of John Constable
Fri, 12 Jun 2026
The National Gallery
Join a British Sign Language interpreted talk at the National Gallery celebrating 250 years of John Constable. The accessible discussion explores Constable's iconic landscapes, his place in art history, and what his luminous skies reveal about English painting.
Rooms with a view
Fri, 12 Jun 2026
The National Gallery
Rooms with a View at the National Gallery invites visitors to engage with the House Members Exhibition through a series of talks and conversations. Expect curator-led discussions and member perspectives that illuminate the artworks and display spaces in a lively gallery setting.
Masterpieces of Spanish art: Celebrating Diego Velázquez
Sat, 6 Jun 2026
The National Gallery
Guided tours at the National Gallery celebrate Diego Velázquez’s masterworks and key figures of Spanish art. Discover iconic paintings, learn about Velázquez’s influence, and enjoy a member-focused experience in London’s premier art institution.
Zurbarán exhibition highlights: Online tour and Q&A
Mon, 15 Jun 2026
The National Gallery
Join an online tour of the Zurbarán exhibition at the National Gallery, followed by a live Q&A. A guided virtual walkthrough reveals the master’s serene still lifes and sacred canvases, with gallery experts answering questions and offering behind-the-scenes insights.
Horses
Wed, 17 Jun 2026
The National Gallery
Join a guided horses-themed tour at the National Gallery as part of the Members Exhibition. This focused walkthrough offers expert insights into equestrian artworks, with member access and curator-led commentary through the galleries.
Leather dyeing techniques for bookbinding
Sat, 13 Jun 2026 at 11:00
City Lit
Spend a day mastering leather dyeing techniques for bookbinding in a hands-on workshop at City Lit. Learn dye application, color layering, and finishing tricks to elevate your handmade books.
The Grand Tour
Sat, 20 Jun 2026
The National Gallery
Experience a guided tour of The Grand Tour at the National Gallery in London. This members-only tour provides an intimate look at featured works from the exhibition, with expert commentary and curated insights through the galleries.
Friday Lates discussion: Sir Gabriele Finaldi in conversation with Shirazeh Houshiary
Fri, 19 Jun 2026
The National Gallery
Sir Gabriele Finaldi engages Shirazeh Houshiary in a Friday Lates conversation at the National Gallery, exploring contemporary art.
Portrait Painting Masterclass
Sat, 4 Jul 2026 at 11:00
Dulwich Picture Gallery
Join a portrait painting masterclass at Dulwich Picture Gallery with award-winning artist James Hague. Learn colour theory, bold layering, and textured portrait techniques in a focused studio session. General £75, concessions £68; indoor session in London on 4 July 2026 at 10:00.
Frida: The Making of an Icon
Thu, 25 Jun 2026
Tate Modern
Frida: The Making of an Icon at Tate Modern pulls you into the life of Frida Kahlo, a bold, rebellious artist whose striking imagery and fierce resilience leap from the walls to inspire generations.
Life Drawing with 2b or not 2b
Sat, 27 Jun 2026 at 11:00
Dulwich Picture Gallery
Join the 2B Or Not 2B Collective for a focused life-drawing session at Dulwich Picture Gallery, exploring the human form in dialogue with the natural world. This indoor, gallery-based art workshop invites attentive drawing with £15 standard tickets, and £10 for under-30s.
Pinhole Photography with Katrina Stamatopoulos
Sat, 20 Jun 2026 at 11:00
Photofusion
Hands-on pinhole photography workshop with Katrina Stamatopoulos at Photofusion in London on Saturday 20 June. Learn the fundamentals of pinhole cameras and create your own images in a focused session; price £140.
Peter Paul Rubens
Fri, 26 Jun 2026
The National Gallery
Curator-led tours of the Peter Paul Rubens exhibition at the National Gallery (London). Explore Rubens’ vibrant Baroque paintings, learn about his techniques, and gain behind-the-scenes context through exclusive member tours.
Roseberys Auction Road Show
Sat, 20 Jun 2026 at 11:00
Dulwich Picture Gallery
Join the Roseberys Auction Road Show in the Dulwich Picture Gallery gardens this summer. Discover the stories behind cherished objects with expert insights in a relaxed garden setting. Booking slots are £5; walk-ups are free.
Stillness and splendour: Zurbarán and the art of 17th-century Spain
Thu, 2 Jul 2026
The National Gallery
Step into Zurban's stillness and splendor at MATERIAL Gallery in London, where tranquil light and austere Spanish altarpieces invite a contemplative journey through 17th-century devotion and masterful quiet drama.
Artistic rivals: Michelangelo and Raphael
Sat, 27 Jun 2026
The National Gallery
Join a guided tour at the National Gallery in London on June 27, 2026, exploring the rivalry and masterpieces of Michelangelo and Raphael. This Members Exhibition tour offers expert insights into Renaissance painting, the artists' rival dynamic, and the gallery's prized rooms.
Artemisia Gentileschi
Wed, 8 Jul 2026
The National Gallery
Join a guided, house-member tour of Artemisia Gentileschi's exhibition at the National Gallery, London. Discover her dramatic Baroque paintings and the context of her groundbreaking career through expert commentary available to members only.
250th anniversary of American Independence
Sat, 4 Jul 2026
The National Gallery
Join curator-led tours at the National Gallery London to mark the 250th anniversary of American Independence. Discover a commemorative display and related artworks with expert insights into the historical context and the collection.
Natural History Pop-up
Tue, 30 Jun 2026 at 11:00
Horniman Museum and Gardens
Explore the natural world at a hands-on pop-up inside the Horniman Museum and Gardens. This family-friendly event features interactive displays, intriguing specimens, and bite-sized activities designed to spark curiosity about natural history for visitors of all ages. Alongside the museum's gardens, discover short talks and activities to learn about biodiversity from local experts.
Curator's introduction to Waldmüller: Landscapes
Tue, 30 Jun 2026
The National Gallery
Curator-led introduction to Waldmüller's landscapes at the National Gallery, presented as an in-conversation talk exploring the exhibition's key works and themes.
Stories of Art 1800-1900
Wed, 15 Jul 2026
The National Gallery
Stories of Art 1800-1900 at MATERIAL Gallery invites everyone into a participatory look at 19th-century art, where courses unfold like guided explorations through color, form, and era.
Rembrandt
Wed, 15 Jul 2026
The National Gallery
Join member-only guided tours exploring Rembrandt’s masterpieces at the National Gallery. This exclusive access offers curator-led commentary on select paintings within the House Members Exhibition, highlighting Dutch master techniques and historical context.
Ana Mendieta
Wed, 15 Jul 2026
Tate Modern
Experience Ana Mendieta's powerful works at Tate Modern, where her pioneering performance and earth-body sculpture reshape contemporary art and linger in the gallery's vast light.
Objects as portraits: Still life oil painting summer school
Wed, 22 Jul 2026
The National Gallery
Objects as portraits still life oil painting summer school at MATERIAL Gallery in London invites artists to give everyday items a soulful glow through hands-on practice and playful exploration.
Light, water, air: Watercolour landscape painting course
Fri, 17 Jul 2026
The National Gallery
Light, water, air bursts into MATERIAL Gallery as a watercolour landscape course invites beginners and seasoned artists to explore translucent washes, moody horizons, and tactile pigments within a bright London studio.
Leonardo's 'Paragone'
Sat, 18 Jul 2026
The National Gallery
Join a curator-led tour of Leonardo's Paragone at the National Gallery, limited to House Members. This indoor walkthrough offers exclusive context on the painting-vs-sculpture debate, guiding you through the exhibition's highlights and enabling close looking at masterworks.
Fashion in painting: Symbols, status and changes in dress
Tue, 7 Jul 2026
The National Gallery
Delve into how fashion and dress are depicted in painting, exploring symbols of status and changing wardrobes across eras. This National Gallery talk traces how artists encode identity, power, and social shifts through garments, sparking a lively discussion of art and fashion history.
Acton Depot Open Weekend
Fri, 3 Jul 2026
Acton, London
Open weekend at Acton Depot: explore the working museum storehouse and view hundreds of treasures during a special public weekend.
Queer Diary: Zine-Making Evening
Thu, 6 Aug 2026 at 19:00
London LGBTQ+ Community Centre
Join the Queer Diary team for an evening of nostalgia, collage, and zine-making at the London LGBTQ+ Community Centre. Create your own personal Queer Teenage History zine, doodle your coming-of-age story, and share space with a friendly queer crowd while a throwback soundtrack plays.
Drag King Life Drawing Workshop
Sun, 5 Jul 2026 at 16:30
London LGBTQ+ Community Centre
Join a Drag King life-drawing workshop at the London LGBTQ+ Community Centre. Models perform as drag kings under timed poses, offering artists of all levels a fresh way to study form and performance. Inclusive, supportive sessions encourage experimentation and capturing the essence of drag through art.
Venice unmasked: Canaletto and the portrait of a city
Thu, 23 Jul 2026
The National Gallery
Join a focused talk at the National Gallery exploring Canaletto’s view of Venice and how the city is portrayed in 18th-century painting. The session features expert-led conversations from curators and historians, revealing hidden details of cityscapes, light, and civic life in this celebrated exhibition.
Creative connections: Experience art through music
Fri, 10 Jul 2026
The National Gallery
Join a thoughtfully curated talk at the National Gallery as part of the House Members Exhibition. Creative connections explore how music can illuminate visual art, with conversations from curators and artists that reveal cross-disciplinary insights and new ways to experience paintings and sound.
LGBTQ+ Life Drawing Class
Fri, 3 Jul 2026 at 19:00
London LGBTQ+ Community Centre
A welcoming LGBTQ+-focused life drawing class at the London LGBTQ+ Community Centre. Led by Kai Kathleen (they/them), this session uses LGBTQ+ models and guided prompts to explore figure drawing, shading, and expressive line work. Basic materials are provided; attendees must be 18+; you may bring your own supplies.
Titanic Exhibition London
Sat, 25 Jul 2026 at 10:00
Olympia London
Titanic Exhibition London at Olympia London offers a rich, immersive journey through the famed voyage. View meticulously curated artifacts, reconstructed scenes, and interactive displays that bring maritime history to life for adults and families alike in an iconic West London venue.
Sculpture in the City
Thu, 16 Jul 2026
Bank
A free walking trail of public art through the City of London, Sculpture in the City brightens the corporate end with 18 striking works in its 12th edition, inviting curious strolls and big ideas.
Odyssey: An epic exploration of the collection
Fri, 10 Jul 2026
The National Gallery
Take an exclusive tour at the National Gallery exploring highlights from the collection. Odyssey invites house members to a guided, insider look at renowned works, with expert context and fresh perspectives. A thoughtful, museum‑grade experience for serious art lovers.
The life and times of William Hogarth
Wed, 22 Jul 2026
The National Gallery
Explore the life and times of William Hogarth at the National Gallery with a dedicated members-only tour. This exhibition delves into Hogarth's 18th-century satirical painting and portraiture in a refined gallery setting.
Kew’s New Carbon Garden
Sat, 25 Jul 2026
Kew Gardens
Kew Gardens in London unveils the Carbon Garden, a permanent outdoor installation that blends planting and innovative design to showcase sustainable urban gardening.
Broken, Burnt, Buried: Ritual Lives of Objects in Ancient Egypt
Wed, 22 Jul 2026
University College London (UCL)
Explore how ritual objects illuminate life, death, and belief in ancient Egypt at UCL's Museums and Collections. The exhibition traces votive offerings, vessels, and other artifacts through hands-on context and expert interpretation, offering fresh perspectives on material culture.
Portrait of a City: A Century of American Photography
Tue, 28 Jul 2026 at 11:00
Dulwich Picture Gallery
Step into a century of American urban life through iconic photographs at Dulwich Picture Gallery. Portrait of a City traces how photographers captured people and spaces that built modern cities, offering a vivid, immersive view of American urban life.
Beyond the body: From drawing to sculpture summer school
Fri, 4 Sept 2026
The National Gallery
Beyond the body: From drawing to sculpture summer school at MATERIAL Gallery in London offers hands‑on art making for everyone, guiding curious creators from sketch to sculpture in a welcoming space.
Tracey Emin: A Second Life
Mon, 31 Aug 2026
Tate Modern
Explore Tracey Emin's intimate, confessional universe in a wide-ranging exhibition at Tate Modern. Tracey Emin: A Second Life surveys provocative installations and text works, inviting reflection on memory, vulnerability, and identity in a landmark London show.
Cleopatra: The Experience
Mon, 31 Aug 2026 at 10:00
ExCeL London
An immersive Cleopatra experience at ExCeL London that transports visitors to ancient Egypt with interactive displays, atmospheric rooms, and storyteller-led scenes. A cinematic, photo-friendly exhibit celebrating Cleopatra's history and allure.
Hurvin Anderson
Sun, 23 Aug 2026
Tate Britain
Experience Hurvin Anderson's intensely colourful paintings at Tate Britain. This exhibition surveys his vibrant explorations of memory and identity, blending bold palettes with nuanced landscapes in a striking gallery setting.
Paulo Nimer Pjota: Encantados
Sun, 23 Aug 2026 at 11:00
South London Gallery
Free contemporary art exhibition Encantados by Paulo Nimer Pjota at South London Gallery. The indoor show features immersive installations and sculptural works blending magical realism with contemporary practice, opening Aug 23, 2026.
Grand Designs Live London
Mon, 31 Aug 2026 at 10:00
ExCeL London
Grand Designs Live London at ExCeL invites design and home-improvement enthusiasts to explore the latest in architecture, interiors and renovation. Expect expert talks, live demos, and showroom booths from top brands, making it a must-see for homeowners and designers alike.
Marie Antoinette Style at the V&A
Sun, 20 Sept 2026
South Kensington
Sweep into the V&A South Kensington for the UKs first Marie Antoinette exhibition, tracing origins and revivals of the queen style through opulent gowns, shimmering silks, and dazzling period rooms.
Queer Diary: Zine-Making Evening
Thu, 5 Nov 2026 at 18:00
London LGBTQ+ Community Centre
Join the Queer Diary team for an evening of nostalgia and hands-on crafting at the London LGBTQ+ Community Centre. Create your own personal zine—collage, letters, drawings, and a coming-of-age theme—while a friendly queer crowd shares a throwback soundtrack. No prior experience needed; all supplies provided.
The 90s
Thu, 8 Oct 2026
Tate Britain
The 90s at Tate Britain invites you into a decade of bold creativity and rebellious spirit, weaving provocative art with Tate’s grand spaces into a tactile, time-traveling stroll.
Light and Magic: The Birth of Art Photography
Wed, 14 Oct 2026
Tate Modern
Step into Tate Modern for Light and Magic, a vivid tour of pictorialism—the birth of art photography—tracing its globe-spanning rise from 1880s studios to 1960s galleries, with lush textures, daring visual poetry, and iconic moments.
Anish Kapoor
Sun, 18 Oct 2026
Hayward Gallery
Anish Kapoor's imposing, velvet-dark forms fill the Hayward Gallery's luminous spaces in London, turning color and scale into a meditative, awe-filled encounter with contemporary sculpture.
Hokusai: Thirty-six views of Mt. Fuji from the Iuchi Collection
Tue, 20 Oct 2026 at 11:00
Dulwich Picture Gallery
Explore Hokusai's Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji from the Iuchi Collection at Dulwich Picture Gallery. This focused exhibition reunites the complete series, inviting visitors to study Fuji’s changing moods, the precision of line, and the drama of seasonal landscapes in a world-class display.
The Jewellery Show
Wed, 2 Sept 2026 at 10:00
Olympia London
The Jewellery Show arrives at Olympia London on 2 September 2026, opening at 9:00, a premier trade exhibition for jewelry designers, retailers, and makers. Explore hundreds of collections, meet suppliers, and gain industry insights in this dynamic indoor venue.
Sabine Moritz
Wed, 7 Oct 2026 at 11:00
Garden Museum
A solo exhibition by Sabine Moritz at the Garden Museum from 7 October to 20 December 2026. The show presents Moritz's distinctive artworks in a garden-adjacent museum setting, offering a fresh look at contemporary art through botanical-inspired spaces.
Acton Depot Open Weekend
Fri, 18 Sept 2026
Acton, London
Not normally open to the public, Acton Depot Open Weekend invites visitors behind the scenes of a working museum storehouse, revealing hundreds of thousands of treasures tucked away in the depot’s sprawling archive.
Vanessa Bell & Duncan Grant
Thu, 12 Nov 2026
Tate Britain
Vanessa Bell & Duncan Grant spark Tate Britain with a Bloomsbury duet show, a vivid exploration of color, pattern, and intimate dialogue between two artists from the famed group.
Paper & Tissue Show
Mon, 31 Aug 2026 at 10:00
ExCeL London
Experience the Paper & Tissue Show at ExCeL London, a design-forward art exhibition highlighting innovative paper crafts, tissue art, and packaging ideas. Discover immersive installations, live demonstrations, and designer talks that celebrate material versatility within a bright, modern expo hall.
Charlie Mackesy: The Boy, the Fox, the Mole, the Horse... And You
Tue, 3 Nov 2026 at 10:00
Dulwich Picture Gallery
Explore Charlie Mackesy's magical drawings in a dedicated one-room exhibition at Dulwich Picture Gallery. This intimate display brings together iconic scenes from his books and invites reflection on kindness and courage, included with standard gallery admission.
The Land Carries
Sat, 7 Nov 2026
University College London (UCL)
Explore landscape, memory, and material traces in a major UCL Museums and Collections exhibition. The Land Carries runs from 7 November 2026 to 16 May 2027, presenting works across sculpture, photography, and installation media in the university’s museum spaces.
Hyakkō: 100+ Makers from Japan
Thu, 3 Dec 2026
The Kensington
Hyakkō lands in Kensington, a vibrant celebration of contemporary Japanese craft, where clay, glass, wood, leather, metal and bamboo converge in a living mosaic from 120+ artists, craftspeople and designers, in a Kensington gallery glowing with warm spotlights and tactile install
See The Glorious Gloriana at St Katharine Docks
Thu, 31 Dec 2026
St Katharine Docks, E1WPrices: Free
View the ceremonial royal barge Gloriana moored at St Katharine Docks, a Jubilee-era icon now open for public viewing. This free, dockside glimpse lets Londoners admire the historic vessel and enjoy the marina setting near the Tower of London.
Monet: Painting Time
Thu, 25 Feb 2027
Tate Modern
Monet: Painting Time at Tate Modern offers a focused look at Claude Monet’s masterpieces, tracing his evolving brushwork and light across iconic canvases. Housed in Tate Modern’s dramatic spaces, the exhibition invites visitors to immerse themselves in the painter’s late-19th to early-20th century vision.
Sonia Boyce
Wed, 24 Mar 2027
Tate Britain
Explore the powerful and playful works of Sonia Boyce at Tate Britain. This exhibition surveys the groundbreaking British artist's contributions to contemporary art, inviting reflection on race, identity, and collaboration within the gallery's historic spaces.
Historical Highlights Tours at Somerset House
Mon, 21 Dec 2026
Temple
Step into London's hidden past with Historical Highlights Tours at Somerset House—an upgraded one-hour journey through grand arches, intimate courtyards and surprising histories, guided by expert storytellers who bring the building to life.
Aquarium
Sat, 26 Dec 2026 at 10:30
Horniman Museum and Gardens
Explore the Horniman's Aquarium exhibit inside the museum's halls, where vivid tanks showcase diverse marine life and interactive displays spark curiosity for visitors of all ages. A family-friendly, immersive outing that blends science and wonder in a welcoming London venue.
Thomas Gainsborough
Thu, 20 May 2027
Tate Britain
Explore Thomas Gainsborough's refined portraiture at Tate Britain in an exhibition that traces the painter's glamorous society portraits and elegant salon scenes in a London setting.
Two Centuries Here: The UCL200 exhibition
Thu, 18 Feb 2027
University College London (UCL)
A university-curated exhibition at UCL marking two centuries of the institution (UCL200). Explore historical artifacts, milestones, and scholarly displays spanning 18 Feb–31 Jul.
Wednesdays Pop-Up Displays: Amongst Visions
Thu, 14 Jan 2027
University College London (UCL)
The Wednesdays Pop-Up Displays program showcases visual art in a rotating, pop-up format at UCL's Museums & Collections. 'Amongst Visions' gathers contemporary works installed across university spaces, running from 14 January to 1 April, inviting students, staff and visitors to experience evolving displays each week.