Free Art Events in London

Sculpture in the City

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 · All day

Bank

Art

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.

Leonardo's 'Paragone'

Sat, 18 Jul 2026 · All day

The National Gallery

Art

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.

The life and times of William Hogarth

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 · All day

The National Gallery

Art

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.

Broken, Burnt, Buried: Ritual Lives of Objects in Ancient Egypt

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 · All day

University College London (UCL)

Art

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.

Kew’s New Carbon Garden

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 · All day

Kew Gardens

Art

Kew Gardens in London unveils the Carbon Garden, a permanent outdoor installation that blends planting and innovative design to showcase sustainable urban gardening.

Queer Diary: Zine-Making Evening

Thu, 6 Aug 2026 at 19:00

London LGBTQ+ Community Centre

Art

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.

Paulo Nimer Pjota: Encantados

Sun, 23 Aug 2026 · All day

South London Gallery

Art

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.

Queer Diary: Zine-Making Evening

Thu, 5 Nov 2026 at 18:00

London LGBTQ+ Community Centre

Art

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 Land Carries

Sat, 7 Nov 2026 · Time TBD

University College London (UCL)

Art

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 · All day

The Kensington

Art

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

Aquarium

Sat, 26 Dec 2026 · All day

Horniman Museum and Gardens

Art

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.

See The Glorious Gloriana at St Katharine Docks

Thu, 31 Dec 2026 · Time TBD

St Katharine Docks, E1WPrices: Free

Art

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.

Wednesdays Pop-Up Displays: Amongst Visions

Thu, 14 Jan 2027 · Time TBD

University College London (UCL)

Art

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.

Two Centuries Here: The UCL200 exhibition

Thu, 18 Feb 2027 · Time TBD

University College London (UCL)

Art

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.

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