As we make our way into the cosiest of seasons (Autumn, obviously), there’s no better time to flock to London’s top galleries and museums. Thanks to such institutions as the Tate Britain, the Tate Modern, Somerset House, the V&A, and the National Gallery, there’s TONS to see. Below, we’ve rounded up all the current and upcoming art exhibitions to check out in our fair city.
These art exhibitions in London encompass everything from classic works to cutting-edge modern pieces, but all offer something for the curious. Prices quoted are generally for adults in advance. On-the-day, walk-up tickets will be a few pounds more, while students and other concessionary fares may be slightly less. There are even a fair few free art exhibitions for the penny-pinchers among you here – winner, winner!
Exhibitions in London now
Until February 23, 2025
Well, if you still happen to have Barbie on the brain, you’ll be delighted to hear the news that an entire Barbie exhibition has opened at London’s Design Museum. It’s set to be a must-visit for fans of the beloved toy doll. We have the Design Museum’s Danielle Thorn to thank for the exhibition, which maps the incredible legacy that Barbie has created. To create the exhibition, the museum was granted special access to the Barbie archives in California so they’ve dug deep into the past. The exhibition features all sorts of rare and unique items giving you an exclusive look into the making of the iconic doll.
📍 The Design Museum, 224-238 Kensington High Street, W8 6AG.
🚇 Nearest stations are High Street Kensington and Kensington (Olympia).
🎟️ Price from £14.38. More info here.
Until January 19 2025
The “Van Gogh: Poets and Lovers” exhibition is a captivating showcase that explores the profound connections between Vincent van Gogh’s art and the themes of poetry and romance. The exhibition features an array of Van Gogh’s works, highlighting his emotional depth and artistic brilliance. Visitors can immerse themselves in the vibrant colours and expressive brushstrokes that define Van Gogh’s style, offering a unique perspective on his artistic journey and personal life.
📍 The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5DN.
🚇 Nearest stations is Charing Cross.
🎟️ Price from £24. More info here.
Open indefinitely
With previous locations in Amsterdam and Barcelona under its belt, Moco Museum is likely a familiar name. Home to one of the world’s leading collections of modern and contemporary art (‘moco’ stands for ‘modern contemporary’), the museum can now also be found in Marble Arch, central London. Moco Museum aims to provide an inclusive, accessible, and inspiring space for visitors and artists alike; and you can expect to see works from Damien Hirst, Keith Haring, Andy Warhol, Yayoi Kusama, Banksy, Jean-Michel Basquiat, KAWS, and many more.
📍 Moco Museum, 1 Marble Arch,
🚇 Nearest station is Marble Arch.
🎟️ Price from £19.90. More info here.
Until November 4, 2024
Fans of the iconic Infinity Room series can visit the show at Victoria Miro gallery in Islington until early November. And the best part is it’s completely free-of-charge. While the tickets for Yayoi Kusama at Victoria Miro are free you still need to book to guarantee a spot. Be sure to save the date as they’re sure to sell out quickly (although you could snag a return ticket if you’re lucky)!
📍 Victoria Miro, 16 Wharf Road, N1 7RW
🚇 Nearest station is Old Street and Angel.
🎟️ More info here.
Until April 6, 2025
As a household name, Naomi Campbell likely needs little introduction, but an entire career retrospective is sure to have crowds flocking to learn more about the fashion model’s fascinating story. In a spectacle that spans the trailblazing 40-year career of Naomi Campbell, visitors will be able to discover details from all through her career. Learn how the Streatham-born model was scouted in Covent Garden aged just 15. Marvel at her becoming the first black model to appear on the cover of Paris Vogue – aged 18 – in 1988. And dive deep into her activism and championing of creatives that ‘transcend traditional parameters of the fashion catwalk model role’ today. Visitors can clap their eyes with outfits from the era-travelling wardrobe of Naomi Campbell, including over 100 looks in the collection.
📍 Victoria & Albert Museum, Cromwell Road, SW7 2RL.
🚇 Nearest stations are South Kensington.
🎟️ Price from £18. More info here.
Until January 26, 2025
Zanele Muholi is easily one of the most critically acclaimed photographers today and this stunning exhibition, with over 260 photographs on display, presents the full breadth of their career to date. Muholi presents themselves as a visual artist who has documented and celebrated the lives of South Africa’s Black lesbian, gay, trans, queer and intersex communities. Most of their work captures moments of love, intimacy, addresses issues of oppression and discrimination and empowers non-binary people and trans women.
📍 Tate Modern, Bankside, SE1 9TG.
🚇 Nearest stations are Blackfriars and Southwark.
🎟️ Price from £18. More info here.
7. Yoshida: Three Generations of Japanese Printmaking, Dulwich Picture Gallery
Until November 3, 2024
The “Yoshida: Three Generations of Japanese Printmaking” exhibition at Dulwich Picture Gallery presents a unique exploration of the Yoshida family’s artistic legacy. This exhibition is the first of its kind in the UK and Europe and features over 75 prints, showcasing the evolution of Japanese printmaking across three generations. The exhibition highlights the work of Yoshida Hiroshi, a pioneer in the shin hanga movement, and his descendants, who have continued to innovate in the field of woodblock printing.
📍Dulwich Picture Gallery, Gallery Road, London SE21 7AD.
🚇 Nearest station is North Dulwich.
🎟️ Price from £20. More info here.
Until December 30, 2024
This impressive and immersive new exhibition takes visitors behind the mask cowl of the comic-book vigilante. Visitors descend into the Batcave itself, where they’ll find an expansive collection of original props, costumes, and vehicles from Batman’s cinematic and screen history. They’ve even got the Batmobile and Batpod from Pattinson’s “The Batman” and Bale’s “The Dark Knight” as well as plenty of photo-ops, a comic book and gaming area, and more. Bat-fans won’t want to miss this!
📍 45 Wellington Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 7BN.
🚇 Nearest station is Covent Garden.
🎟️ Price from £24.50. Get your ticket here.
Until 5 January 2025
There’s a monumental exhibition celebrating Indian art, history, and culture at the Barbican Centre, spotlighting over 30 Indian artists who captured the tumultuous changes of India from 1875 through 1998. Deep diving into themes such as urbanisation, community, gender, sexuality, and beyond, it’s a great way to explore this fascinating time in India’s history, no matter if you’re a history buff or just an admirer of the arts. For more information on this incredible exhibition, read our article here.
📍 Silk St, Barbican, London EC2Y 8DS.
🚇 Nearest station is Barbican.
🎟️ Price from £20. Get your ticket here.
Until 20 October 2024
Delve into the weird and wonderful world of hobbies at this must-see exhibition in Croydon. Come As You Are is a fabulous curation of work by hobbyists nationwide, put together by British-Gujarati artist Hetain Patel. From upholstered cars to a mind-blowing soft toy collection, each hobby represents individuality and the commitment to living life on your terms under capitalism and consumerism. For more information on this fascinating exhibition, click here.
📍 The Hobby Cave, located on High Street, CR0 1GT
🚇 Nearest stations are George Street, East Croydon, and Church Street.
🎟️ Admission is free but booking is advised. Click here for more information.
11. Turner Prize 2024, Tate Britain
Until February 16, 2025
For the 40th anniversary of the Turner Prize, the prize’s shortlisted artists will have their works showcased at the Tate Britain ahead of the winner being announced on December 3, 2024. The four artists on display are Pio Abad, Claudette Johnson, Jasleen Kaur, and Delaine Le Bas. With each artist showcasing their own eclectic style, it’s a diverse exhibition that’s sure to provoke conversation and inspiration.
📍 Millbank, London SW1P 4RG, UK.
🚇 Nearest station is Pimlico.
🎟️ Price from £14. Grab tickets and find out more here.
12. Expressionists: Kadinsky, Münter and The Blue Rider, Tate Modern
Until October 20, 2024
A group of artists, friends and early collaborators known as The Blue Rider – Wassily Kandinsky, Gabriele Münter, Franz Marc and Paul Klee – came together in the early 20th century to form ‘a union of various countries to serve one purpose’. That purpose was to transform modern art. Experimenting with colour, sound and light, Kandinsky and Münter made bold and vibrant art. The ‘Expressionists’ exhibition is a story of friendships told through art. It examines the highly individual creatives that made up The Blue Rider.
📍 Tate Modern, Bankside, SE1 9TG.
🚇 Nearest stations are Blackfriars and Southwark.
🎟️ Price from £22. More info here.
Until 2025
Calling all F1 fans and those with a need for speed, you don’t want to miss this. London’s Formula 1® Exhibition brings a giant collection of memorabilia, artefacts, rare photography, and more to ExCeL London. There’s even a chance to “experience what it’s like to sit behind the wheel of an F1 car” in a special simulator.
📍 ExCeL (Immerse LDN), 1 Western Gateway, London, E16 1XL.
🚇 Nearest station is Custom House.
🎟️ Price from £25. Grab your tickets here.
Until January 5, 2025
The V&A is showcasing 300 never-seen-before prints from 140 photographers taken from Sir Elton John and David Furnish’s private art collection. The exhibition tells the story of modern and contemporary photography across a variety of subjects ranging from fashion to celebrity, reportage, and the male body.
📍 Cromwell Rd, London SW7 2RL.
🚇 Nearest station is South Kensington.
🎟️ Price £20. More info here.
Until October 13, 2024
Now You See Us is a dazzling celebration of women artists throughout art history, all of which boldly reclaimed their visibility and further the collective representation. This beautiful showcase features an eclectic mix of paintings and works that confronted societal norms to elevate female voices in the art world. The must-see exhibit not only highlights the incredible talent of the artists, but also underscores the importance of visibility as a form of resistance.
📍 Millbank, London SW1P 4RG, UK.
🚇 Nearest station is Pimlico.
🎟️ Price £20. More info here.
Until April 2025
The art line-up at the Tate Modern is looking brighter than ever, with a radiant exhibition celebrating the renowned artist Anthony McCall currently on display at the beloved gallery. The exhibit features multiple light installations, with McCall famed for his unmatched innovation and pioneering stance on cinema, light, and installation art. For more information, check out our article here.
📍 Tate Modern, Bankside, SE1 9TG.
🚇 Nearest stations are Blackfriars and Southwark.
🎟️ Price from £14. More info here.
17. The World To Me Was A Secret, The Cosmic House
Until December 20, 2024
A postmodern masterpiece created by Charles and Maggie Jencks between 1978 and 1983, they call it an ‘idiosyncratic private house turned museum, in a residential neighbourhood.’ Situated in the affluent Holland Park, it not only served as a living space for the couple but also as a point of discussion for creatives and architectural enthusiasts alike.
📍 19 Lansdowne Walk, W11 3AH.
🚇 Nearest station is Holland Park.
🎟️ Price is £8, while students pay £5. More info here.
Until October 13, 2024
Ever wanted to go to space with the legendary, two-time Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks? Well, now you can with this fantastic new exhibition, which ‘offers a unique new perspective on humankind’s past and future voyages to the moon‘. Hanks narrates and provides an insight into all the different Apollo missions in intimate detail. Of course, this being Lightroom in King’s Cross, you can also expect some pretty epic projections and installations! Pop this on your list of art exhibitions that you can’t miss.
📍 Lightroom, 12 Lewis Cubitt Square, London, N1C 4DY.
🚇 Nearest station is Kings Cross St Pancras.
🎟️ Price £25. More info here.
19. Mantegna: The Triumphs of Caesar, National Gallery
Until 2026
Considered to be among the finest achievements in Italian Renaissance art, a total of nine exquisite canvases were painted by legendary artist Andrea Mantegna in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. For the first time ever, six of them are leaving their Royal palace abode, the UNESCO-listed Hampton Court, while the Mantegna Gallery is under renovations. This means dear reader that you can get to see them with zone one – in none other than the National Gallery we might add – plus, it’s free to enter! Win, win.
📍 The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5DN.
🚇 Nearest station is Charing Cross.
🎟️ Free! More info here.
20. Peter Kennard: Archive of Dissent, Whitechapel Gallery
Until 19 January, 2025
Celebrating fifty years of ground-breaking work that bridges art and political activism, Whitechapel Gallery has an unmissable exhibition on display devoted to the British, photomontage artist Peter Kennard. Delving head first into the dark and macabre, witness some of the most iconic and influential images of resistance and dissent to date, touching on topics and influential events like the Vietnam War, Anti-Apartheid Movement, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND), and beyond.
📍 77-82 Whitechapel High St, London E1 7QX.
🚇 Nearest station is Algate East.
🎟️ Free . More information here.
Exhibitions opening in London later this year
Opens October 25, 2024 and runs until March 30, 2025
Vogue: Inventing the Runway is the next immersive exhibition heading to Lightroom in King’s Cross. Vogue: Inventing the Runway will take a deep-dive into the history of the runway show. From the intimate couture salons of the early 20th century all the way through to the unforgettable large-scale events of the present; the exhibition will be transport viewers through locations and eras utilising Vogue’s extensive archives which date back to its very first publication in 1892.
📍 Lightroom, 12, Lewis Cubitt Square, N1C 4DY.
🚇 The nearest station is King’s Cross St. Pancras.
🎟️ More info here.
Opens October 25, 2024 and runs until April 21, 2025
Giving you a curious little insight into the magically whimsical mind of treasured film director Tim Burton is hitting London at the end of the year, coming hot on the heels of the release of the long-awaited Beetlejuice sequel. Whether you’ve been a fan of his work since Edward Scissorhands or Batman or came in fresh on the success of Netflix smash Wednesday, there’s something for all to be bowled over by at this exhibition, which is making its last stop here in London after a decade-long tour. With illustrations, paintings, and notes, you’ll be able to see beyond his work on the screen and gain a view into the artistic process of Tim Burton.
📍The Design Museum, 224-238 Kensington High Street, W8 6AG.
🚇 The nearest stations are High Street Kensington and Kensington (Olympia).
🎟️ More info here.
If you were one of the many Londoners stung by the dreaded dynamic pricing of the recent Oasis ticket-sales; we have something that might soften the blow for you. A carefully-curated collection of photographs of the beloved band are being exhibited in London, and it’s completely free to visit. From album cover photographs for their smash album Definitely Maybe to intimate snaps, it’s not to be missed if you love the Gallagher brothers and their legendary band.
📍The Town Hall Hotel, 8 Patriot Square, London E2 9NF.
🚇 The nearest stations are Cambridge Heath and Bethnal Green
🎟️ Free to visit. More info, here.
24. The Great Mughals: Art, Architecture and Opulence, The V&A
Opens November 9
We have another awesome exhibition from the V&A, but this time we’re delving into the allusive yet opulent world of the Mughal Court, South Asia’s empire from the early modern period, or as we know it, the Middle Ages. This fascinating art exhibition takes you on a memorable journey back in time through the Golden Ages of this empire, specifically during the reigns of its most famous emperors: Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan. Expect profound portraiture and paintings, incredible artistic output, and beyond.
📍 Cromwell Rd, London SW7 2RL.
🚇 Nearest station is South Kensington.
🎟️ Price is £22. More info here.
Opens 21 November 2024 and runs until 5 May 2025.
Get ready to take a trip back in time through the medium of photography, as Tate Britain prepares to unveil its dynamic exhibition The 80s: Photographing Britain. This eagerly anticipated showcase dives deep into the transformative era of the 1980s, capturing the spirit, struggles, and stories of a nation through the lenses of some of the decade’s most influential photographers, as well as some lesser-known gems. Check out our article on the exhibit, here.
📍The Design Museum, 224-238 Kensington High Street, W8 6AG.
🚇 The nearest stations are High Street Kensington and Kensington (Olympia).
🎟️ More info here.
So there you have it – a rundown of some of the best art exhibitions in London for 2024. What are you waiting for, culture vultures? Get out there and explore!
