As we’re officially in the midst of the cosiest season of them all (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!
1. As We Rise: Photography From The Black Atlantic, Saatchi Gallery
This incredible exhibition celebrates the rich tapestry of Black photography, boasting a gorgeous collection of over 100 photographs from African Diasporic culture. With an array of gripping works by Black artists from Canada, United States, Great Britain, The Caribbean, and across Africa, the show unfolds across thematic rooms that explore community, identity and power. Standout pieces include the iconic street photography from Jamel Shabazz, or Samuel Fosso’s fabulous portraiture, challenging perceptions in every sense.
📍 Saatchi Gallery, Duke of York’s HQ, King’s Rd, London SW3 4RY.
🚇 Nearest station is Sloane Square.
🎟️ Entry to Saatchi Gallery costs £14. More info here.
2. Moco Museum, Marble Arch
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.
3. Lauren Halsey: Emajendat, Sepentine South Gallery
Until March 2025
This hyper-futuristic and all-encompassing exhibition has completely transformed the Serpentine South Gallery into an immersive love letter to African American culture, exploring Black and Queer identity through vibrant installations, sculptures, and more by artist Lauren Halsey.
Halsey transforms spaces with symbols of community resilience, with each corner of Emajndat pulsating with her love for different scenes in South Central LA, translating its infectious energy into sprawling structures. These awe-inspiring pieces are layered with ancient Egyptian motifs, blending them with ideals from the gritty street culture of the 21st century. It’s truly a must-visit for those into immersive art and enveloping spaces for storytelling and expression.
📍Serpentine Gallery, Kensington Gardens, London, W2 3XA.
🚇 The nearest stations are Knightsbridge, South Kensington, and Hyde Park Corner.
🎟️ Free to visit. More info, here.
4. The 80s: Photographing Britain, Tate Britain
Opens November 21, 2024 and runs until May 5, 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.
5. Francis Bacon: Human Presence, National Portrait Gallery
Until January 19 2025
The Francis Bacon: Human Presence exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery is a significant retrospective dedicated to one of the 20th century’s most influential figurative artists. This exhibition marks the gallery’s first major showcase of Bacon’s work, featuring over 50 paintings that span from the late 1940s until his death in 1992.
Bacon’s work is known for its emotional intensity and often unsettling depictions of the human condition. Critics have noted that he challenges traditional definitions of portraiture, opting for representations that reveal vulnerability and existential dread rather than mere likeness. His subjects often appear distorted or grotesque, reflecting a deeper commentary on mortality and suffering. The exhibition aims not only to showcase Bacon’s artistic achievements but also to provoke thought about what it means to be human in a modern context.
📍St. Martin’s Pl, London WC2H 0HE.
🚇 The nearest stations are Charing Cross and Leicester Square.
🎟️ From £23. More info, here.
6. Electric Dreams: Art & Tech Before The Internet, Tate Modern
Opens November 26, 2024 and runs until June 2025.
Go back in time to a pre-internet age, when foundational digital art was paving the way for some of today’s most renowned and celebrated artists. Deep diving into the intertwining worlds of tech and art, Electric Dreams: Art & Technology Before The Internetis a must-see exhibition that features immersive installations, gripping video pieces, machine-made art, and more, stretching from the 1950s to more recent times. For more information, read our article here.
📍Tate Modern, Bankside, SE1 9TG.
🚇 Nearest stations are Blackfriars and Southwark.
🎟️Price from £18. More info here.
7. Drawing The Italian Renaissance, The King’s Gallery
Until March 2025
Travel back to the golden age of Italian artistry with Drawing the Italian Renaissance, an exhibition that brings you face-to-face with the genius of da Vinci, Michelangelo, and beyond. This isn’t just a collection of some of the most significant names from art history; it’s an insightful showcase into the brilliant minds of the Renaissance masters.
Study their delicate sketches and see the foundational works of some of their most famous pieces. You can even sketch some art out for yourself, with an inclusive drawing station to boot. For more information on this must-visit exhibition, click here to read our article.
📍The King’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace, London SW1A 1AA.
🚇 Nearest stations are Victoria and Green Park.
🎟️ Price from £19. More info here.
8. Hew Locke: What Have We Here, The British Musuem
Until February 9 2025
Hew Locke has reimagined historical narratives at this must-visit exhibition at the British Museum. What Have We Here? is an installation that invites you to confront the legacies of empire. Using objects from the British Museum’s collection, Locke overlays the stories with his signature style through thought-provoking works. The result? A strikingly self-aware commentary on the stories museums choose to tell, and the ones they left untold.
📍The British Museum, Great Russell St, London WC1B 3DG.
🚇 Nearest stations are Tottenham Court Road and Holborn.
🎟️ Price from £16. More info here.
9. Van Gogh: Poets and Lovers, The National Gallery
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.
10. The Imaginary Institute of India, The Barbican
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.
11. Definitely Maybe: A View From Within, Town Hall Hotel
Until January 2025
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.
12. 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.
13. The Formula 1® Exhibition, ExCeL
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.
14. The Great Mughals: Art, Architecture and Opulence, The V&A
Until May 5 2025
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.
15. Batman Unmasked, Covent Garden
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.
16. Koestler Arts: No Comment, Royal Festival Hall
Until December 15.
Credit: @koestlerarts via Instagram
The free exhibition curated by Jeremy Deller & John Costi will showcase over 200 artworks by people in the criminal justice system. From fine art and design to writing and music; a variety of themes are explored throughout the exhibition. The chosen works of art were selected from over 7500 entries to the annual Koestler Awards, an ongoing programme that helps change lives through art.
📍Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, SE1 8XX.
🚇 The nearest station is Waterloo.
🎟️ 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.
18. The World Of Tim Burton, Design Museum
Until April 21, 2025
Giving you a curious little insight into the magically whimsical mind of treasured film director Tim Burton has landed in London, 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.
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. Vogue: Inventing the Runway, Lightroom
Until April 26, 2025
Vogue: Inventing the Runway is the immersive exhibition that’s arrived at Lightroom in King’s Cross. Vogue: Inventing the Runway takes 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.
21. 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.
22. Barbie Exhibition, Design Museum
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.
23. Naomi In Fashion, V&A
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.
24. Zanele Muholi, Tate Modern
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.
25. Fragile Beauty: Photographs from the Sir Elton John and David Furnish Collection, The V&A
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.
26. Holly Herndon & Mat Dryhurst: The Call, Serpentine North Gallery
Until February 2, 2025
If you’re wondering how AI might shape the future of creativity, artists Holly Herndon and Mar Dryhurt have the answers–and then some. This boundary-pushing exhibition explores AI’s role in music, art, and society through experimental multimedia installations. Expect haunting soundscapes, dynamic visuals, and even interactive elements. It’s a cutting-edge and creative deep dive into AI that will leave you questioning the boundaries of the relationship between humans and machines.
📍 Serpentine North Gallery, W Carriage Dr, London W2 2AR
🚇 Nearest stations are Lancaster Gate, Marble Arch, Knightsbridge, and Hyde Park Corner.
🎟️ Free but booking is possible. More info here.
27. Solid Light, Tate Modern
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.
28. Lost in Light, Shoreditch
Lost in Light in Shoreditch is a limited-time immersive art exhibition featuring award-winning installations by the renowned collective Squidsoup. Spanning 26,000 square feet in a former illegal rave venue, the exhibition includes ever-evolving works such as Circular Echoes, Sola, Submergence, Three Volumes, and Infinite, blending raw industrial aesthetics with vibrant art.
The space is divided into family-friendly hours from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM on weekdays and 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM on weekends, with adults-only access from 3:30 PM onwards. However, note that the venue currently lacks wheelchair accessibility due to structural limitations. Tickets, including a free carer pass, are available online, offering a sensory playground that encourages all ages to explore the emotional connection between light and sound, though with separate time slots to cater to different audiences.
📍118 Curtain Rd, London EC2A 3AY
🚇 Nearest station is Shoreditch High Street.
🎟️ Price from £23. More info here.
29. Leigh Bowery!, Tate Modern
Opens February 27, 2025 and runs until September 2, 2025
Prepare for a riot of colour, chaos, and creativity, as the Tate Modern brings this ground-breaking Leigh Bowery exhibition to London this February. This unmissable tribute to the iconic performance artist will celebrate Bowery’s larger-than-life legacy–from his dazzling fashions to provocative stage acts. Known as a muse to Lucian Freud and a trailblazer in drag and club kid culture, Bowery’s work is unapologetically bold and utterly captivating. If you love the avant-garde, this is your moment to bask in the brilliance of an artist who refused to conform.
📍Tate Modern, Bankside, SE1 9TG.
🚇 Nearest stations are Blackfriars and Southwark.
🎟️Price from £18. More info here.
30. Cartier, The V&A
Opens April 12, 2025
For lovers of luxury and craftsmanship, the V&A’s upcoming Cartier exhibition is set to be a showcase of pure indulgence. This dazzling exhibit celebrates the beloved jewellery brand, tracing the Maison’s history through its most iconic designs and pieces. From glittering tiaras worn by royalty to priceless pieces from their collection, each jewel tells a story of innovation and opulence. For more information, read our article here.
📍 Victoria & Albert Museum, Cromwell Road, SW7 2RL.
🚇 Nearest stations are South Kensington.
🎟️ Prices to be confirmed. More info here.
31. Ed Atkins, Tate Britain
Opens April 2, 2025 and runs until September 2025
A fabulous exhibition spotlighting one of Britain’s most beloved contemporary artists is on its way to the Tate Britain. Ed Atkins is known for his hyper-realistic digital animations, which blurs the lines between reality, artifice, and surrealism. This upcoming exhibit will put his ground-breaking works on display, creating an emotionally charged experience that is bound to feel intimate knowing Atkins’ work, delving into themes of identity and human connection.
📍 Tate Britain, Millbank, London SW1P 4RG, UK
🚇 Nearest stations are Pimlico and Vauxhall.
🎟️ Prices to be confirmed. 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!