Amidst London’s vibrant cultural scene, free exhibitions are most definitely a standout attraction not to be missed. And in this economy, we could always do with a few handy ways to look after the pennies and the pounds! With a diverse array of captivating shows available, one can experience the history of a Victorian masterpiece at the Royal Academy, witness The Vision of Saint Jerome, or see some of the most sought-after contemporary artists that are currently on display in the capital. The choices are truly endless; all without any admission fees! So, here’s our carefully curated guide to the top free exhibitions in London.
1. Mire Lee: Open Wound, Tate Modern
Mire Lee’s Open Wound has transformed the Tate Modern’s iconic Turbine Hall into a visceral, multi-sensory experience. This kinetic sculpture made of silicone, chains, and steel, creates this unsettling environment that is equal parts evocative and impressive. Inspired by the dualities of regeneration and decay, the ever-changing display uses liquid and moving parts to invite some reflections on vulnerability and transformation. Read our all-encompassing guide to the Tate Modern by clicking here.
📍Location: Tate Modern, Bankside, London SE1 9TG
🚇 Nearest station: Blackfriars
📅 Open until: March 16, 2025
2. In Attendance: Paying Attention in a Fragile World, Fitzrovia Chapel
Nestled in the heart of Fitzrovia, the Fitzrovia Chapel is famed for bringing some sought-out exhibitions to their stunning space, with their recent offering being no exception. In Attendance: Paying Attention in a Fragile World is an amazing collection of contemporary paintings and sculptures, brought to new life in this enveloping space. The exhibition includes works by eleven artists, including Etel Adnan, Emmanuel Awuni, Phyllida Barlow, Berlinde De Bruyckere, and more.
📍Location: Fitzrovia Chapel, 2 Pearson Square, London W1T 3BF.
🚇 Nearest station: Goodge Street, Oxford Circus, and Tottenham Court Road.
📅 Open until: February 9, 2025
3. Hard Graft: Work, Health and Rights, Wellcome Collection
This new major exhibition at the Wellcome Collection explores working-class culture by highlighting underrepresented workers through fascinating artefacts, stunning artworks, and new commissions. From immersive installations to insightful historical objects, this is not only an incredible art exhibition, but an insightful exploration of workers’ rights and the profound impact that work has on health and the body, promoting this must-visit gallery’s ethos of combining art with science and history.
📍Location: Wellcome Collection, 183 Euston Road, NW1 2BE
🚇 Nearest station: Euston Square, Euston, and Warren Street
📅 Open until: April 27, 2025
4. Lauren Halsey: Emajenda, Serpentine South Gallery
This free exhibition located at the Serpentine South Gallery is a vibrant exploration of Black culture, beautifully blending visions of the future within the larger-than-life sculptures and installations. Lauren Halsey is a Los Angeles-based artist famed for her fabulously intricate pieces that are dedicated to community and Afrofuturism, with this must-see exhibition being both a powerful and immersive solidification of this ethos.
📍Location: Serpentine Gallery, Kensington Gardens, London W2 3XA
🚇 Nearest station: Lancaster Gate & Knightsbridge
📅 Open until: February 23, 2025.
5. Parmigianino: The Vision of Saint Jerome, National Gallery
This essential exhibition at the National Gallery presents The Vision of Saint Jerome, alongside other works by the renowned artist Parmigianino. Showcasing the artist’s mastery of mannerisms, the ethereal painting, along with the other fabulous pieces on display, reflects the Renaissance artist’s fascination with grace, movement, and other subtle quirks related to the painter. Best of all, visitors can enjoy this rare slice of art history completely free of charge so don’t miss out!
📍 Location: National Gallery, Trafalgar Square,WC2N 5DN.
🚇 Nearest station: Charing Cross.
📅 Open until: March 9, 2025
6. Alvaro Barrington: Grace, Tate Britain
The Tate Britain is currently hosting this incredible exhibition that spotlights the work of British artist Alvaro Barrington. From magnificent sculptures to introspective paintings, the exhibition is a joyful reimagining of Black culture, with Barrington celebrating the women in his life through these larger-than-life pieces that have completely transformed Tate Britain’s iconic interiors. Barrington said in a statement: “GRACE here explores how my grandmother, my mother, and my sister in the British Caribbean community showed up gracefully.”
📍Location: Tate Britain, Millbank, SW1P 4RG.
🚇 Nearest station: Pimlico.
📅 Open until: January 26, 2025.
7. Rotimi Fani-Katode: The Studio – Staging Desire, Autograph
Hosted by the beloved Autograph gallery in Shoreditch, this gorgeous exhibition celebrates the groundbreaking Nigerian-born photographer Rotimi Fani-Kayode. His intimate, staged portraits explore themes of identity, spirituality, and queer Black desire. Featuring never-before-shown works, Staging Desire asks the viewer to embrace new possibilities of the self, and is an absolute must if you’re into photography.
📍Location: Autograph, 1 Rivington Pl, EC2A 3BA.
🚇 Nearest station: Shoreditch High Street & Old Street
📅 Open until: March 22, 2025.
8. Mantegna: The Triumphs of Caesar, National Gallery
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.
📍 Location: National Gallery, Trafalgar Square,WC2N 5DN.
🚇 Nearest station: Charing Cross.
📅 Open until: 2026.
9. Barndommens Drømme (Childhood Dreams), Saatchi Gallery
African/Danish artist Jack Kabangu has an unmissable exhibition on display at the Saatchi Gallery, exploring psychological states through riveting works that are as vibrant as they are intriguing. Kabangu delves into hard-hitting human emotions, exploring dreams and memory, as well as their notoriously random nature and occasional inaccuracy.
📍 Location: Saatchi Gallery, King’s Rd, London SW3 4RY
🚇 Nearest station: Sloane Square.
📅 Open until: February 2, 2025.
10. Chris Ofili: Requiem, Tate Britain
Chris Ofili: Requiem is a stunning mural honouring the tragic lives lost during the Grenfell Tower fire. Tate Britain commissioned Christ Ofili to completely transform their north staircase last year, and its magnificent beauty has been captivating visitors ever since. Ofili had a connection to the tower, being friends with fellow artist Khadija Saye, who sadly lost her life in the fire. The poetic symbolism and its breathtaking vibrancy make it an absolute must-visit as we near the seventh anniversary of the London tragedy.
📍Location: Tate Britain, Millbank, SW1P 4RG
🚇 Nearest station: Pimlico.
📅 Open until: Ongoing.
11. Holly Herndon & Mat Dryhurst: The Call, Serpentine North Gallery
This fantastic collaborative exhibition explores the intersection of art, technology, and music. Herndon and Dryhurst, famous for their experimental electronic composition, the artists invite the audience to question the boundaries of human creativity, specifically concerning artificial intelligence. Their innovative use of machine learning produces this immersive soundscape that tackle traditional notions of ownership and artistic expression.
📍Location: Serpentine Gallery, Kensington Gardens, London W2 3XA
🚇 Nearest station: Lancaster Gate & Knightsbridge
📅 Open until: February 2, 2025.
12. An Idea of Life, Women’s Museum
Last year, London got its first-ever museum dedicated to the stories of women and girls. To celebrate this fantastic addition to our forever-growing museum scene, the Women’s Museum launched with their inaugural exhibition called ‘An Idea of Life’. Featuring several artefacts and commissioned artworks, this insightful space joins the long list of incredible free things to do in the capital.
📍 Location: Women’s Museum, 4-5 Barking Wharf Square
🚇 Nearest station: Barking.
📅 Open until: Ongoing, Thursday, Friday & Saturday 11 – 5pm.