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. Picasso: A Legacy, Halcyon Gallery
You’ve heard the name, now go and see the actual art, completely free of charge. This brilliant showcase at Halcyon covers everything from Picasso’s iconic prints to his later, surprisingly playful ceramics.
The pieces on display come from the last four decades of Picasso’s life, during which time he created art at a rapid rate. So, go soak up the legacy and feel creative without spending a penny. For more information, read our article here.
📍Location: Halcyon Gallery, 148 New Bond Street, W1S 2JT.
🚇 Nearest station: Bond Street & Oxford Circus
📅 Open until: 4 January 2026.
2. Máret Ánne Sara: Goavve-Geabbil, Tate Modern
That enormous, cathedral-like Turbine Hall at Tate Modern has been taken over again, and this time, it’s got a hauntingly beautiful installation by Sámi artist Máret Ánne Sara. Think reindeer bones, sticks, and a giant installation that forces you to confront the realities of life in the Arctic. It’s huge, it’s thought-provoking, and it’s the perfect background for some lovely pics with your art-loving pals!
📍Location: Tate Modern, Bankside, London SE1 9TG
🚇 Nearest station: Blackfriars & Southwark.
📅 Open until: April 6, 2026.
3. Frieze Sculpture 2025, Regent’s Park
Frieze Sculpture 2025 has completely transformed Regent’s Park into a free outdoor gallery, showcasing fourteen leading international artists through their remarkable sculpture work. You can expect striking pieces that touch on a plethora of important topics, including identity, nature, and vulnerability. For more information on this must-see sculpture trial, click here.
📍Location: Regent’s Park, London.
🚇 Nearest station: Regent’s Park or Baker Street.
📅 Open until: 2 November 2025.
4. Blondie in Camera, Barbican Music Library
There’s a fabulous exhibition at the Barbican with rare, behind-the-scenes images of the American band, Blondie. They were taken by photographer Martyn Goddard during the group’s breakthrough year of 1978, which saw the release of their influential album, Parallel Lines.
An absolute must if you’re a fan of the iconic band or the new wave sound, find out more information on this enticing exhibition by reading our article here.
📍Location: The Barbican Music Library, Silk St, City of London, EC2Y 8DS
🚇 Nearest station: Barbican
📅 Open until: 5 January 2026
5. Millet: Life On The Land, National Gallery
This must-see exhibit at the National Gallery marks the 150th anniversary of Jean-François Millet’s death, showcasing the first UK exhibition dedicated to the artist in nearly fifty years. This fabulously free exhibit unites fifteen of his famed paintings and drawings, including sought-after masterpieces like The Winnower and the iconic L’Angélus, which is on loan from the iconic Musée d’Orsay in Paris.
📍Location: National Gallery, Leicester Square, London WC2H 0HE.
🚇 Nearest station: Leicester Square or Charing Cross
📅 Open until: 19 October 2025.
6. Yto Barrada: Thrill, Fill And Spill, South London Gallery
Yto Barrada’s solo exhibition mixes sculpture, textiles, film, and painting to explore resistance, environmental fragility, and collective memory. Natural dyeing is central to Barrada’s practice. Her textiles are dyed with plants she grows herself, being continuously praised for her multidisciplinary investigations of cultural phenomena and historical narratives, which is extremely evident in this must-see exhibition.
📍Location: South London Gallery, 65 Peckham Rd, SE5 8UH.
🚇 Nearest station: Peckham Rye
📅 Open until: 11 January 2026.
7. Lines of Feeling: Portrait Drawing Now, National Portrait Gallery
At the National Portrait Gallery, Lines of Feeling celebrates contemporary portrait drawing as an emotive art form. This must-see display highlights innovative techniques, blending the ancient practice with the art of the moment, all while shining a spotlight on the gallery’s recent drawing acquisitions. Expect traditional methods such as pencil and charcoal drawings, with more painterly mediums such as gouache, oil sticks, and even silk thread!
📍Location: National Portrait Gallery, St. Martin’s Pl, London WC2H 0HE.
🚇 Nearest station: Leicester Square or Charing Cross
📅 Open until: 4 January 2026.
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. Thirst: In Search For Fresh Water, Wellcome Collection
Another one from the Wellcome Collection, who continuously combine the worlds of art and science in an exciting line-up of exhibitions. Thirst: In Search For Fresh Water explores humanity’s vital connection with freshwater as an essential source of life and pillar of good health. From ancient relationships to the modern world of water, it’s a fascinating exploration featuring historical artefacts, contemporary materials and must-see artworks.
📍Location: Wellcome Collection, 183 Euston Road, NW1 2BE
🚇 Nearest station: Euston Square, Euston, and Warren Street
📅 Open until: 1 February 2026
10. Pictograms, Japan House London
From street signs and text messages to menus and maps, pictograms are everywhere! This insightful exhibition at Japan House explores how pictograms have transformed global travel forever by creating a universal visual language, specifically delving into the beauty and precision of Japanese design. Visitors can create their very-own unique symbol – and don’t forget this exhibition is completely free.
📍 Location: Japan House London, 101-111 Kensington High St, London W8 5SA.
🚇 Nearest station: High Street Kensington
📅 Open until: 9 November 2025.
11. Enthoven Unboxed: 100 Years of Collecting Performance, Victoria & Albert Museum
The V&A’s Enthoven Unboxed explores the transformative impact that live performance has on us, while showcasing some fabulous pieces to boot. From Elton John’s sunglasses to iconic posters and Glasto tat, be sure to check out this unmissable display and exhibition before it disappears for good. There are, of course, so many more incredible displays that you can witness for free at the V&A, so save a good amount of time for some well-earned culture exploration.
📍Location: Victoria & Albert Museum, Cromwell Rd, London SW7 2RL, UK
🚇 Nearest station: South Kensington
📅 Open until: 14 January 2026
12. 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.
13. Outernet, The Now Building
One of London’s newest (and most immersive) spaces to witness free art is Outernet, specifically their Now Building. This four-story immersive space is wrapped in 16K LED screens, offering a rolling programme of digital art, interactive installations, and live events. The ever-changing atmos is perfect for anyone who’s continuously chasing cutting-edge culture on a budget.
📍Location: Outernet, Charing Cross Rd, WC2H 8LH.
🚇 Nearest station: Tottenham Court Road.
📅 Open until: Ongoing.
14. The Delusion, Serpentine North Gallery
Created by renowned artist and game designer, Danielle Brathwaite-Shirley, this free multimedia exhibition is all set to completely transform the Serpentine into a participatory video-game environment. Visitors become a part of the story and collective experiment, which touches on social division and connection–all while blurring the line between art experience and civic action.
📍Location: Serpentine North Gallery, West Carriage Drive, Kensington Gardens, W2 2AR.
🚇 Nearest station: Lancaster Gate or Knightsbridge.
📅 Open: Until 18 January 2026.
15. Val Lee: The Presence of Solitude, Hayward Gallery
The Hayward Gallery is about to showcase Val Lee in the Taiwanese artist’s first UK solo exhibition. This free installation brings together film, photography, and costume, exploring how solitude and dislocation can also be vessels for resilience and memory. This exhibit will offer a fresh encounter with contemporary art from Taiwan, blending the artist’s perspectives with an ambiguous, shifting space.
📍Location: Hayward Gallery, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX.
🚇 Nearest station: Waterloo.
📅 Open: Until Sun 11 Jan 2026.
