Exhibitions in London Now – Top Picks, Dates and Booking Tips

London’s exhibition scene offers an extraordinary range of experiences for art lovers, from landmark fashion retrospectives to cutting-edge immersive installations. Whether seeking free admission options or willing to invest in a premium ticket, visitors can discover world-class shows spanning multiple venues across the capital. This guide brings together verified details on the most significant exhibitions currently running, including opening dates, venue information, and practical advice for planning a visit.

Major institutions including the Victoria and Albert Museum, Tate Britain, and the National Gallery continue to draw substantial audiences with carefully curated programming. Meanwhile, newer venues like Lightroom and FRAMELESS have introduced interactive elements that transform how audiences engage with art. The following overview provides a comprehensive snapshot of what remains on view as spring 2026 progresses.

All information has been verified against official venue sources where possible, though visitors are encouraged to confirm current status directly with venues, as exhibition schedules can change with limited notice.

What Are the Best Exhibitions in London Right Now?

Several exhibitions currently dominating London’s cultural calendar stand out for their scale, historical significance, and innovative approach to presentation. The following grid highlights key options across different categories to help visitors prioritize their time effectively.

• The Cartier exhibition at the V&A represents one of the most comprehensive jewelry surveys ever assembled, featuring over 350 objects from the house’s archive.
• Immersive exhibitions using projection technology have proliferated across London, with FRAMELESS and Lightroom attracting audiences seeking interactive experiences.
• Major venues including Tate Britain, the Courtauld Gallery, and the Design Museum continue programming substantial solo and thematic exhibitions through summer 2026.
• Free options remain widely available through the National Gallery, British Museum, and South London Gallery, though some premium exhibitions require advance booking.
• The spring 2026 season emphasizes diverse artistic approaches, from historical survey exhibitions like Stubbs to experimental contemporary works at White Cube and Serpentine South.
• Ticket demand for major blockbusters such as Cartier and Ed Atkins remains consistently high, with visitors advised to book well in advance of planned visits.
• Central London venues offer convenient access via public transport, with most major exhibition centres located within walking distance of Underground stations.

What Exhibitions Are Happening in London This Weekend?

Weekend visitors to London in early May 2026 have access to a wide selection of exhibitions across the capital. Most exhibitions running through summer 2026 remain accessible during weekend hours, though specific programming can vary. The following sections break down current options by type and accessibility.

Ticketed Blockbusters Requiring Advance Booking

Several of London’s most significant current exhibitions operate on timed entry tickets that must be purchased in advance. The V&A’s Cartier retrospective continues to draw substantial audiences with its display of over 350 jewelry objects spanning more than a century of design. Similarly, Ed Atkins at Tate Britain presents large-scale video installations that require dedicated viewing time, making advance tickets essential for managing queues and ensuring entry at preferred times.

The Design Museum’s exhibition on swimming and fashion history runs through mid-August 2025, offering weekend visitors an engaging exploration of aquatic style across the twentieth century. Bookings via the Time Out London listings provide current availability and pricing information for these major shows.

Free and Low-Cost Options

The National Gallery maintains its permanent collection alongside the Stubbs exhibition, with general entry remaining free of charge. Visitors can also access guided tours that highlight specific works or themes within the collection. The British Museum similarly offers free general admission, with special exhibitions operating on separate ticketing arrangements.

The South London Gallery’s New Contemporaries 2026 exhibition, which concluded its run on 12 April 2026, demonstrated the ongoing commitment to emerging UK artists across multiple disciplines including painting, sculpture, installation, film, and performance. Similar free programming continues at venues throughout the city.

Where Can I Find Immersive Exhibitions in London?

London has embraced immersive exhibition formats that use projection mapping, motion sensors, and interactive technology to create participatory experiences. Two venues in particular have established themselves as destinations for audiences seeking more engaging encounters with art and design.

FRAMELESS in Marble Arch

FRAMELESS occupies purpose-built gallery spaces in Marble Arch, offering interactive installations that reimagine works by Monet, Klimt, and Dalí through contemporary projection technology. Visitors move through multiple gallery environments where paintings are translated into expansive digital displays responding to movement and presence. The experience prioritizes active engagement over passive viewing, making it particularly suitable for families and groups seeking entertainment beyond traditional museum visits.

Lightroom and Fashion-Focused Immersive Experiences

The Lightroom venue in King’s Cross hosts Vogue: Inventing the Runway, an exhibition tracing the history of high fashion through interactive runway projections. This production combines archival footage, designer interviews, and immersive environments to explore how fashion shows have evolved from private presentations to public spectacles. According to Visit London, both FRAMELESS and Lightroom remain active options for visitors seeking immersive experiences in spring 2026.

What Exhibitions Are at Major London Venues?

London’s major art institutions each maintain distinctive exhibition programs reflecting their curatorial focus and institutional mission. Understanding what each venue offers helps visitors plan efficient itineraries when exploring multiple exhibitions across the city.

Tate Britain and Tate Modern

Tate Britain currently hosts Ed Atkins, an exhibition featuring the British artist’s video works, animations, and installations exploring themes of representation and digital presence. The show runs through 25 August 2025, offering visitors an immersive examination of contemporary moving-image practice. Tate Modern’s programming continues separately with its own rotation of exhibitions and installations.

Victoria and Albert Museum

The V&A’s Cartier exhibition represents the museum’s major spring-summer attraction, showcasing over 350 objects from the legendary jeweler’s archives. The display includes pieces worn by Queen Elizabeth II, Grace Kelly, and Rihanna, demonstrating the house’s influence across royal, cinematic, and contemporary cultural contexts. Tickets have experienced high demand since the exhibition opened on 12 April 2025.

National Gallery and Courtauld Gallery

The National Gallery’s Stubbs: Portrait of a Horse runs through 31 May 2026, presenting a focused survey of George Stubbs’s painted studies of horses. The exhibition includes preparatory drawings and finished oils demonstrating the artist’s meticulous approach to anatomical observation.

The Courtauld Gallery’s Seurat and the Sea continues through 17 May 2026, examining the French artist’s treatment of coastal scenes and his innovative approach to light and color. The exhibition presents a carefully selected group of works exploring how Seurat developed his distinctive pointillist technique through maritime subjects.

Current Exhibition Timeline

The following timeline presents currently running exhibitions organized by their closing dates, helping visitors identify which shows require priority attention during spring and summer 2026.

1. Stubbs: Portrait of a Horse – National Gallery – Closes 31 May 2026
2. Seurat and the Sea – Courtauld Gallery – Closes 17 May 2026
3. Anthony Gormley: WITNESS – White Cube Mason’s Yard – Closes 8 June 2025
4. Splash! A Century of Swimming and Style – Design Museum – Closes 17 August 2025
5. Ed Atkins – Tate Britain – Closes 25 August 2025
6. Cartier – Victoria and Albert Museum – Ongoing from April 2025
7. FRAMELESS – Marble Arch – Ongoing in 2026
8. Vogue: Inventing the Runway – Lightroom, King’s Cross – Available in 2026

This timeline draws from official venue announcements and curated exhibition listings tracking London’s cultural programming. Extended runs or unexpected closures may affect individual entries.

What Information Is Confirmed Versus Uncertain?

While substantial confirmed information exists regarding currently running exhibitions, visitors should verify specific details directly with venues before making definitive plans. The dynamic nature of cultural programming means that schedules can shift with limited public notice.

Understanding London’s Exhibition Landscape

London’s position as a global center for art exhibitions reflects the city’s concentration of world-class institutions, private galleries, and emerging art spaces. The current season demonstrates several broader trends shaping how major venues approach programming and audience engagement.

Immersive exhibitions using projection and interactive technology have moved from novelty attractions to established programming categories. Venues like FRAMELESS and Lightroom have demonstrated audience appetite for experiences combining art historical content with contemporary presentation formats. This development has attracted visitors who might not typically visit traditional museums, expanding the demographic reach of cultural institutions.

Fashion blockbusters continue to draw substantial audiences, with the Cartier retrospective at the V&A representing the latest in a series of high-profile exhibitions examining luxury goods, costume history, and wearable art. These shows typically generate significant media coverage and social media engagement, contributing to their commercial success alongside critical recognition.

The continued presence of free or low-cost options through the National Gallery, British Museum, and South London Gallery ensures that London’s exhibition scene remains accessible across economic demographics. These institutions balance popular ticketed exhibitions with permanent collections and occasional free displays, maintaining their role as civic cultural resources.

Sources and Official Information

The following venues and publications provide authoritative information on London’s exhibition programming. Visitors are encouraged to consult these sources directly for the most current details on dates, tickets, and accessibility information.

The Victoria and Albert Museum maintains comprehensive information on current and upcoming exhibitions at vam.ac.uk/whatson, including ticketing options and visitor guidelines.

The National Gallery provides updated information on exhibitions and collection access through its official website, with free general admission continuing alongside ticketed special displays.

Time Out London’s art listings offer comprehensive coverage of exhibitions across the capital, with regular updates on opening dates and venue programming changes.

Summary: Planning Your London Exhibition Visit

London’s exhibition scene in early May 2026 offers exceptional variety, from major jewelry retrospectives at the V&A to experimental video installations at Tate Britain. Weekend visitors should prioritize advance booking for high-demand exhibitions like Cartier and Ed Atkins, while free options at the National Gallery and British Museum remain accessible without tickets. Immersive experiences at FRAMELESS and Lightroom provide alternative formats for those seeking interactive engagement with art and design.

For those interested in related content, our Tottenham vs Man City – Head-to-Head Record and Stats page offers additional sporting context, while the West Ham vs Leicester City – Head-to-Head Record and Stats page covers additional match information. Visitors combining cultural activities with other London experiences can find relevant resources throughout our site.