London Arts & Culture Guide: Top Exhibitions to Catch in 2026

Art enthusiasts and culture-seeking travellers visiting London have an extraordinary lineup of world-class gallery and museum exhibitions to look forward to throughout 2026. Major venues across the city are showcasing everything from groundbreaking fashion retrospectives to masterworks of historical and contemporary art.

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Major Fashion & Design Shows

Fashion and design take center stage with high-profile exhibitions across town:

• Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art: Running from 28 March to 8 November 2026 at the V&A Museum (Admission £28/£30), this marks the UK's first exhibition dedicated to Elsa Schiaparelli, tracing her legacy from the 1920s to modern designs under Daniel Roseberry.

• NIGO: From Japan with Love: Displayed at the Design Museum from 1 May to 4 October 2026 (Admission £15.29), this display celebrates 30 years of streetwear and luxury fashion through over 700 items.

• Wes Anderson: The Archives: Open through 4 May 2026 at the Design Museum (Admission c. £20), featuring personal archives and production insights into the filmmaker's distinct aesthetic.

• Marie Antoinette Style: Ending 22 March 2026 at the V&A Museum (Admission £23/£25), this showcase examines 250 years of fashion, design, and art inspired by France's iconic queen.

Retrospectives & Blockbuster Art Exhibitions

London's premier galleries feature deep dives into iconic individual artists:

• Marilyn Monroe: A Portrait: Located at the National Portrait Gallery from 4 June to 6 September 2026 (Admission £25/30), marking her 100th birthday with artworks by Andy Warhol, Cecil Beaton, and personal memorabilia.

• Frida: The Making of an Icon: Hosted at Tate Modern between 25 June 2026 and 3 January 2027 (Admission £22/£25), bringing together over 30 celebrated works and personal effects.

• James McNeill Whistler: Exhibiting at Tate Britain from 21 May to 27 September 2026 (Admission £22/24), marking his first major European retrospective in three decades.

• Tracey Emin - A Second Life: Running from 27 February to 31 August 2026 at Tate Modern (Admission c. £20), presenting a 40-year survey of her raw, autobiographical work.

• Hepworth in Colour: On view at the Courtauld from 12 June to 6 September 2026 (Admission £18), exploring Barbara Hepworth's use of color in sculpture and drawing.

• Francisco de Zurbarán: Available from 2 May to 23 August 2026 at the National Gallery (Admission £20/£22), presenting Spanish Baroque masterpieces.

Diverse Historical & Modern Masters

Other highlight exhibits include Turner and Constable at Tate Britain (until 12 April 2026, £24), Theatre Picasso at Tate Modern (until 12 April 2026, £15), Nigerian Modernism at Tate Modern (until 10 May 2026, £18), and Light and Magic: The Birth of Art Photography at Tate Modern (running 8 October 2025 – 14 February 2027, TBC).