The London Exhibitions To Look Forward To In 2026

The V&A’s next blockbuster dives into the surreal, sculptural world of Elsa Schiaparelli, charting her collaborations with artists like Dalí and Cocteau and her influence on today’s couture. It also examines how the fashion house has managed to stay culturally relevant under creative director Daniel Roseberry, proving ever-popular with the celebrity red carpet. Expect dramatic silhouettes, intricate embroidery and pieces that blur the line between garment and artwork. With loans from the house’s archive and contemporary runway, it’s a rare chance to see the craftsmanship and imagination behind one of fashion’s most revered brands.

From 28th Mar 

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Following a delayed opening, V&A East will finally welcome visitors this spring, with over half a million objects going on display – from fashion to fine art – all housed in a state-of-the-art building. Its inaugural exhibition feels apt for its east London location: a landmark exploration of Black British music and its cultural impact. Spanning four continents, 12 decades and multiple genres like jazz, reggae, jungle and grime, it brings together archival footage, photography, fashion and sound to map the creativity that shaped Britain’s musical identity. Just a few of the artists featured include Dame Shirley Bassey, Skin, Skepta, Little Simz and Mis-Teeq.

From 18th Apr 

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Few pieces of art capture the self-expression of the 90s like Tracey Emin’s controversial 1998 work, ‘My Bed’. You’ll be able to see that and more in Tate Modern’s major Emin exhibition later this month. It will showcase paintings, neons, sculptures and works on paper that chart her raw, unfiltered approach to emotion and the body. The show highlights her return to painting in recent years, with large‑scale canvases that feel deeply personal. Expect a powerful, confrontational survey that captures Emin’s singular voice and the vulnerability that has made her one of the UK’s most famous contemporary artists.

27th Feb-31st Aug

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Britpop, Princess Diana, Kate Moss, Absolutely Fabulous, Beckham, Girl Power, ‘Cool Britannia’ – there’s a reason so many of us are nostalgic about the 90s. Later this year, Tate Britain will revisit the iconic decade that reshaped British culture, bringing together art, photography, design and media that defined the era. From YBAs and rave culture to Oasis, fashion and political upheaval, the show captures the energy and contradictions of a period that still shapes contemporary aesthetics.

8th Oct-14th Feb 2027

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The 70m Bayeux Tapestry, depicting the 1066 Norman invasion and Battle of Hastings, will be transferred to the British Museum this autumn – the first time the tapestry will be shown in the UK since it was made, over 1,000 years ago. No other object is as instantly recognisable, as studied in schools and as copied by artists as this (see David Hockney’s upcoming exhibition also in this list). Set to be one the museum’s most popular exhibitions ever, tickets will go sale later this year, so keep your eyes peeled for more info soon…

Sep 2026-Jul 2027

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Later this year, the NPG will turn its lens on Marilyn Monroe through photography, film stills and intimate portraits that reveal the woman behind the icon. The exhibition traces her evolution from studio ingénue to global figure, spotlighting the photographers who shaped her image and the moments that defined her career.

4th Jun-6th Sep

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This will be the first-ever museum retrospective and exhibition outside of Japan that will chart the career and life of the Japanese creative director, Nigo, one of the first creatives to bridge the worlds of streetwear and luxury fashion. Over a 30-year career, Nigo has helped define some of the most influential trends in contemporary fashion, from founding his first fashion brand in the 90s to his current role as artistic director of Kenzo. The exhibition will feature over 700 objects, including rare designs, ceramics and even a recreation of Nigo’s teenage bedroom.

1st May-4th Oct

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One of the most influential artists of his generation, David Hockney’s exhibition invites viewers to slow down and notice beauty in the everyday. Created specifically for this show, you can expect to see new paintings alongside his incredible 90m frieze ‘A Year in Normandie’, inspired by the Bayeux Tapestry and capturing the shifting seasons around his former Normandy studio.

12th Mar-23rd Aug

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This exhibition traces the evolution of Freud’s practice through the works that shaped his shift from line to flesh. Early studies, intimate portraits and rarely seen preparatory drawings reveal the precision behind his later, more visceral canvases. It’s a chance to see the discipline and restraint that underpinned his most recognisable works, offering a close look at one of Britain’s most influential painters.

12th Feb-4th May

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This exhibition examines how Frida Kahlo became one of the most recognisable cultural figures of the 20th century, exploring the art, imagery and storytelling that built her global legacy. Through photographs, personal objects, film and early works, it unpacks the construction of her public persona and the political, personal and aesthetic forces that shaped it.

25th Jun-3rd Jan 2027

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To coincide with Aardman’s 50th anniversary, the newly opened Young V&A (formerly the Museum of Childhood) is about to open an exhibition that takes viewers behind the scenes of how an Aardman animation is made, exploring the storytelling and craft that brings their fantastical worlds from the sketchbook to the screen. It will feature over 150 items, including never-before-seen models, early sketches, concept art, puppets, props, scripts, set models, optical illusion toys and early examples of stop-motion animation. A must-see for diehard fans of supervillain Feathers McGraw...

From 12th Feb

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