10 best art exhibitions to visit in London in May 2026

Don't miss out on the best London art exhibitions in top galleries. Book now or plan ahead for future exhibitions.
Charlotte Pritchard
Written by Charlotte Pritchard 07 May 2026

The wide range of galleries in London have an exciting lineup of exhibitions allowing you to get your art fix. From the latest groundbreaking exhibits to up-and-coming artists showing in smaller spaces, make sure to catch the best London art exhibitions.

Take your pick from multisensory immersive exhibitions, thought-provoking fine art, creative photography or captivating sculpture exhibitions. With exhibits popping up all around London, there’s plenty of variety for the curious art lover.

Secure your spot at art exhibitions London online or on the day. Book ahead to guarantee your entry, or if you prefer to drop into something last minute, there’s a whole host of free art exhibitions in London. Head to the capital’s top art galleries and get ready to admire amazing artworks with these must-see art exhibitions in London.

What art exhibitions are open in London now?

Immersive art exhibitions in London

1. Banksy Limitless in South Kensington

Orange background with Banksy graphics in immersive room with floor to ceiling projections.
Step into the world of Banksy at Banksy Limitless in South Kensington. Image courtesy of Mance Communications.
Journey through the rebellious world of Banksy at Banksy Limitless, a bold retrospective celebrating the street art icon. Explore more than 250 works, from certified originals to immersive installations, set in a striking urban-inspired space. Highlights include the interactive Infinity Room, a large-scale Phone Booth sculpture and pieces from Banksy's 2015 Dismaland, featuring a holographic installation exclusive to the London edition. Until 30 Jun

Fashion exhibitions in London

2. Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style at the King’s Gallery

Four dresses worn by Queen Elizabeth II in the centre of a room at the King's Gallery.
Evening gowns, Norman Hartnell, 1958. © Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2026, Royal Collection Trust. Photographer: Paul Bulley. Image courtesy of King's Gallery

Uncover the extraordinary wardrobe of Queen Elizabeth II, tracing her style across ten remarkable decades. Featuring around 200 pieces at the King’s Gallery – many never seen before – the exhibition reveals the craftsmanship, sketches and personal touches behind her most iconic looks. From her bridesmaid and wedding dresses to her Coronation ensemble and outfits worn on the world stage, this showcase offers an intimate glimpse into the making of a global style icon. Until 18 Oct

Read our review of Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style on the Visit London blog.

3. Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art at V&A South Kensington

White Tears dress with veil on the left and black Skeleton Dress on the right both designed by Elsa Schiaparelli and Salvador Dalí.
Tears dress with veil and Skeleton Dress designed by Elsa Schiaparelli and Salvador Dalí. Photograph © Emil Larsson, V&A © 2025 Salvador Dalí.

Discover the visionary world of Elsa Schiaparelli in the UK’s first exhibition dedicated to her groundbreaking designs. Spanning a century of creativity, the showcase at V&A South Kensington explores her bold fusion of fashion and art, alongside contemporary pieces by creative director Daniel Roseberry. With more than 200 works on display, from garments and accessories to paintings and sculpture, it celebrates a legacy that continues to reshape how we see style and imagination. Until 8 Nov

Read our review of Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art on the Visit London blog.

Fine art exhibitions in London

4. The Last Princesses of Punjab at Kensington Palace

The Pigott Gallery at Kensington Palace, which looks like an Indian temple, is hosting an exhibition called 'The Last Princesses of Punjab', featuring pictures of the different women who are part of it.
Discover Kensington Palace's new exhibition, 'The Last Princesses of Punjab', which celebrates the 150th birthday of Princess Sophia Duleep. Image courtesy of Kensington Palace. Photo credit: Richard Lea-Hair.

Step inside Kensington Palace for The Last Princesses of Punjab and uncover the remarkable story of Punjabi princess and trailblazing suffragette Sophia Duleep Singh, alongside the five influential women who shaped her journey. Marking the 150th anniversary of her birth, this intimate exhibition included with entry explores six lives transformed by Empire, shining a light on a royal dynasty whose paths were dramatically, and often violently, redirected by history. Until 8 Nov

Book your tickets now for The Last Princesses of Punjab – and don’t miss our full review on the Visit London blog.

Modern art exhibitions in London

5. Nigerian Modernism at Tate Modern

Colourful masks and figures together in Fantasy and Masks painting by Uche Okeke.
Uche Okeke, Fantasy and Masks c.1960. © The Prof Uche Okeke Legacy Limited and Asele Institute Ltd. Photo courtesy of Research and Cultural Collections University of Birmingham.
Trace the rise of Nigerian modernism at the UK’s first major exhibition dedicated to its pioneering artists. Featuring more than 250 works – including paintings, sculpture, textiles and poetry – by more than 50 creatives, Nigerian Modernism at Tate Modern captures a vibrant era of cultural revival and political change from the 1940s to the late 20th century. Discover how Indigenous traditions fused with European techniques to shape the West African art we see today. Until 10 May

Photography exhibitions in London

6. Nhu Xuan Hua: Of Walking on Fire at Autograph

Explore Nhu Xuan Hua: Of Walking on Fire at Autograph in Shoreditch, where the artist blends art and fashion photography to reflect on fragile, fractured family histories. Reimagining archival images from Vietnam and Europe, Hua creates dreamlike compositions that echo how memory can blur across generations. Spanning both galleries, the exhibition traces lost conversations, cultural rupture and the silences shaped by migration, revealing how the past continues to reverberate into the present. Until 19 Sep

Contemporary art exhibitions in London

7. Tracey Emin: A Second Life at Tate Modern

Tracey Emin My Bed featuring an unmade bed and a series of items surrounding it.
Tracey Emin My Bed 1998 © Tracey Emin. Photo credit: The Saatchi Gallery, London Photograph by Prudence C. Image courtesy of Tate Modern.
Step into the confessional world of Tracey Emin at Tate Modern, where a landmark exhibition spans 40 years of her trailblazing career. Showcasing legacy-defining sensations alongside works never before exhibited, discover paintings, video, textiles, neons and installation. Witness Emin challenge boundaries, using the female body to document her experiences of sexual assault and abortion. From intimate photographs of her 1980s art school projects to the infamous 1998 piece My Bed, this exhibition is a must-see for Tracey Emin fans. Until 31 Aug

8. David Hockney: A Year in Normandie and Some Other Thoughts about Painting at Serpentine North Gallery

Delve into David Hockney’s vibrant new works at Serpentine North Gallery as he turns everyday moments into scenes of quiet wonder. Created specially for this exhibition, his paintings reflect a lifelong fascination with looking closely. At its heart is the sweeping ninety‑metre frieze A Year in Normandie, inspired by the Bayeux Tapestry and capturing the shifting seasons of his Normandy studio, shown in dialogue with the natural setting of Kensington Gardens. Until 23 Aug

9. Cecily Brown: Picture Making at Serpentine South Gallery

Artist Cecily Brown standing in front of abstract painting of two people kissing amongst nature.
Cecily Brown: Picture Making, Serpentine South, 2026. © Cecily Brown. Photo: © Jo Underhill. Image courtesy of Serpentine Galleries.
Discover Cecily Brown’s vibrant new exhibition at Serpentine South Gallery, where energetic brushwork and bold colour bring Kensington Gardens to life. Spanning three decades of her celebrated career, Picture Making highlights Brown’s fascination with nature, from romantic couples to shadowy woodland scenes. Inspired by the gallery’s parkland setting, the exhibition offers a fresh, atmospheric take on London’s green spaces. Until 6 Sep

10. Zineb Sedira at Tate Britain

Discover a major new commission by Zineb Sedira at Tate Britain, unveiled in the historic Duveen Galleries. Sedira’s largest UK project to date brings together photography, performance, film and installation, drawing on family archives, cinema history and her experiences within the Algerian diaspora. Exploring memory, migration and the emotional impact of displacement, the exhibition invites visitors to reflect on the stories we inherit – and the histories that risk being forgotten. 13 May-17 Jan

Art exhibitions in London to book ahead for 2026

Marilyn Monroe: A Portrait at the National Portrait Gallery

Marilyn Monroe, sitting down, wearing in a ballerina's dress with bare feet.
Marilyn Monroe, Ballerina Sitting, 1954, by Milton H Greene © MHG Collective, LLC. Image courtesy of National Portrait Gallery.
Celebrate the Hollywood star’s 100th birthday with Marilyn Monroe: A Portrait at the National Portrait Gallery, exploring her life, career and legacy through portraits by leading 20th and 21st‑century photographers and artists. See works by Andy Warhol alongside images by Cecil Beaton, Philippe Halsman and Bernard of Hollywood, and discover personal belongings – from books and scripts to clothing – that offer a deeper glimpse into the woman behind the image. 4 Jun-6 Sep

Frida: The Making of an Icon at Tate Modern

Self-portrait of Frida Kahlo with a cat and monkey on her shoulders.
Frida Kahlo, Untitled (self-portrait with thorn necklace and hummingbird) 1940. Nickolas Muray Collection of Mexican Art. Image courtesy of Tate Modern.
Explore the life and legacy of Frida Kahlo, revealing her rise from groundbreaking artist to global cultural icon. See more than 30 of her most celebrated works alongside garments, jewellery, photographs and over 200 pieces by contemporaries and artists she inspired. The exhibition at Tate Modern culminates in a vibrant look at “Fridamania,” showcasing the commercial objects and imagery that transformed Kahlo into a worldwide phenomenon. 25 Jun-3 Jan

What famous paintings can you see in London?

London is home to some of the world’s greatest masterpieces, such as The Water-Lily Pond by Claude Monet and Sunflowers by Vincent Van Gogh, which can both be found at the National Gallery. Tate Britain also displays many much-loved favourites such as A Bigger Splash by David Hockney, while London’s immersive art galleries, including FRAMELESS and Lightroom showcase some of the art world’s most famous pieces in a multisensory experience.

What free exhibitions are on in London?

Find more of the latest free art exhibitions in London, see our pick of the best museum exhibitions, or download the Visit London app for more inspiration on the go.