Best art exhibitions in London right now – Top 10 in Sep 26

How we chose the best art exhibitions in London

Our selection is based on a mix of:

• First-hand insight from the Visit London team
• Galleries and institutions of global significance, hosting standout shows
• Strong visitor appeal, with exhibitions that consistently spark excitement
• A memorable overall experience for every art enthusiast

1. The Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards at FRAMELESS – Best for reimaged photography

A standout highlight at FRAMELESS, The Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards is a limited-run residency celebrating more than a decade of hilarious animal moments. Staged in FRAMELESS' Blank Canvas Gallery, the experience showcases 91 award-winning photographs across a 15-minute journey, inviting visitors to connect with the natural world in a fun and engaging way.

Travel through seven natural habitats and come face-to-face with some of nature’s funniest creatures, from surprised seals and sassy penguins to bewildered bears and ninja prairie dogs. With each image displayed within its original habitat and enhanced by immersive spatial sound, you can feel as though you’re stepping into these environments. This unique take on wildlife photography is the perfect addition to your FRAMELESS visit, which we recommend enjoying first before exploring the permanent galleries.

Best for: Wildlife lovers, photography fans and anyone looking for a fun, immersive experience.
Good to know: The Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards Immersive Experience is included with your standard FRAMELESS admission ticket.

2. The Last Princesses of Punjab at Kensington Palace – Best for historical items up close

Uncover the remarkable story of Punjabi princess and pioneering suffragette Sophia Duleep Singh in The Last Princesses of Punjab at Kensington Palace. Marking 150 years since her birth, the exhibition traces six lives shaped by Empire through a rich display of rarely seen paintings, photographs, jewellery, letters and documents. 

Seeing these objects up close offers a powerful glimpse into Sophia’s world, from her spoiled census form to a striking front‑page image of her selling The Suffragette outside her home.

We recommend taking time to watch the short films throughout the space, which explore identity, heritage and belonging, adding real emotional depth to the experience. If you’re looking for a history‑led exhibition this month, it deserves a spot on your itinerary. Read our full review on the Visit London blog for key highlights and what not to miss.

Best for: Art-history lovers interested in Empire, women’s rights and South Asian heritage.
Good to know: Entry to the exhibition is included with your Kensington Palace ticket. During your visit, explore the rooms where Queen Victoria was born and raised, walk through The King’s State Apartments and enjoy the beautifully landscaped Palace Gardens.

3. Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style at the King’s Gallery – Best for royal fashion

Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style is one of London’s most in‑demand exhibitions right now, celebrating the late Queen’s wardrobe across ten extraordinary decades. At the King’s Gallery, around 200 pieces – many never shown before – reveal 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, each piece offers an intimate glimpse into the making of a global style icon.

Her influence on British fashion is clear from the first room. Follow the item labels in order to trace her evolving style, and we recommend pausing at the delicate sketches to catch the fabric notes and hand‑drawn details. With showstopping gowns, signature hats and silk scarves, it’s a vivid reminder of how clothing can tell a story. Read our review on the Visit London blog to discover more.

Best for: Fashion lovers interested in craftsmanship and the evolution of a personal style.
Good to know: This exhibition is selling out fast, so be sure to book your tickets in advance. Keep an eye out for private viewings, talks and creative courses inspired by the exhibition.

4. Frida: The Making of an Icon at Tate Modern – Best for Kahlo’s most celebrated works

Discover the life and legacy of Frida Kahlo in this unmissable exhibition at Tate Modern. Frida: The Making of an Icon brings together more than 30 of her most celebrated works, alongside garments, jewellery, photographs and over 200 pieces by contemporaries and artists she inspired. Highlights include her striking Self‑Portrait (With Velvet Dress) from 1926 and Self‑Portrait with Loose Hair from 1938.

The finale dives into the world of “Fridamania”, with a room filled with more than 200 mass‑produced objects – from T‑shirts and tequila bottles to Barbies and perfume – revealing how Kahlo became a global phenomenon. We recommend taking your time with the smaller personal items to catch the subtle details that shaped her self‑presentation and symbolism. Read our full review on the Visit London blog to discover the highlights and must-see pieces.

Best for: Frida fans drawn to her clothing, jewellery and bold visual identity.
Good to know: This is one of the year’s most anticipated shows, so make sure to book ahead. While you’re visiting Tate Modern, take the lift to Level 9 in the Blavatnik Building for an open‑air terrace with impressive views across London.

5. The Burberry Trench: Crafting an Icon at V&A South Kensington – Best for British fashion heritage

Follow the evolution of the Burberry trench coat with The Burberry Trench: Crafting an Icon at V&A South Kensington, one of this month’s standout London exhibitions. This free display explores the trench coat’s journey from practical military outerwear to a globally recognised fashion icon, rooted in British design and craftsmanship.

Marking Burberry’s 170th anniversary, the exhibition brings together rare pieces from the Burberry Archive and the V&A’s collection across three sections. Discover Thomas Burberry’s invention of cotton gabardine in 1879, explore signature design details including the House Check lining and storm flap, and admire 19 standout runway looks from the last 25 years.

Many objects are on public display for the first time, including early 20th-century catalogues and a 1979 car coat made for couturier Hardy Amies – it’s not to be missed!

Best for: Design lovers looking to delve into 170 years of Burberry heritage.
Good to know: While you're visiting the V&A South Kensington, explore the museum’s extensive fashion galleries, showcasing centuries of clothing, textiles and accessories from around the world.

6. Anish Kapoor at Hayward Gallery – Best for thought-provoking installations

Delve into Anish Kapoor’s awe-inspiring world at Hayward Gallery, where reality seems to bend before your eyes. This major exhibition brings together works from some of Kapoor’s most iconic series, from polished steel mirror sculptures that warp and distort their surroundings to mysterious creations coated in Vantablack, the blackest known substance on Earth. 

Discover seemingly bottomless voids that create a thrilling sense of vertigo, alongside powerful recent paintings and sculptures exploring the fragility of human existence. The exhibition also features striking new works, including two monumental installations in Kapoor’s signature red that appear to turn the world inside out. We recommend allowing plenty of time to explore, as each artwork reveals something new from every angle.

Best for: Those drawn to bold, immersive and visually striking artworks.
Good to know: Hayward Gallery is part of the Southbank Centre, so you can combine your visit with a performance at the Royal Festival Hall, browse the food outlets, or enjoy a stroll along South Bank.

7. Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art at V&A South Kensington – Best for bold design

Step into the visionary world of Elsa Schiaparelli in the UK’s first exhibition dedicated to her groundbreaking designs. At V&A South Kensington, Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art spans a century of creativity, pairing her bold fusion of fashion and art with contemporary pieces by creative director Daniel Roseberry. It’s a must‑see for anyone with a love of high fashion.

More than 200 garments, accessories, jewels and objects reveal how Schiaparelli turned clothing into a daring artistic language. Highlights include the Surrealist Tears Dress (1938) and the extraordinary Skeleton Dress (1938), both created with Salvador Dalí.

Projections of catwalk footage and vintage clippings immerse you in the buzz of Paris. We suggest pausing to study the embroidery – the sculptural craftsmanship is astonishing. You can read our full review on the Visit London blog to find out what not to miss.

Best for: Fashion lovers who want to see couture at its most imaginative.
Good to know: Book ahead – this is one of the V&A’s most in‑demand exhibitions, especially at weekends. The museum stays open until 10pm on Fridays if you prefer a quieter visit. Afterward, the V&A’s Fashion galleries make a perfect follow‑on, offering wider context for Schiaparelli’s influence.

8. Ana Mendieta at Tate Modern – Best for multidisciplinary works inspired by nature

Discover Ana Mendieta’s trailblazing exhibition at Tate Modern, featuring more than 120 works by the Cuban-born American artist. Encounter many of her most iconic pieces alongside newly remastered films, early paintings, late sculptural works and installations extending beyond the gallery walls. 

Renowned for her deep connection to nature, Mendieta’s multidisciplinary practice helped shape the course of contemporary art. Highlights include Ñañigo Burial, where black candles arranged in the outline of her body are regularly lit throughout the exhibition, creating a striking silhouette in molten wax. Don’t miss Untitled: Silueta Series, a forest-like installation recreated using locally sourced natural materials, offering a powerful example of Mendieta’s ephemeral sculptures and her enduring exploration of identity, landscape and ritual.

Best for: Contemporary art lovers interested in identity, nature and groundbreaking performance art.
Good to know: Make time to explore Tate Modern beyond the exhibition, from its free galleries and striking Turbine Hall installations to the riverside terrace overlooking the Thames.

9. Astronomy Photographer of the Year at National Maritime Museum – Best for celestial photography

10. James McNeill Whistler at Tate Britain – Best for boundary-pushing paintings

Step into the atmospheric world of James McNeill Whistler at Tate Britain, where the largest survey of his work in a generation brings together more than 150 pieces. A true rule‑breaker, Whistler reshaped what it meant to be a modern artist, creating luminous, innovative visions that influenced generations to come.

This landmark retrospective unites his celebrated masterpieces with rarely seen portraits, drawings, prints and early works from his teenage years in St Petersburg to his enigmatic late self‑portraits. Highlights include the iconic Portrait of His Mother and four major self‑portraits, including The Artist in His Studio, surrounded by East Asian ceramics, Japanese prints and artist‑designed furniture.

We love how the exhibition moves chronologically, revealing Whistler as both a bold experimenter and a cosmopolitan figure challenging Victorian conventions in pursuit of beauty and truth.

Best for: Anyone curious about Whistler’s influence on modern art.
Good to know: It’s worth pairing your visit with a wander through Tate Britain’s galleries to see standout works by Turner, Blake and other major figures of British art.

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.