What's on in Centre London
Centre London packs a remarkable amount of culture into a short walk. From landmark venues to smaller galleries, theatres and music spaces, this part of the city rewards anyone willing to explore beyond the obvious — and much of what's on is easy to combine into a single outing.
This page tracks the exhibitions, theatre, concerts and cinema on at venues across Centre London this week. We show each event's venue, dates and how to book, so you can build a plan around where you already are or fancy heading. Whether you want a gallery afternoon, an evening show or a family day out, start here.
Follow any listing through for full details, times and booking. For a wider view, browse what's on today or this weekend across the whole city.
Centre · this week
Portrait of a City: A Century of American Photography
28/07/2026 - 04/10/2026
Tue-Sun 10:00-16:00
Dulwich Picture Gallery
Anish Kapoor
16/06/2026 - 18/10/2026
Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00 (Sat 20:00)
Hayward Gallery (at Southbank Centre)
The Comedy About Spies
01/08/2026 - 26/09/2026
Tue-Sat 19:30; Wed, Sat & Sun 14:30 (Sun eve 19:00)
Adelphi Theatre
Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style
10/04/2026 - 18/04/2027
Check website
King's Gallery, Buckingham Palace
Coltrane and Hartman on Impulse! feat. Mark Lockheart and Marvin Muoneké
27/09/2026
13:00
Ronnie Scott's
Beethoven, Britten and Grieg — Hyeyoon Park violin; Juho Pohjonen piano
27/09/2026
Sunday 27 September 2026, 11:30
Wigmore HallBartók, Beethoven, Haydn and More — Thomas Adès piano
26/09/2026
Saturday 26 September 2026, 19:30
Wigmore Hall
A Month in the Country
22/08/2026 - 03/10/2026
Mon-Sat 19:30 (+ Thu & Sat 14:30, from 29 Aug)
Donmar WarehouseHepworth and Nicholson: The Hampstead Studio Photographs
06/06/2026 - 04/10/2026
Daily 10:00-18:00
Courtauld GalleryThe Mousetrap
15/05/2025 - 17/10/2026
Mon-Sat 19:30 (+ 15:00 Tue & Thu; 15:00 & 16:00 Sat)
St Martin's TheatreMusquiqui Chihying: A Life of Navigation - FREE
25/08/2026 - 18/10/2026
Hayward Gallery (at Southbank Centre)Richard Dadd: Beyond Bedlam
25/07/2026 - 25/10/2026
Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00 (Fri 21:00)
Royal Academy of Arts
As You Like It
14/08/2026 - 25/10/2026
Mostly 19:30; some matinees 14:00; Sun 13:00 & 18:30 (see booking page)
Shakespeare's GlobeHerbert Smith Freehills Kramer Portrait Award 2026 - FREE!
25/06/2026 - 27/10/2026
Daily 10:30-18:00 ( Fri & Sat 21:00)
National Portrait GalleryDoes my head look BIG in this? The art of portrait caricature
23/05/2026 - 01/11/2026
Saturday 23 May 2026, 10:30 – Sunday 1 November 2026, 16:00
Cartoon Museum
The Playboy of the Western World
28/02/2026 - 04/12/2026
Mon-Sat 19:30 (+ 14:30 Thu & Sat)
National Theatre (Lyttleton)Matilda The Musical
20/05/2025 - 17/01/2027
Tue-Fri 19:00; Wed & Sat 14:00; Sun 15:00
Cambridge TheatreZineb Sedira: When Words Fall Silent, Cinema Speaks - FREE
26/05/2026 - 17/01/2027
10:00-!8:00
Tate BritainFrequently asked questions
What's on in Centre London this week?
The list above shows cultural events at venues across Centre London — exhibitions, theatre, concerts and film — updated day by day, with our picks first.
Are there free things to do in Centre London?
Often, yes. Many London venues offer free entry to their collections and free events. See our free things to do page for everything on this week with no ticket.
How do I get to Centre London?
Centre London is well served by the Underground, buses and, in central areas, walking between venues. Check each venue's page for its address and nearest station.
How current are these listings?
They're refreshed continuously, so the events shown reflect what's actually on in this part of London this week.