Exhibitions in London — December 2026
Exhibitions on in London during December 2026. This page narrows our full exhibitions programme down to what's running in December 2026, so you can plan ahead — dates, venues and booking, all in one place.
London's exhibition calendar is one of the richest in the world. We list everything from blockbuster 'culture' shows at the British Museum – such as the Bayeux Tapestry in 2026 – to interesting small exhibitions by rising East End artists.
Exhibitions · December 2026

Hokusai: Thirty-six views of Mt. Fuji from the Iuchi Collection
20/10/2026 - 17/01/2027
Tue-Sun 10:00-17:00
Dulwich Picture GalleryThe John Madejski Fine Rooms - FREE
16/12/2025 - 29/01/2027
Tue-Sun 11:00-16:00 (Fri 21:00). Closed 2 October, 6 November & 4 December 2026
Royal Academy of ArtsTim Walker's Fairyland: Love and Legends - FREE
08/10/2026 - 07/02/2027
Daily 10:30-18:00; Fri-Sat until 21:00
National Portrait Gallery
Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style
10/04/2026 - 18/04/2027
Check website
King's Gallery, Buckingham PalaceBecoming America - How Science Shaped a Nation - FREE
23/10/2026 - 25/04/2027
Daily: 10:00-17:00 (Pre-book online)
Science Museum
Sabine Moritz
07/10/2026 - 20/12/2026
Generally daily 10:00-17:00, but check for closures
Garden Museum
Healing Spaces: Healthcare Design Past, Present and Future
18/11/2025 - 31/12/2026
Tue-Sun 10:00-17:00
Florence Nightingale Museum
Jean ProuvéMaison Démontable
16/05/2026 - 31/12/2026
Tue-Sat: 10:00-18:00; Sun: 11:00-17:00
Carpenters Workshop Gallery LondonThe Burberry Trench: Crafting an Icon - FREE
21/09/2026 - 03/01/2027
10:00-17:45 (Fri 22:00)
Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A)Rising Voices: Contemporary Art from Asia, Australia and the Pacific
16/05/2026 - 10/01/2027
10:00-17:45
Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A)The Music is Black: A British Story
18/04/2026 - 10/01/2027
10:00-18:00 (Fri & Sat 21:00)
Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A)Zineb Sedira: When Words Fall Silent, Cinema Speaks - FREE
26/05/2026 - 17/01/2027
10:00-!8:00
Tate Britain
Painting the French Riviera
02/10/2026 - 31/01/2027
Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00 (Fri 21:00)
Royal Academy of Arts
Charlie Mackesy: The Boy, the Fox, the Mole, the Horse... And You
03/11/2026 - 07/02/2027
Tue-Sun 10:00-17:00
Dulwich Picture GalleryShonibare and Gainsborough: A Conversation - FREE
15/10/2026 - 07/02/2027
Daily 10:00-18:00; Fri until 21:00
National Gallery
Light and Magic The Birth of Art Photography
08/10/2026 - 14/02/2027
Daily 10:00-18:00 (Fri & Sat 22:00)
Tate Modern
Peggy Guggenheim in London
21/11/2026 - 14/03/2027
Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00 (Fri 21:00)
Royal Academy of Arts
Goavve-Geabbil: Hyundai Commission 2026
26/10/2026 - 27/03/2027
Daily 10:00-18:00 (Fri, Sat 22:00)
Tate ModernBank of England Museum – What's On (parent listing) - FREE
21/06/2026 - 31/03/2027
Open Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm (last entry 4.30pm). Open for Museum Lates every third Thursday of the month, until 8pm (last entry 7.30pm, booking recommended). Closed Bank Holidays and weekends.
Bank of England MuseumUrushi Now: Contemporary Japanese Lacquer - FREE
30/04/2026 - 30/04/2027
10:00-17:45
Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A)
Agatha Christie
30/10/2026 - 20/06/2027
Mon-Sat 09:30-20:00 (Fri 18:30, Sat 17:00); Sun 11:00-17:00
British LibraryFrequently asked questions
What exhibitions are on in London in December 2026?
The list above shows exhibitions running in London during December 2026, updated day by day with our picks first. Each entry links to dates, venue and booking.
How much, if anything, will a visit cost?
London is unusual among major cites, in that the starting point for most museums and art galleries is 'free entry'. For the exhibitions we list here, however, there is most often a charge. How much that charge will be often depends on personal circumstances, so It's always safest to check by following the 'More info and Booking' link for the most complete and up-to-date information.
A show I want to go to is sold out. What can I do?
Most major museums and galleries offer a perfectly proper 'jump the queue' option. You simply have to become a 'friend, and then, in most cases, you can still get in to 'sold out' exhibitions! The catch of course is that you'll have to pay an annual subscription, which is typically around three times the cost of a single visit. Especially if you live locally, however, it's an option always worth considering.
Should I book ahead?
For most shows most of the time, you don't need to book, but, it's always safest to check out the 'More info and Booking' link as soon as you consider a visit. Sometimes, even free entry (where available) requires you to have booked a time slot first.


