Discover our top picks for the must-see exhibitions lighting up London’s vibrant art scene.
As the colder months roll in and sunny picnics in the park begin to feel like a distant memory, we have no choice but to seek shelter at the weekend. Thankfully, London has an abundance of fantastic, must-see exhibitions that continue to keep our creative juices from freezing up. Below, we’ve rounded up something for everyone; including what’s hot right now, plus upcoming exhibitions that we can’t wait to check out in the new year.
V&A Kensington – Fragile Beauty (Closes 5th January 2025)
This extraordinary and expansive collection of photographs from the Sir Elton John and David Furnish Collection features 300 never-before-seen prints by some of the world’s foremost photographers. The exhibition offers a captivating narrative of modern and contemporary photography, exploring diverse themes including fashion, celebrity, reportage, and the male form.
Design Museum – The World of Tim Burton (Closes 21st April 2025)
This major exhibition, drawn from Tim Burton’s personal archive, offers a fascinating look into his unique creative universe, focusing on the design behind his signature aesthetic. Known primarily for his films, the exhibit also reveals the full scope of Burton’s talents as an illustrator, painter, photographer, and author, while highlighting his influential collaborations with designers. As a truly multi-disciplinary artist, Burton’s work defies traditional boundaries, spanning across mediums and formats to create a distinctive and expansive body of art.
ExCeL (Immerse London) – Formula 1 Exhibition (Closes 2nd March 2025)
Immerse yourself in the world of F1 through this one-of-a-kind exhibition, which showcases the sport’s rich history, its present-day allure, and the future innovations on the horizon. Offering exclusive access to F1’s film archive, the exhibit is filled with rare contributions from legendary teams and drivers, featuring a remarkable collection of never-before-seen films, photographs, and artefacts.
Tate Britian – Lee Miller (Opens 2nd October 2025)
From fashion model to photojournalist and World War II correspondent, Lee Miller’s is one of the most remarkable artists of the generation and her extraordinary career produced some of the most iconic images of the 20th century. With around 250 vintage and modern prints, including those never previously displayed, the exhibition reveals Miller’s poetic vision and fearless spirit and is the most extensive retrospective of her photography yet staged in the UK.
Tate Modern – Anthony McCall: ‘Solid Light’ (Closes 27th April 2025)
Step into Solid Light, an immersive exhibition celebrating the captivating works of Anthony McCall, blurs the lines between sculpture, cinema, drawing, and performance. McCall’s latest creations use beams of light projected through a fine mist to form large, three-dimensional shapes that slowly evolve and transform. As you navigate through these translucent light sculptures, you’ll shape your own unique experience, discovering mesmerising perspectives and one-of-a-kind forms along the way.
National Portrait Gallery – The Face Magazine: Culture Shift (Opens 20th February 2025)
The Face Magazine: Culture Shift celebrates the iconic fashion photography and portraits featured in The Face, a groundbreaking British magazine that influenced youth culture and fashion from 1980 to 2004. Known for its radical approach, the magazine launched the careers of models like Kate Moss, musicians who went on to global fame, and photographers who reshaped fashion imagery. The exhibition, showcasing over 200 photographs by 80+ photographers, offers a rare chance to view these powerful images outside the magazine.
V&A East Storehouse – David Bowie Exhibition (Opens 13th September 2025)
The highly anticipated V&A East Storehouse is set to open and be home to Bowie’s extensive archive, recently acquired by the V&A. This phenomenal 90,000+ item collection, showcasing Bowie’s creative journey as a musician and cultural icon, will be publicly accessible for the first time. Highlights include iconic stage costumes like the Ziggy Stardust outfits, lyrics for songs such as Fame, Heroes and Ashes to Ashes and examples of Bowie’s ‘cut up’ writing method, inspired by writer William Burroughs.
