As London’s vibrant art scene continues to evolve, 2025 promises an array of captivating exhibitions in London that can fascinate art enthusiasts and casual observers alike.
From photographic retrospectives to innovative sculptural displays, this year’s lineup showcases both celebrated masters and emerging talents. Look forward to the best exhibitions in 2025 across London galleries, offering a curated selection of art shows and cultural experiences.
Whether you are drawn to the dynamic worlds of street photography, the delicate narratives of contemporary sculpture, or the rich histories depicted through fashion, London’s galleries and museums offer a diverse palette of visual delights.
Here are some of the most anticipated exhibitions across the city, highlighting not only the art but also the unique stories they tell and the global cultures they represent.
1. Open Wound, Bankside, London
Mire Lee’s installation in the Turbine Hall is alive, but barely—a vast, heaving machine that seems to gasp and struggle as it spills thick, noxious liquid across the concrete floor. Its sinewy tentacles writhe and flop, a mechanical organism caught between life and decay. Suspended from the ceiling, stretched across metal frames, are unsettling ‘skins’—clay-toned fabrics that look disturbingly organic, as if they’ve been torn from some unknown, even human, source.
This haunting creation speaks directly to us. It’s about the human toll of industry—the way progress chews us up and spits us out. The machine, with its exposed heart and dripping wounds, feels like a mirror, forcing us to confront the cost of what we build and consume. Over time, it continues to ‘work,’ producing more of these strange skins, each a reminder of the violence and exploitation woven into the fabric of modern life. Lee’s installation is raw, emotional, and deeply human—turning the Turbine Hall into a space that makes us feel, reflect, and question.
View some of Van Gogh's greatest masterpieces in this once-in-a-century exhibition hosted by the National Gallery. Step into the world of Vincent van Gogh and experience the poetic beauty of his most cherished works. Wander beneath the swirling stars of Starry Night over the Rhône, rest in the shade of Saint-Rémy’s trees, and feel the warmth of The Yellow House. For a limited time, we’re bringing together masterpieces from across the globe, rarely seen in public, alongside his extraordinary drawings.
Discover how, in just two transformative years in the south of France, Van Gogh revolutionised his art, weaving stories of love, nature, and imagination through vivid colour and texture. Celebrate our 200th birthday with Van Gogh’s Poets and Lovers—a journey through the heart and soul of an artistic genius.
Dates: Until 19th January
Location: National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5DN
Discover 21 Master Impressionist Claude Monet's works in the Griffin Catalyst Exhibition. Although French himself, Monet painted quite a few of his works in London, depicting the ordinary views of the Thames and the London Bridge in the characteristic vibrant and hazy technique. Painted during his stays in London between 1899 and 1901, the series depicts the Charing Cross Bridge, Waterloo Bridge and the Houses of Parliament and will be exhibited merely 300 meters from the Savoy Hotel, where Monet first conceptualised this stunning series. The exhibition realises Monet's ardent wish to have the works displayed in London after plans fell through in 1905.
Details:
Dates: Until 19 January
Location: Courtauld Gallery, Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 0RN
Emulating the legendary filmmaker Tim Burton’s whimsically macabre artistic style, The World of Tim Burton at the Design Museum offers a captivating journey into his imaginative universe. This extraordinary exhibition showcases Burton’s brilliance not only as a filmmaker but as a multi-disciplinary artist—illustrator, painter, photographer, and author. Drawn from his personal archive, the collection spans his creative journey from childhood to the present day. On display are an array of works, including drawings, paintings, photographs, sketchbooks, moving-image pieces, sculptural installations, and set and costume designs. Also discover an scitillating AR experience created by Snapchat's Paris AR Studio which features a digital dome inspired by Burton's illustrations. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind exhibition, making its exclusive UK debut.
Details:
Dates: Until 21 April 2025
Location: The Design Museum, 224-238 Kensington High St, London W8 6AG
This annual art fair is not just limited to fine art, but is a platform to discover Modern and Contemporary art from across the globe with over 120 national and international galleries from over 20 countries participating. The London Art fair features a captivating collection of curated exhibitions, live music and performances, and an inspiring Talks and Tours programme.
Details:
Dates: January 22- January 26 2025
Location: Business Design Centre, Islington, N1 0QH
Step into the fascinating world of the Italian Renaissance at the Royal Academy of Arts with Michelangelo, Leonardo, Raphael. Opening on 25th January, this exhibition brings to life the rivalry between two of history’s greatest artists, Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci, and explores their profound influence on the young Raphael. Featuring iconic pieces like Michelangelo’s Taddei Tondo and Leonardo’s Burlington House Cartoon, as well as sketches for the grand murals at the Palazzo Vecchio, this exhibition offers a rare chance to see the works that defined an era. It’s an unmissable journey through one of the most exciting moments in art history.
Details:
Dates: Until 16 February 2025
Location: The Royal Acadey of Arts, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BD
7. The Great Mughals: Art, Architecture and Opulence, South Kensington
Immerse yourself in the rich world of the Mughal Empire with this captivating exhibition, where the art, culture, and history of one of the world’s most powerful dynasties come alive. Explore the stunning beauty of their masterpieces, from intricate paintings and luxurious treasures to opulent weaponry. Discover how rulers like Shah Jahan, Akbar, and Jahangir embraced diverse influences, blending Persian, Hindu, and European styles to create a world full of elegance, spiritual depth, and fascinating stories. This exhibition offers a rare glimpse into a time where art and power went hand in hand, inviting you to experience the Mughal Empire like never before.
Narrated by the acclaimed Cate Blanchett, VOGUE: Inventing the Runway traces the evolution of the fashion runway, from its modest origins in 20th-century couture salons to the spectacular pop-culture-defining events of today. This extraordinary exhibition leverages Vogue's unparalleled archives and industry connections to craft an immersive experience that celebrates the voices shaping fashion across generations.
Visitors will explore how runway shows became the ultimate platform for designers to articulate their visions—often serving as profound expressions of identity—transformed season after season. With original animations, immersive soundscapes, and a dynamic score blending classical and pop music, the exhibition captures the cultural impact of iconic fashion moments that forever changed the industry.
Details:
Dates: February 9, 2025 – May 27, 2025
Location: Lightroom, 12, Lewis Cubitt Square, London N1C 4DY
9. Japanese Art History à la Takashi Murakami, Grosvenor Hill
Step into the vibrant world of Japanese Art History à la Takashi Murakami at Gagosian London. This stunning exhibition brings Murakami’s unique perspective to iconic Japanese art, blending historical masterpieces with his signature Superflat style. From reimagined Kyoto landscapes to playful depictions of mythical guardians, each piece bridges the gap between tradition and modernity. Don’t miss Rakuchū-Rakugai-zu Byōbu: Iwasa Matabei RIP, a dazzling reinterpretation of a 17th-century masterpiece, and a captivating series inspired by the Rinpa school. Plus, explore Murakami’s colorful takeover at Burlington Arcade, featuring exclusive prints and merchandise. Join Murakami and Hans Ulrich Obrist in conversation on December 11 at the Royal Academy of Arts for an unforgettable look into the mind of a contemporary art legend.
Details:
Dates: Until 8 March 2025
Location: Gagosian London, Grosvenor Hill, 20 Grosvenor Hill, London W1K 3QD
Step into Bubble Planet, a whimsical world where bubbles reign supreme! This immersive experience invites you to explore larger-than-life bubbles, dazzling science, and sensory wonders that spark joy and curiosity. From interactive spaces to a thrilling hot air balloon flight simulator, every moment is a chance to see the world through a new lens. Perfect for all ages, Bubble Planet promises to ignite your imagination and unleash your inner child.
Details:
Dates: Booking until 28 February 2025
Location: Wembley Park, 22 Fulton Rd, Wembley HA9 0TF
Step into the world of Vincent van Gogh like never before. Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience invites you to lose yourself in the beauty of his most beloved works. Wander through a stunning light and sound exhibition with over 1,000 m² of two-story projections that bring his art to life all around you.
Take a virtual journey into Vincent’s world, exploring iconic paintings like The Bedroom at Arles and Starry Night Over the Rhône through an incredible VR experience. Feeling inspired? Create your own masterpiece and see it projected on the walls for everyone to admire. This is more than an exhibition—it’s a chance to connect with Van Gogh’s genius in a deeply personal and unforgettable way.
Step into a world where light takes shape in Solid Light, an exhibition dedicated to Anthony McCall’s captivating installations. Beams of light projected through a fine mist create shifting, three-dimensional forms that invite your movement and interaction. As you explore these luminous sculptures, you’ll discover new shapes and perspectives, transforming the space around you.
Blurring the lines between sculpture, cinema, drawing, and performance, McCall’s innovative works have redefined the boundaries of art. Experience the magic of his groundbreaking Line Describing a Cone (1973) and other mesmerizing creations in this unforgettable journey through light and form.
Discover the enchanting artistry of Tirzah Garwood in this landmark retrospective, the first to showcase the full breadth of her work. Known as both a fine artist and printmaker, Garwood’s ‘sophisticated naïve’ style transforms seemingly innocent subjects into deeply evocative pieces. With over 80 works on display—including her vibrant oil paintings, whimsical wood engravings, delicate marbled papers, and intricate collages—this exhibition celebrates Garwood’s remarkable talent and creativity.
The show also features 11 works by her husband, Eric Ravilious, offering a glimpse into their shared themes and distinct artistic voices. Curated by James Russell and accompanied by a full-colour catalogue with insightful essays, this is a rare opportunity to journey into the imaginative world of an artist who turned hardship into fairy tales and gave life to the inanimate.
Details:
Dates: Until 26 May 2025
Location: Dulwich Picture Gallery, London SE21 7AD
Step into the ever-changing, awe-inspiring world of your own mind. Hello Brain! invites you to explore the incredible complexity of your headspace, where billions of neurons fire and connect, shaping how you see the world—and how it shapes you.
From hallucinations to lab-grown neurons, this immersive exhibition takes you on a journey through the mysteries of the brain. Feed your curiosity, spark new ideas, and even craft your own brain-inspired creations in our interactive café. Dive into the marvels of what makes you uniquely you.
Details:
Dates: Showing until 25 June 2025
Location: The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Rd, London NW1 1AT
Celebrate 65 years of Barbie with this exciting exhibition, where design meets nostalgia. Discover the evolution of the iconic doll through fashion, architecture, furniture, and vehicle design. Highlights include the rare first edition Number 1 Barbie from 1959, the groundbreaking Day to Night Barbie from 1985, and the beloved Totally Hair Barbie from 1992.
Explore Barbie’s diverse legacy with dolls representing various cultures, identities, and abilities, including the first Barbie with Down syndrome and the first with a wheelchair. Plus, see how Barbie’s world has evolved with Dreamhouses, vehicles, and the ever-changing Ken dolls. This is a must-see journey through the history, design, and cultural impact of a beloved global icon.
Details:
Dates: Until 23 February 2025
Location: The Design Museum, 224-238 Kensington High Street, London W8 6AG
Step inside the world of art like never before at FRAMELESS, the UK’s largest permanent multi-sensory experience. Located in Marble Arch, this groundbreaking attraction features four immersive galleries showcasing iconic masterpieces by renowned artists like Cezanne, Kandinsky, Monet, Dali, Van Gogh, Rembrandt, and Klimt.
Where art breaks free, FRAMELESS invites you to travel through vivid, interactive spaces that bring these timeless works to life in ways you've never seen. Experience art in motion, and immerse yourself in a journey that stimulates the senses and ignites the imagination.
Details:
Location: Frameless, 6 Marble Arch, London W1H 7AP
17. Goshka Macuga: 'Born From Stone', Bloomberg SPACE
Explore Born From Stone, an immersive installation by Goshka Macuga at the London Mithraeum Bloomberg SPACE. Inspired by the ancient Roman temple of Mithras, this exhibition invites you into a transformed cave-like space, where sculptural rock formations evoke the very ground on which the temple was built.
Through this atmospheric setting, Macuga draws you into the story of Mithras and the layers of history beneath the City of London. The exhibition also features works from the Imperial War Museums, curated to reflect the themes of destruction, rebuilding, and the urgent challenges of today—from ecological crises to the scars left by war. It’s a thought-provoking journey that blends the past with the present, offering new insights into the ongoing transformation of our world.
Details:
Dates: Until 18 January 2025
Location: The London Mithraeum, 12 Walbrook, City of London, London EC4N 8AA
The Year of the Snake in 2025, according to Chinese Astrology, represents intuition, wisdom, and transformation. Known for their deep thinking and calm demeanor, snakes embody the energy of introspection and strategic planning. This year invites us to shed old habits and outdated patterns, much like a snake shedding its skin, making way for renewal and growth. So, what can we expect for the 12 zodiac signs in Chinese astrology this year?
The West End is more than just London's theatre district – it’s where unforgettable stories come to life on stage, and 2025 promises a season filled with spectacular performances.
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Jay Rutland, Maddox Gallery’s Creative Director, has showcased emerging artistic talent alongside blue-chip investment artwork since the gallery’s inception. here, he discusses his passion for collecting, and what lies at the heart of Maddox.
