Best art exhibitions in London right now – Top 10 in June 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. Stories – Brought to Life at FRAMELESS – Best for reimagined portraiture

A standout highlight at FRAMELESS, Stories – Brought to Life is a limited run residency exploring the stories behind some of the UK’s most iconic portraits. Created in partnership with the National Portrait Gallery and hosted in the Blank Canvas Gallery, this cinematic experience transforms portraiture into living narratives through cutting edge digital art, sound and archival storytelling – a must see for immersive art fans.

Journey through the lives of five cultural icons – Queen Elizabeth II, Nelson Mandela, William Shakespeare, Amy Winehouse and Malala Yousafzai – as a 15 minute sequence brings their stories to life and reveals the moments that shaped them. This intimate new take on portraiture is the perfect addition to your FRAMELESS visit, which we recommend enjoying first before exploring the permanent galleries.

Best for: Immersive art enthusiasts looking for a fresh, cinematic take on portraiture.
Good to know: The exhibition is included with the standard FRAMELESS admission ticket. From 13 Aug-12 Sep, it will only be available to experience in the Blank Canvas Gallery during FRAMELESS Lates, every Friday and Saturday from 6-10pm.

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. Marilyn Monroe: A Portrait at the National Portrait Gallery – Best for classic portrait photography

Celebrate the Hollywood star’s 100th birthday with Marilyn Monroe: A Portrait at the National Portrait Gallery, one of this month’s standout London exhibitions. It’s a rare chance to step closer to Marilyn than you might expect, exploring her life, career and legacy through striking portraits by leading 20th and 21st‑century photographers and artists.

Follow her journey from Norma Jeane to the height of her Hollywood fame in films like Some Like It Hot, before arriving at the quietly powerful final photographs taken on a Santa Monica beach in 1962. Film clips add her voice to the still images – find more detail in our review on the Visit London blog.

Alongside Andy Warhol’s iconic works, discover photographs by Cecil Beaton, Philippe Halsman and Bernard of Hollywood, plus personal items – from books and scripts to clothing – offering insight into the woman behind the legend. We recommend looking out for handwritten notes that reveal candid glimpses into her world.

Best for: Pop‑culture fans drawn to Marilyn, portraiture and visual storytelling.
Good to know: This is a popular exhibition, so booking ahead is recommended. Keep an eye on the gallery’s programme for curator introductions, talks and special events linked to the show.

4. 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.

5. 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. Opening in June, 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.

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.

6. 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.

7. David Hockney: A Year in Normandie and Some Other Thoughts about Painting at Serpentine North Gallery – Best for reimagined digital art

Delve into David Hockney’s latest works at Serpentine North Gallery, where everyday moments become scenes of quiet wonder. Created especially for this exhibition, his paintings reflect a lifelong fascination with looking closely.

At its centre is A Year in Normandie, a sweeping ninety‑metre frieze inspired by the Bayeux Tapestry. More than 100 iPad paintings wrap around the gallery, capturing the shifting seasons of his Normandy studio and sitting beautifully within the natural setting of Kensington Gardens. Theatrically lit against a deep blue wall, it glows like a screen in a darkened room – we love sitting on the benches to watch the seasons unfold.

Alongside the frieze, ten recent acrylic works explore reverse perspective through portraits and still lifes. Whether you’re a Hockney fan or seeing his work for the first time, this free exhibition is a standout choice this month.

Best for: Anyone drawn to bold colour, close observation and inventive techniques.
Good to know: Book a free time slot to guarantee entry, and pair your visit with a trip to the Serpentine South Gallery, just a five‑minute walk away.

8. Tracey Emin: A Second Life at Tate Modern – Best for confessional art

Tracey Emin’s world takes centre stage at Tate Modern, where four decades of fearless, deeply personal work unfold in one unmissable exhibition. From rarely seen early pieces to era‑defining icons, her paintings, videos, textiles, neons and installations express emotion and honesty.

Emin pushes at every boundary, using the female body to confront experiences of sexual assault and abortion with striking clarity. Intimate photographs from her art‑school years sit alongside the notorious My Bed (1998), offering a vivid journey through her life and creative evolution.

It’s raw, human and unapologetically direct, revealing the extraordinary range of mediums she’s mastered. We recommend taking time with the short films to gain a deeper sense of Emin as both artist and individual, illuminating her powerful exploration of what it means to be alive.

Best for: Tracey Emin fans who want to see career‑defining pieces alongside rarely shown early work.
Good to know: After the exhibition, wander through Tate Modern’s free collection displays, where you can see everything from Rothko’s atmospheric colour fields to Louise Bourgeois’ towering sculptures.

9. 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.

10. Cecily Brown: Picture Making at Serpentine South Gallery – Best for nature-inspired scenes

Discover Cecily Brown’s vibrant new exhibition at Serpentine South Gallery, where bold colour and energetic brushwork bring Kensington Gardens to life. Spanning three decades, Picture Making pairs new canvases with works from 2001, tracing the evolution of her intuitive, process‑led practice. It’s an ideal stop if you’re exploring Kensington Gardens this month.

Inspired by the gallery’s parkland setting, the free exhibition offers a fresh, atmospheric take on London’s green spaces. Highlights include the Nature Walk paintings – flickering scenes where human forms merge with woodland and the English landscape becomes mysterious and alive.

At its centre is The Serpentine Picture, a glowing yellow canvas with swirling bands of green and white. We’re drawn to the recent monotypes and drawings, which tap into Brown’s early memories of the English countryside and the darker edges of childhood tales.

Best for: Nature lovers who enjoy seeing green spaces reimagined through bold colour and sweeping brushwork.
Good to know: Book a free time slot to guarantee entry. Before or after your visit, make the most of the location with a stroll through Kensington Gardens or a relaxed picnic on the lawns.

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.