London's Art Scene Blooms with Unmissable Spring 2026 Exhibitions
As spring 2026 arrives, London's parks and gardens are not the only things coming to life; the city's art scene is buzzing with activity. With several brilliant shows already open, including Beatriz González at the Barbican, Catherine Opie at the Portrait Gallery, and Hurvin Anderson at Tate Britain, the excitement is set to intensify. This season, three massive new venues—V&A East opening on April 18, the Museum of Youth Culture on May 15, and the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration in May—will join the fray, offering Londoners a wealth of exhibitions spanning Gilded Age portraitists, monumental sculptures, Baroque masters, and avant-garde couture. Grab your diary and plan your visits with our guide to the top 10 truly unmissable shows over the next few months.
1. Michaelina Wautier at the Royal Academy
Until recently, few art historians believed that paintings signed by 17th-century artist Michaelina Wautier could have been created by a woman, often attributing them to male artists. However, she mastered everything from flowers and still lifes to portraits and large-scale history paintings, tackling subjects typically reserved for her male peers. This landmark exhibition, the first in the UK dedicated to this rediscovered master, features twenty-five pieces. Royal Academy. March 27 to June 21. £15.
2. 'Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art' at the V&A
Elsa Schiaparelli, the groundbreaking 20th-century fashion designer known for her surreal and avant-garde haute couture with striking silhouettes and gilded accents, is the focus of the first UK exhibition at the V&A. With over 400 objects, including 100 ensembles and artworks by Salvador Dalí, Picasso, and Man Ray, this show powerfully argues for clothing as an art form and is essential for any fashion enthusiast. The V&A. March 28 to November 8. £28.
3. 'Veronica Ryan: Multiple Conversations' at Whitechapel Gallery
British-Caribbean artist Veronica Ryan, who became the oldest winner of the Turner Prize in 2022, is celebrated in one of the largest presentations of her work to date at Whitechapel Gallery. Multiple Conversations spans her multifaceted practice, including sculpture, textiles, and works on paper, featuring over 100 pieces from recent creations to rediscovered works from the 1980s. Whitechapel Gallery. April 1 to June 14. £15.
4. 'The Music is Black: A British Story' at V&A East
V&A East, a swanky new museum opening in April, launches with an inaugural temporary exhibition exploring how Black British music has shaped culture globally. It includes cool artefacts like Joan Armatrading's childhood guitar, outfits worn by Little Simz, newly acquired photography by Dennis Morris and Jennie Baptiste, and a sound experience from Sennheiser. V&A East. April 18 to June 18. £22.50.
5. Zurbarán at the National Gallery
Francisco de Zurbarán, one of the leading painters of 17th-century Spain, receives his first-ever National Gallery exhibition this May. Celebrated for naturalism and emotional depth, his works include life-size depictions of saints, soaring altarpieces, and contemplative still lifes, offering a space for solemn reflection. National Gallery. May 2 to August 23.
6. 'Henry Moore: Monumental Nature' at Kew Gardens
Henry Moore's bulbous and undulating creations, designed for outdoor settings, will be displayed in one of London's most spectacular natural environments at Kew Gardens. This largest-ever exhibition dedicated to the modernist sculptor features over 90 works, including carvings, drawings, iconic reclining figures, and massive abstract bronzes. Kew Gardens. May 9 to January 31, 2027. Included with Gardens entry.
7. James McNeill Whistler at Tate Britain
The first major European exhibition of Gilded Age painter James McNeill Whistler's work in 30 years arrives at Tate Britain this spring. This retrospective brings together world-famous paintings like 'Whistler's Mother' with rarely or never-seen works, showcasing exquisite portraits, drawings, prints, and designs from his teenage years in St Petersburg to enigmatic late self-portraits. Tate Britain. May 21 to September 27. £24.
8. 'Marilyn Monroe: A Portrait' at the National Portrait Gallery
Coinciding with the centenary of her birth, this exhibition turns the spotlight on Marilyn Monroe, one of the twentieth century's biggest icons. Marilyn Monroe: A Portrait explores her legacy through works by great artists and photographers, including Andy Warhol, Cecil Beaton, Marlene Dumas, Milton Greene, and Eve Arnold. National Portrait Gallery. June 4 to September 6. £25.
9. Julio Le Parc at Tate Modern
Pioneering Argentinian artist Julio Le Parc, a key figure in the Kinetic and Op Art movements of the 1960s, has been creating illuminated, kinetic, and participatory works for seven decades and continues at age 97. This major retrospective celebrates his visionary career, from his arrival in Paris in the late 1950s to his resurgence in the 2010s, featuring colourful, immersive works sure to dominate social media. Tate Modern. June 11 to May 3, 2027. £15.
10. Anish Kapoor at the Hayward Gallery
Nearly 30 years after his first major UK exhibition at the Hayward Gallery, internationally acclaimed sculptor Anish Kapoor returns with his largest UK show to date. Expect to have your senses challenged by monumental mirror sculptures, foreboding masses of wax drooping from the ceiling, and recent works made with futuristic light-absorbing nanotechnology. The Hayward Gallery. June 16 to October 18. £22.
In related news, Tate is creating a garden for the Chelsea Flower Show for the first time ever, and international tourists might soon have to pay to visit London's greatest museums. Stay updated with the latest cultural trends and events from the Big Smoke by following relevant channels and newsletters for insider tips and reviews.
