The Best Exhibitions in London for September 2025
Discover must-see exhibitions and art shows that are happening in London right now
The art scene these days is growing increasingly more difficult to track, even with innovations in communication technology and marketing. Some gallery openings fly completely under the radar, and while these events are exciting, largely free, and often offering free drinks, the art world's events scene lacks the centralisation that live music has with DICE, Resident Advisor and, the frankly dreaded Ticketmaster (and no, I don't want to hear about Art Rabbit ever again, though I would recommend using Brushwrk)
This summer, London’s vibrant contemporary art scene delivers an unmissable lineup of cutting-edge exhibitions, from emerging artists to iconic masters. Dive into immersive installations that push boundaries, thought-provoking exhibitions exploring identity and technology, and blockbuster shows celebrating diverse artistic voices.
Experience interactive art displays that blend digital innovation with traditional techniques, or lose yourself in large-scale sculptures and bold paintings by internationally acclaimed artists. Many exhibitions highlight sustainability in art, featuring eco-conscious materials and themes addressing climate change, perfect for culturally curious visitors seeking meaningful experiences.
For those drawn to experimental art, discover multisensory exhibitions merging sound, light, and movement. Alternatively, explore figurative and abstract works by rising stars in the global art world, offering fresh perspectives on modern life.
Free and ticketed shows cater to all tastes, making it easy to plan an art-filled London itinerary. Whether you're a seasoned collector or a casual art lover, this summer’s lineup promises inspiration, creativity, and cultural enrichment.
So, here we bring the doings of the art world - both overground and underground - to cater to both casual and eccentric, day-tripper and deep-digger, bringing you a quality mix of entertaining and thought-provoking exhibitions across the capital.
Stay tuned, we update this weekly
Interior Motives - at Hauser and Wirth
Hauser & Wirth 22 Aug 2025 to 20 Sep 2025
Hauser & Wirth’s ‘Interior Motives’ explores domestic spaces as psychological realms through Koak, Ding Shilun, and Cece Philips’ distinct painterly visions.
Carbon, Carbon Everywhere - at Hypha Studios
Hypha Studios 21 Aug 2025 to 2 Oct 2025
Twelve artists trace carbon’s journey from rock to life, revealing the elemental thread connecting all matter across time and form.
‘Once, Lotus’, by Mingzhang Sun - at Felstead Art
Felstead Art 16 Aug 2025 to 4 Oct 2025
Mingzhang Sun’s 'Once, Lotus' uses the flower as a diasporic symbol of resilience, merging memory, trauma, and renewal through painterly fragmentation.
‘POST-CARD, POST-BOOK’, by Jack Milroy - at Benjamin Rhodes
Benjamin Rhodes Art 14 Aug 2025 to 3 Oct 2025
Milroy’s constructions transform ephemera through structural innovation, merging material constraints with narrative potential in visually syntactic arrangements
Between Sleeping and Waking: Hospital Dreams and Visions - at Bethlem Museum of the Mind
Bethlam Museum of the Mind 14 Aug 2025 to 8 Nov 2025
This new exhibition at Bethlem explores universal archetypes and insomnia through historical artworks and immersive installation, affirming our shared subconscious humanity.
‘Play II” by Connor Gottfried - at StolenSpace
StolenSpace Gallery 31 Jul 2025 to 31 Aug 2025
This series of interactive retro gaming sculptures blend art and play, exploring nostalgia, tech’s impact on identity, and human-machine creativity.
“Worship Paintings”, by Tanya Ling - at The Mayor Gallery
The Mayor Gallery 31 Jul 2025 to 6 Sep 2025
Tanya Ling's newest exhibition showcases meditative oil-on-linen line works, merging fashion's precision with spiritual abstraction, at the Mayor Gallery.
CTRL+Paint - at Rhodes Contemporary
Rhodes Contemporary Art 1 Aug 2025 to 30 Aug 2025
In the newest exhibition at Rhodes, Lino Lago overlays Old Master portraits with digital “glitches” in gold leaf, probing how we view art today.
Variations: V3 Model Collapse
The Photographers’ Gallery 27 Jun 2025 to 28 Sep 2025
Major new solo exhibition from British multimedia artist Felicity Hammond opens at The Photographers’ Gallery.
1880 THAT: Christine Sun Kim and Thomas Mader - at Wellcome Collection
Wellcome Collection 17 Apr 2025 to 16 Nov 2025
An innovative, curated exhibition on deafness, the importance of language, and language as home, '1880 THAT' refers to the conference of the same year which sidelined sign language in schools.
Design and Disability
Victoria and Albert Museum 6 Jul 2025 to 15 Feb 2026
The Victoria and Albert Museum presents a celebration of Disabled design and a call for action.
Milly Thompson, “My Body Temperature is Feeling Good” - at Goldsmiths CCA
Goldsmiths CCA 5 Jun 2025 to 24 Aug 2025
Milly Thompson’s sun-drenched, defiant oeuvre celebrates middle-aged desire, lampoons luxury culture, and wields paint like a manifesto—proving art’s power to revel in glorious imperfection.
Claudio Parmiggiani
Estorick Collection 28 May 2025 to 31 Aug 2025
The Estorick Collection presents the first ever institutional UK exhibition dedicated to Claudio Parmiggiani.
Connecting Thin Black Lines
Institute of Contemporary Arts 24 Jun 2025 to 7 Sep 2025
A major group exhibition and event programme curated by Lubaina Himid is now open at the ICA.
Richard Rogers: Talking Buildings
Sir John Soane's Museum 18 Jun 2025 to 21 Sep 2025
Sir John Soane’s Museum presents the UK’s first retrospective survey of Richard Rogers’ life and work.
Duane Linklater - akâmi
Camden Art Centre 3 Jul 2025 to 21 Sep 2025
Camden Art Centre presents akâmi-, the first major UK institutional exhibition of Duane Linklater.
Movements for Staying Alive
Modern Art Oxford 7 Jun 2025 to 1 Sep 2025
Modern Art Oxford presents a group show exploring movement.
Victorian Treasures at Leighton House
Leighton House 24 May 2025 to 21 Sep 2025
A range of incredible Victorian treasures will be shown at Leighton House this summer combining two very different collections.
Leonardo Drew & Museo Jumex
South London Gallery 30 May 2025 to 7 Sep 2025
Coming soon to South London Gallery Leonardo Drew & Museo Jumex.
Grayson Perry: Delusions of Grandeur
The Wallace Collection 28 Mar 2025 to 26 Oct 2025
In 2025, the Wallace Collection will hold a major exhibition featuring over 40 new works by Sir Grayson Perry.
Watteau and circle
The British Museum 15 May 2025 to 14 Sep 2025
An outstanding collection of drawings by the French 17th-century painter, Antoine Watteau (1684–1721).
Giuseppe Penone: Thoughts in the Roots
Serpentine South 3 Apr 2025 to 7 Sep 2025
Serpentine presents the most comprehensive institutional exhibition of Giuseppe Penone’s practice.
Victorian Treasures at Leighton House
Leighton House 24 May 2025 to 21 Sep 2025
A range of incredible Victorian treasures will be shown at Leighton House this summer combining two very different collections.
Coming soon!
Ketty La Rocca: You You
Estorick Collection 10 Sep 2025 to 21 Dec 2025
Estorick Collection presents the first UK museum exhibition dedicated to Ketty La Rocca.
Yto Barrada: Thrill, Fill, Spill
South London Gallery 26 Sep 2025 to 11 Jan 2026
This autumn, the South London Gallery (SLG) presents Thrill, Fill, Spill a major solo exhibition by artist Yto Barrada.