market · market
Friday, 17 April 2026, 07:00 – 14:00
Bermondsey Antique Market, Bermondsey Square, London, SE1 3UN
Free entry
One of London's principal antiques traders' markets. Every Friday 7am-2pm at Bermondsey Square. Vintage and antiques.
More info: https://bermondseyantiquemarket.co.uk/about/
market · market
Friday, 17 April 2026, 08:00 – 19:00
Portobello Road Market
Free entry
World-famous street market offering vintage fashion, antiques, handmade crafts, and food. Explore, bargain hunt and people watch. Open Monday-Sunday 8am-7pm
More info: https://visitportobello.com/
museum · exhibition, history, museum
Friday, 17 April 2026, 09:00 – 18:00
Battersea Power Station, Battersea Power Station
Discover ancient treasures! See Ramses the Great's artefacts in the UK for the first time. Ticket times vary.
More info: https://batterseapowerstation.co.uk/events/ramses-and-the-pharaohs-gold/
Book tickets: https://feverup.com/m/503872
Recurring: daily until 31 May 2026
photography · photography, exhibition, animals, nature, outdoor
Friday, 17 April 2026, 10:00 – 18:00
Science Museum, Science Museum, Kensington
Free entry
Discover the fragile beauty of the Pantanal wetland through breathtaking photography. Free entry.
More info: https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/see-and-do/water-pantanal-fire
Recurring: daily until 31 May 2026
art-galleries · art, exhibition, gallery
Friday, 17 April 2026, 10:00 – 18:00
Hauser & Wirth, Hauser & Wirth, 23 Savile Row, W1S 2ET
Free entry
Celebrating 60 years of Takesada Matsutani’s Paris-based practice with powerful new works in vinyl glue and graphite. Experience sensuous, sculptural canvases and historic pieces that trace Matsutani’s journey from Gutai avant-garde experiments to today’s meditative, time-charged surfaces.
More info: https://www.hauserwirth.com/hauser-wirth-exhibitions/takesada-matsutani-shifting-boundaries/
museum · art, exhibition
Friday, 17 April 2026, 10:00 – 21:00
Tate Modern, Tate Modern
Explore the artists who revolutionised modern art in Nigeria in the mid-20th century
More info: https://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-modern/nigerian-modernism
Book tickets: https://shop.tate.org.uk/ticket/date?cgid=368099
Recurring: daily until 10 May 2026
art-galleries · art, exhibition, gallery, family
Friday, 17 April 2026, 10:00 – 18:00
Serpentine North Gallery , Serpentine North Gallery, West Carriage Drive, W2 2AR
Free entry
Discover David Hockney’s captivating exhibition at Serpentine North, featuring his monumental 90m iPad frieze ‘A Year in Normandie’ capturing seasonal changes, plus new 2025 portraits and still lifes.
market · market
Friday, 17 April 2026, 10:00 – 17:30
Greenwich Market
Free entry
Shop and stalls with art, antiques, crafts and clothing. Over a century of community spirit and talent. Open daily 10am-5:30pm.
More info: https://greenwichmarket.london/
art · art, exhibition, fashion
Friday, 17 April 2026, 10:00 – 18:00
Southbank Centre - Hayward Gallery, Southbank Centre - Hayward Gallery
Reimagine the everyday in Yin Xiuzhen’s immersive artworks, where discarded clothes and objects weave intimate stories of memory and global life.
More info: https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/yin-xiuzhen-heart-to-heart/
art-galleries · art, exhibition, gallery
Friday, 17 April 2026, 10:00 – 16:00
Pace Gallery, Pace Gallery, 5 Hanover Square, W1S 1HQ
Free entry
Overview Effect immerses you in luminous, sculptural paintings that translate the sensations of childbirth into radiant abstract forms. Discover a new series where concentric orbs and pulsating colour evoke both the intimacy of the body and the awe of seeing Earth from space.
More info: https://www.pacegallery.com/exhibitions/loie-hollowell-overview-effect-london/
art · art, history
Friday, 17 April 2026, 10:00 – 21:00
Tate Modern, Tate Modern
Free entry
Explore how artists responded to the impact of mass media in their work.
More info: https://www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-modern/display/media-networks
art · art, exhibition
Friday, 17 April 2026, 10:00 – 18:00
Southbank Centre - Hayward Gallery, Southbank Centre - Hayward Gallery
Lose yourself in Chiharu Shiota's immersive web-like installations at the Hayward Gallery.
More info: https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/chiharu-shiota-threads-of-life
market · market
Friday, 17 April 2026, 10:00 – 19:00
Camden Market, Camden Lock Place, NW1 8AF
Free entry
Vibrant market in Camden Town with vintage fashion, handmade jewellery, gifts and street food from around the globe. Open daily 10am-7pm next to Regent's Canal.
More info: https://camdenmarket.com/visit-us
art · art, exhibition, gallery
Friday, 17 April 2026, 10:00 – 21:00
Tate Modern, Tate Modern
Step into the tender, confessional world of Tracey Emin's art and life.
More info: https://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-modern/tracey-emin
photography · exhibition, photography, art
Friday, 17 April 2026, 10:00 – 18:00
Southbank Centre - Hayward Gallery, Southbank Centre - Hayward Gallery
Free entry
Discover luminous analogue photos by Irish artist Samuel Laurence Cunnane in his free London debut exhibition at Hayward Gallery’s HENI Project Space. Running until 3 May 2026, it showcases a decade of hand-developed prints capturing fleeting scenes with subtle light and atmosphere, like a blue-tarmacked road at dusk.
More info: https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/samuel-laurence-cunnane-blue-road/
museum · exhibition, film, family
Friday, 17 April 2026, 10:00 – 17:45
Young V&A, Young V&A
Discover how Aardman's iconic characters come to life - a cracking day out for all ages at Young V&A.
More info: https://www.vam.ac.uk/exhibitions/inside-aardman-wallace-gromit-and-friends
Recurring: daily until 15 November 2026
art · art, history, exhibition
Friday, 17 April 2026, 10:00 – 21:00
The National Gallery, National Gallery, Trafalgar Square
Step into the candlelit world of Joseph Wright of Derby - where science, art and wonder collide.
More info: https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/exhibitions/wright-of-derby-from-the-shadows
museum · museum, design, film, cinema
Friday, 17 April 2026, 10:00 – 18:00
Design Museum, 224-238 Kensington High Street, W8 6AG
Step inside Wes Anderson's world. 700+ original props, sets & secrets at the Design Museum, London.
More info: https://designmuseum.org/exhibitions/wes-anderson
art-galleries · art, exhibition, tech, design, nature
Friday, 17 April 2026, 10:00 – 18:00
Hauser & Wirth, Hauser & Wirth, 23 Savile Row, W1S 2ET
Free entry
Step into “Microcosms”, the first London show in a decade for visionary artist Tetsumi Kudo, exploring eerie fusions of nature, technology and the human body.
More info: https://www.hauserwirth.com/hauser-wirth-exhibitions/tetsumi-kudo/
art-galleries · art, exhibition, gallery, nature, photography
Friday, 17 April 2026, 10:00 – 18:00
Serpentine South Gallery , Serpentine South Gallery, Kensington Gardens, W2 3XA
Free entry
Experience Cecily Brown’s powerful new paintings and drawings. Celebrate nature, memory, desire.
More info: https://www.serpentinegalleries.org/whats-on/cecily-brown-picture-making/
Book tickets: https://serpentinegalleries.ticketing.veevartapp.com/tickets/view/list
museum · art, design, fashion, exhibition, gallery
Friday, 17 April 2026, 10:00 – 22:00
V&A South Kensington, V&A South Kensington
Explore the visionary world of Elsa Schiaparelli, a fashion icon whose designs blurred lines between art and clothing.
More info: https://www.vam.ac.uk/exhibitions/schiaparelli
Book tickets: https://www.vam.ac.uk/shop/ticket?cgid=461
art · art
Friday, 17 April 2026, 10:00 – 20:00
Courtauld Gallery, Courtauld Gallery, Somerset House
Discover Seurat's stunning seascapes - the first UK exhibition dedicated to the artist in 30 years.
More info: https://courtauld.ac.uk/whats-on/exh-seurat-and-the-sea/
art · art, exhibition
Friday, 17 April 2026, 10:00 – 18:00
Tate Britain, Tate Britain
Hurvin Anderson's first major solo show - 80+ vibrant paintings spanning the UK and the Caribbean.
More info: https://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-britain/hurvin-anderson
Recurring: daily until 23 August 2026
art-galleries · art, exhibition, history
Friday, 17 April 2026, 10:00 – 18:00
Bloomberg SPACE | London Mithraeum, Bloomberg SPACE, London Mithraeum, 12 Walbrook, EC4N 8AA
Mark Manders’ surreal installation blends sculpture and language, suspended between past and present above the Mithraeum ruins.
art · art, nature
Friday, 17 April 2026, 10:00 – 16:00
Garden Museum, Garden Museum, Lambeth Palace Road, SE1 7LB
Stunning 18th-century Chinese botanical paintings displayed in Britain for the first time in 235 years.
More info: https://www.gardenmuseum.org.uk/whats-on/seeds-of-exchange/
market · market
Friday, 17 April 2026, 10:00 – 20:00
Old Spitalfields Market, 16 Horner Square
Free entry
Historic East London market featuring independent retailers, craftsmen, artisans and street food. Open 7 days a week under a Victorian roof.
More info: https://oldspitalfieldsmarket.com/
art-galleries · art, exhibition, gallery
Friday, 17 April 2026, 10:00 – 18:00
Perrotin, Perrotin, Brook's Mews, W1K 4HR
Free entry
Sigrid Sandström's first solo exhibition in London, featuring atmospheric abstract paintings exploring turbulence.
More info: https://www.perrotin.com/exhibitions/sigrid_sandstrom-squall/12544
art · art, exhibition
Friday, 17 April 2026, 10:00 – 18:00
Courtauld Gallery, Courtauld Gallery, Somerset House
Uncover the forgotten women who shaped British landscape art. 10 artists, 100 years of hidden talent.
More info: https://courtauld.ac.uk/whats-on/exh-a-view-of-ones-own/
Recurring: daily until 20 May 2026
art · gallery, art, exhibition
Friday, 17 April 2026, 10:00 – 18:00
Saatchi Gallery, Saatchi Gallery, Chelsea
Four decades of boundary-pushing contemporary art - iconic works and fresh voices across two floors.
More info: https://www.saatchigallery.com/exhibition/the-long-now-saatchi-gallery-at-40
Recurring: daily until 26 April 2026
literature · art, exhibition, literature, photography, poetry
Friday, 17 April 2026, 10:00 – 18:00
Shapero Modern, Shapero Modern, 94 New Bond Street, W1S 1SJ
Free entry
Jack Milroy’s Bibliophilia exhibition showcases his signature 3D cut-paper artworks and book-inspired constructions, focusing on themes of books, libraries, and culture.
More info: https://www.jackmilroy.com/exhibitions
market · market, food
Friday, 17 April 2026, 10:00 – 17:00
Borough Market, London Bridge
Free entry
Explore one of London's most storied food markets with over a millennium of history. Iconic atmospheric market featuring street food, produce, and specialist traders. Open six days a week.
More info: https://boroughmarket.org.uk/visit-us/
museum · museum, exhibition
Friday, 17 April 2026, 10:00 – 20:30
The British Museum, The British Museum, Bloomsbury
Uncover a millennium of myth and reality in this major exhibition exploring the legendary warriors of Japan through 280 objects at the British Museum. Until 4 May 2026.
More info: https://www.britishmuseum.org/exhibitions/samurai
art · museum, art
Friday, 17 April 2026, 10:00 – 17:00
Queen's House, Romney Rd, Greenwich, London SE10 9NF
Free entry
Explore 450+ masterpieces, including royal portraits, seascapes and cutting-edge sculptures at Greenwich's stunning Queen's House. Free entry.
More info: https://www.rmg.co.uk/queens-house
Recurring: daily
walks_tours · tour, history, religious
Friday, 17 April 2026, 10:15 – 11:15
Westminster Abbey, Westminster Abbey
Discover the story of Westminster Abbey's Benedictine monastery from its founding to dissolution.
Book tickets: https://tickets.westminster-abbey.org/
art · art
Friday, 17 April 2026, 10:30 – 21:00
National Portrait Gallery, St Martin's Place, London WC2H 0HE
First UK museum exhibition focused on Lucian Freud's works on paper including 48 sketchbooks alongside key paintings. 25 and under: £5 tickets Friday to Sunday. Pay What You Can for entry times on Saturdays from 17.30 to 20.00.
More info: https://www.npg.org.uk/whatson/exhibitions/2026/lucian-freud-drawing-into-painting
Book tickets: https://www.npg.org.uk/whatson/exhibitions/2026/lucian-freud-drawing-into-painting#dates
art · art, exhibition, photography, gallery
Friday, 17 April 2026, 10:30 – 21:00
National Portrait Gallery, National Portrait Gallery, London
A landmark UK debut: Catherine Opie's striking photographic portraits challenge who is seen, and who goes unseen.
More info: https://www.npg.org.uk/whatson/exhibitions/2026/catherine-opie-to-be-seen
art-galleries · art, exhibition, gallery
Friday, 17 April 2026, 11:00 – 18:00
Frith Street Gallery - Golden Square, Frith Street Gallery, 17-18 Golden Square, W1F 9JJ
Free entry
Featuring new sculptures exploring time, identity, and domestic life. Highlights include the Jesmonite installation Sons and Couch (2025) and fragile unfired clay Fridge Still Life.
More info: https://www.frithstreetgallery.com/exhibitions/242-daphne-wright-expectations/
market · market
Friday, 17 April 2026, 11:00 – 18:30
Brick Lane Market
Free entry
Hunt for bargains among bustling stalls with vintage fashion, antiques, and fabrics. Enjoy street food and curry houses. Multiple markets throughout the week
More info: https://www.trumanbrewery.com/web/markets.pl
talk · art, talk
Friday, 17 April 2026, 11:00 – 14:00
National Portrait Gallery, National Portrait Gallery, London
Free entry
A talk on a chosen portrait in the Gallery's Collection, delivered every day at 11:00 and 14:00. Meet on historic stairs landing, Floor 0. Check NPG website for more details.
More info: https://www.npg.org.uk/whatson/event-root/portrait-of-the-day-talks-2
Recurring: daily
literature · tour, museum
Friday, 17 April 2026, 12:00 – 13:00
Museum of the Home, Museum of the Home, 136 Kingsland Road London, E2 8EA
Migration to London in the Age of Sail, 1600-1850. Step back in time with host Mark Chacksfield to explore how early migrant communities shaped London. Discover the stories behind their arrival and impact in the city’s vibrant history. A captivating journey through London’s diverse past.
Recurring: weekly until 27 November 2026
art · art, exhibition
Friday, 17 April 2026, 12:00 – 20:00
The Barbican Centre, Barbican Centre
Intergenerational dialogue between Giacometti's sculptures and contemporary works by Lynda Benglis.
More info: https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2026/event/encounters-giacometti-x-lynda-benglis
art · art, talk, tour
Friday, 17 April 2026, 12:00 – 15:00
National Portrait Gallery, National Portrait Gallery, London
Free entry
Free highlights tour exploring the NPG Collection and building, delivered every day at 12:00 and 15:00. Meet in Room 18, Floor 3. Check NPG website for more details.
More info: https://www.npg.org.uk/whatson/event-root/highlights-tours
Recurring: daily
walks_tours · tour, history, religious
Friday, 17 April 2026, 13:00 – 14:00
Westminster Abbey, Westminster Abbey
Discover the story of Westminster Abbey's Benedictine monastery from its founding to dissolution.
Book tickets: https://tickets.westminster-abbey.org/
music · music
Friday, 17 April 2026, 17:00 – 23:00
Larry's, National Portrait Gallery, WC2H 0HE
Live jazz evenings whilst dining in the glitz and glam of Larry's, with an extensive wine list and cocktail menu. Wed 20:00-23:00, Thu-Sat 17:00-23:00.
social · bingo
Friday, 17 April 2026, 19:00 – 22:00
The Askew, Shepherd's Bush, The Askew, Shepherd's Bush
Loud, fun, and full of familiar faces. Grab a pint and join the perfect Friday night out.
More info: https://www.askewshepherdsbush.co.uk/events/bingo/
art · art, tour
Friday, 17 April 2026, 19:00 – 20:00
National Portrait Gallery, National Portrait Gallery, London
Senior Storyteller Daniel Hausherr shares incredible stories the Gallery has to offer. £14 (£10 Members / concessions).
art · art, tour
Friday, 17 April 2026, 19:00 – 20:00
National Portrait Gallery, National Portrait Gallery, London
Free entry
Free Deaf-led British Sign Language tour exploring spotlighted works in the Catherine Opie exhibition. Booking required.
More info: https://www.npg.org.uk/whatson/event-root/april/bsl-tour-opie
music · quiz, pub
Friday, 17 April 2026, 19:00
The Smugglers Tavern, 28 Warren St, W1T 5ND
Free entry
Karaoke Night every Friday at The Smugglers Tavern, starting at 7pm. All welcome.
More info: https://thesmugglerstavern.co.uk/whats-on/karoake/
art · art, workshop
Friday, 17 April 2026, 19:00 – 21:00
National Portrait Gallery, National Portrait Gallery, London
Monthly life drawing class held in the Ondaatje Wing Theatre. Open to all. £20 (£16 Members / concessions).
More info: https://www.npg.org.uk/whatson/event-root/april/evening-life-drawing-170426
quiz · quiz
Friday, 17 April 2026, 19:30 – 23:00
The Colonel Fawcett, 1 Randolph Street, Camden
Quiz night that sells out weekly. £5 entry for a night of trivia, laughs and competition every Friday!
More info: https://thecolonelfawcett.co.uk/whats-on/friday-night-quiz-show-upstairs/
music · pub, music
Friday, 17 April 2026, 19:30 – 23:00
The Peacock, 145 Aylward Street, Stepney Green, E1 0QW
Free entry
Catch rising East London talent every Friday at 7:30pm. Fresh sounds from emerging artists.
music · music, pub
Friday, 17 April 2026, 20:30
The Ship, 68 Borough Rd, SE1 1DX
Free entry
Experience live music every Friday at 8:30pm. The Ship is the place to be for lively Friday nights.
More info: https://www.theshipsouthwark.co.uk/events/friday-live-music/
music · music, pub
Friday, 17 April 2026, 21:00 – 02:00
The Good Mixer, 30 Inverness St, London NW1 7HJ
Free entry
Dance till 2am every Friday with free entry. Indie, britpop, 90s & more!
More info: https://www.thegoodmixer.co.uk/events