A guide to the most anticipated exhibitions coming to the UK in 2026: From fashion blockbusters to art world icons

[ad_1]

Every year brings a fresh crop of exhibitions, but 2026 already feels exceptional. From couture and catwalks to crime fiction, cartoons and canonical masterpieces, the year ahead promises shows that are both crowd-pleasing and genuinely thought-provoking.

Move between London and beyond, from the playful worlds of Aardman and Beryl Cook to the glamour of Marilyn Monroe and Schiaparelli, with stops at Frida Kahlo, David Hockney and Van Eyck along the way. Whether you’re planning weekend museum trips or building a cultural diary for the year, these are the exhibitions worth booking tickets for.

Beryl Cook: Pride and Joy

What? A celebration of one of Britain’s most beloved and unconventional painters, this exhibition revisits Beryl Cook’s exuberant depictions of everyday life. Known for her bold colours, comic figures and unapologetic humour, Cook captured pubs, clubs and seaside scenes with warmth and wit, carving out a singular place in 20th-century British art.

When? 24 Jan 2026 – 31 May 2026

Where? The Box, Plymouth

Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends

What? Step behind the scenes of Britain’s most iconic animation studio in this immersive exhibition dedicated to Aardman. From Wallace & Gromit to Shaun the Sheep, it explores the artistry, storytelling and painstaking craft of stop-motion animation, featuring original models, sketches and sets.

When? Opens Thursday, 12 February 2026

Where? Young V&A, London

David Hockney

What? One of the most influential artists of our time returns to London in a major exhibition spanning decades of David Hockney’s career. From vivid landscapes and intimate portraits to his innovative use of digital media, the show highlights Hockney’s restless experimentation and enduring joy in seeing.

When? 12 March – 23 August 2026

Where? Serpentine North Gallery, London

Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art

What? This exhibition explores the radical vision of Elsa Schiaparelli, the couturier who blurred the boundaries between fashion and art. Featuring surrealist collaborations, sculptural garments and daring designs, it reveals how Schiaparelli transformed clothing into a bold, imaginative form of artistic expression.

When? Opens Saturday, 28 March 2026

Where? V&A South Kensington, London

Catwalk: The Art of the Fashion Show

What? Fashion shows take centre stage in this exhibition examining the catwalk as a creative spectacle. From intimate salon presentations to theatrical global events, it explores how designers use sound, space, movement and storytelling to transform runway shows into unforgettable cultural moments.

When? 3 April 2026 – 17 January 2027

Where? V&A Dundee, Dundee

Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style

What? Tracing the late Queen’s life through clothing, this exhibition offers a rare insight into royal style and symbolism. From youthful couture to the carefully coded colours of her public wardrobe, it shows how fashion became a powerful tool of diplomacy, identity and continuity.

When? 10 Apr 2026 – 18 Oct 2026

Where? The King’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace, London

Marilyn Monroe: A Portrait

What? This exhibition looks beyond the Hollywood icon to reveal the many faces of Marilyn Monroe. Through photography, film stills and personal imagery, it examines how Monroe shaped – and was shaped by – fame, femininity and the modern media machine.

When? 4 June – 6 September 2026

Where? National Portrait Gallery, London

Frida: The Making of an Icon

What? Exploring the life, work and afterlife of Frida Kahlo, this exhibition charts how the artist became a global cultural icon. Combining paintings, photographs and archival material, it considers Kahlo’s self-fashioning, politics and enduring influence across art, fashion and popular culture.

When? 25 June 2026 – 3 Jan 2027

Where? Tate Modern, London

Renoir and Love

What? Focusing on themes of intimacy, affection and sensuality, this exhibition reconsiders Pierre-Auguste Renoir through the lens of love. Featuring portraits, couples and family scenes, it highlights the emotional warmth and painterly softness that defined his vision of human connection.

When? 3 October 2026 – 31 January 2027

Where? The National Gallery, London

The 90s

What? A deep dive into a decade of cultural upheaval, this exhibition explores the art, fashion and politics of the 1990s. From Britart and club culture to questions of identity and globalisation, it captures the energy and contradictions of a transformative era.

When? 8 October 2026 – 14 February 2027

Where? Tate Britain, London

Agatha Christie

What? Marking the legacy of the world’s best-selling novelist, this exhibition delves into the life and work of Agatha Christie. Manuscripts, notebooks and rare objects reveal how Christie crafted her enduring mysteries – and how Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot became cultural icons.

When? 30 October 2026 – 20 June 2027

Where? British Library, London

Van Eyck: The Portraits

What? This landmark exhibition brings together the astonishing portraits of Jan van Eyck, a pioneer of early Netherlandish painting. Celebrated for their detail, realism and psychological depth, the works reveal how van Eyck redefined portraiture and transformed the art of oil painting.

When? 21 November 2026 – 11 April 2027

Where? The National Gallery, London

[ad_2]

Source link