Art After Dark brings music, light and late-night culture to London’s West End

A Week of Culture After Dark

Art of London has launched a vibrant celebration of music, nightlife and creativity across the capital’s West End with the return of its late-night programme, Art After Dark.

Speaking about the installation, Lakwena Maciver:

“I wanted this installation to be a space where people could just stop, look, and feel a bit of joy together. Turning Piccadilly Circus into something playful with colour, light and music gives the city an experience everyone can share.”

Running from now, having launched yesterday, through to 10 February 2026, the programme opened on Monday night with the unveiling of a striking seven-metre-high public artwork by artist Lakwena Maciver in Piccadilly Circus, setting the tone for a week of after-hours cultural events and immersive experiences.

A Landmark Installation in Piccadilly Circus

Titled Rise and Shine, Maciver’s towering installation features 30 stacked, glowing disco lightboxes, celebrating London’s nightlife and carnival culture. Accompanied by a soundtrack of hip-hop, funk and soul, the work draws inspiration from the club scenes of the 1980s and 1990s — a formative era for genres including hip-hop and drum and bass.

Positioned at one of London’s most iconic locations, the artwork transforms Piccadilly Circus into a kaleidoscope of colour and light. Custom digital visuals, including bold neon tones and a shimmering white dove, appear across major screens from Piccadilly Lights to Leicester Square, creating a city-wide visual spectacle rooted in local music culture.

Late-Night DJ Sets at The National Gallery

With music and togetherness at its heart, Art After Dark also features PARTY After Dark — a special after-hours DJ event at the National Gallery’s Sainsbury Wing on Thursday 5 February.

The evening brings together drag artist and TV star Bimini, French-Canadian DJ Karaba, and rising electronic musician Mia Lily. Bimini, who rose to prominence on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, delivers a genre-spanning mix of pop, electronic and club sounds, while Karaba blends global influences with hypnotic rhythms shaped by her background as a professional dancer. Mia Lily opens the night with an atmospheric electronic set.

Together, the performers will transform the Sainsbury Wing into an immersive late-night dance space, offering visitors a rare opportunity to experience the gallery in a new light.

Gallery HOP! and After-Hours Culture

Art After Dark forms part of Art of London’s free annual programme designed to animate the West End through interactive public art, late-night openings and cultural events.

Alongside public installations, the popular Gallery HOP! initiative returns with extended opening hours at major institutions including the National Portrait Gallery, National Gallery and Royal Academy of Arts. On Thursday 5 February, visitors can also follow guided and self-guided routes through independent St James’s galleries such as Cristea Roberts Gallery, The Mayor Gallery and Iconic Images Gallery.

West End Offers, Performances and Special Events

Throughout the week, culture lovers can enjoy live performances and special offers at local venues including Hard Rock Café, The London Reign Showclub, BOX Piccadilly and Haymarket Hotel.

Highlights also include a limited-edition “Rise and Shine” rum-based cocktail created with Maciver for Estiatorio Milos London, as well as an exclusive Q&A with the artist at the Apple Store.

Headline DJ Bimini:

“Performing in The National Gallery feels surreal in the best way. As a queer artist, getting to make noise and take up space in such an iconic building feels really special. Art isn’t meant to sit still — it’s meant to start conversations.”

Returning for 2026, Art After Dark continues to reimagine London’s West End as a late-night cultural playground — blending visual art, music, nightlife and community spirit.

Led by Lakwena Maciver, the programme runs until 10 February 2026. Full details are available via Art of London.