Unmissable Art Escapes: Must-See London Exhibitions This Christmas Season
If you’re spending Christmas in London and have a passion for art, you’re in for a treat! London is showcasing world-class exhibitions, and this is your last chance to catch some incredible shows before they bid farewell in the upcoming weeks.
Don’t miss our free guide below featuring 16 must-see exhibitions running through December and closing in January 2025.
Here’s what to see before the end of the year:
Closing in December:
Work in Progress at the RA, Burlington Gardens (until 31 Dec) – Dive into a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process, uncovering the artistry in its most dynamic phase.
Extending into January 2025:
⭐️ Van Gogh: Poets and Lovers at the National Gallery (until 19 Jan) – Embark on a poetic journey through Van Gogh’s masterpieces inspired by themes of love and literature.
⭐️ Monet and London: Views of the Thames at the Courtauld Gallery (until 19 Jan) – Witness the majestic reunion of Monet’s Impressionist masterpieces of London, displayed together for the first time in 120 years.
⭐️ Francis Bacon: Human Presence at the National Portrait Gallery (until 19 Jan) – Explore a major collection of Bacon’s bold and profoundly expressive portraits.
Additional Highlights Include:
The World of Elton John: Photography at the V&A (until 5 Jan)
Pamela Phatsimo Sunstrum at the Barbican (until 5 Jan)
Zanele Muholi at Tate Modern (until 26 Jan)
Whether you are drawn to the classic artistry of Van Gogh and Monet or lean towards contemporary visionaries like Zanele Muholi, there’s something to captivate every art lover's heart.
📌 Be sure to check out our guide below for a comprehensive list of exhibitions you won’t want to miss before they close!
Follow us on social media and share the exhibitions you’ve explored and enjoyed with us!
List of Museum Exhibitions Closing in January 2025
The World of Elton John: Photography
Victoria and Albert Museum
Until 5 Jan 2025
Fragile Beauty
Victoria and Albert Museum, South Kensington
Until 5 Jan 2025
Highlighting Sir Elton John's world-class photography collection.
Haegue Yang: Leap Year
The Hayward Gallery
9 October 2024 – 5 January 2025
Featuring multisensory installations and sculptures, this exhibition connects histories, cultures, and traditions, offering a unique experience through the interplay of light, sound, and movement.
The Imaginary Institution of India
Art 1975-1998
Barbican
5 October – 5 January 2025
Pamela Phatsimo Sunstrum
It Will End in Tears
Barbican
19th September – 5 Jan 2025
NG Stories: Making a National Gallery
The National Gallery
4 October 2024 – 12 January 2025
Part of the NG200 celebrations, an immersive exploration of the National Gallery’s history, detailing how it has evolved over the past two centuries.
Flaming June
The RA
17th February 2024 – 12 January 2025
Lord Leighton’s masterpiece returns on loan to the RA
Medieval Multiplied: a Gothic ivory and its reproductions
Courtauld Gallery
On until 16 Feb
Whilst we urge art enthusiasts to explore as many exhibitions as possible, our top three must-see selections are marked with stars!
*Van Gogh: Poets and Lovers
National Gallery
14 September 2024 – 19 January 2025
Marking the National Gallery’s 200th anniversary, the exhibition explores Van Gogh’s use of love and poetry as central themes in his work during his time in Arles and Saint-Rémy.
*The Griffin Catalyst Exhibition: Monet and London: Views of the Thames
Courtauld Gallery
27 Sep 2024 – 19 Jan 2025
This major exhibition reunites a group of Claude Monet’s Impressionist paintings of London for the first time in 120 years.
*Francis Bacon: Human Presence
National Portrait Gallery
10 October 2024 – 19 January 2025
A major exhibition dedicated to Francis Bacon’s engagement with portraiture, featuring works from the 1950s onwards.
Paul McCartney Photographs 1963–64: Eyes of the Storm
National Portrait Gallery
14 September 2024 – 19 January 2025
This exhibition features over 250 recently rediscovered photographs taken by Paul McCartney during the early days of The Beatles.
Zanele Muholi
Tate Modern
6 June 2024– 26Jan 2025
Celebrating the lives of South Africa’s LGBTQIA+ community through powerful
photography.
Tate Britain commission: Alvaro Barrington: Grace
Tate Britain
29 May 2024 – 26 Jan 2025
Dulwich Picture Gallery
Looking for Leonardo: The Quest for a Renaissance Masterpiece
23 July 2024 – 26 January 2025
This intriguing exhibition invites visitors to explore the mysteries surrounding Leonardo da Vinci’s influence in art.
The British Museum
Gifts of love and friendship
Max Beckmann and Marie-Louise von Motesiczky
8th October 2024- 28th January 2025
