From multi-sensory experiences and pioneering exhibitions to world-renowned theatrical performances, Britain’s cultural offering has plenty to capture the imagination. Whether you want to see what all the fuss is about at the world’s longest-running show, or take in something brand new, here are the exhibitions and shows set to take centre stage in 2026.
2026 is set to be a big year for the Royal Scottish Academy (RSA) as it celebrates its 200th anniversary. Across the country, dip into more than 70 museums, galleries, universities and community spaces for exhibitions, performances, talks and events.
Set 19 years after Harry and his friends save the wizarding world, this show sees Harry’s son embark on a new mission to stop mysterious forces.
Look out for some big exhibitions coming to the Tate Modern in 2026, including Tracey Emin (26 February to 31 August 2026), James McNeill Whistler (21 May 2026 to 27 September 2027) and the legacy of Frida Kahlo with Frida: The Making of an Icon (25 June 2026 to 3 January 2027).
An unmissable opportunity to see the monumental paintings of indigenous Australian artist Emily Kam Kngwarray at Tate Modern, London. With a story as fascinating as the work itself, Kam Kngwarray didn’t start painting until her late 70s, when she began creating a piece almost every day. Her huge paintings embody her wisdom, culture and community.
Harold Offeh: The Mothership Collective 2.0 is a multi-sensory exhibition for all ages, get curious, use your imagination and play at this interactive space. On show at the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, Newcastle, Gateshead, each zone uses different materials and art forms, inspired by sci-fi, the future and fantasy.
Head to the Tate Modern, London, and celebrate the artwork of Nigerian artists, through vibrant paintings, sculptures, textiles and poetry. The revolutionary works in this Nigerian Modernism exhibition were created before and after national independence from British rule in 1960.
Discover intricately crafted historic arms and armour which paint a picture of Sikh life at Splendours of the Sikh Raj: Arms and Armour. Focusing on faith and identity, the collection has been curated together with the local Sikh community at the Manchester Art Gallery.
Lift the lid on Wes Anderson’s personal archives and see his creative evolution through storyboards, puppets, costumes and more from early films to well-known hits. Showcasing over 600 objects, Wes Anderson: The Archives at The Design Museum, London, is the first time many of these items have ever been shown in Britain.
2026 is a big year for the Royal Scottish Academy (RSA) as it celebrates its 200th anniversary. From top to tail of Scotland, more than 70 museums, galleries, universities and community spaces are joining together to celebrate through exhibitions, performances, talks and events. Look out for new and emerging talent alongside historic collections.
Journey through experiences that define the course of life through the eyes of a TV show at this Ikon Gallery exhibition held at the Library of Birmingham. The What are the Odds? Ikon Creative Health collection includes photographs and installations, exploring health conditions and experiences, like breastfeeding, with a 1970s-style filter designed by local artist, Foka Wolf.
With rarely seen sketches and drawings, head to Gwen John: Strange Beauties and admire the work of Welsh artist, the first major exhibition of her art in 40 years at the National Museum Cardiff. 150 years since her birth, John was seen as a pioneer for women in the arts, with her portraits capture women’s lives in a way that others didn’t during her time.
Get behind the scenes of the much-loved characters Wallace and Gromit with interactive experiences for all ages, storyboards and never seen before models and sets. The exhibition, Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends, opens at the Young V&A in Bethnal Green, London, in celebration of the studio’s 50th anniversary, for you to see the animation process – from the initial idea, to design, model making, filming and post-production.
From the 1930s to the 21st century, investigate the many faces shown in Lucian Freud’s sketches, in pencil, ink, and charcoal. The exhibition. Lucian Freud: Drawing into Painting, includes etchings that have never been shown before at the National Portrait Gallery, London.
With rare artefacts from the ship and displays bringing it to life, step back in time and experience the legacy of RMS Titanic at the Titanic Exhibition at P&J Live, Aberdeen.
Take a catwalk through time with over 100 years of fashion show history at Catwalk: The Art of the Fashion Show. It’s a UK exclusive at V&A Dundee, featuring Alexander McQueen, Chanel, Dior, Prada and Louis Vuitton.
Spanning the past 20 years, step into the world of British photographer Wendy McMurdo reflecting on childhood through a digital lens. In an ever-changing digital landscape, Wendy McMurdo, The Digital Mirror at the Portrait Gallery, Edinburgh, explores the impact that tech is having on children’s play and learning.
There’s power in portrait photography as shown by 30 years of work from American artist Catherine Opie, her first major museum exhibition in Britain. The collection, Catherine Opie: To Be Seen at the Royal Scottish Academy, questions the meaning of home, intimacy, family and identity. Enjoy over 80 eclectic works including others from Scotland’s national collection.
Showing over 50 works, Renoir and Love is the first exhibition devoted to the artist since 2007 at the National Gallery, London. Look out for ‘Bal au Moulin de la Galette’ (‘Dance at the Moulin de la Galette’) 1876, making its British debut, alongside pieces from the 1860s to 1880s at the height of his career.
Free to enter, explore the L.S Lowry Collection at The Lowry, Salford, with the artist’s drawings and paintings depicting life in the industrial north-west of England.
Ever wondered what happens when a museum’s day shift is over? Grab your sense of adventure, it’s time to find out. Spend your own night at the museum with after-hours entertainment from silent discos to all out live DJs, creative workshops, talks, and good old gallery appreciation. The sun may have set but the fun is just beginning.
Fancy an after-hours curator tour? How about taking part in a workshop, or enjoying a live performance? The Manchester Museum is throwing open the doors past bedtime for Lates+. This unique opportunity takes place every Wednesday evening until 9pm and is free.
Pick up a paintbrush and create your interpretation of iconic artwork at the National Museum Cardiff’s regular Art After Dark sessions. Hosted by local artist Rachel Rasmussen, the sessions aim to unleash your inner creative – with no prior experience needed. Keep a look out for other evening events, too, like the Silent Festive Disco.
With rotating events throughout the year, lookout for the after-hours experiences at the Great North Museum: Hancock, Newcastle Upon Tyne. Autumn events have included a Family Twilight session packed with creativity, live music, hands-on experiences and even hot meals.
Comedy at the Museum puts the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery’s Tearoom centre stage for a night of belly laughs. Explore the museum’s galleries and relax with a drink then get set to watch some of Britain’s top comedians in action.
Offering mostly free after-hours events, The Whitworth in Manchester, has a range of options. The autumn and winter months include The Grey Area Writing Group and Book Club, exhibition tours and a Manchester College Takeover.
Get after-hours access behind the doors of this Georgian gem in Bath, as seen on Bridgerton as the exterior of the Featherington’s residence. Usually taking place every third Thursday during June to September, the Museum Late Opening at No.1 Royal Cresent gives access to the museum’s self-ked immersive tour. Lookout for refreshments (alcoholic and soft drinks) as well as the gift shop.
Britain’s largest immersive art experience, Wake The Tiger is a Bristol family favourite – but its Adults-Only After Hours are a must for big kids, too. Explore more than 40 surreal spaces, meeting robots and whizzing down slides along the way, and don’t miss the on-site bar dishing out pizzas and drinks.
Celebrate music, movement, life and togetherness at Horniman Museum Late: Pattern Up! in Forest Hill, London. Presented by local youth collectives, enjoy performances, workshops and conversations from 5:30pm to 9:30pm, including dance theatre, music projects, vocal groups and curated talks.
For an all-night experience, Dino Snores for Grown Ups is set to be an immersive experience at The Natural History Museum, London. Let your inner child off the leash and enjoy a night of fun with a science show, games, access to galleries and stand-up comedy. The bar will serve drinks and nibbles until late, plus there’s complimentary tea and coffee. Wake up to a yoga class and cooked breakfast. Who said the kids get to have all the fun?
Revealing the human history of Britain’s conflicts, the world’s largest museum of war is both poignant and fascinating. Featuring uniforms, tanks, artworks and weaponry, all with their own unique stories. There is even a WWII Spitfire aircraft in the atrium.
London’s most famous art gallery houses one of the finest art collections in the world. From Botticelli to Van Gogh, eye up over two thousand-plus paintings spanning 800 years. For almost 200 years one of Britain’s most-visited and most-loved galleries has been bringing people and painting together, but that doesn’t mean it’s stuck in the past. Expect to see anything from paintings of royals to musicians and artists to celebrities like Ed Sheeran.
The world’s first national public museum covers two million years of history and highlights include the Ancient Egypt Gallery and the Rosetta Stone. The British Museum first opened its doors in 1759 – becoming the first national museum open to the public, in the world. Since then it’s gone on to show anything from coins and medals, to ancient scripts, spotlighting places like Ancient Iran, Greece, China and Roman Britain. There’s a large chunk on modern history too, where you can see the old dial telephones which always gets confused looks from teenagers.
From outdoor movie screenings in summer and an ice rink in winter, to its vibrant exhibitions of art, crafts and photography, there’s always something on at Somerset House. The mighty architecture dates back to 1547, when it was a palace for the Duke of Somerset.
Explore the story of life on Earth at this fantastic – and free – museum. A must-visit for all animal lovers and curious thinkers, it’s full of fascinations, including a piece of Moon rock and one of the world’s last dodos.
Admire masterpieces by Dalí, Picasso, Matisse, Rothko and Warhol at this iconic art gallery on the bank of the River Thames. Tate Modern is one of the world’s most iconic galleries featuring great British artists like Barbara Hepworth as well as 800 artists from more than 50 countries, all based at the former Bankside Power Station.
The Tony and Olivier Award-winning musical that’s seen audiences crying with laughter is going on tour! Follow the adventures of Elder Price and Elder Cunningham as they attempt to spread the gospel in this satirical show.
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s musical phenomenon about America’s lesser-known founding father has embarked on a multi-city tour around Britain. Starting in Cardiff, other locations include Bradford, Southampton, Liverpool, Sunderland, Plymouth, Norwich and Glasgow.
Take a journey to a small Welsh town with this new take on the award-winning play by Thornton Wilder. Michael Sheen stars in the production which explores the extraordinary in ordinary lives. The show will tour Swansea, Llandudno and Mold in Wales, before heading to the Rose Theatre in London.
More than 20 years may have passed since The Last One, but now Friends are swapping the screen for the stage in this hilarious musical. In FRIENDS! The Musical Parody, we’re back in the 1990s’ New York City with Rachel, Ross, Monica, Chandler, Joey and Phoebe, reliving some of the gang’s iconic moments.
From Aberdeen to Eastbourne and in between, The Bodyguard Musical is touring its way around Britain throughout 2026. Based on the 1990s movie, see this romantic thriller play out live on stage.
We all know the story of King Henry VIII, but it’s time to listen to a new perspective – from his six wives. The Tudor queens are reimagined as pop stars, retelling their histories through a feminist lens, with unforgettable song, dance and costumes.
Prepare to sing your heart out to the greatest hits of ABBA in this unforgettable love story. After opening in London’s West End 25 years ago, Mamma Mia! is bringing the party all over Britain, including Southampton, Bristol, Oxford, Edinburgh and Manchester.
Study this academic glow-up and find out if ‘it girl’ Elle Woods can make it to top of the class at Harvard Law School. Bend and snap up your tickets for the 2026 UK tour from February 2026.
Broadway’s musical remake of the hit movie, Mean Girls, is on the move. Kicking off in Manchester in February 2026, North Shore High and ‘The Plastics’ are going on tour around the UK. With over 30 locations across the country, including Cardiff, Belfast and Newcastle.
A family favourite, sing along to musical classics Tomorrow and It’s The Hard-Knock Life as this West End production tours the Britain from May 2026. Will Annie leave Miss Hannigan’s orphanage and find her forever home?
Nobody puts Baby in the corner…or the whole Dirty Dancing crew in fact, as they’ll be touring the UK and Ireland in 2026 and 2027. Follow the story of Baby and Johnny as they dance their way through the summer of 1963 at the Catskills holiday camp.
Many museums in Britain are free to enter with optional donation. However, certain independent museums might require a ticket or entry fee, as well as certain exhibitions within museums.
Manchester is home to over 30 museums. Some of the key ones include:
Manchester Museum: The Manchester Museum, owned by the University of Manchester, is free to enter. It has several extensive collections including an Egyptian Wonders gallery and a variety of dinosaurs and fossils.
Science and Industry Museum: The Science and Industry Museum is also free to enter and celebrates Manchester’s role in the Industrial Revolution. Its collections include items from the early development of computers, machinery, and textiles.
Manchester Art Gallery: Manchester Art Gallery houses an extensive collection of fine and decorative art, including a significant collection of Pre-Raphaelite paintings. Entry is free.
People’s History Museum: The People’s History Museum is free to enter with a focus on the history and life of people in Britain. Its main collection features the largest public collection of political banners and trade union memorabilia in England.
London Theatre Week takes place twice a year, typically early in the year in either February or March and then again in either August or September. During the week theatre tickets for over fifty West End shows can be purchased at discounted rates.
There are many art galleries in London with over 250 registered. Some of London’s most iconic galleries include:
The National Gallery: TheNational Gallery is free to enter and features artwork from as far back as the Middle Ages. Some notable pieces include Sunflowers by Vincent van Gogh and The Cartoon by Leonardo da Vinci
Tate Modern: The Tate Modern is also free to enter and features some of the world’s most exciting modern and contemporary art. Highlights include art from Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse.
National Portrait Gallery: The National Portrait Gallery is free to enter (for the main collection) and houses portraits of famous and historically significant British people. Notable pieces include portraits of William Shakespeare, Queen Elizabeth I, and musician David Bowie.
The Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A): The V&A is also free to enter and is recognised as the world’s leading museum of art, design, and performance. Its collection spans 5,000 years including highlights such as the Raphael Cartoons tapestries and the Cast Courts collection of statues featuring a full-size replica of Michelangelo’s David.
