A Guide to London Art in January 2026 Big Exhibitions You Can’t Miss
January in London always feels like the city taking a long exhale after December’s glitter. The lights dim, the crowds thin, and suddenly the city’s cultural side steps forward more confidently. If you’ve ever wanted to explore London’s museums, galleries and creative corners without being bumped every three seconds by tourists with mulled wine, January is your month.
And the best part?
January 2026 isn’t just calm it’s stacked with exhibitions you’ll actually remember. Proper ones. The kind that make you think, spark a conversation, or leave you texting your friends: “I didn’t expect to love this but OMG go.”
Whether you're a casual museum wanderer, an art student, a history lover, or someone who simply wants to do something meaningful on a cold London afternoon, this guide walks you through the big exhibitions, new openings, hidden gems, and easy-to-reach spots that make January 2026 such a good month for art in London.
Let’s take it one stunning gallery space at a time.
1. The British Museum’s Hawaiian Treasures 15 January onwards
One of the most anticipated cultural exhibitions this month is at the British Museum, showcasing a major collection of Hawaiian artefacts some on display for the very first time. These include early 18th and 19th-century objects, carvings, ceremonial pieces and textiles that hold deep cultural meaning.
This show is more than “pretty objects behind glass.” It explores:
the artistry of Indigenous Hawaiian makers
the impact of early voyages and colonial contact
how Hawaiian identity survived and evolved
It’s powerful, beautifully curated, and one of the most important exhibitions opening in early 2026.
Where: British Museum, Bloomsbury
How to get there:
Tottenham Court Road (Elizabeth, Central, Northern)
Holborn (Central, Piccadilly)
2. Nan Goldin The Ballad of Sexual Dependency (13 Jan - 21 Mar)
Venue: Gagosian, Britannia Street
Nan Goldin is one of those artists you don’t forget. Her work isn’t gentle or tidy it is raw, intimate, truthful, and deeply human. This January, London gets a rare chance to experience The Ballad of Sexual Dependency the way she intended: as a slideshow of photographs paired with music.
Expect:
stories of friendship, nightlife, love, grief
New York counterculture from the inside
images that feel like someone opening a diary and saying “Here this is what life really looked like”
This isn’t a “pop in for five minutes” kind of show. It’s emotional, immersive, and one of the most significant contemporary photography events in London this year.
How to get there:
King’s Cross St Pancras (Victoria, Hammersmith & City, Circle, Northern, Piccadilly, Thameslink)
3. Joseph Beuys at Thaddaeus Ropac (13 Jan - 21 Mar)
Venue: Thaddaeus Ropac Gallery, Mayfair
When Joseph Beuys exhibits in London, the art world pays attention and this January is no different.
This show dives into:
Beuys’ radical ideas about society
his use of “unusual” materials like felt, fat, copper
his belief that everyone can be an artist
Even if you’re not familiar with Beuys, this exhibition is surprisingly accessible. The gallery is peaceful, beautifully lit, and perfect for a slow wander on a quiet January afternoon.
How to reach:
Green Park Station (Jubilee, Victoria, Piccadilly)
A short walk through Mayfair’s boutique-lined streets.
Afterwards, explore the nearby Royal Academy courtyard for free it’s lovely in winter.
4. Georgia O’Keeffe: Graphic Works (15 Jan - 14 Feb)
Venue: Gerald Moore Gallery, Mottingham (South-East London)
If you only know Georgia O’Keeffe for her enormous flower paintings, this show will surprise you.
This exhibition focuses on her graphic works:
clean lines, minimalist compositions, deep contrasts a side of her practice most Londoners have never seen.
It’s also set in a peaceful, non-central space, making it ideal if you want to escape the city’s noise for a few hours.
Nearest stations:
New Eltham
Mottingham
(Both Southeastern rail lines; quick connections from London Bridge or London Charing Cross)
5. London Art Fair 2026 21–25 January
Venue: Business Design Centre, Islington
This is the big one a huge annual event bringing together:
thousands of artworks
galleries from across the UK and Europe
talks, installations, curated exhibitions
“Art Projects” an area for emerging artists
photography showcases
contemporary craft and design
If you’ve never been to an art fair before, this is the friendliest place to start. It’s huge but easy to navigate, visually exciting, staffed with people who genuinely want to help you understand the work, and full of surprise discoveries.
How to get there:
Angel Station (Northern Line) 3-minute walk
Highbury & Islington (Victoria Line / Overground)
If you want to make it a full day out, browse Upper Street afterwards design shops, bakeries, and the kind of cafés where you can actually hear your own thoughts.
Tickets also sometimes sell out last-minute, so check availability.
6. London Short Film Festival 21–31 January
Multiple venues across London
Yes, it’s technically film but this festival is deeply artistic and is one of the most inventive cultural events every January.
Venues include:
BFI Southbank
Curzon Soho
ICA
Rio Cinema
Peckhamplex
The festival covers:
experimental film
animation
video art
documentaries
short narratives
This is where you discover stories you didn’t know you needed stories about queerness, identity, migration, London’s hidden corners, grief, joy, humour, everything.
It’s a great pairing with January weather dark rooms, warm popcorn, fresh ideas.
7. Free Galleries + Hidden Gems You Shouldn’t Skip
Because January is the month Londoners reclaim the city, it’s also the perfect time to explore quiet places you never normally consider:
The Wallace Collection (Marylebone)
The Serpentine Galleries (Hyde Park)
White Cube Bermondsey
The Photographers’ Gallery (Soho)
Dulwich Picture Gallery (South London)
If you want a museum day that isn’t stressful, this is the moment.
How to Make a Perfect January Art Day in London
Try this step-by-step:
Pick one big exhibition (Nan Goldin, Beuys, Hawaiian artefacts).
Start slow grab a coffee first.
Spend 1–2 hours in the exhibition without rushing.
Walk the neighbourhood afterward (King’s Cross, Bloomsbury, Mayfair).
Add one free/quiet gallery nearby.
Finish with a cosy pub or café, ideally with a window seat.
Go home feeling warm, cultured, inspired.
A proper London winter day.
Final Thoughts London’s Art Scene Is Different in January
January strips London back to its essentials and honestly, that’s when it’s at its best. No frantic holiday shoppers. No summer crowds. Just London being quietly brilliant.
Whether it’s your first gallery visit or your fiftieth, January 2026 is full of exhibitions that are meaningful, beautifully curated, and easy to access perfect for first-timers and locals.
If you end up exploring any of these, tell me which exhibition surprised you most and send a photo of your favourite corner.
And for more London moments, hidden spots, weekend ideas and upcoming events, check Londonyaar.com your calm, conversational guide to the city.