London's blockbuster exhibitions open now

Lucian Freud (1922-2011) is arguably one of Britain's most famous painters, particularly renowned for his raw and intense portraits of friends, family and lovers. This comprehensive exhibition spotlights a lesser known (but crucial) aspect of Freud's artistic practice – his lifelong commitment to drawing. Whether working with pencil, ink or charcoal, drawing enabled him to master portraiture on both canvas and paper.

From Wallace & Gromit to Chicken Run, Morph to Shaun the Sheep – step into the joyful world of Aardman. Discover how this iconic animation studio have mastered the craft of storytelling through sculpting plasticine to create some of our favourite characters. This family-friendly exhibition is bound to entertain kids and adults alike with interactive activities to guide you through the magic of stop motion filmmaking.

Discover a boundary-pushing artist from Brazil who works with sculpture, performance and public participation. Laura Lima has created an immersive sculptural installation at the ICA in London that recreates and subverts the traditional setup of a life drawing class. Since the 90s, Lima's transgressive works have challenged social norms and hierarchies by creating spaces for exhibition visitors to interact in unusual ways. And did you know? This is an Art Fund supported exhibition.

From a pastel pink model of the Grand Budapest Hotel to original Fantastic Mr. Fox puppets, marvel at over 600 objects from Wes Anderson’s films. Drawing from extensive personal archives that Anderson has built over the last 30 years, uncover the iconic director’s dedication to his craft and cultivation of his distinct visual style.

Come face-to-face with two of the most legendary landscape painters from Britain. JMW Turner and John Constable approached their paintings and their careers in bold and distinct ways, and they both experienced a lifelong rivalry in the art world. To mark 250 years since their births, this blockbuster exhibition reexamines their lives and legacies through their masterpieces, sketchbooks and personal items.

Bask in the glow of Joseph Wright of Derby's mesmerising paintings in the National Gallery's first exhibition dedicated to this important British artist. Witness Wright's masterful ability to depict light and shadow, resulting in dramatic and luminous works that have captured audiences for centuries. And encounter scenes of scientific discovery, a subject matter that was not commonly recorded in 18th-century art.

Marvel at the decadent fashion of Rococo queen Marie Antoinette. Her pastel silks, satin shoes, towering hair and frilly skirts were more than just a style – they were a tool of power. Discover how this ill-fated monarch left an enduring mark on fashion, art and film, and why her story still captivates and inspires us to this day.

Step into the Blitz, the legendary stomping ground for the New Romantics. While never explicitly a queer nightclub, this vibrant space welcomed the LGBTQ+ community and its key cultural figures, including Boy George, Marlilyn and Stephen Jones.In just two years, this testbed for 80s British subculture transformed pop culture and nurtured a generation of creatives into global superstars.

Discover the artists who transformed modern art in Nigeria during the 20th century, both before and after 1960, when the country gained independence from British colonial rule. From El Anatsui to the Zaria Art Society, this era of cultural rebellion saw artists and their networks flourish across the country, merging Nigerian, African and European techniques to create multilayered, energetic works.

Discover the transformative power of music in this exhibition spotlighting Handel's Hallelujah Chorus. Just one operatic rendition of 'Hallelujah' can conjure this iconic musical composition in lots of people's minds, making it one of the most popular and recognised pieces of music to ever be created. Musical instruments, works of art, archival materials and an immersive installation by Mikhail Karikis shed new light on the Baroque anthem.