Art after work: late gallery openings in London
How are you doing with that resolution to see more art? If you’re struggling to see things on busy weekends, weave art into your week with our guide to late gallery openings.
If you’ve been working in central London all week, the prospect of battling Saturday crowds might be less than appealing. So if this means you’re not seeing as much art as you’d like, why not pop to a museum or gallery during the week?
Many London museums open late, whether that’s on a regular night of the week or an occasional one-off – often with drinks, music and performances. Not only will you top up your exhibition time, but you’ll conveniently miss rush hour, too…
Open until 8.30pm, Friday
Many of the British Museum's galleries are open late on Fridays (except Good Friday), so you can wander rooms of artefacts from all over the world, from ancient times to the present, as an inspiring way to start the weekend.
Open until 9pm, Friday
The National Gallery makes Trafalgar Square a surprisingly peaceful place to start the weekend. Whether you want to catch a major exhibition or get better acquainted with the permanent collection, you're close to wherever you may need to be afterwards, from West End theatres to the South Bank.
Open until 10pm, last Friday of the month
Once a month, Lates at the Natural History Museum offer talks, activities, and food and drink until 10pm. From behind-the-scenes tours to pop-up science demos, to just wandering the halls with a drink in hand, there are lots of ways to experience the museum at night.
Open until 10pm, Friday
As well as being open late on Fridays, Tate Modern is home to the Tate Lates programme, filling the building with art, music, film and workshops until 10pm every last Friday of the month (except December). Get as involved in special sessions and activities as you like, or just drift around the exhibitions and enjoy DJs 'til late.
Open until 9.30pm, first Friday of the month (bimonthly)
Every couple of months, Late at Tate Britain allows visitors to explore the galleries after-hours. Immersive sound and visuals, activities and discussions inspired by the art make for a lively atmosphere, all curated by members of Tate Collective.
Open until 10pm, last Wednesday of the month
Towards the end of each month, the Science Museum becomes an adults-only zone until 10pm, with after-hours theme nights centring on ideas and issues arising from the exhibitions and current topics.
Open late once a month
Soane Lates offer the opportunity to explore this fascinating house by candlelight with timed entry, curated content and drinks. It's a popular event and among the more expensive museum lates, but clearly worth the ticket.
Open until 9pm, Wednesday
Offering an oasis of calm with its clean-lined spaces showing contemporary art, plus a lovely café, South London Gallery is open until 9pm every Wednesday and also on the last Friday of each month.
Open until 10pm, Friday
The V&A's blockbuster exhibitions are often extremely popular, so Friday night can be a good time to visit. There's also a Friday Late on the last Friday of every month (except May and December), with live performance, DJs, installations, debates and more.
Open until 9pm, Thursday
While this hub of contemporary art is open late every Thursday, it's also responsible for one of East London's most exciting art happenings – First Thursdays. On the first Thursday of every month, over 150 galleries in the area come together to run events, exhibitions, talks and private views, with the Whitechapel as ringleader.
Open late occasionally
It's worth keeping an eye on Dulwich Picture Gallery's listings to check for upcoming Gallery Lates – occasional evening openings inclusive of entry to the current exhibition, with tailored experiences and performances
The more you see, the more we do.
The National Art Pass lets you enjoy free entry to hundreds of museums, galleries and historic places across the UK, while raising money to support them.