London’s art scene is spectacularly alive this March 2026, with world‑class exhibitions across major museums and galleries — from deep retrospectives to free shows and ambitious contemporary commissions. Whether you’re a local culture lover or planning a trip, here are the must‑see art experiences across the city this month.
🖼 1. Tracey Emin at Tate Modern — A Second Life
📍 Tate Modern — Until 31 Aug 2026
One of Britain’s most influential contemporary artists is centre stage with a monumental retrospective that traces over 40 years of work. From her provocative installation My Bed to recent paintings, neons and sculptures, this exhibition blends raw emotion with visual power and introspection — exploring trauma, identity and survival.
✔ Why go: A rare chance to see the full scope of Emin’s practice in one place — deeply personal, historically significant, and culturally resonant.
🎨 2. Hurvin Anderson at Tate Britain — Transatlantic Painting
📍 Tate Britain — 26 Mar – 23 Aug 2026
This major exhibition surveys over 30 years of vibrant painting by British‑born artist Hurvin Anderson, whose work blends landscape, memory, diaspora and cultural identity. Expect lush colours and evocative scenes that reframe British painting through an expansive, deeply personal lens.
🌿 3. David Hockney at Serpentine North — A Year in Normandie
📍 Serpentine Galleries — 12 Mar – 23 Aug 2026
The Serpentine presents a major exhibition of David Hockney’s recent work — including digital paintings made on an iPad and the striking 90‑metre frieze A Year in Normandie inspired by the Bayeux Tapestry. This free show celebrates Hockney’s lifelong fascination with light, seasons and the everyday.
✔ Tip: Free entry makes this a perfect stop for casual visitors and photography/print lovers alike — and the scale of the work is truly memorable.
🎨 4. Cecily Brown at Serpentine South — Picture Making
📍 Serpentine Galleries — 27 Mar – 6 Sep 2026
A major solo presentation by internationally acclaimed painter Cecily Brown, whose energetic brushwork and vibrant compositions draw on nature, memory and art history. Set against the Serpentine’s iconic Kensington Gardens backdrop, this exhibit promises colour, movement and visual dynamism.
🖌 5. Rose Wylie at the Royal Academy of Arts
📍 Royal Academy of Arts — 28 Feb – 19 Apr 2026
A lively and humorous retrospective of Rose Wylie, showing over 90 works that fuse everyday life with playful visuals and bold scale. This exhibition celebrates her joyful approach to painting and her defiance of conventional art boundaries.
🖼 6. Fashion as Art: Schiaparelli at the V&A
📍 Victoria and Albert Museum — Opens 28 Mar 2026
This striking exhibition explores the artistic legacy of designer Elsa Schiaparelli, showcasing surrealist fashion collaborations with artists like Salvador Dalí and Jean Cocteau alongside couture pieces that blurred the line between fashion and fine art.
✔ Perfect for: Art + fashion lovers who appreciate how design and artistic practice intersect.
🖼 7. Affordable and Independent Art Fairs
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Affordable Art Fair (Battersea) — 4–8 Mar 2026 — Art for every budget, with 900+ artists exhibiting accessible works.
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The Other Art Fair (Old Truman Brewery) — 5–8 Mar 2026 — Discover painting, photography and mixed media by independent artists.
These fairs are ideal for collectors of all levels — from first‑timers buying original work to seasoned buyers spotting emerging talent.
💡 Tips for Art Lovers in London This March
✔ Plan around free shows: Serpentine exhibitions and gallery installations often have free entry — great for casual strolls.
✔ Mix big museums with smaller galleries: Combining major shows at Tate/Serpentine with independent gallery visits gives the best sense of the city’s art pulse.
✔ Book key slots early: Retrospectives and free exhibitions can get busy on weekends.
London in March 2026 offers an extraordinary blend of established icons and fresh voices — from Emin’s confessionally powerful retrospective on the Thames to Hockney’s wide‑ranging exploration of colour and seasonality in Kensington Gardens. Whether you’re into contemporary painting, photography, design‑art crossovers, or discovering new names, there’s something in London that will inspire any art lover.
