London in March 2026 is a thriving creative hub, with major shows, art fairs, contemporary exhibitions, design and historical retrospectives across the capital’s world‑class museums and galleries. From fashion‑as‑art to immersive contemporary installations, here’s what’s worth your time.
🖼 1. Tracey Emin: A Second Life — Tate Modern
📍 Tate Modern — On view until 31 Aug 2026
A landmark retrospective of Tracey Emin, spanning 40 years across painting, neon, sculpture, textiles, collage and installation. The show includes iconic works such as My Bed alongside recent pieces, exploring themes of trauma, healing, love and confession.
👉 Why visit: A deep dive into one of Britain’s most influential contemporary voices.
👗 2. Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art — V&A Museum
📍 Victoria and Albert Museum, South Kensington — Opens 28 Mar 2026
An ambitious retrospective on Elsa Schiaparelli — the first UK show devoted to the iconic couture house. Expect over 200 objects, from dresses and accessories to collaborative works by artists like Pablo Picasso and **Jean Cocteau.
👉 Why visit: A rare chance to see fashion cross‑pollinate with surrealism and modern art.
🌈 3. ‘Internet Cafe’ — Hypha Gallery / No.1 Poultry
📍 Central London — Until 7 Mar 2026
A playful mixed‑media show responding to early 2000s culture, spanning painting, photography, sculpture and installation.
👉 Why visit: Nostalgic yet challenging work that reframes digital culture as artistic commentary.
🐛 4. A Bug’s Life — Chisenhale Gallery
📍 East London — Until 22 Mar 2026
Berlin‑based artist Arash Nassiri creates an immersive installation exploring memory, migration and layered realities via moving image and sculptural elements.
👉 Why visit: Perfect for those drawn to narrative‑driven installation art.
🎞 5. Isaac Julien: All That Changes You. Metamorphosis — Victoria Miro
📍 London — Until 21 Mar 2026
Experience this sweeping multi‑screen film installation by Isaac Julien, blending film and photography to explore transformation, identity and the future.
👉 Why visit: A visually rich fusion of moving image and conceptual art.
🎨 6. From Bessemer to the Cosmos — Edel Assanti
📍 March Until 14 Mar 2026
The first UK solo presentation for Thornton Dial, an influential American artist whose work bridges tradition, labour and contemporary expression.
👉 Why visit: Outstanding cross‑genre works that defy simple categorisation.
🪩 7. Sholto Blissett: Orders of Magnitude — Pilar Corrias
📍 Savile Row — 18 Mar–25 Apr 2026
A show of imagined landscapes by Sholto Blissett, merging British landscape traditions with speculative visual worlds.
👉 Why visit: A fresh take on landscape art that feels both familiar and otherworldly.
🪞 8. Echo — Klára Hosnedlová — White Cube Bermondsey
📍 Until 29 Mar 2026
Emerging multidisciplinary artist Klára Hosnedlová presents immersive works blending sculpture, embroidery and architecture in compelling installations.
👉 Why visit: Surreal, sensory art that pushes installation beyond traditional gallery formats.
🖌 9. Collect: Contemporary Craft & Design
📍 Somerset House — 27 Feb–1 Mar 2026
A major fair for contemporary craft and design — ceramics, glass, metalwork, textiles and more — integrating artistic practice with craftsmanship.
👉 Why visit: Perfect for seeing art that intersects with design and material exploration.
🖼 10. Affordable Art Fair & The Other Art Fair
📍 Battersea Park & Old Truman Brewery — 4–8 Mar 2026
Two lively art fairs that showcase contemporary work from a wide range of artists and galleries — great for discovering and buying art.
👉 Why visit: Accessible and vibrant platforms for both emerging and established creators.
📅 Bonus Shows & Ongoing Events
🟢 Lucian Freud: Drawing into Painting — National Portrait Gallery
Until 4 May 2026, explore the master draughtsman’s work from sketch to finished portrait.
🟢 Marie Antoinette Style — The British Library
From 27 Mar–23 Aug 2026, an exhibition interweaving art, fashion and history through manuscripts and visual culture.
🎬 BFI Flare: LGBTQ+ Film Festival — BFI Southbank
18–29 Mar 2026, an art‑adjacent cinematic celebration with films, talks, and Q&A sessions.
🎨 Tips for Visiting Art in London in March
✔ Plan your route geographically: Many shows cluster around South Kensington, the West End and Bermondsey.
✔ Book timed tickets early for big exhibitions like Schiaparelli and Tracey Emin.
✔ Mix fairs & galleries: Combine big museum shows with independent gallery exhibitions for a full picture of the city’s art scene.
