The cultural calendar for 2026 is set to be a blockbuster, with an extraordinary lineup of major art exhibitions across the United Kingdom and significant architectural milestones reaching completion. From long-awaited retrospectives to once-in-a-lifetime loans, the year promises a rich exploration of artistic genius, from the Renaissance to the Young British Artists.
Unmissable Art Exhibitions Across the UK
The year begins with a celebration of Beryl Cook's centenary at The Box in Plymouth, running from 24 January to 31 May. This largest-ever show of the self-taught painter offers a vibrant, bawdy slice of postwar British life. Meanwhile, the quiet intensity of modernist Gwen John will be on display at the National Museum in Cardiff from 7 February to 28 June, showcasing her spiritual portraits of solitary women.
London institutions are hosting a remarkable series of shows. The National Portrait Gallery delves into Lucian Freud's process in Drawing into Painting from 12 February to 4 May. Tracey Emin receives a major showcase at Tate Modern from 27 February to 31 August, featuring her powerful recent work, including a celebrated Crucifixion. Later in the year, Tate Modern will also present Frida Kahlo: The Making of an Icon from 25 June to 3 January 2027, promising a deep dive into her confessional art and diaries.
Other highlights include a European revelation of Colombian artist Beatriz González at the Barbican (25 February - 10 May), a sublime survey of Frank Bowling at Cambridge's Fitzwilliam Museum (27 March - 17 Jan 2027), and the haunting baroque works of Zurbarán at the National Gallery (2 May - 23 August). The art event of the year, however, may be the British Museum's autumn display of the Bayeux Tapestry, on rare loan from France.
Landmark Architectural Openings in 2026
2026 is also a pivotal year for architecture, marked by historic completions and bold new projects. The most symbolic is the finalisation of Antoni Gaudí's Basílica de la Sagrada Família in Barcelona. On 10 June, the centenary of Gaudí's death, the final Jesus Christ spire will be completed, soaring 172 metres above the city.
In London, two major structures will open their doors. The long-awaited Google UK headquarters at King's Cross, designed by Bjarke Ingels Group and Heatherwick Studio, is set to launch in August. The 330-metre-long "landscraper" will feature cascading workspaces, a roof garden, and a swimming pool. Meanwhile, the V&A East Museum in Stratford, designed by O'Donnell + Tuomey, opens on 18 April, offering a contemporary reinterpretation of the V&A's collections.
Globally, Peter Zumthor's David Geffen Galleries at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (Lacma) open in April, presenting a radical, flowing exhibition space. In Milan, David Chipperfield's Santa Giulia Arena, a shimmering 16,000-capacity ice hockey stadium for the Winter Olympics, becomes a new civic landmark from February.
Diverse Voices and Essential Retrospectives
The 2026 programme is notable for its breadth, bringing overdue attention to a diverse range of artists. The first European travelling retrospective of American artist Beverly Buchanan opens at Spike Island, Bristol, on 26 September, exploring remnants and ruins of rural African American life. Ana Mendieta's profound explorations of the body and displacement will be featured at Tate Modern from 9 July.
Major reassessments include a fresh look at LS Lowry at MK Gallery, Milton Keynes (24 October - 28 February 2027), moving beyond the matchstick-men cliché. The Royal Academy will examine the psychedelic visions of Richard Dadd (25 July - 25 October), while the Courtauld Gallery highlights the achingly desolate seascapes of Georges Seurat (13 February - 17 May).
From the early Renaissance magic of Van Eyck's portraits at the National Gallery (21 November - 11 April 2027) to the cosmic interventions of land artist Nancy Holt in West Sussex (2 May - 1 November), the year offers a compelling journey through centuries of creative innovation. It is a calendar that confirms the UK's position as a global hub for culture, blending historical masterpieces with contemporary genius.
