November in London is a feast for art lovers, with exhibitions that run the gamut from wildlife photography to Old Masters to immersive explorations of forgotten gardens. As the days shorten, the city’s galleries and museums offer a vast array of inspiring destinations to escape into. Whether you’re revisiting the photography of 1980s Britain or peering into the opulent world of the Mughal Empire, this month’s exhibitions promise new perspectives on history, art, and culture, perfect for a crisp autumn afternoon.
From celebrated icons like Picasso and Michelangelo to contemporary artists and social photographers, London’s art scene this month balances historical gravitas with forward-thinking vision. Here’s where to go if you’re in search of something dazzling, thought-provoking, or simply a way to spend a few indulgent hours surrounded by beauty and brilliance. Below, find our picks for the best exhibitions to visit in London this November.
The 80s: Photographing Britain
Tate Britain
21 Nov 2024 – 5 May 2025
This powerful exhibition delves into the transformative photography of 1980s Britain, capturing a decade marked by social and political upheaval. Through the work of diverse photographers, collectives, and publications, it explores the impact of race riots, miners' strikes, the AIDS crisis, and gentrification during the turbulent Thatcher years. Photography served as both a form of protest and an artistic tool, amplifying voices of marginalized communities, including the Black arts movement, queer identities, the South Asian diaspora, and women. Visitors will discover how innovative collectives like Autograph ABP and Hackney Flashers, along with ground-breaking publications such as Ten 8 and Cameraworks, gave visibility to these stories, illustrating photography's power to drive social change.
Wildlife Photographer of the Year
The Swarm of Life ©Shane Gross, Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Natural History Museum
11 Oct 2024–29 Jun 2025
Opening on October 11 at London’s Natural History Museum, the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition marks its sixtieth anniversary with 100 captivating images selected from over 59,000 global entries. Showcasing the extraordinary diversity of life, the exhibition features moments rarely seen, from swarming tadpoles to predatory falcons, each image telling a powerful story about nature’s beauty and fragility. This year’s collection not only highlights the artistry of wildlife photography but also raises awareness of conservation issues, offering an immersive experience that inspires a deeper connection to the natural world.
VOGUE: Inventing the Runway
Lightroom
13 Nov 2024 - 26 Apr 2025
VOGUE: Inventing the Runway at Lightroom this November is a must-see for anyone fascinated by fashion's evolution. This immersive exhibition traces the runway's journey from exclusive couture salons to today's major cultural events, showcasing work from legendary designers like Alexander McQueen, Chanel, and Prada. Drawing from Vogue’s rich archives, it captures how runway shows have become powerful reflections of designers’ identities and societal shifts. With stunning animation, soundscapes, and commentary from fashion icons, the exhibition offers a visceral, behind-the-scenes view of the runway’s role in shaping both fashion and culture, making it an unmissable experience.
Picasso Printmaker
British Museum
7 Nov 2024 – 30 Mar 2025
The British Museum’s Picasso: Printmaker exhibition in November offers a rare chance to explore Picasso's mastery of printmaking across his career. Featuring over 2,400 prints, the exhibition spans his early years in Paris to his later life in the South of France, revealing his evolving techniques, from lithography to linocut. Highlights include the Vollard Suite and 347 Suite, each offering a glimpse into Picasso's personal life and artistic influences, from classical art to his complex relationships. This exhibition is a journey through Picasso’s boundless creativity, showcasing how printmaking allowed him to tell stories and experiment with new ideas, making it essential viewing for art lovers.
Lost Gardens of London
Garden Museum
23 Oct 2024 - 2 Mar 2025
Lost Gardens of London at the Garden Museum this November unveils the fascinating, forgotten green spaces of the capital—from aristocratic pleasure gardens and early botanical collections to eclectic zoos and 20th-century ecological parks. Curated by landscape architect Dr. Todd Longstaffe-Gowan, this exhibition brings these vanished gardens to life through paintings, photos, and maps, illustrating London’s evolving relationship with nature. It’s a captivating exploration of the city's lost gardens and a reminder of the green spaces that survived thanks to community efforts, making it a must-visit for those intrigued by London's hidden horticultural history.
The Great Mughals: Art, Architecture and Opulence
V&A Museum
Until 4 May 2025
The V&A Museum’s The Great Mughals: Art, Architecture and Opulence exhibition in November is a celebration of the Mughal Empire’s extraordinary artistic achievements during its Golden Age, from 1560 to 1660. Focusing on the reigns of emperors Akbar, Jahangir, and Shah Jahan, the exhibit showcases rare masterpieces like vibrant paintings, intricate manuscripts, jewel-studded vessels, and architectural fragments. Highlights include exquisite diamonds, emeralds, and spinels that reflect the unparalleled craftsmanship of Mughal artists blending Iranian and Hindustani traditions. This exhibition is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the opulence, cultural fusion, and artistry that defined one of history’s greatest empires.
Michelangelo, Leonardo, Raphael
Royal Academy of Arts
9 Nov 2024 - 16 Feb 2025
The Royal Academy’s Michelangelo, Leonardo, Raphael: Florence, c. 1504 exhibition, opening in November, offers a rare glimpse into the intense rivalry and creative exchange between three of the Italian Renaissance’s most celebrated artists. Featuring masterpieces like Michelangelo’s Taddei Tondo and Leonardo’s renowned Burlington House Cartoon, the exhibition explores their influence on one another and their impact on the young Raphael. Through drawings and studies commissioned for Florence’s Palazzo Vecchio, visitors can witness the competitive spirit that drove each artist’s innovation and shaped Renaissance art, making this exhibition an unmissable experience for lovers of classic art and history.
Mike Kelley
Tate Modern
Until 9 Mar 2025
The Mike Kelley and Don Krieger: Spirit Voices exhibition at Tate Modern showcases Kelley’s early work from his time at the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), a hotbed for conceptual and experimental art in the 1970s. Inspired by L.A.’s live performance and feminist art movements, Kelley infused his work with a layered interplay of language and performance. His Birdhouse sculptures, labeled as “working-class minimalism,” became conversational prompts, where each discussion altered their meaning. Through live performances, Kelley introduced a mix of voices—his own and others—to explore absurdity and ritual, shifting perceptions of reality. The Poltergeist series further blurs truth and imagination, questioning the boundaries between the real and the spectral.
The Imaginary Institution of India: Art 1975-1998
Barbican
Until 5 Jan 2025
The Imaginary Institution of India: Art 1975-1998 at the Barbican is a groundbreaking exhibition that delves into a pivotal era of India’s social, political, and cultural transformation. Charting the period from the declaration of the State of Emergency in 1975 to the 1998 nuclear tests, this exhibition offers a compelling look at how Indian artists responded to rapid urbanization, communal violence, shifting gender and sexuality norms, and evolving class structures. Featuring over 30 artists and nearly 150 works spanning painting, sculpture, photography, and installation, it explores themes of everyday life, protest, love, and the complex intersections of identity in post-colonial India. From Gulammohammed Sheikh’s politically charged works to Sunil Gupta’s poignant photographs of queer life in New Delhi, the exhibition highlights a moment of intense change while showcasing the diversity and richness of India’s artistic evolution.
Anastasia Samoylova: Adaptation
Saatchi Gallery
20 Jan 2025
ADAPTATION at the Saatchi Gallery presents a major survey of American photographer Anastasia Samoylova's work, offering a compelling exploration of humanity’s impact on the environment. The exhibition brings together five significant series—'Landscape Sublime,' 'Image Cities,' 'FloodZone,' 'Floridas,' and 'Breakfasts'—to examine the tension between natural landscapes and human intervention. Samoylova’s photographs, often bathed in pastel hues and shifting light, invite viewers to reflect on our complicity in environmental degradation and the widespread denial of the planet’s changing reality. The show also features previously unseen video work, enhancing its exploration of ecological adaptation and the urgent need for action. This thought-provoking exhibition challenges viewers to reconsider the ways we interact with the world around us, while presenting a new book published by Thames & Hudson.
The World of Tim Burton
Design Museum
Until 25 Apr 2025
The Tim Burton exhibition at the Design Museum offers a rare and comprehensive journey into the mind of the acclaimed filmmaker and multi-disciplinary artist. This major show spans Burton’s creative evolution from childhood to the present, showcasing a wide range of his work—illustrations, paintings, photographs, sketches, and moving-image pieces—alongside iconic set and costume designs. Visitors will explore the recurring motifs and characters that define Burton's distinct visual language, from his comically grotesque films to his captivating drawings. With key collaborations with designers and works from Burton's personal archive, this exhibition provides an in-depth look at the imaginative world that has shaped his cinematic and artistic legacy. As the final stop of a decade-long world tour, this exhibition will be a unique opportunity to experience Burton's universe in the UK.
