Cultural Events in London: Exhibits, Lates and Festivals in 2020
“London is one of the world’s great cultural capitals – there’s always something going on. The calendar for 2020 is no exception, with a huge line-up of festivals, exhibitions and late openings on the docket across the city’s museums and public spaces. Read on for the best cultural events in London in 2020.
Spring
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### Exhibitions
Tutankhamun: Treasures of the Golden Pharaoh
Saatchi Gallery
2 November 2019-3 May 2020
Celebrating the 100th anniversary of their discovery, the treasures and artefacts of Tutankhamun’s tomb are on view for the final time before they return to Egypt.
Troy: myth and reality
British Museum
21 November 2019-8 March 2020
The story of the legendary city of Troy told through ancient and contemporary artworks.
Andy Warhol
Tate Modern
12 March-6 September
The first retrospective of works by the American pop art icon held at the Tate Modern in nearly 20 years.
Artemisia
National Gallery
4 April-26 July
Exhibition spanning the career of Artemisia Gentileschi, the most famous female painter of the 17th century.
David Hockney: Drawing from Life
National Portrait Gallery
February 27-June 28
The first major David Hockney exhibition in 20 years, exploring his drawings from the 1950s to present.
Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk
V&A
February 29-June 21
The kimono as a fashion icon from the 1660s to present day.
Astronights
Science Museum
17 April, 2 May, 5 June
Family-friendly sleepovers in the museum with interactive workshops, shows, activities and breakfast.
Crime Scene Live
Natural History Museum
20 March
Interactive murder mystery where participants learn to analyse real clues.
Dino Snores for Grown Ups
Natural History Museum
2 May, 3 July, 4 September
Adult overnight with three-course dinner, cocktails, live music and standup comedy. And a full English for breakfast.
Art Night 2020
Various venues
June (exact dates TBC)
Follow a trail of contemporary art, performance, music and architecture across a trail from evening until early morning.
London Games Festival
26 March-6 April
Gaming workshops, talks and interactive entertainment displays and exhibits.
Taste of London
Regent’s Park
17-21 June
Food festival featuring top London restaurants, chefs, cooking demonstrations, tastings and masterclasses.
Summer
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### Exhibitions
Alice: Down the Rabbit Hole
V&A
27 June 2020-10 January 2021
Theatrical exhibit charting the origins and adaptations of Alice in Wonderland.
Becoming Britain: Photography 1945-79
Tate Britain
June 30-September 27
Documentary photography capturing life in Britain between World War II and the election of Margaret Thatcher in 1979.
Electronic
Design Museum
1 April-26 July
Experiential exhibit revealing the world of electronic music in a nightclub-like environment.
### Lates
Silent Disco
Natural History Museum
Last weekend of each month
Don headphones and dance the night away as three DJs battle it out simultaneously.
Greenwich+Docklands International Festival
19 June-4 July
Various venues
More than 130 outdoor exhibitions and performing arts.
Pride in London
27 June
Parade day is 27 June and the festivities celebrating London’s LGBT+ community take place in the week around it.
Lovebox
Gunnersbury Park
12-14 June
Electronic, hip hop, grime and house music festival.
British Summer Time
Hyde Park
4 July
Huge international music acts take centre stage in Hyde Park at the heart of the 10-day event. Look out for the free mid-week Open House programme.
Field Day
Meridian Water, Enfield
11 July
Rock, indie and pop music festival in an all-new location.
Camden Fringe
Various venues
3-30 August
Edgy and experimental theatre, comedy and improv.
Autumn
——
### Exhibitions
Havering Hoard: A Bronze Age Mystery
Museum of London Docklands
3 April-1 November
Exhibition of the largest Bronze Age hoard ever discovered in London.
Prada. Front and Back
Design Museum
From 1 September
First-ever major exhibition about global fashion enterprise Prada.
### Lates
Emerge Festival London Lates
Various venues
September (exact dates TBC)
Grab bag of late-night music, art, exhibition, design and more.
Silent Disco
Natural History Museum
25 October, 29 November
Don headphones and dance the night away as three DJs battle it out simultaneously.
Open House London
19-20 September
Unprecedented access to some of London’s most iconic buildings and spaces for one weekend only.
Design Biennale
Somerset House
8-27 September
Showcasing design, architecture and science, led by stage designer Es Devlin as artistic director.
London Design Festival
Various venues
12-20 September
Public art and design installations as well as lectures and exhibits across the city.
Totally Thames
Venues along the river
1-30 September
Programme of arts and culture celebrating the River Thames.
BBC Proms
Various venues
17 July- 12 September
Annual programme of classical music performances across the city.
### Exhibitions
Dora Maar
Tate Modern
20 November 2019-15 March 2020
Exhibition of surrealist 1930s photographer Dora Maar.
Picasso and Paper
Royal Academy of Arts
25 January-13 April
Some 300 works exploring Picasso’s career through the unusual types of paper he used.
Steve McQueen
Tate Modern
February 13-May 10
First major exhibition of Steve McQueen’s video and film installations in the UK in 20 years.
The Clash: London Calling
Museum of London
15 November 2019-19 April 2020
A free behind-the-scenes look at the making of The Clash’s seminal album London Calling.
Top Secret: From Ciphers to Cyber Security
Science Museum
10 July 2019-23 February 2020
Exploring 100 years of intelligence communication, codebreaking and top-secret files.
### Lates
Docks after dark
Museum of London Docklands
2 December 2019-24 February 2020
Lantern-lit tour exploring and hearing about the spooky tales of the East End.
Medicine Galleries
Science Museum
29 January
Late opening celebrating the launch of the Science Museum’s new Medicine Galleries.
Astronights
Science Museum
18 January, 8 February, 7 March,
Family-friendly overnights with interactive workshops, shows, activities and breakfast.
Crime Scene Live
Natural History Museum
17 January
Interactive murder mystery where participants learn to analyse real clues.
Winter Wonderland
Hyde Park
21 November 2019-5 January
Seasonal fair featuring rides, ice skating, Christmas markets and food stalls.
Find somewhere to stay by checking out our hotels in London.“
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