Summer in London invites a different pace. The days stretch, the city slows down, and suddenly you find yourself wanting more from your time — something inspiring, creative, thoughtful or just fun.
This guide brings together the best of what’s on in London this summer Nimi-way — exhibitions worth seeing, socials worth showing up for, and alternative ways to spend time that offer more than just another night at the pub. You can come solo or with your friend, and you don’t need to be “into art” or come with a background — just an open mind.
At Nimi, we curate art and culture gatherings for people who want more from their evenings and weekends – to spend time more meaningfully, connect with others, and explore the city through art. We host over 100 events a year across London’s museums, galleries, and studios, hidden gems, so this guide isn’t just a round-up — it’s what we’ve seen, loved, and would genuinely recommend. Sign up here if you want to be the first one to receive all the recent updates!
Now, let’s dive into our recommendations, including why it’s worth a visit, dates, locations and the admission fee. Enjoy!
Unmissable Art Exhibitions in London This Summer
Kiefer/Van Gogh | Royal Academy of Arts
Exhibition dates: 28 June – 26 October 2025
Why?
This is the kind of show that doesn’t come around often. Anselm Kiefer and Vincent van Gogh — two intense, emotionally loaded artists with a completely different visual language — are shown side by side for the first time. You feel the influence, but also the contrast: Kiefer’s monumental scale, Van Gogh’s raw intimacy. It’s rare, ambitious, and quietly overwhelming.
Admission: £19 (concessions available)
Website: https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/exhibition/kiefer-van-gogh
Jenny Saville | National Portrait Gallery
Exhibition dates: 20 June – 7 September 2025
Why?
Jenny Saville paints people in a way that feels bold, physical, and unfiltered. Her portraits are large, emotional, and full of detail most artists leave out — bodies in motion, flesh, vulnerability, and strength. ‘The Anatomy of Painting’ is her first major solo show at a public gallery in London, and a rare chance to see work that’s both powerful and tender on this scale.
Admission: £21 (free for members)
Website: https://www.npg.org.uk/whatson/exhibitions/2025/jenny-saville
Royal Academy Summer Exhibition | Royal Academy of Arts
Exhibition dates: 17 June – 17 August 2025
Why?
This annual exhibition has been running for over 250 years — and for good reason. It’s also the UK’s biggest open-submission exhibition, meaning anyone can apply, and each year brings something wildly different. Celebrities go, artists debut, and the mix is always unexpected. If you only visit one exhibition this summer, let it be this one.
Admission: £23.50 (concessions available)
Website: https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/exhibition/summer-exhibition-2025
Giuseppe Penone: Thoughts in the Roots | Serpentine South Gallery
Exhibition dates: 3 April – 7 September 2025
Why?
Penone works with nature the way some artists work with paint. Tree bark, bronze roots, finger-marked clay — all used to trace the passing of time. His work is both delicate and elemental. If you’re after a moment of quiet and reflection, this is the one.
Bonus tip: Also on site at Serpentine North (until 27 July) is Arpita Singh: Remembering, a vivid and layered show by one of India’s most significant contemporary painters.
Admission: Free
Website: https://www.serpentinegalleries.org/whats-on/giuseppe-penone-thoughts-in-the-roots/
Yoshitomo Nara | Hayward Gallery
Exhibition dates: 10 June – 31 August 2025
Why?
Nara is one of Japan’s most iconic living artists, and this is his first major show in the UK in years. His big-eyed, punk-spirited figures have made their way into global pop culture — but on a gallery wall, they hit differently. You feel the tension between childlike innocence and inner rage, painted with striking tenderness. It’s instantly recognisable and quietly disarming.
Admission: £20
Website: https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/yoshitomo-nara/
Leonardo Drew: Ubiquity II | South London Gallery
Exhibition dates: 30 May – 7 September 2025
Why?
This isn’t a blockbuster space — and that’s what makes it special. South London Gallery has a reputation for bold, cutting-edge shows, and Drew’s installation is no exception. It’s huge, raw, made of weathered wood and metal, full of energy and decay. You don’t need to understand it — just step in and feel what happens.
Admission: Free
Website: https://www.southlondongallery.org/exhibitions/leonardo-drew/
More Than Human | The Design Museum
Exhibition dates: 11 July – 5 October 2025
Why?
What would the world look like if we designed with the rest of nature in mind? This show asks just that — featuring everything from seaweed buildings to pollinator gardens and wearable algae. It’s hopeful, curious, and full of beautiful ideas for a future that feels a little more generous.
Admission: £14.38
Website: https://designmuseum.org/exhibitions/more-than-human
art’otel Hoxton | Battersea
Exhibition dates: Ongoing – check individual listings
Why?
Art isn’t an afterthought here — it’s the main event. With a dedicated in-house curator (something you almost never see in hotels), both locations run ambitious exhibitions, bold installations, and a packed calendar of events. Whether you’re into immersive experiences or just want something unexpected after work, these spaces offer a new way to engage with culture, and you don’t need to book a room to enjoy it.
Admission: Varies — most of the shows are free
Website: https://artotellondon.com/
Museum Lates
Exhibition dates: Ongoing – once a month
Why?
Most of London’s major museums open their doors after hours once a month or bi-monthly. The National Portrait Gallery, the Natural History Museum, V&A, Science Museum, and Tate Modern all run Lates that blend exhibitions with talks, free workshops, pop-up performances, DJs playing and spaces to wander. They’re open to everyone and typically free to attend. Whether you’re there for an activity or just to look around with a drink in hand, Museum Lates offer a more social and open-ended way to experience culture. Check our museum website for the exact dates.
Admission: Free
Website: Tate Modern, Victoria & Albert Museum, National Portrait Gallery, Natural History Museum, Science Museum
Image credit: Serpentine Gallery (top), Nimi private collection (below).
💡 Discover a Different Way to Connect Through Art
Looking to experience London’s art scene in a way that feels personal? Nimi is a social club for those who want more from their time — more depth, more curiosity, more genuine connection.
Each Nimi Social is small, welcoming, and built around shared experience — whether that’s a gallery stroll, a studio visit, or a museum treasure hunt. It’s a different kind of networking: thoughtful, relaxed, and free from small talk. Want to be part of it?
Are you new to Nimi?
Then your first social is on us. Just drop your details, and we’ll send over a list of upcoming events to choose from.