This October, London turns into one big canvas — and at Nimi, we’re calling it Artober. A month-long celebration of art, connection and culture across the city, Artober brings together exhibitions, fairs, and Nimi socials that make exploring art in London easy, social, and unforgettable.
Autumn in London means crisp walks, bold exhibitions, and the perfect excuse to discover new corners of the city through art. We’ve picked out the shows, fairs and hidden gems worth leaving the sofa for — and better yet, you don’t have to go alone.
💡 Why Nimi-Way?
At Nimi, we’ve hosted 100+ art socials and partnered with 60+ of London’s leading cultural organisations — from hidden gems to world-class galleries and museums. We know what works, what inspires, where the best coffee is, and, ultimately, what makes a day feel memorable.
This isn’t a paid promo or influencer list. With Nimi, London opens up — one stroll, one glass, one conversation at a time.
Best Art Fairs Autumn 2025
Minor Attractions — The Mandrake Hotel, Fitzrovia
Dates: 14–18 October 2025
Why: Now in its second year, Minor Attractions transforms The Mandrake hotel into a maze of contemporary art, performance and nightlife. With over 70 emerging galleries across 15 hotel rooms, this edition doubles down on experimentation — part exhibition, part party, all energy. Expect bold work, unexpected encounters, and a fair unlike the white-wall norm.
Admission: Free
Website: minorattractions.com
Nimi is planning a visit to the fair on the 15th of October, followed by socials – more info here.
Frieze London — Regent’s Park
Dates: 15–19 October 2025
Why: The city’s flagship contemporary art fair, bringing together leading galleries from across the globe. Alongside the main fair, Frieze Masters showcases works spanning six millennia — from antiquities to modern icons — creating a dialogue between past and present. Expect museum-quality displays, international crowds, and the art world at its most concentrated.
Admission: Ticketed (from around £40, concessions available)
Website: frieze.com/fairs/frieze-london
Join Nimi for a visit to Frieze on the 18th of October – more info here.
Affordable Art Fair — Battersea Park
Dates: 17–20 October 2025
Why: The city’s friendliest fair for accessible, collectable art. With pieces starting around £100, it’s perfect for discovering new talent or even taking something home.
Admission: Ticketed
Website: affordableartfair.com/fairs/london-battersea-autumn
Join Nimi’s Art Fair Weekender: Affordable Art Fair @ Battersea Park for a social day of art, conversation and discovery — all the details here.
1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair — Somerset House, Strand
Dates: 16–19 October 2025
Why: Europe’s leading fair for contemporary African art, showcasing over 60 galleries from across the continent and diaspora. Expect painting, sculpture, photography and design — all in the stunning setting of Somerset House. A vibrant, international highlight of the autumn art season.
Admission: Around £32
Website: somersethouse.org.uk/whats-on/1-54-contemporary-african-art-fair-2025
Join the Nimi Art Fair Weekender: 1-54 @ Somerset House, one of our community favourites! Details here.
Top Museum Exhibitions Autumn 2025
Mona Hatoum — Barbican Centre, City of London
Dates: 3 September 2025 – 11 January 2026
Why: A rare chance to see Hatoum’s powerful sculptures and installations in dialogue with Giacometti.
Admission: £8
Website: barbican.org.uk
Rachel Jones: Gated Canyons — Dulwich Picture Gallery
Dates: 10 June 2025 – 19 October 2025
Why: Colour, rhythm, and sound collide in Jones’s paintings.
Admission: Around £12
Website: dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk
Sir John Soane’s Museum — Fitzrovia
Dates: Until 31 December 2025
Why: An atmospheric London treasure.
Admission: Mix of ticketed and free events
Website: soane.org
Rory McEwen: Nature’s Song — Garden Museum, Lambeth
Dates: 8 October 2025 – 25 January 2026
Why: Slow down and enjoy the delicate detail of botanical paintings.
Admission: £16
Website: gardenmuseum.org.uk/exhibitions/rory-mcewen
Emily Kam Kngwarray — Tate Modern, Southbank
Dates: Until 11 January 2026
Why: Monumental, vibrant works by one of Australia’s most important Indigenous artists.
Admission: £20 (members free)
Website: tate.org.uk
V&A East Storehouse — Stratford
Dates: Ongoing
Why: A new kind of museum experience — part gallery, part working collection.
Website: vam.ac.uk/east-storehouse
Step inside with Nimi at Museum Sunday 👑 V&A East Storehouse, exploring the collection through a creative theme hosted by artist Cameron Jarvie. Details here.
Marie-Antoinette: Style and Legacy — Victoria & Albert Museum, Kensington
Dates: 20 September 2025 – 22 March 2026
Why: Explore the life and legend of Marie Antoinette through her clothes, portraits and influence on fashion.
Admission: £23–25
Website: vam.ac.uk/exhibitions/marie-antoinette
Join Nimi’s Museum Sunday 👗 Marie Antoinette at the V&A — an elegant afternoon of art and conversation led by tailor Claire Couchman. Event info.
Galleries Exhibitions to See in Autumn 2025
Cai Guo-Qiang: Gunpowder and Abstraction — White Cube, Bermondsey
Dates: 26 September 2025 – 9 November 2025
Why: Known for his explosive “gunpowder drawings,” Cai Guo-Qiang transforms energy into delicate abstraction. A rare chance to see new work by one of the world’s most exciting artists, right in Bermondsey. Perfect to pair with coffee at Fuckoffee or a pastry at Comptoir — arguably London’s best croissant.
Admission: Free
Website: whitecube.com/gallery-exhibitions/cai-guo-qiang-bermondsey-2025
Howardena Pindell — White Cube, Bermondsey
Dates: 21 November 2025 – 18 January 2026
Why: Pindell’s work blends meticulous abstraction with themes of race, memory and history. A pioneering voice in American art, finally given the spotlight she deserves in London.
Admission: Free
Website: whitecube.com/gallery-exhibitions/howardena-pindell-bermondsey-2025
Karimah Ashadu: Tendered — Camden Art Centre
Dates: 10 October 2025 – 22 March 2026
Why: Ashadu’s films and installations focus on work, labour and the body. Thoughtful, experimental, and beautifully presented in Camden’s bright galleries and garden.
Admission: Free
Website: camdenartcentre.org/whats-on/tendered
Gut Friendly / Mine, Yours, Ours — Public Gallery, Shoreditch
Dates: 20 September 2025 – 19 October 2026
Why: A playful, experimental group show at one of London’s most exciting small contemporary spaces. Perfect to combine with nearby Whitechapel for a mini art stroll.
Admission: Free
Website: public.gallery
Joy Gregory: Catching Flies with Honey — Whitechapel Gallery, Shoreditch
Dates: 8 October 2025 – 1 March 2026
Why: British artist Joy Gregory explores history, beauty and representation through photography and installation. Warm, witty and visually striking. Combine with Public Gallery nearby for a double hit of East London art.
Admission: Ticketed / some free
Website: whitechapelgallery.org/exhibitions/joy-gregory-catching-flies-with-honey
Candice Lin: g/hosti — Whitechapel Gallery, Shoreditch
Dates: 8 October 2025 – 1 March 2026
Why: Blending myth, colonial histories and science, Candice Lin creates installations that are sensory and immersive. A show to experience rather than just look at.
Admission: Ticketed / some free
Website: whitechapelgallery.org/exhibitions/candice-lin-g-hosti
Ready to explore top curated gallery routes with new friends? Join us for a Gallery Stroll here!
Bonus: More Nimi Socials This Month
If you’re looking for something playful and social, check out Guess Who? Mystery Game Night, Nimi’s signature art-themed game night where teams uncover stories behind portraits and objects: Learn more.
🎨 Big October Finale — Join Nimi for Artober
October is for art — and for connection. Join us for 3 or more art socials this October, and you’ll unlock a brand new limited-edition Nimi merch and an invitation to an exclusive end-of-season gathering — our way of celebrating the curious and committed.
From our beloved Strolls and Secret Salons, major London art fairs, to the return of our Museum Games, there are plenty of opportunities to dive deep into the art world with old and new friends. Explore the full Artober calendar here. Don’t just see art — experience it, together.