Closing Soon: The London Exhibitions to Catch Early in 2026

London’s galleries and museums are entering the final stretch for a series of headline exhibitions spanning fashion, photography, modern art and performance. With several closing between late January and early spring, now is the moment to get them firmly in the diary.

Dirty Looks: Desire and Decay in Fashion

Until 25 January 2026 | Barbican

If you have not yet made it to the Barbican, this is very much a final call. Dirty Looks explores how dirt, distress and decay have been used to challenge conventional ideas of beauty, from punk rebellion to contemporary conversations around sustainability. Featuring designers including Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood and Maison Margiela, the exhibition feels particularly resonant in an era defined by glossy digital perfection and fast fashion fatigue. Book here

Lee Miller

Until 15 February 2026 | Tate Britain

Tate Britain’s major retrospective of Lee Miller is one of the most compelling photography shows of the season. Spanning her surrealist work in France, her fashion imagery and her extraordinary war photography, the exhibition reframes Miller as far more than a muse. Instead, she emerges as a fearless documentarian of both culture and conflict, with a body of work that still feels startlingly modern. Book here

Wayne McGregor: Infinite Bodies

Until 22 February 2026 | Somerset House

This immersive exhibition sees Wayne McGregor bring his investigations into movement, the body and digital technology into the gallery space. Through multi-sensory installations, performances and experiments, Infinite Bodies challenges how we think about physical intelligence and human potential. It is less about passive viewing and more about embodied experience, making it a standout for those seeking something beyond a traditional exhibition visit. Book here

Marie Antoinette: Style

Until 22 March 2026 | V&A South Kensington

The V&A’s richly layered exploration of Marie Antoinette examines how fashion helped construct one of history’s most controversial public images. With over 250 objects on display, including elaborately embellished court dress, jewellery and silk slippers, the exhibition traces the queen’s lasting influence on style and popular culture. It is opulent, nuanced and surprisingly relevant in its exploration of image, excess and female visibility. Check out our review here.

Blitz: The Club That Shaped the 80s

Until 29 March 2026 | Design Museum

More than a nightclub, Blitz was a cultural catalyst. This exhibition revisits the Covent Garden club that helped define the New Romantic movement, developed in collaboration with the original Blitz Kids themselves. Fashion, music and identity collide in a show that captures a moment when self-expression became a radical act, and when underground style reshaped the mainstream. Book here