Discover the vibrant London’s evening museums and galleries, where art and history come alive after dark. Plan your cultural night out now!
In this guide, we present you with the top evening museums and evening galleries in London. You will discover the most sought-after places in London for art and museum enthusiasts.
You can also add these places to your must-visit lists and check them out at least once though you will most likely keep some for your late evening dates.
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Culture in London After Dark: London’s Evening Museums and Galleries
It is an enigmatic experience! What else can I say? Especially for someone busy all day with work. Exploring London’s culture offers a faraway respite from everyday life after dark.
The evening galleries and evening museums offer an enriching and unique experience because the feel is different and it is especially true for people who do not like crowded places and are in love with solitude and knowledge alike.
The lighting and ambience are different. Most cultural programs at these places are held after dark as well which can enhance one’s perspective on insights into different artworks, historical periods, and artists.
Top 10 London’s Evening Museums and Galleries
Explore British art and history by strolling through historic buildings filled with timeless charm and magic.
1. The British Library
The British Library organizes late events every few months and the timings mostly coincide with major exhibitions and playwrights.
You can keep yourself updated with their website for more information.
They are open till eight at night from every Monday to Thursday. You can get a reader’s pass to access the reading areas.
The architecture of the building and its extensive is enough to lure visitors and give them a time-travelling experience.
2. British Museum
The British Museum is one of the popular evening museums in London. The British Museum is open until eight-thirty every Friday with its last entry made at seven-thirty.
The entrance is free.
You can spend your evenings attending lectures performances, debates, and film screenings. There is a large collection of exhibits and free galleries to explore at your leisure.
You can also eat your fill at the great court restaurant in the British Museum which is open until late evening hours after you tire yourself out in your explorations.
3. Camden Arts Centre
This exquisite evening gallery is open until 9 pm every Thursday, where they organize several workshops, film screenings, free talks, and live performances.
You can also get to check out their cafes and bookshop which have similar timings.
London’s culture often comes to life in the evenings so you can take full advantage of its grandeur.
4. Barbican Art gallery
Barbican Art Gallery is a superb evening gallery in London that offers a variety of contemporary exhibitions.
It is open till 8 pm on Fridays and Thursdays in the evening and later when there are events and workshops.
The gallery has the second biggest conservatory in London, tickets are offered once a week and must be booked in advance, although admission is free.
The Barbican Center has a renowned cultural complex, which includes a cinema, theatre, concert hall, and much more.
5. Hayward Gallery
This is another exquisite evening gallery in London for International artists that push their boundaries, they have late-night openings till 8 pm on Saturdays.
You can check out art exhibitions by some of the most talented artists in this marvellous evening gallery in London.
6. National Gallery
The National Gallery in London is open till 9 pm on Fridays making it the perfect evening gallery to visit in London.
They hold events, live music, and guided tours and there’s also a bar and National Cafe that is open till late hours.
The National Gallery in London holds the most renowned pieces of paintings from the last seven centuries gathered in one place, this is heaven for any art lover.
With requisite architecture and famous artworks scattered throughout its halls, this is one of the most marvellous places that you must visit in one of your evenings.
7. Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum is open till late on various days, they hold extensive collections and special exhibitions, and you can even do a sleepover.
Filled with bones of Dinosaurs and other historic elements Natural History Museum will keep you plenty busy with its temporary exhibitions, gallery of human evolution, the mammal hall, and its classic Dinosaur gallery.
If you have a knack for solving mysteries you can look forward to their mystery museum event.
You can follow clues of the missing artefacts and bring them back to their rightful place. Even if you are not a history lover you will fall in love at some point.
8. Saatchi Gallery
The Saatchi Gallery is one of the famous galleries where new and upcoming artists have presented their works and sure enough, went on to make a name for themselves.
They also offer a wide variety of art which includes installations, photography, sculptures, paintings, and some multimedia pieces as well. It has a reputation for introducing the most promising artists.
This gallery has a great reputation for hosting the most promising artists and talents.
Make sure to add it to your list of place a must places to check out.
9. White Chapel Gallery
Thursdays are the best when it comes to visiting this wonderful evening gallery.
Whitechapel is open until 9 pm on Thursdays and the gates of Whitechapel refectory are closed till 11 pm, this is by far the latter out of the places we have seen.
Whitechapel Gallery is one of the most renowned art galleries in London for hosting contemporary artworks and artists that are both emerging and established.
They are known for showing cutting-edge pieces and encouraging contemporary art.
10. Science Museum
Now, evenings at the Science Museum in London are often consisted of brainy and sexy people, they sure know how to mix science with comedy and make for an entertaining yet knowledgeable evening worth remembering.
The best time to visit this ever-green place is the last Wednesday of every month when it is open till 10 pm. Entry for most places is free but some of the events may require you to get tickets.
The events at the Science Museum are known to make the most boring concepts turn super interesting.
This place certainly possesses a charm like no other.
FAQs
In this section, we will discuss the most burning questions that our audience may have regarding the best evening museums and evening galleries in London. we know what you want to ask and sure as hell we will deliver. Let’s get to it.
Are London’s Museums still free?
Yes, most of the permanent collections at these museums are free and open to everyone while charges may apply to some of the special exhibitions. But we assure you London has many world-class exhibitions offered for free.
What exhibitions are open in London?
The Yayoi Kusama: Infinity mirror rooms are open in London and offered at Tate Modern, After Impressionism: Inventing Modern Art is available at the National Gallery in London, Spaces in between at the Internet that is designed by Rupet Newman, and many more.
What is open late at night in London?
As mentioned in this guide there are many late-night museums open in London such Barbican Gallery, the National Portrait Gallery, the Natural History Museum, the Tate Museum, The V&A, The Wellcome Collection, The Whitechapel Gallery, and The Science Museum.
Is the British Museum free for tourists?
Yes, The British Museum is free to enter for everyone for its permanent galleries but it may require you to get a ticket for some of the special exhibitions which usually require a fee.
Is the National Gallery London free for tourists?
Yes, The National Gallery in London consists of most of the paintings from thirteenth to twentieth-century artists in Western Europe and it is open to the public all year round and free of cost to anyone who wants to visit.
Conclusion
We hope you have liked our guide on the top evening museums and evening galleries that you can visit in London and some exposure to the art and culture scene of London after dark which is quite exquisite and extraordinary.
If you have enjoyed this article, we are sure you will like some of the other top recommendations that we give, make sure to check them out. Till next time, Keep Exploring!