Cecil Beaton’s Fashionable World
There are still a couple of weeks left to visit the National Portrait Gallery exhibition Cecil Beaton’s Fashionable World. The exhibition highlights Cecil Beaton’s significance in the development of 20th-century fashion and portrait photography, bringing together more than 200 photographs, sketches and garments. It spans different phases of Beaton’s career, from the jazz era through to high fashion in the 1950s, and includes his work in film and theatre. The exhibition features portraits of key cultural figures and members of the royal family of the period, offering a comprehensive overview of Beaton’s lasting influence on fashion, photography and visual culture.
National Portrait Gallery | until 11 January 2026
Cirque du Soleil OVO: London
This family-friendly Cirque du Soleil production takes place at the Royal Albert Hall and is set in a colourful world of insects. The story follows the encounter between a curious outsider insect and a ladybird, drawing the audience into the heart of the narrative. The Royal Albert Hall provides a striking setting for large-scale performances, and Cirque du Soleil suits the venue particularly well. The arena is typically reserved for Cirque du Soleil shows during January and February.
Royal Albert Hall | 9 January – 1 March 2026
London Art Fair
Focusing on contemporary art, this art fair brings together over 120 galleries and works by more than a thousand artists, offering a broad overview of British and international art. The fair features paintings, sculptures, prints and installations. Founded in 1989, the event has become an established platform for modern British art while also highlighting current international contemporary work.
Business Design Centre, Islington | 21–25 January 2026
Fresh Art Fair
Held at the historic Alexandra Palace, a venue more commonly known for concerts, this art fair brings together up to 75 galleries and around 750 artists. Thousands of original artworks, including paintings and sculptures, are on display, offering a wide-ranging look at contemporary art.
Alexandra Palace | 30 January – 1 February 2026
The Moonwalkers: A Journey with Tom Hanks
This exhibition offers a large-scale exploration of humanity’s journeys to the Moon and the history of space exploration. Presented at Lightroom, the experience uses large-format projections, archival material, and animation to guide visitors through the Apollo missions and the future Artemis programme. Narrated by Tom Hanks, the approximately 50-minute experience combines historical footage, interviews and original music.
Lightroom, King’s Cross | until 8 March 2026
Canary Wharf Winter Lights Festival
Celebrating its anniversary year, this light art festival presents a wide range of works by international artists across the Canary Wharf area. The theme, Dreamscape, invites visitors to explore dreamlike and imaginative environments. Over the years, the festival has grown from a small exhibition into one of the UK’s best-known light art events, featuring both new installations and selected works from previous years that remain on permanent display around the area.
Various locations across Canary Wharf | 20–31 January 2026
London Short Film Festival
Dedicated to short film, this festival presents a broad selection of British and international short films. The programme includes hundreds of independent and experimental works by both emerging and established filmmakers, with screenings held across cinemas and cultural venues throughout the city. Talks and related events complement the screenings. This year’s themes explore memory, identity and personal experiences through short films.
Various locations across London | 23 January – 1 February 2026
Burns Night
At the end of January, London hosts a variety of Scottish-themed events to celebrate Robert Burns’s birthday on 25 January. Burns was an 18th-century Scottish poet and lyricist, widely regarded as Scotland’s national poet. Burns Night celebrates his literary legacy and Scottish culture. Many London restaurants and pubs host themed evenings featuring traditional Burns Suppers, Scottish food and whisky, poetry readings and live music. Some events also include bagpipe performances and ceilidh dancing.
Various locations across London | 25 January 2026
Exhibition: Gianni Versace
This is the largest Versace exhibition ever held in the UK, featuring over 450 original vintage garments and accessories. The exhibition explores Gianni Versace’s work, particularly from the 1980s and 1990s, highlighting the key characteristics of his design style and his influence on fashion and popular culture. The exhibition combines clothing, accessories, archival material and video content.
Arches London Bridge | until 1 March
Wes Anderson: The Archives
This exhibition at the Design Museum offers an in-depth look at filmmaker Wes Anderson’s visual world and creative process. Hundreds of original items from his personal archives are on display, including sets, costumes, scale models and sketches, illustrating his distinctive style and working methods from the 1990s to the present day. The exhibition demonstrates how carefully considered aesthetics and traditional filmmaking techniques have shaped his films.
Design Museum, Kensington | until 26 July
