What’s On in London This August: Art, Pop-Ups & Culture Worth Leaving the House For

Grab your Oyster card and comfortable shoes! Here's your definitive guide to London's most compelling art destinations this August.

As summer hits its stride, London's art scene sizzles with unmissable exhibitions, immersive experiences, and cultural pop-ups worth braving the city heat for. We've curated the essential art experiences that deserve a spot in your calendar this month. Read to the end for your ultimate arty day out agenda.

1. Frameless Immersive Art Experience

📍 6 Marble Arch, W1H 7EJ | Ongoing, tickets from £20

Lose yourself in remastered masterpieces by Van Gogh, Monet, Dalí, and more, blended with surround sound and moody vibes. Frameless is perfect for a grunge-lit date night or solo plunge into colour and chaos.

2. Royal Academy Summer Exhibition

📍 Royal Academy of Arts, Burlington House | Until 17 August

This is London’s biggest open-submission art showcase, so you won't want to miss it! Think 1000+ works across varying media, by both emerging and established creators. The Summer Exhibition is a goldmine for discovering prints you could actually buy.

3. Kiefer / Van Gogh: Dialogues

📍 Royal Academy of Arts | 28 June – 26 October

If you're visiting the Royal Academy for the Summer Exhibition, you might want to also check out their Kiefer / Van Gogh exhibition. Dive into the interplay between Kiefer’s heavy material layering and Van Gogh’s surreal emotion. It’s dark, disturbing, and deeply transformative.

4. Leigh Bowery! at Tate Modern

📍 Tate Modern | Until 31 August

Just one month left to visit Leigh Bowery! at Tate Modern. Celebrate the legacy of the flamboyant, boundary-pushing performance artist and designer. Expect over-the-top visuals, outrageous styles, and riotous energy (AKA: totally Odd Wall-approved).

5. Sculpture in the City

📍 City of London | All August

Free and urban: giant sculptures scattered around Aldgate, St Mary Axe & churchyards. Wander past work by Kapoor, Abramović, and more. Sculpture in the City transforms London into an outdoor gallery with no entry fee = win!

6. Incubator Gallery – Emerging Artist Pop‑Ups

📍 2 Chiltern Street, W1U 7PR | August shows ongoing

Keep your radar on this gallery for fresh solo shows by emerging artists. Weekly rotating exhibitions give you early access to untapped creative voices in London. Check out Incubator Gallery for specific exhibition details, as these change weekly.