Culture After Dark: the best museum late-night openings
Enjoy nocturnal culture with our guide to the best museum lates London has to offer, from DJs among the dinosaurs to arty parties
Saatchi Lates
The Saatchi Gallery runs a series of late-night events, where visitors can explore the Chelsea art gallery from 6pm to 9pm. Along with exploring the current exhibition there are typically free drop-in workshops, artists talks, book signings. And, crucially, there is a bar. The next Saatchi Lates event is on Friday 20 January and is themed around the New Black Vanguard exhibition.
Click here for more information
The museum’s evening openings are so popular that they've now had to introduce ticketed entry. Navigate this densely packed treasure-trove – with its works by Hogarth, Canaletto, Turner and Rubens – by beautiful flickering candlelight. Every month the Soane Late focuses on a different highlight of its curated content.
Is there anyone who has walked around this gallery and not felt, at least once, the itch to try their hand at portraiture? Conveniently, the most regular feature of the NPG’s Friday Lates is its weekly drop-in drawing session among the portraits. Each session is led by a different artist and all the necessary material is provided. There are also a variety of film screenings, lectures, and DJs whose multi-genre sets are tailored to the artwork around them. Attendees can get a drink at the specially installed bar, or alternatively visit the Portrait Restaurant for a great view of the city.
Every Friday until 9pm. Click here for more information. Entrance is free but some events may require a ticket.
Friday Late, The V&A
Billed as the original late-night event, the V&A's Friday Lates celebrate contemporary visual culture and design. Not only is there food, drink and music, but audiences are also invited to participate in live installations, debates, performance and film screenings.
Last Friday of the month until 10pm. Click here for more information. Entrance is free and drop-in.
Lates, Natural History Museum
The NHM opens late on the last Friday of every month, hosting exhibitions, talks as well as giving visitors the chance to look round the grand building after sunset.
Last Friday of every month until 10pm. Click here for more information. Entry is free but some activities may require a ticket.
Museum Lates, London Transport Museum
Friday Lates at the London Transport Museum offer over-18s a date with a difference. There's sneaky peeks into the newest exhibitions, music, bars, and hot food to warm your belly as well as talks and craft activities to get hands on with.
Last Friday of the month, until 10pm. Click here for more information.
Late opening at the Barbican Centre
The Barbican complex is open until 11pm every evening, with plenty of cinema, dining and drinking choices available. Its art gallery is usually open until 6pm but extends to 9pm on Thursdays and Fridays, allowing you to fit in a few more hours of art before settling down to dinner or getting the party started.
Thursdays and Fridays until 9pm. Click here for more information. Entrance is free.
Late opening at The Wellcome Collection
The Wellcome Collection opens its doors every Thursday until 10pm, and its restaurant and shop follow suit.
Every Thursday until 10pm. Click here for more information. Entrance is free.
Twilight Tour, Strawberry Hill House
In 1747 Horace Walpole purchased a couple of cottages in a desirable spot on the banks of the Thames and set about transforming the plot into a gothic vision, complete with battlements. Thus Strawberry Hill House was born. You can enjoy an exclusive out-of-hours tour through this architectural wonder in the magical twilight hours, kicking off with the evening with a glass of bubbly.
Click here to book.
Christie’s Lates
In a handful of evenings throughout the year, Christies invites art lovers to mingle over champagne and nibbles and learn about its collection with an exciting array of guest speakers. Marvel over exquisite treasures and learn a bit about the art of collecting.
Click here for more information. Entrance is free.
Abbey Lates, Westminster Abbey
Wednesday evenings see Edward the Confessor's 1066 Coronation Church opening late into the night. Westminster Abbey underwent a huge development under the watchful eyes of King Henry 'the builder' III and since then she has hosted no less than 16 royal weddings. The glorious gothic pile has been the burial place of kings and queens, and of other distinguished figures in the nation’s history, from writers and musicians to politicians and scientists. Guests can potter round the 14th-century cellar and enjoy a lovely dinner in the Cellarium Café & Terrace, home of the ghosts of the Abbey's monks and the Bearded Lady.
Westminster Abbey Lates will return in summer 2023. Click here for more information. Tickets on the door are half price after 4.30pm.
Zoo Nights, London Zoo
Come summer time, ZSL London Zoo welcomes grown-ups through its gates, with more than 18,000 animals on display and blissful freedom to browse, mingle and take stunning photographs as the sun goes down. It's especially enjoyable to get a glimpse of the nocturnal creatures waking up for a night on the prowl. Tickets to this popular event sell out quickly, so we recommend booking fast.
Zoo Lates are due to restart in summer 2023. Click here for the latest info.
