10 Things To Do In London 2026

London in 2026 promises a fantastic array of events, cultural celebrations, and new shows, making it an exciting destination for families visiting London.

1. Bayeux Tapestry on display at British Museum: This will be the first time that the tapestry has been shown in the UK since it was made, almost 1,000 years ago – and is expected to be one of the most popular exhibitions ever. The British Museum's status as the UK's most visited attraction, as well as one of the most popular in the world – attracting 6.5 million visitors – means it is well placed to ensure that the widest possible audience will have the opportunity to enjoy it. From September 2026.

   The British Museum

   

   
   

2. Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends: Go behind the scenes of stop-motion animation and explore how Aardman’s iconic characters and worlds are brought to life. In Aardman’s 50th anniversary year, peek behind the scenes of your favourite stop-motion animations and find out how Aardman brings clay to life. Visit Wallace & Gromit, Shaun the Sheep and Morph from February 2026.

   The Young V&A

   

   
   

3. Beetlejuice The Musical: The tale of Lydia Deetz — a strange teenager sharing her home with a pair of newly-deads and the demonic 'ghost with the most' — comes to the London stage in the form of Beetlejuice the Musical, opening at the Prince Edward Theatre from 20 May 2026.

   Prince Edward Theatre

   

   
   

4. The Weeknd After Hours Til Dawn London: This is set to be a spectacular event, featuring a series of concerts at Wembley Stadium. The tour will include 8 nights of performances, from the15th August. The concerts will celebrate The Weeknd's acclaimed album trilogy and showcase hits from his chart-topping catalogue. Fans can expect to hear his biggest tracks from the latest album, 'Hurry Up Tomorrow', as well as his all-time classics. The tour has become the biggest R&B tour in history.

   Ticketmaster

   

   
   

5. New Fourth Plinth artwork in Trafalgar Square: Just like clockwork, a new installation is due to take over Trafalgar Square's Fourth Plinth sometime in 2026. Lady in Blue by Tschabalala Self. It's a bold, almost cartoonish sculpture which pays homage to a young, metropolitan woman of colour, made of bronze and patinated with Lapis Lazuli blue, a rare and refined pigment that has been used since antiquity. Date TBC.

   Fourth Plinth

   

   
   

6. The famous Simpsons In The Strand Restaurant To Reopen: Originally opened in 1828 as a smoking room and coffee lounge, the venue evolved into dining rooms, known for hosting chess players (its frontage references a chess board), as well as the likes of Charles Dickens, Winston Churchill and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Simpsons was also a favourite haunt of Sherlock Holmes). But in recent years the restaurant fell on hard times, and despite a refurb in 2017, wound up closing in 2023. Jeremy King, restaurateur behind The Ivy, Le Caprice and The Wolseley has taken it over, and will offer two restaurants, two bars and a small ballroom for private events when the venue reopens in February 2026.

   Simpsons-In-The-Strand

   

   
   

7. Fairy Tales at The British Library: As the name suggests, the British Library is celebrating classic tales such as Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, and Hansel and Gretel — alongside stories from India, China, Africa, and North America. Families can explore iconic characters, magical creatures, mysterious forests and glittering palaces through historic manuscripts, contemporary illustrations, pop-up books, puppets and theatre costumes. Bedtime tales inspire interactive activities, and we see how stories have been reinterpreted over the centuries. Time to seek out your happily ever after, though you may have to overcome some tricksters along the way. From the 27th March.

   The British Library

   

   
   

8. Sea Lanes Canary Wharf: A floating lido is heading to Canary Wharf next year, and it's set to be fully functioning all year round - meaning you can crack out the swimsuits in mid-December. The dock has been transformed into a brand-new space used for open water swimming, paddleboarding and kayaking. It's also the perfect place to head to for a bit of peace and quiet - in case you need a little escape for the hustle and bustle. Opens summer 2026.

   Sea Lanes

   

   
   

9. Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cats: In Summer 2026, a brand-new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s global sensation Cats leaps into the magical outdoor setting of Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. From Euston station to Victoria Grove, the strays and rebels of London gather under the Jellicle moon in the hope they’ll be the chosen one. And each of them asks, because each of them dares, who will it be?

   Regent's Park Open Air Theatre

   

   
   

10. The London Museum: This new museum will open towards the end of 2026, breathing new life into two historic buildings in the City of London. It'll open early and close late, reflecting London’s reputation as a 24-hour global city. The London Museum cares for over seven million objects, including a Guinness World Record-holding archaeological archive, which showcase the lives and stories of Londoners over 450,000 years.

    The London Museum

    

    
    

    So there are your 10 Things to do in London 2026. It's going to be a very exciting year!