South Kensington is gearing up to be a vibrant the centre for artistic and cultural experiences in 2024. Take your pick from an array of exciting upcoming events:
The Antarctic photography of Hurley and Ponting, at the Royal Geographical Society
8th Jan – 1st Feb 2024
Returning due to popular demand this exhibition at the Royal Geographical Society will showcase the Antarctic photography of Frank Hurley and Herbert Ponting. View some of the most celebrated images ever taken in the Antarctic.
Tactically Necessary, Blyth Gallery, Imperial College
10th Jan -1st Feb 2024
Explore an abstract painting exhibition by recent RCA Graduates, featuring the works of Annice Fell, Heather Green, Hilda Kortei, Savannah Harris, and Sophia Loeb.
Cirque Du Soleil, Alegria: In a New Light, Royal Albert Hall
11th Jan - 3rd March 2024
Now celebrating its 30th anniversary, this all-time classic has been reimagined for a new generation to fall in love with. It will whisk audiences away to a mystical world sprinkled with visual poetry and acrobatic extravagance.
Zimingzhong 凝时聚珍: Clockwork Treasures from China’s Forbidden City, at the Science Museum
1st February – Sunday 2nd June 2024.
This exhibition will showcase the stunning craftsmanship and the inner workings of centuries-old timepieces prized by the emperors of China's Forbidden City.
Barbara Kruger: Thinking of You. I Mean Me. I Mean You, at Serpentine South
1st February – 17th March 2024
Kruger's first solo institutional show in London in over twenty years, featuring unique installations, moving image works, and captivating soundscapes.
Refik Anadol, at Serpentine North
15th Feb - 7th Apr 2024
Witness the solo exhibition by Refik Anadol, an internationally renowned artist, director, and pioneer in the aesthetics of data and machine intelligence, showcasing groundbreaking media works.
Tropical Modernism: Architecture and Independence, at the V&A
2nd March – 26th Nov 2024
Delve into the architectural style of Tropical Modernism, developed in West Africa in the 1940s and adopted by India and Ghana after independence as a symbol of modernity.
Untold Lives, at Kensington Palace
Opens 14th March
They were at the centre of royal life, but little is known about the servants and courtiers who ran royal palaces for centuries. Now, for the first time, the lives and contributions of these forgotten figures will be explored in a new exhibition at Kensington Palace.
Outshopping, the dresses of Marion and Maud Sambourne (1880-1910) at Leighton House and Sambourne House
23rd March - 20th Oct 2024
A curated selection of spectacular outfits, several never displayed before and others rare surviving examples by leading dressmakers of the era, this exhibition will tell the story of Marion Sambourne and Maud Messel, at a moment in history that significantly shaped the way fashion is consumed today.
Enzo Mari, at the Design Museum
29th March – 8th September 2024
Celebrate the life and influential work of Enzo Mari, one of the greatest Italian designers of the 20th century, whose creations have inspired generations worldwide.
Fragile Beauty: Photographs from Sir Elton John and David Furnish Collection, at the V&A
Opens 18th May 2024
An unparalleled selection of the world's leading photographers, telling the story of modern and contemporary photography. Discover iconic images across subjects such as fashion, celebrity, reportage and the male body.
Swan Lake in-the-round, at the Royal Albert Hall
12th – 23rd June 2024
With 60 ballerina swans shimmering in white tutus, moving in unison, flocking across the Hall’s arena floor, this outstanding production is sure to captivate and enthral you. Experience a choreographic kaleidoscope as the Royal Albert Hall is transformed into a magical lake for the world’s favourite ballet.
Barbie: The Exhibition, at the Design Museum
5th July – 23rd Feb 2025
Opening to coincide with the 65th anniversary of Barbie in 2024, this exhibition maps the Barbie legacy through a design lens, exploring its impact on fashion, architecture, furniture, and vehicle design.
While this overview offers a sneak peek into the excitement, delve into our comprehensive Great Exhibitions itinerary or stay tuned on our continually updated What's On page for the latest and greatest. Save the dates, as the upcoming year promises a cultural whirlwind that you won't want to miss!
