Many of London's museums and galleries stay open after hours on a regular basis for 'museum lates', offering a combination of talks, workshops, live music and performances, refreshments — as well as a chance to view the current exhibitions and displays once the daytime crowds have scattered. Below we've listed all of the museums we know that do special events. (If we're missing any, give us a shout.)
Note: Some museums and galleries stay open late regularly without the fanfare — just you and the art, after hours. We haven't covered those in this article, instead focusing on special events.
SCIENCE MUSEUM LATES: South Kensington behemoth the Science Museum stays open late once every couple of months (it was monthly before the pandemic, but has been less regular since) giving adults a chance to explore the galleries after hours. Every late has a theme, as far-ranging as food, sexuality, circuses and medicine, with events such as variety and cabaret shows and quizzes fitting in with the topic. Oh, and the silent disco? Legendary. Some of the museum's cafes stay open late too, for light refreshments. Age 18+. FREE entry (charge for some events, and VIP tickets). Usually on a Thursday, 6.30pm-10pm
BANK OF ENGLAND MUSEUM LATES: It feels illegal to be in the actual Bank of England building after hours, but it's allowed — encouraged even — one evening every month. Bank of England Museum Lates centre on a specific topic, tying it into the work of the Bank (past themes have included Parliament and the Bank of England, and the economics of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour). The programme usually includes themed talks from a handful of experts, plus a combination of workshops, craft activities and a chance to view and handle rare objects from the collections. Don't forget to have a go at lifting the gold bar.... FREE, third Thursday of the month
HORNIMAN MUSEUM: Occasionally, Forest Hill's Horniman Museum hosts a late with a theme — usually tying in with whatever exhibition is currently open. It can include talks, tours, film screenings and live music taking place throughout the museum, and in the gardens in the summer months. The pop-up food and drink stalls normally get involved with the theme too. FREE entry (though charge for some exhibitions and activities), Thursdays (irregular, but usually every couple of months), 5.30pm-9.30pm
HANDEL & HENDRIX LATES: About once a month, Handel & Hendrix in Mayfair, former home of musicians George Frideric Handel and Jimi Hendrix (not concurrently), stays open late for twilight tours. Join a curator for a wander around the home with insight into the lives of both musicians, followed by a chance to listen to some of their hits. Monthly Thursdays, 6pm
CARTOON MUSEUM LATES: Cartoons and comic strips dating back as far as the 18th century are on display at Bloomsbury's Cartoon Museum, along with at least one temporary exhibition at a time. View them all at the monthly Cartoon Museum Late, which offer activities including craft workshops, short film screenings, games including bingo, and themed cocktails to sup while you enjoy it all, as well as a chance to view those exhibitions and displays. Last Thursday of the month, 6.30pm-9pm
BRITISH MUSEUM LATES: The majority of galleries in the British Museum stay open until 8.30pm every Friday, but once in a while a special Friday Late event happens. Check the events page for upcoming versions — they're usually centred on a particular theme or current exhibition, with talks, films screenings and other events happening throughout the museum. FREE entry, occasional Fridays, 5.30pm-8.30pm
TATE MODERN LATES: DJ sets, film screenings, talks and creative workshops form the basis of Tate Modern Lates, taking place in the Turbine Hall on occasional Friday evenings. FREE, occasional Fridays, 6pm-10pm. Tate Britain also runs occasional lates.
LONDON TRANSPORT MUSEUM: Lates are hosted every couple of months at the London Transport Museum. Expect themed talks, screenings and workshops — as well as a chance to hop on and off vintage buses/trains after hours (and without having to fight any children for prime seats!). Age 18+. Occasional Fridays, 6.45pm-10pm
JOHN SOANE'S MUSEUM: Sir John Soane’s Museum opens after hours once a month. These lates offer a chance to explore the labyrinthine rooms of the quirky museum, atmospherically lit by candlelight. In addition, each late has spotlight talks, allowing you to learn more about some of the unusual objects on display. Last Friday of the month, from 6pm
V&A LATES: Claiming to be "the original contemporary late night event", Friday Late at V&A South Kensington takes place the last Friday of most months, offering live performances, film screenings, art installation, debates and DJs throughout the galleries. FREE, last Friday of the month, (except January, May and December)
FRAMELESS LATES: Immersive art gallery Frameless in Marble Arch stays open late every Friday and Saturday, and makes an event of it with DJs from Soho Radio providing the soundtrack, as you wander through the four permanent galleries with a drink from the bar. The art is projected onto walls, ceiling and floor around you, allowing you to step into paintings by Munch, Klimt and Dalí, among others. Age 18+. Every Friday and Saturday, 6pm-10pm
NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM LATES: Formerly a staple of the museum lates scene in London, sadly Natural History Museum's late haven't been anywhere near as frequent since the pandemic, although they do host some (very spendy) adult sleepovers.
