Tate has announced its exciting programme of exhibitions for 2026, offering visitors exceptional cultural experiences across its venues in London and Cornwall. The announcement presents tourism and hospitality businesses with valuable opportunities to develop packages and experiences that align with these major artistic events.
YEAR-ROUND DESTINATION PLANNING
The 2026 Tate calendar offers tourism professionals the chance to build itineraries and packages around significant exhibitions throughout the year. London will see a consistent flow of high-profile shows, with Tate Modern beginning the year with Tracey Emin’s landmark exhibition (February-August) and closing with thought-provoking displays including “Light and Magic: The Birth of Art Photography” (October-February 2027).
Tate Britain’s programme is equally strong, featuring James McNeill Whistler (May-September), “The 90s” guest curated by Edward Enninful OBE (October-February 2027), and “Vanessa Bell & Duncan Grant” (November-April 2027), which includes the remarkable relocation of Duncan Grant’s studio from Charleston.
Cornwall’s tourism industry will benefit from two major exhibitions at Tate St Ives: Aleksandra Kasuba (May 2026-October 2027) and Wilhelmina Barns-Graham (October 2026-April 2027), providing compelling cultural draws for visitors to the region throughout the year.
SPECIAL INTEREST TOURS AND PACKAGES
The diversity of exhibitions offers exceptional opportunities for special interest tourism. Fashion enthusiasts will be drawn to “The 90s” at Tate Britain, featuring iconic images and fashion items by designers including Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen. Photography tours can be built around “Light and Magic: The Birth of Art Photography” at Tate Modern, while international cultural tourism can focus on exhibitions of Frida Kahlo, Ana Mendieta, and Julio Le Parc.
The Bloomsbury Group connection in the “Vanessa Bell & Duncan Grant” exhibition presents opportunities for literary and cultural heritage tourism packages combining Tate Britain with visits to related sites like Charleston in Sussex.
PRACTICAL VISITOR INFORMATION
For tourism professionals developing packages, it’s worth noting that Tate Members enjoy free entry to all exhibitions, making membership an attractive option for visitors planning multiple gallery visits. Additionally, all 16-25-year-olds can access £5 tickets through Tate Collective, an important consideration for youth and student travel markets.
While Tate Liverpool undergoes transformation until 2027, visitors to the north of England can still engage with Tate Liverpool’s collection displays and events at its temporary home in RIBA North, providing continuity for Liverpool’s cultural tourism offering.
Maria Balshaw, Director of Tate, described 2026 as “a particularly exciting year,” highlighting the programme’s commitment to offering visitors “once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to see great art brought together in Tate’s galleries.”
EXHIBITION LISTINGS 2026
Tate Modern
- Tracey Emin (26 Feb – 31 Aug 2026)
- Julio Le Parc (11 Jun 2026 – 3 May 2027)
- Frida: The Making of an Icon (25 Jun 2026 – 4 Jan 2027)
- Ana Mendieta (9 Jul 2026 – 10 Jan 2027)
- Light and Magic: The Birth of Art Photography (8 Oct 2026 – 14 Feb 2027)
- The Infinities Commission (opening June 2026)
- Hyundai Commission (opening Oct 2026)
- UNIQLO Tate Play (throughout the year)
Tate Britain
- Hurvin Anderson (26 Mar – 23 Aug 2026)
- Tate Britain Commission: Zineb Sedira (12 May 2026 – 17 Jan 2027)
- James McNeill Whistler (21 May 2026 – 27 Sep 2026)
- The 90s (1 Oct 2026 – 14 Feb 2027)
- Vanessa Bell & Duncan Grant (12 Nov 2026 – 11 Apr 2027)
- Art Now (throughout the year)
Tate St Ives
- Aleksandra Kasuba (2 May 2026 – 4 Oct 2027)
- Wilhelmina Barns-Graham (24 Oct 2026 – 11 April 2027)
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