What’s on

Exhibitions, displays, events and more​

What’s on

Book tickets for our events and exhibitions

Explore what's on in our events and exhibitions calendar

Exhibitions and events calendar

Open daily: 10.30 – 18.00
Friday & Saturday: 10.30 – 21.00


Featured events

Curator's introduction - Francesca Woodman and Julia Margaret Cameron: Portraits to Dream In

Adult, Evening, Online, Talks and conversations

Fri, 22 March 2024, 19.00-20.00
The Ondaatje Wing Theatre / Online livestream
Onsite £15 (£12 Members / concessions)
Online £8 (£6 Members / concessions)

Poetry performance: Salena Godden

Adult, Daytime, Music and performance

Sat, 23 March 2024, 14.00-14.30
In Gallery, Room 18
£5 (£4 Members / concessions)

Spring Family Festival week 1

Family, Daytime, Workshop

4 - 5 April 2024, 11.00-16.00
Learning Centre
Free

Drop-in drawing

Adult, Evening, Workshop

Fri, 5 April 2024, 18.00-20.00
In Gallery
Free

See all events

Adult programme

From performances and talks to practical workshops, DJs, drop-in drawing classes and more, our adult programme offers both free and ticketed events.

Explore the Adult programme
Adult programme

Exhibition programme

The Time is Always Now: Artists Reframe the Black Figure

22 February - 19 May 2024
Floor 0
£16.00 / £18.00 with donation

Explore the Black figure in Western art history with contemporary artists from the African diaspora, curated by Ekow Eshun

Francesca Woodman and Julia Margaret Cameron: Portraits to Dream In

21 March - 16 June 2024

£8.50 / £9.50 with donation

Experience the creative and imaginative portraiture of influential photographers Francesca Woodman and Julia Margaret Cameron, spanning over a century

Six Lives

20 June - 8 September 2024

Tickets not yet on sale

Historic paintings by Hans Holbein and contemporary photography by Hiroshi Sugimoto meet in our first exhibition of historic portraiture since reopening

Herbert Smith Freehills Portrait Award 2024

11 July - 27 October 2024

Free to visit

The Herbert Smith Freehills Portrait Award returns to the National Portrait Gallery, showcasing the very best in contemporary portraiture

Francis Bacon Portraits

10 October 2024 - 19 January 2025

Tickets not yet on sale

Featuring works from the 1950s onwards, this exhibition will explore Francis Bacon’s deep connection to portraiture

Taylor Wessing Photo Portrait Prize 2024

14 November 2024 - 16 February 2025

Tickets not yet on sale

Showcasing the work of talented young photographers, gifted amateurs and established professionals, the Prize features the very best of contemporary photography

Free displays

Windrush: Portraits of a Pioneering Generation

9 October 2023 - 1 April 2024
Room 14, Floor 3
Free

A display of ten portraits, highlighting the experiences of people who have made positive contributions to the United Kingdom.

Creative Connections: Cornwall and Southampton

26 February - 12 April 2024
Studio Gallery, Floor -2
Free

This display brings together work from projects with Newlyn Art Gallery & The Exchange (Penzance) and Southampton City Art Gallery

Online exhibitions

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Get exclusive access to Members only events

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Take a portrait home

Shop our extensive collection of portrait prints from the Gallery’s Collection

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Take a portrait home