The National Gallery is launching “National Gallery Summertime” this year, extending opening hours throughout July and August so visitors can experience one of the world’s greatest art collections later into the evening.
From 3 July until 31 August, the Gallery will remain open until 7pm daily, with late opening on Fridays until 9pm. That’s a significant extension from the usual 6pm closing time—and a welcome change for anyone who’s ever rushed through the galleries trying to beat the closing announcements.
More Than Just Art
The initiative positions the Gallery as a destination not only for art but also for dining, shopping, and socializing in the heart of central London. Whether you’re stopping by after work, visiting from overseas, beginning an evening out before the theater, or winding down after a day exploring the city, the extended hours offer a new way to experience one of the UK’s most iconic cultural institutions.
Retail spaces, bars, restaurants, and exhibitions will all be open for extended hours, ensuring visitors can enjoy the full Gallery experience later into the evening. That includes the five-star Zurbarán exhibition, which runs until 23 August, offering a chance to step back into the dramatic world of Baroque Spain.
The Gallery’s Supporters’ House will remain open until 7:30pm throughout the summer, creating a welcoming space for House Members to gather for post-work drinks, dinner, or pre-theater evenings overlooking Trafalgar Square.
Evening Creative Workshops
Alongside the extended hours, visitors can experience a program of evening creative workshops hosted in the Roden Centre for Creative Learning, where the Gallery’s popular Take One Picture exhibition will remain on view throughout the summer.
Upcoming workshops include:
Life Drawing for Beginners – 10 July, 5:30–6:30pm Led by Gallery Educator and artist William Goldsmith, this relaxed introduction to drawing the human figure uses simple exercises to help participants look closely and draw what they see.
Still Life for Beginners – 13 July, 5:30–6:30pm Led by Gallery Educator and artist Alex Bowie, visitors will explore observation, composition, and tone through drawing everyday objects in a supportive, beginner-friendly session.
Drawing Without Fear – 8 July and 14 July, 5:30–6:30pm These playful workshops encourage participants to let go of perfection and rediscover the joy of drawing through confidence-building mark-making and experimentation.
Food and Drink
The Gallery’s restaurants and bars will also remain open during the extended hours. Locatelli will close at 7:30pm with final reservations at 6pm, while Bar Giorgio, Ochre, the Espresso Bar, and the Café will remain open until 6:45pm.
“Great art will not be rushed,” says Sir Gabriele Finaldi, Director of the National Gallery. “National Gallery Summertime gives visitors more freedom to experience the Gallery at a different pace—to spend longer with a favourite painting, visit an exhibition, enjoy dinner overlooking Trafalgar Square, or simply to wind down during a summer evening surrounded by art.”
What’s On This Summer
Current and upcoming exhibitions at the National Gallery include:
- Zurbarán – Until 23 August 2026
- Waldmüller: Landscapes – 2 July – 20 September 2026
- Renoir and Love – 3 October 2026 – 31 January 2027
- Van Eyck: The Portraits – 21 November 2026 – 11 April 2027
National Gallery Summertime
Where: National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN
When: 3 July – 31 August 2026
Hours: Open until 7pm daily; Fridays until 9pm
Admission: Free (some exhibitions ticketed)
More information: nationalgallery.org.uk
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