The exhibitions you must see this January
Vibrant fashion, prehistoric creatures, contemporary ceramics. Discover eight must-see exhibitions opening across the UK this January with an Art Pass.
Happy New Year! Is it too late to still be saying that? Whether you've promised to spend less time on your phone, reduce your stress, increase your daily movement, or simply avoid any pressure to reinvent yourself – going to an exhibition is the perfect way to make your 2026 an even happier one.
To ease you back into the year, here's our selection of eight exhibitions opening across the UK that you won't want to miss. And for even more inspiration, check out our round-up of the best exhibitions to see in 2026.
And we know how tight the holiday season can be on the purse strings, so make sure to pack a National Art Pass to make savings at every venue listed.
What are some of the best exhibitions I can see with an Art Pass?
Grayson Perry: Aspects of Myself
Best known for his striking ceramics teeming with stories of life in modern Britain, Grayson Perry is one of the country's most recognised artists working today. In this must-see exhibition at the Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery, Perry tackles what it means to be human, drawing on his autobiography to meditate on universal experiences – from gender and identity to religion and politics.
Beryl Cook: Pride and Joy
To mark 100 years since Beryl Cook's birth, dive into the life and legacy of the self-taught British painter at the Box in Plymouth – a city whose everyday life was joyfully captured by Cook through exuberant scenes of its cafés, clubs, bingo halls and social gatherings. Don't miss the opportunity to see Bingo (1984) by Cook displayed for the first time, a work that the Box acquired for their public collection with Art Fund support. And did you know? Every person who puchases a National Art Pass makes acquisitions like this possible.
Zandra Rhodes: A Life in Print
Meet a legendary fashion designer who paved the way for wearing bold, screen-printed textiles. Zandra Rhodes has designed garments worn by some very famous faces; from Diana, the Princess of Wales, to Freddie Mercury. Journey through Rhodes' impressive career and marvel at some of her most iconic looks from the 60s, 70s and 80s.
And from 30 January, don't miss the museum's exhibition of striking photographs by Don McCullin.
Laura Lima: The Drawing Drawing
Discover a boundary-pushing artist from Brazil who works with sculpture, performance and public participation. Laura Lima has created an immersive sculptural installation at the ICA in London that recreates and subverts the traditional setup of a life drawing class. Since the 90s, Lima's transgressive works have challenged social norms and hierarchies by creating spaces for exhibition visitors to interact in unusual ways. And did you know? This is an Art Fund supported exhibition.
Sue Webster: Birth of an Icon
Experience The Crime Scene, a sprawling installation by Sue Webster that is on public display for the very first time. The wall-based installation includes an audio narration by the artist, as she charts her life and influences from her teenage years to today. Other works presented are a series of 18 hand-painted leather jackets with a bespoke sountrack, and a series of personal self-portraits exploring her relationship with her son.
Giants
Walk alongside the prehistoric creatures that once graced the earth, from the largest shark to the biggest snake. And, discover how palaeontologists find fossils and learn how these gigantic creatures have been reconstructed. This is a perfect exhibition for anyone who loves natural history or who has kids to entertain.
People Watching
What does it mean to look at others, and to be looked at? The development of portraiture in British art since 1915 to today goes under the spotlight in this major exhibition. Experience 50 works of art – spanning painting, drawing, sculpture and photography – by leading artists, including Elisabeth Frink, Barbara Hepworth and Bridget Riley.