Tate Modern announces regular late openings following record number of young visitors

Tate Modern is to stay open until 21:00 every Friday and Saturday from 26 September 2025, offering free evening access to the world’s most popular modern art museum. This follows the record number of young visitors to Tate Modern’s 25th birthday weekend, held in partnership with UNIQLO, when over 76,000 people came to the gallery in three days, 70% of whom were under 35. It also builds on the success of Tate Modern Lates, the ongoing series of specially curated evening events held at the end of each month, which has welcomed over three-quarters of a million people since launching in 2016.

Tate Modern’s extended opening hours will contribute to the vibrancy of London’s night-time cultural offering, giving many visitors the chance to enjoy art after work on a Friday and Saturday. Welcoming the news of Tate Modern’s late openings and the launch of July’s Tate Modern Late, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “Tate Modern has transformed London’s cultural landscape, and I’m thrilled the museum will now stay open later every Friday and Saturday, giving even more Londoners and visitors the chance to enjoy world-class art after hours.

“London is the cultural capital of the world and the greatest city on earth - with the best nightlife anywhere. From museums and music venues to late-night galleries and grassroots spaces, there’s no better place to enjoy a great night out. That’s why we’re doing everything we can to support our night-time economy and make sure everyone can enjoy what our amazing city has to offer.”

Karin Hindsbo, Director of Tate Modern, said: “Over the last decade, Tate Modern Lates have become a cornerstone of London’s nightlife. They have proven the huge demand for access to our galleries outside of regular hours, especially among young Londoners who want to make the most of their city's dynamic cultural scene. So I’m delighted that Tate Modern will soon be open late every Friday and Saturday evening, making the world’s most popular modern art museum even more accessible."

Justine Simons OBE, Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries, said: “Tate Lates have been a stellar success so it’s brilliant news that we can all now enjoy a night at the gallery every Friday and Saturday. London’s nightlife is central to our success as a global creative capital - including world class art after hours.”

Alongside the extension of Tate Modern’s opening hours, the gallery’s regular Lates will continue to be held at the end of each month. Offering a special programme of artist talks, creative workshops, film screenings, live music and DJ sets, Tate Modern Lates make art accessible to the widest possible audience and put social engagement at the heart of the museum. Creating memorable cultural moments over the last decade, the programme has welcomed groundbreaking live performances from the likes of Trisha Brown Dance Company, London Symphony Orchestra and singer-songwriter Celeste. In August 2024, award-winning rapper, singer and actress Little Simz guest curated a Tate Modern Late, with a record-breaking 18,500 people visiting the gallery in one evening.

Londoners can enjoy the next installment of Tate Modern Lates from 18:00 to 22:00 this evening (Friday 25 July), with a free programme of talks, activities and music inspired by the work of Australian artist Emily Kam Kngwarray. DJ sets programmed by Global Roots will bring Aboriginal soundscapes into the heart of the gallery, while interactive workshops designed by First Nations artist Jarra Karalinar Steel will encourage visitors to get crafty. Over in the Starr Cinema, exhibition curator Kelli Cole will introduce an exclusive screening of the revelatory new film, Emily: I am Kam, which delves into Kngwarray's transformative impact on the art world and her enduring legacy today.

Upcoming Tate Modern Lates will take inspiration from the inaugural Infinities Commission on 28 August, Do Ho Suh’s captivating large-scale installations on 26 September, and Nigerian modern art on 31 October. Further evening events take place every week in the Starr Cinema and in the gallery’s late-night Corner Bar. With a weekly line-up of DJ sets, live jazz on select Fridays, and a standout menu of craft beers, cocktails and natural wines, Corner is fast becoming one of London’s favourite cultural hangouts. Upcoming highlights include a screening of 1980s feminist films on 30 July, a discussion with acclaimed artist Yinka Shonibare on 9 October and Picasso and Dinner on 3 October. See Theatre Picasso after hours, then enjoy a special four-course dinner at Tate Modern’s Restaurant