As London’s premier hub of artistic experimentation, Somerset House continues to redefine the boundaries of contemporary culture. Following its landmark 25th anniversary in 2025, the historic neoclassical site remains a locus for innovation, hosting exhibitions, live performances and interactive experiences that challenge perception and provoke thought. We’re giving readers an early lead on its 2026–2027 programme – get these dates in your diary. Across next year, Somerset House presents a season of bold programming, embracing cross-disciplinary collaborations, environmental engagement and creative experimentation. From groundbreaking retrospectives to immersive sensory experiences, the institution invites audiences to explore the world through new perspectives.
1. Dana-Fiona Armour: Serpentine Currents – Fragments of a Changing Future
19 February – 26 April 2026, Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court
Dana-Fiona Armour transforms Somerset House’s courtyard into a contemplative meditation on marine ecosystems. Large suspended serpentine structures, inspired by endangered sea snakes, undulate above the fountain, animated by real-time oceanographic data reflecting rising sea temperatures and pollution. By visualising the silent signals of environmental disruption, Armour turns scientific information into an emotive, immersive experience. Her installation encourages visitors to consider humanity’s responsibility towards marine life, while transforming Somerset House’s iconic courtyard into a living artwork. Armour reaffirms the potential of contemporary art to render urgent ecological issues both tangible and moving.
2. Collect 2026
25 February – 1 March 2026, Somerset House site-wide
Collect returns as a global showcase for contemporary craft and design, featuring over 400 artists working in ceramics, textiles, metalwork, furniture and glass. Curated by an expert advisory panel, the fair connects collectors, curators and enthusiasts with emerging and established makers, highlighting the creativity, skill and innovation within contemporary craft. Somerset House’s historic wings provide a striking backdrop, framing the exhibition as marketplace and cultural dialogue. Collect demonstrates how traditional craftsmanship can coexist with experimental practices. The fair offers audiences the chance to discover inspiring objects, while reinforcing Somerset House’s reputation as a dynamic hub for creativity.
3. The Museum of Edible Earth
18 March – 26 April 2026, Terrace Rooms
Masharu’s immersive installation invites visitors to explore the textures, flavours and histories of soils from around the world. Building on the success of Somerset House’s 2025 SOIL exhibition, it blends sensory experience with cultural and medicinal exploration, presenting edible clays and minerals alongside histories of geophagy. Composted materials and coffee grounds from onsite cafés are repurposed, demonstrating sustainable exhibition-making. The installation transforms the ordinary into wonder, encouraging audiences to connect with the Earth. By combining taste, touch and reflection, The Museum of Edible Earth creates a dialogue between human culture, natural resources and the environment.
4. Sony World Photography Awards 2026
17 April – 4 May 2026, East and West Wing Galleries
The Sony World Photography Awards returns, presenting a global panorama of contemporary photography across Somerset House’s East and West Wing galleries. The exhibition showcases winning and shortlisted images alongside special presentations by Zed Nelson, Photographer of the Year 2025. Spanning a diverse range of cultural perspectives and artistic practices, the show highlights photography’s power to document, interrogate and inspire. Somerset House frames the exhibition as visual spectacle and cultural dialogue, considering the medium’s ability to provoke thought, empathy and connection. This iteration reinforces the institution’s role as a platform for international creativity and storytelling.
5. Upgrade Yourself Festival
12–13 June 2026, Somerset House
Somerset House’s flagship creative careers festival returns for a two-day immersion into the arts sector. Workshops, masterclasses, mentoring sessions and live performances equip 18–30-year-olds with practical skills, portfolio development and networking opportunities, fostering confidence and ambition. The festival connects emerging talent with Somerset House’s wider creative community, offering a rare insight into professional arts practice. By blending guidance, experimentation and inspiration, Upgrade Yourself cultivates the next generation of cultural innovators. Participants gain transferable skills and a foster sense of belonging within a vibrant creative ecosystem.
6. HOLY POP!
21 May – 9 August 2026, Terrace Rooms
HOLY POP! explores the rituals of modern fandom, examining how individuals honour heroes, celebrities and cultural icons through personal and collective shrines. Interactive installations, photographs, letters and memorabilia reveal how admiration shapes identity, values and community. Somerset House situates these intimate acts of devotion within a wider cultural context, showing the social resonance of fan culture. In celebrating creativity, empathy and connection, HOLY POP! demonstrates the emotional power of objects and rituals to unite people and bring together communities. The exhibition offers a vibrant, reflective exploration of contemporary human connection.
7. George Clinton
30 June – 20 September 2026, East Wing Galleries
Somerset House presents the first European retrospective of George Clinton, celebrating his seven-decade career as a musician, cultural visionary and pioneer of Afrofuturism. The exhibition explores his influence across music, performance, fashion and visual art, presenting both his own eclectic work and contemporary pieces inspired by his vision. Curated with contributions from Larry Achiampong, winner of the 2023 Aesthetica Art Prize and Somerset House Studios alumnus, the show offers a view of Clinton’s radical creativity. Visitors encounter funk, spectacle and imagination woven into a narrative of cultural innovation, reaffirming Somerset House’s commitment to celebrating figures who challenge boundaries.
8. Somerset House Summer Series
16–26 July 2026, Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court
The Summer Series transforms Somerset House’s neoclassical courtyard into a live music venue, presenting an eclectic range of international performers across genres. Previous editions have featured St. Vincent, Adele and Rosalía, blending prestige and accessibility. The festival creates an intimate yet communal experience, merging architecture, performance and audience engagement. Somerset House frames music as a shared cultural event, highlighting the emotional and social resonance of live performance. The series exemplifies the institution’s dedication to immersive cultural experiences that foster connection, excitement and lasting memories for diverse audiences.
9. 9 Hours – Somerset House Studios 10th Birthday
October 2026, Embankment Galleries
Celebrating a decade of experimentation, Somerset House Studios presents 9 Hours, a nine-hour live event inspired by the historic 9 Evenings: Theatre and Engineering. International artists collaborate across performance, visual art and technology, offering audiences an immersive view of avant-garde practice. The event foregrounds creativity, risk-taking and interdisciplinary dialogue, turning experimentation into spectacle. 9 Hours situates Somerset House as both incubator and stage, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to innovation and collaboration. The event highlights the transformative potential of art while celebrating the institution’s decade-long dedication to fostering emerging talent and artistic exploration.
10. Abracadabra! Magical Thinking in an Unmagical World
4 February – 18 April 2027, Embankment Galleries
Abracadabra! explores magical thinking as a tool for transformation, examining how ritual, belief and imagination shape perception and reality. The exhibition merges art, design, philosophy and performance, inviting visitors to actively participate by creating spells and narratives. Historical and contemporary approaches interweave with audience engagement. Somerset House transforms the Embankment Galleries into a space where imagination becomes method, encouraging reflection on human belief systems and cultural storytelling. The exhibition underscores Somerset House’s commitment to experimentation and programming that pushes the boundaries of contemporary cultural practice.
The 2026–2027 season exemplifies Somerset House’s unique capacity to merge artistry, experimentation and social engagement. From environmental installations to George Clinton’s retrospective, immersive sensory experiences to live music and performances, the institution continually challenges creative boundaries. Its commitment to emerging talent, cross-disciplinary collaboration and digital engagement ensures audiences are not passive spectators but active participants in a cultural dialogue. Somerset House fosters exploration, reflection and experimentation, positioning itself as a site of possibility where ideas take shape, conventions are interrogated, and creativity flourishes. Through innovation, ambition and curatorial boldness, Somerset House remains London’s Home of Cultural Innovators.
Find Out More: somersethouse.org.uk
Words: Simon Cartwright
Image Credits:
1&5. © Victor Ribeiro, Brazil, entry, Open Competition, Motion, Sony World Photography Awards 2026.
2. Summer Sessions x Somerset House.
3. Somerset House Studios Assembly, 2024 Photo: Anne Tetzlaff.
4. Dana Fiona Armour, Serpentine Currents.
6. Summer Series at Somerset House. Photo @benedictpriddy.
