Tate Modern extends weekend opening hours from September
Late-night art for all as Tate Modern extends weekend hours from 26 September 2025 to meet growing demand from younger audiences.
Tate Modern exterior from the North Bank. © Tate Photography.
Tate Modern has announced it will stay open until 9pm every Friday and Saturday starting 26 September 2025, giving visitors free evening access to the world’s most visited modern art museum. This move follows the overwhelming response to the gallery’s 25th birthday weekend, run in partnership with UNIQLO, which drew over 76,000 visitors across three days, 70% of whom were under 35. The decision builds on the ongoing success of Tate Modern Lates, a monthly series of special evening events launched in 2016 that has since welcomed over 750,000 attendees.
By extending its weekend hours, Tate Modern is contributing to the richness of London’s night-time cultural scene, making it easier for people to enjoy art outside of the standard working day. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan praised the initiative, saying: “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.” He added that initiatives like this help strengthen London’s night-time economy and cultural appeal.
Installation photography, Louise Bourgeois, Maman, Tate Modern 2000. © Tate Photography.
Karin Hindsbo, Director of Tate Modern, highlighted the growing demand for evening access, especially among younger Londoners. “Tate Modern Lates have become a cornerstone of London’s nightlife,” she said. “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.” Deputy Mayor for Culture Justine Simons OBE echoed this sentiment, calling the regular late openings “brilliant news” for London’s global cultural reputation.
Tate Modern Lates will continue at the end of each month, featuring specially curated programmes including artist talks, workshops, film screenings, live music and DJ sets. These events have hosted performances from the likes of the Trisha Brown Dance Company, the London Symphony Orchestra and Celeste, with a record-breaking attendance of 18,500 during a guest-curated evening by Little Simz in August 2024. With its new extended hours and continued monthly Lates, Tate Modern aims to make modern and contemporary art more accessible, social and inclusive than ever.
