London, 13 January — Art After Dark, Art of London’s free public art and culture programme, will return to the West End from 3–10 February 2026, offering a week-long celebration of London’s nightlife through art, music and after-hours experiences.
Inspired by the city’s club and music culture, the programme will transform the West End with large-scale public artworks, late-night gallery openings and special music events, including a rare after-hours DJ set at the National Gallery.
The 2026 edition will be launched by internationally acclaimed London-based artist Lakwena Maciver, who will unveil a major new public artwork in Piccadilly Circus. Titled Rise and Shine, the installation is a 7-metre-tall tower of stacked disco lightboxes, bringing bold colour, light and sound to one of London’s most recognisable landmarks.
The artwork reimagines Piccadilly Circus’s analogue heritage with bright, illuminated forms and a soundtrack inspired by community music culture. Its visual style draws on the nightlife of the 1980s and 1990s, referencing eras that shaped music genres such as hip-hop and drum and bass.
Throughout the week, Art After Dark will animate the West End with late-night gallery openings, digital artworks displayed on the Piccadilly Lights, and daily screenings across major outdoor screens in the area. Visitors can also take part in bookable art tours via Art of London’s Gallery HOP! programme.
A highlight of the week will take place on 5 February, when the National Gallery hosts a one-off DJ-led after-party after normal opening hours. The event will give guests a rare opportunity to dance inside one of the UK’s most iconic cultural institutions. Tickets will be available through the National Gallery’s website.
Additional events will include live performances and special offers at venues such as Hard Rock Café, The London Reign Showclub, BOX Piccadilly and Haymarket Hotel, as well as an exclusive Q&A with Lakwena Maciver in partnership with Apple.
Speaking about the installation, Lakwena Maciver said the work celebrates “joy, community, and the vibrant energy that pulses through London’s music scene,” inviting people to gather and experience music culture through colour, light and sound.
Kirsty Tullett-Jones, Director of Marketing and Communications at Art of London, said Art After Dark 2026 will bring together art and music in a way that encourages Londoners and visitors to “feel the buzz, share the joy, and be part of something unforgettable in the heart of the capital.”
Paul Gray, Deputy Director and COO of the National Gallery, added that the event supports the Gallery’s mission to bring people and art together in innovative ways.
Art After Dark 2026 will run from 3–10 February across London’s West End. More information is available at artoflondon.co.uk/artafterdark.