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The Late Edition

London's evening edition. Independent, updated daily.

Late opening: National Gallery on Friday

Open until nine, free, and the rooms close to empty after seven. The National Portrait Gallery next door is late too.

This has been and gone. It ran on Friday 9 October 2026. For what is on now, see tonight or this week. See also everything that has been and gone.

Venue page

Times and prices are what the venue published when we checked. They move, so confirm on the venue's own page before you travel.

Directions

What to expect

The second Friday of October, and the gallery is open until nine with nothing to pay and nothing you have to book.

The evening is the time to go: after seven the rooms thin out, and you can stand in front of the Turners without craning. Come in by the Sainsbury Wing, which is the entrance in use, and work outwards.

The National Portrait Gallery round the corner is also open until nine on Fridays, and it has just opened Tim Walker’s Fairyland, so two galleries fit in one evening.

Nearby

Covent Garden has the nearest stations and everything else on in the same part of town. The The National Gallery page collects every listing we hold for that address. Filed under Exhibitions.

Listed by Angela. Checked 7 October 2026. Details can change on the night; the venue link is the one to trust.

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