Barbican Arts Centre

Description
A cultural hub based in the concrete brutalist estate next to the Barbican tube station, it was built in the 1960s by the City of London to encourage people to live and socialise in the city.
Today is it one of the UK’s leading art and theatre venues, with regular events every day, art exhibitions and films.
The art centre is free to visit and wander around, and some of the art exhibits are also free, but most of the theatre/film events have to be paid for.
There is also a public library, which often has local artist exhibitions in the foyer, and the Music Library regularly has related exhibitions as well.
The conservatory is the second largest in London and is also open to visit.
Address
Silk Street,
London,
EC2Y 8DS
Ticket prices
The main building is free to visit, as is the library and library exhibitions.
Other exhibitions and events may charge.
Prices last checked June 2023
Link to Barbican Arts Centre website
Opening Hours
The main building is open from 9.30am to 11pm every day, and between noon to 11pm on Bank Holidays.
Individual exhibitions and the library will have different opening hours though, so check before making a special trip.
Opening hours last checked June 2023
Accessibility
The building is fully accessible with lifts to all floors.
Note, it's much easier to arrive via the Silk Street entrance.
Address
Barbican Arts Centre
Silk Street,
London,
EC2Y 8DS
Exhibitions open now
Citra Sasmita Into Eternal Land
The Indonesian artist transforms The Curve in her first solo UK exhibition. Via painting, installation, embroidery and scent, take a sensory journey exploring ancestral memory, ritual and migration.
Exhibition ends on Monday 21st Apr FreeBarbican Arts Centre, Barbican
The Indonesian artist transforms The Curve in her first solo UK exhibition. Via painting, installation, embroidery and scent, take a sensory journey exploring ancestral memory, ritual and migration.
Noah Davis
Celebrating the late artist’s expansive creativity, this debut retrospective showcases Noah Davis as one of the most original and uncanny painters emerging in recent years.
Exhibition ends on Sunday 11th May £19.50Barbican Arts Centre, Barbican
Celebrating the late artist’s expansive creativity, this debut retrospective showcases Noah Davis as one of the most original and uncanny painters emerging in recent years.
Top events happening here
Concrete Garden: Fertile Ground
Step inside the Barbican's tropical oasis for a day of readings, talks and workshops on plants and fertile ground.
Sun 23 Mar 2025 - 12:00pm to 7:00pmFree
Step inside the Barbican's tropical oasis for a day of readings, talks and workshops on plants and fertile ground.
Theatre
Fiddler on the Roof
Fiddler on the Roof is a heartfelt musical that blends tradition, love, and resilience against the backdrop of upheaval in early 20th-century Tsarist Russia.
Open between 24th May and 19th Jul
Fiddler on the Roof is a heartfelt musical that blends tradition, love, and resilience against the backdrop of upheaval in early 20th-century Tsarist Russia.
Good Night, Oscar
Good Night, Oscar brings the brilliance and turmoil of Oscar Levant to the West End, with Sean Hayes delivering a masterful performance in this gripping tale of music, wit, and authenticity.
Open between 31st Jul and 21st Sep
Good Night, Oscar brings the brilliance and turmoil of Oscar Levant to the West End, with Sean Hayes delivering a masterful performance in this gripping tale of music, wit, and authenticity.