Tate Modern announces late-night weekend openings

The Tate Modern, one of London’s most popular art galleries, has announced that it will extend its weekend opening hours starting this autumn. From September 26, the gallery will remain open until 9 pm on Fridays and Saturdays, giving people more time to visit after work or school. The Tate Modern is located on the banks of the River Thames and is known for its striking brown building with a glass top floor and a tall tower. The gallery is free to enter and usually opens from 10 am to 6 pm every day.

The main reason for the new late-night hours is to attract more young visitors. The Tate Modern has already seen great success with its monthly Tate Modern Lates events, which have brought in over 750,000 people since 2016. These special evenings feature artist talks, workshops, film screenings, and live music. Last August, British rapper Little Simz curated one of these events, drawing a crowd of 18,500 people. The Lates events will continue even after the new extended hours begin, with the next ones scheduled for August 28 and September 26.

Karin Hindsbo, the director of the Tate Modern, said that the Lates have become a key part of London’s nightlife, especially for young people who want to enjoy the city’s cultural scene. She believes that staying open later will make the gallery even more accessible to everyone. The mayor of London also supports the move, saying it will help keep London as the world’s cultural capital with the best nightlife. The Tate Modern hopes that by offering more flexible hours and exciting events, it will encourage even more people to experience art and culture in the heart of the city. If you want to keep up with the latest news or share your own story ideas, you can follow BBC London online.