The public programme for London Gallery Weekend 2022, the free public event which celebrates art galleries in the UK capital, is now live. Featuring more than 150 participating galleries and a rich programme of events and performances, the second edition of London Gallery Weekend is the biggest gallery weekend event in the world.

Gallery Highlights & Curated RoutesNational and international visitors to London Gallery Weekend this year will discover the rich and diverse range of exhibitions that the city’s galleries have to offer, with the opportunity to see contemporary painting, ground-breaking new sculpture, immersive installations, and performance work. Highlights include an exhibition spanning 50 years of work by Nicola L. at Alison Jacques, a presentation by Ethiopian artist Nigatu Tsehay at Addis Fine Art, images of nurses and medical life by legendary war photographer Lee Miller, on show at the historic Fitzrovia Chapel, Caroline Walker’s cinematic paintings of women living in contemporary society at Stephen Friedman, the second solo show of sculptor Dozie Kanu at Project Native Informant, and an exhibition of new paintings by Natalia Gonzalez Martin at Hannah Barry Gallery, amongst many others.

With so much choice on offer, visitors are encouraged to use the easy-to-use interactive map feature on the London Gallery Weekend website to help plan their weekend. The relaunched website, powered by London-based art technology company Artlogic, enables users to plot their individual route around the city based on their gallery and exhibition preferences. Users will also be able to download a series of specially curated routes by leading art world figures and notable Londoners including fashion designer Simone Rocha, artists Jane & Louise Wilson, Barbican curator Eleanor Nairne, the Institute of Contemporary Arts Director Bengi Ünsal, actor Naomie Harris, Deputy Mayor for Culture and Creative Industries Justine Simons OBE, and singer Robbie Williams with designer Ed Godrich who have an exhibition of new paintings at Sotheby’s during London Gallery Weekend.

Performance programmeLondon-based artist Mandy El-Sayegh - whose paintings, immersive installations, performances and videos are rooted in an exploration of material and language - has been selected for London Gallery Weekend’s first public art performance, in partnership with UP Projects, for her proposal The Minimum. Created in collaboration with choreographer Alethia Antonia and composer Lily Oakes, this new work centres around an installation and performance that invites people in different public locations across the city to consider how bodies make themselves visible within restrictive or repressive environments. It will take place three times during London Gallery Weekend in locations in each of the focal areas of Central London, South London and East London:

• Friday 13 May, 16:00 - 16:30, St James's Church, Piccadilly, London W1J 9LL• Saturday 14 May, 14:00 – 14:30, Peckham Library Square, London SE15 5JT• Sunday 15 May, 14:00 – 14:30, Allen Gardens, London E1 5AT

Many participating galleries will stage special performances by artists over the course of the weekend, including a Painting Performance by Ayako Rokkaku at König Galerie, a performance from all-female Afro-Latin Jazz band COLECTIVA to celebrate the public opening of Luchita Hurtado at Hauser & Wirth, artist Rafał Zajko performing with Eve Stainton at Cooke Latham, and Bear Threads in Ffffucksake Major, a performance by Michael Dean at Herald St.

Special eventsFriday 13 May – Highlights include an artist-led tour of The Red Room at Berntson Bhattacharjee in Cromwell Place and a Rose Wylie book signing of William Shakespeare x Rose Wylie: The Tempest at David Zwirner; while botanical cocktails at Goodman Gallery mark the launch of Ghada Amer’s major new monograph, published by SKIRA.

Saturday 14 May – Highlights include an in-conversation with artist Garrett Pruter at artist-led gallery and project space Trafalgar Avenue; and an all-welcome South London Art Party by Xxijra Hii and Sid Motion Gallery at Amp Studios. Lonnie Holley will perform live at Stone Nest, as part of his presentation with Edel Assanti and Artangel and, at Pilar Corrias, there will be a walking tour of Vivien Zhang’s exhibition undo undo undo.

Sunday 15 May – Highlights include NıCOLETTı Contemporary will host readings by artist Eva Gold and poet Abondance Matanda, and visitors can enjoy an all-day brunch with artist Gabriel Hartley at Seventeen Gallery. Family-friendly activities will take place throughout the weekend, including a prize-winning ‘Photo Hunt’ for images in the How To Build A Collection exhibition at HackelBury Fine Art; hands-on workshops for kids to engage with the works of celebrated painters Hans Hartung at Waddington Custot; a Family Day at Black Box Projects, with artist Joanne Dugan leading a cyanotype (sun printing) workshop; and a kids’ creative morning at Berntson Bhattacharjee which will offer a playful environment to draw and create, inspired by the artworks.

New initiativesA special initiative with Selfridges will see the presentation of a programme of artist films at the Cinema at Selfridges, to be screened throughout the weekend. The programme features video works by artists represented by London Gallery Weekend participants, including Hannah Quinlan & Rosie Hastings (Arcadia Missa), Prem Sahib (Southard Reid) and TJ Wilcox (Sadie Coles HQ). Complimentary tickets will be available soon on the Cinema at Selfridges website.

As part of London Gallery Weekend and marking International Day of Families on Sunday 15 May, the iconic Piccadilly Lights will present a special animated short by Dame Julia Peyton Jones and Ellinna Hix. This ten-minute screening at 2pm on Europe's largest billboard will also feature a selection of artworks chosen by the renowned curator from participating galleries across London.

The chosen artists are:Caroline Walker at Stephen Friedman Gallery - Lisa Ghada Amer at Goodman Gallery - My Body My Choice Bárbara Alegre at Ione & Mann - Dancing in the Sky, Waiting for the Sunset Oliver Clegg at MAMOTH - Tongue-tied Seline Burn at Eve Leibe Gallery- Mother and Thistle