UK Art Exhibitions: Your Guide to Upcoming Shows – May to July 2025​

From timeless masterpieces to radical contemporary works, the UK’s art scene is bursting with exhibitions this summer. Whether you’re an avid gallery-goer or simply curious about what’s on, our guide covers the most exciting upcoming exhibitions across London and beyond from May to July 2025.

We’ve organised this roundup by theme and region to make it easy to find shows that match your interests whether you’re looking to explore iconic historical art or dive into the latest in contemporary creativity. Each listing includes exhibition dates, venues, and links to the official gallery websites so you can plan your visits with ease.

Major Museum Exhibitions (London)

London’s most renowned institutions are hosting a wide array of headline exhibitions this season, from Japanese printmaking to Michelangelo’s final years.

Hiroshige: Artist of the Open Road
1 May – 7 September 2025
Discover the poetic landscapes and atmospheric street scenes of Utagawa Hiroshige, one of Japan’s greatest woodblock print artists.
British Museum: https://www.britishmuseum.org/

Ancient India: Living Traditions
22 May – 12 October 2025
This wide-ranging exhibition explores the spiritual and artistic traditions of ancient India, showcasing objects from temple art to textile craftsmanship.
British Museum: https://www.britishmuseum.org/

Siena: The Rise of Painting 1300–1350
8 March – 22 June 2025
Delve into the golden age of Sienese painting and its influential role in shaping early European visual culture.
National Gallery: https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/

Do Ho Suh: Walk the House
1 May – 19 October 2025
A dreamlike exploration of memory and space through life-sized fabric sculptures of domestic interiors.
Tate Modern: https://www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-modern

Edvard Munch: Portraits
13 March – 15 June 2025
This focused exhibition reveals Munch’s psychological depth and artistic innovation through his portrait work.
National Portrait Gallery: https://www.npg.org.uk/

Contemporary Art (London)

Cutting-edge exhibitions from global artists dominate London’s contemporary art spaces this season — from introspective painting to experimental installations.

Yoshitomo Nara: The Spirit of Innocence
10 June – 31 August 2025
Nara’s cartoon-like figures are anything but naïve — his works blend rebellion, vulnerability, and disarming emotion.
Hayward Gallery: https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/venues/hayward-gallery

Arpita Singh: Remembering
13 March – 27 July 2025
A richly coloured, narrative-based show reflecting on femininity, domesticity, and memory.
Serpentine North: https://www.serpentinegalleries.org/

Edward Burra / Ithell Colquhoun
13 June – 19 October 2025
A conversation between two British visionaries — surrealism, satire, mysticism and more.
Tate Britain: https://www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-britain

RA Summer Exhibition 2025
17 June – 17 August 2025
The annual highlight of the Royal Academy calendar returns with an eclectic mix of new work by artists across disciplines.
Royal Academy of Arts: https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/

Historical Art (London)

Deep dives into classical art and Renaissance mastery are on offer this summer for those who enjoy timeless elegance and artistic heritage.

The Carracci Cartoons: Myths in the Making
10 April – 6 July 2025
Discover how Annibale Carracci and his family helped define the Baroque with their mythological sketches and grand designs.
National Gallery: https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/

Michelangelo: The Last Decades
2 May – 28 July 2025
A moving exploration of Michelangelo’s late-life reflections through drawing, sculpture, and poetry.
British Museum: https://www.britishmuseum.org/

Regional Exhibitions (Outside London)

Step beyond the capital and you’ll find an equally rich selection of exhibitions happening across the UK — from abstract pioneers to modernist icons.

The Scottish Colourists: Radical Perspectives
7 February – 28 June 2025
Celebrating the bold colours and European flair of Peploe, Fergusson, Hunter, and Cadell.
Dovecot Studios, Edinburgh: https://dovecotstudios.com/

Ithell Colquhoun: Between Worlds
1 February – 5 May 2025
Surrealism meets the occult in this unique show examining Colquhoun’s mystical vision.
Tate St Ives: https://www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-st-ives

Paule Vézelay: Living Lines
14 May – 31 August 2025
This Eastbourne exhibition celebrates Vézelay’s lyrical abstraction and groundbreaking work in modern design.
Towner Eastbourne: https://townereastbourne.org.uk/

How to Use This Guide

• Check exhibition dates on each gallery’s official website before you travel.
• London exhibitions are clustered around major institutions such as the Tate, National Gallery, and British Museum — ideal for a city art day.
• Regional galleries are hosting exciting and often overlooked shows — especially in Edinburgh, St Ives and Eastbourne.
• Plan ahead for timed ticketing or limited-run exhibitions. Summer shows can sell out fast.

With an incredible range of exhibitions on display across the UK, May to July 2025 offers something for everyone — from ancient traditions to contemporary voices. Whether you’re seeking quiet reflection, artistic adventure, or a family-friendly gallery day, these exhibitions are a powerful reminder of art’s ability to transport and transform.

Let us know what you’re looking forward to most.