Hull Museums and Ferens Art Gallery 2025: A Year of Fantastic Exhibitions and Events Ahead

Hull Museums and Ferens Art Gallery are looking forward to a vibrant programme of exciting exhibitions, creative workshops and special events in 2025. Whatever your interest – art, history or a fun day out for the family – there’s something for everyone. Here’s a taste of what’s in store.

Sirens, stories, and songs: Women and the sea

When? From 14 February 2025
Ferens Art Gallery kicks off the year with the magical Sirens: Women and the Sea exhibition. This stunning display delves into the world of myth and legend, featuring works by Pre-Raphaelite artists such as John William Waterhouse, Evelyn De Morgan and Edward Burne-Jones. At the heart of the exhibition are sirens – mythical creatures who lured sailors with their enchanting voices.

The story takes another twist as folk musician and Ferens Artist in Residence, Maddie Morris, has been inspired to compose Siren Song. Based on Herbert James Draper’s famous painting, Ulysses and the Sirens, Maddie has worked with community groups to reimagine the sirens’ songs for the 21st century. You can hear these new songs as part of the exhibition.

Future Ferens: Young creatives in action

Future Ferens, an exciting group of 18–25-year-old creatives, are curating Sirens: Out of the Blue in response to Sirens: Women and the Sea. Their exhibition explores themes of gender, mythology and what the siren means in today’s world through striking new artwork.

Hull's annual open exhibition

When? Autumn 2025

Hull’s Open Exhibition is a must-visit for art lovers and artists of all abilities. Now in its 54th year, this popular tradition gives amateur and professional artists the opportunity to showcase and sell their work. Find out how to enter at www.FerensOpen.co.uk.

Young artists 15 and under can enter the Young Artist Open Exhibition, with prizes kindly supported by Friends of the Ferens and the Arts Society Hull and East Riding.

Exploring Hull’s heritage at the Streetlife Museum

Cześć Hull to my!: Hi Hull, It’s Us
When? 29 March to 29 June 2025
At Hull’s Streetlife Museum, discover over 100 years of Polish history in Hull. This exhibition is available in Polish and English and showcases the amazing cultural contribution the Polish community has made to the city.

Glam and Gloom: Britain in the 1970s
From glam rock’s glittering excess to the dark cloud of rising inflation, the 1970s were a contradictory decade. This exhibition, on display throughout summer 2025, shines a light on both the glittering highs and gloomy lows of the time.

Look out for local archaeology and exciting works by Case Training, a Hull-based charity, later in the year.

Uncovering modern slavery at Wilberforce House

Wilberforce House will shine a light on modern slavery and the work being done to tackle it in Hull in February. Creative projects from Hull Curriculum Schools will feature in the summer, followed by the return of our popular Echoes of Our Heritage exhibition celebrating the history of Black music.

Big events to look out for

Hull Museums has a packed programme of large-scale events in 2025:

• Festival of Archaeology
• Victorian Christmas (a firm favourite)
• Colliderfest, a new science and arts festival in partnership with the University of Hull, Hull Maritime and Hull City Council.

There are talks, tours, workshops and activities throughout the year for all the family.

Plan Your Visit

Hull Museums and Ferens Art Gallery are free to visit and open daily:

• Monday–Saturday: 10am–4.30pm
• Sunday: 11am–4pm

For the full programme, visit www.HullMuseums.co.uk.

With so many fantastic exhibitions and events planned, 2025 is shaping up to be a wonderful year for Hull people and visitors alike. What are you most looking forward to? Let us know in the comments!