What's On at Sheffield Museums in April 2025? Exhibitions, Events & Family Fun

Looking for something exciting to do in Sheffield this April? Whether you're into art, history, hands-on workshops, or family activities, Sheffield Museums has a packed schedule of free exhibitions and special events happening across its six museum sites.

Here’s a look at what’s coming up, from bold contemporary art to nostalgic childhood memories, pottery workshops, and even a debate about museum artefacts.

🎨 Art Exhibitions at Millennium Gallery

These Mad Hybrids: John Hoyland and Contemporary Sculpture

📅 Until 18 May 2025 | 📍 Millennium Gallery | Free entry (suggested donation £5)

This exhibition celebrates Sheffield-born artist John Hoyland in a way you’ve probably never seen before! Best known for his abstract paintings, Hoyland also experimented with sculpture. On display are his rarely seen ceramic pieces, alongside works by other contemporary sculptors like Phyllida Barlow and Hew Locke.

If you love bold colours, unusual shapes, and playful artwork, this one’s for you.

Strange Presence: John Hoyland Paintings

📅 Until 18 May 2025 | 📍 Millennium Gallery | Free entry (suggested donation £5)

If you prefer Hoyland’s classic abstract paintings, check out this smaller exhibition showcasing ten of his striking large-scale works. Alongside the paintings, you’ll find sketchbooks, photographs, and archival films that offer a glimpse into Hoyland’s creative process.

🖼️ Art Exhibitions at Graves Gallery

Derrick Greaves: Art Worlds

📅 Until 21 June 2025 | 📍 Graves Gallery | Free entry (suggested donation £5)

Derrick Greaves (1927–2022) was one of Britain’s most influential painters, and this retrospective exhibition brings together eight decades of his work. Starting with his social realist paintings from the 1950s, the exhibition tracks his evolution through Pop Art influences and later more abstract, nature-inspired work.

If you love exploring an artist’s journey through different styles, this is a must-see.

🎭 Nostalgic Sheffield Stories at Weston Park Museum

The Boy with a Leg Named Brian: Memoirs by Pete McKee

📅 Until 2 November 2025 | 📍 Weston Park Museum | Free entry (suggested donation £5)

Love nostalgia, humour, and heartfelt storytelling? Sheffield artist Pete McKee takes you on a journey through his 1970s childhood in this interactive exhibition. Featuring over 90 artworks, including paintings, prints, and sculptures, plus music, fashion, and games from the era, it’s a real trip down memory lane.

🕹️ Don’t miss the chance to play Space Invaders, listen to McKee’s 70s playlist, and even try your hand at comic-style drawing.

🎟️ Pre-booking is recommended: sheffieldmuseums.org.uk/mckee

🎨 Hands-On Art & Creative Workshops

Pottery Class: Hybrid Sculptures Inspired by John Hoyland

📅 Sat 12 April | 📍 Millennium Gallery | 💰 £80 | Booking essential

Always wanted to try sculpting with clay? Join local ceramicist Andrew Walker for a full-day workshop, where you'll create your own "mad hybrid" sculpture inspired by Hoyland’s work.

🖌️ Includes:
✔️ Guided tour of the exhibition for inspiration
✔️ Hand-building techniques demo
✔️ Colour decoration with bright slips
✔️ Finished sculptures will be glazed and fired (ready to collect later)

Macramé Wall Hanging Workshop

📅 Thu 17 April | 📍 Kelham Island Museum | 💰 £35 | Booking essential

Learn macramé and make a stylish handmade wall hanging with Charlotte Hanson of CharKnots. Perfect for beginners, this workshop covers basic knots and techniques, using 100% recycled cotton rope.

You’ll walk away with a beautiful handcrafted piece to display in your home.

🎮 Talks & Special Events

Lunchtime Talk: Sheffield’s Groundbreaking Video Game – Actua Soccer

📅 Tues 15 April | 📍 Weston Park Museum | Suggested donation £5

Did you know Sheffield once rivalled FIFA in the gaming world? Back in the 90s, Gremlin Interactive developed Actua Soccer, one of the first football video games with real 3D motion capture.

Join gaming historian Mark Hardisty and developer Richard Stevenson as they share behind-the-scenes stories of how Sheffield took on EA Sports.

Film Screening: Raising the Baton – A Manifesto for Hope

📅 Thu 17 April | 📍 Millennium Gallery | Free (booking recommended)

This powerful documentary explores how a small charity tackled suicide prevention in the UK. After the screening, join a Q&A panel discussion with the Baton of Hope UK team.

⚠️ Please note: This event isn’t suitable for under-18s.

Debate: Should Museums Return Objects?

📅 Wed 30 April | 📍 Weston Park Museum | Suggested donation £5

Museums around the world house objects that were taken during colonial times. Should they be returned? What’s fair, and what’s not?

At this Festival of Debate event, you'll take on a character role and discuss the pros and cons of repatriation with others. It’s a thought-provoking way to explore one of the biggest ethical questions in the museum world today.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family-Friendly Activities

Under-5s Creative Play Sessions

📅 Every Friday (term time) | 📍 Weston Park Museum | Free

Let your little ones get messy and explore through hands-on creative activities. One week it’s sensory play and object handling, the next it's colouring and crafts. And don’t worry—we clean up the mess!

Comic Book Making – Inspired by Pete McKee

📅 Tue 1 April | 📍 Weston Park Museum | Suggested donation £3

Design your own comic strip, invent characters, and create a story in this fun drop-in activity for kids. Inspired by Pete McKee’s childhood memories.

Colour-Themed Craft Activities

📅 Wed 2 April | 📍 Millennium Gallery | Suggested donation £3

Try a mix of colour-related creative activities, from colour mixing spinners to weaving colour-coded threads, inspired by the Ruskin Collection’s Capturing Colour display.

‘Made in Sheffield’ Advert-Making Workshop

📅 Thu 3 April | 📍 Millennium Gallery | Suggested donation £3

Sheffield is famous for its craftsmanship, but how would YOU sell it? Create a poster or advert for a "Made in Sheffield" product using words, pictures, and design.

📍 Plan Your Visit

All Sheffield Museums sites have FREE entry!

🖥️ More details & bookings: sheffieldmuseums.org.uk
📧 Email: info@sheffieldmuseums.org.uk
📞 Phone: 0114 278 2600

Which event or exhibition are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments! 🎨👨‍👩‍👧‍👦🎭