Sheffield Museums January 2025: Art, History, Family Fun

Sheffield’s museums are starting 2025 off with a bang! Here’s what’s on for art, history and family fun. From thought-provoking art to hands-on fun for all the family. And the best bit? All museums are free (though donations are welcome). Let’s get started!

What’s On This Month

Strange Presence: John Hoyland Paintings

📍 Millennium Gallery
🗓 18 January – 18 May 2025

Get lost in the abstract world of John Hoyland, one of Sheffield’s most famous artists. This exhibition features his bright, bold paintings and gives a glimpse into his creative life.

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

📍 Weston Park Museum
🗓 Until 2 November 2025 (Ticketed entry – book online)

Join beloved Sheffield artist Pete McKee in his 1970s childhood as he shares his memories through over 90 artworks. Expect quirky sculptures, Space Invaders arcade games and more. Plus, get hands-on in the Cartoon Workshop Zone!

Acts of Creation: On Art and Motherhood

📍 Millennium Gallery
🗓 Until 19 January 2025

This exhibition reveals the often hidden stories of motherhood through the work of over 60 artists. With artwork exploring childbirth, loss and caregiving it’s a celebration of motherhood as a creative and complicated thing.

What’s On

Meet the Photographer: Jeremy Abrahams

📍 Weston Park Museum
🗓 Saturday, 11 January, 11am–2pm

Drop in and meet professional portrait photographer Jeremy Abrahams and learn about his collection We Carry It With Us. This project features portraits of people reflecting on their childhood experiences of bullying, alongside their own stories. Aspiring photographers can also get top tips on capturing emotion in portraits.

Memory Café at the Museum

📍 Weston Park Museum
🗓 Thursday, 16 January, 10:30am–12:30pm

If you or a loved one has dementia, this café is a warm and welcoming space to chat over tea and biscuits. Activities like music, pictures and objects will help spark conversations and memories.

Modern Bridge Construction: Macalloy’s Global Impact

📍 Kelham Island Museum
🗓 Thursday, 23 January, 1–1:45pm

Find out how Sheffield-based engineering firm Macalloy was involved in some of the world’s most iconic bridges – from London’s Millennium Bridge to the local Park Square Bridge. Managing Director Peter Hoy will explain how Sheffield innovation is connecting the world.

For Families

Fridays Under 5s – Get Stuck In!

📍 Weston Park Museum
🗓 Every Friday during school term, 10am–12pm

Little ones can get creative in this messy session for under-5s. From splashing in play to bugs and musical instruments these activities are perfect for curious young minds. (Parents, you can relax—clean-up is taken care of!)

January Highlights

Sheffield Heritage Fair

📍 Millennium Gallery
🗓 Saturday, 25 January (10am–4pm) & Sunday, 26 January (11am–4pm)

Join in with Sheffield’s history with over 40 local organisations. Whether you’re interested in historic sites or curious about the city’s industrial past this fair has something for everyone.

British Sign Language Tours: The Boy with a Leg Named Brian

📍 Weston Park Museum
🗓 Saturday, 18 January, 12–1pm & 2–3pm

Deaf BSL user Martin Glover will give a tour of Pete McKee’s exhibition in British Sign Language. Learn about the artist and pick up some new BSL vocabulary.

Get Here

Locations & Opening Hours:

• Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet: Thurs–Sat (10am–4pm) & Sun (11am–4pm) until 3 November.
• Graves Gallery: Tues–Sat (11am–4pm).
• Kelham Island Museum: Tues–Sat (10am–4pm) & Sun (11am–4pm).
• Millennium Gallery: Tues–Sat (10am–5pm) & Sun (11am–4pm).
• Shepherd Wheel Workshop: Sat & Sun (11am–3pm).
• Weston Park Museum: Tues–Sat (10am–4pm) & Sun (11am–4pm).

sheffieldmuseums.org.uk for more information.

Whether you live in Sheffield or are visiting, Sheffield Museums are the place to be this January.