Sheffield Museums Exhibitions and Events - April 2026

Thinking of what to do this April? If you fancy a bit of culture without splashing the cash, Sheffield is the place to be. The Sheffield Museums Trust, an amazing charity, has lined up a whole host of brilliant events and exhibitions for the month. There’s something for literally everyone, whether you’re an art buff, a history lover, or just looking for a fun day out with the family. Across the city, from the modern Millennium Gallery to the historic Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet, you can dive into all sorts of cultural experiences. And the best part? It’s all free entry.

Of course, a small donation is always appreciated to help this charity keep up its fantastic work. It’s a chance to explore incredible art, local history, archaeology, and see the city's reputation for craft and innovation up close.

Exhibitions and displays not to miss

There are some truly special exhibitions running this April. If you're into photography, you absolutely can’t miss the Taylor Wessing Photo Portrait Prize 25. It's on at the Millennium Gallery until 10 May 2026, and it's the only place you'll see it outside of London. This is the top-tier of portrait photography, featuring work from professionals and talented amateurs alike. Expect over 50 photos that tell incredible stories about people and their lives. It’s a powerful look at how we see each other.

Over at the Graves Gallery, there are a couple of must-see displays. When the Day is Done: New Paintings by Ryan Mosley is the first solo exhibition for the Sheffield-based artist, running until 4 July 2026. His paintings are like stepping into a dream, mixing the everyday with the fantastical. It's a really interesting look at how people connect with each other and the world around them. And there’s a lovely local connection - the Graves Gallery itself was a huge inspiration for Mosley when he was a teenager.

Also at the Graves Gallery is Revolution, Revelation, Reinforcement: Queer Legacies in Sheffield’s Art Collection, which is on until February 2027. This exhibition explores LGBTQ+ stories through artworks from Sheffield's own collection. It’s a thoughtful look at how art has been used to express identities that were sometimes hidden, and how these stories continue to be strengthened today. It’s a really important show that gives a voice to different communities.

For something completely different, head to the Millennium Gallery for ArtWorks Together International 2026 (until 31 May 2026). This festival showcases the amazing creative talent of adult artists who have a learning disability, are autistic, or both. It features work from 70 artists across 21 countries, covering everything from painting and photography to sculpture. These vibrant displays challenge our ideas about who artists are and whose voices get heard.

And let's not forget the Weston Park Museum, which is celebrating 150 years of collecting with Gathering Landscapes (until 1 November 2026). This huge exhibition features over 400 objects from the city’s collection, exploring the weird and wonderful connections people have with the land. It’s a treasure trove of art and artefacts that looks at everything from ancient rituals to modern industry.

Get hands-on with events and workshops

If you'd rather get stuck in than just look, there are plenty of events and workshops happening across the city’s museum and gallery spaces. Whether you want to learn a new skill or just meet some new people, there's something on the calendar.

• Life Drawing for Beginners: Ever wanted to try it? This friendly session at the Millennium Gallery is perfect for first-timers. (Sat 4 Apr, 10.30am–12.30pm, £11.50)

• Curator Tour - Storm Cloud: Get a behind-the-scenes look at the latest Ruskin display with curator Ashley Gallant at the Millennium Gallery. (Tue 7 Apr, 2pm–3pm, Suggested donation £5)

• Feel Good Art Club: A mindful, relaxing art session at the Millennium Gallery. Perfect for unwinding after a long day. (Wed 7 & Wed 21 Apr, 6pm–7.30pm, £9)

• LGBTQ+ Over 50s Group: A welcoming and safe space at Weston Park Museum for the over 50s LGBTQ+ community to connect. (Thu 9 Apr, 1pm–3pm, Free)

• Evening Talk with Byron Hamzah: Hear from the award-winning photographer at the Millennium Gallery about his powerful project with stateless youths in Malaysia. (Tue 14 Apr, 6pm–7pm, Suggested donation £5)

• Memory Café at the Museum: A lovely, supportive session at Weston Park Museum for people with memory issues and their carers to reminisce together. (Thu 16 Apr, 10.30am–12.30pm, Suggested donation £3)

• Graves Gallery Tour: Discover the story of J. G. Graves, the man who founded the gallery and gifted hundreds of works of art to the city. (Thu 16 Apr, 2pm–2.45pm, Suggested donation £5)

• Portrait Painting Workshop: Learn to paint a portrait with artist Tina Ramos Ekongo at the Millennium Gallery. No experience needed! (Sat 18 Apr, 1.30pm–3.30pm, £25)

• Walking Tour - People, Plaques and Places: Discover the stories behind the plaques on Sheffield's streets in this city centre tour starting at the Millennium Gallery. (Wed 22 Apr, 2pm–3.30pm, £12)

• Late: How We Look: A night out with a difference at the Millennium Gallery. Explore art and big ideas through philosophy, creative activities, and even a pop-up photo booth. (Thu 23 Apr, 7pm–10pm, Suggested donation £5)

• Kelham Makes - Jesmonite Fun: Get crafty at the Kelham Island Museum. Learn how to make your own colourful coasters (10am–12pm, £35) or plant pots (1.30pm–3.30pm, £40) from a cool, versatile material called Jesmonite. (Sun 26 Apr)

• Curator Tour - Queer Legacies: Join curator Jon Sleigh for a relaxed tour of the incredible LGBTQ+ artworks and stories at the Graves Gallery. (Thu 30 Apr, 11am & 2pm, Suggested donation £5)

Fun for all the family

Keeping the kids entertained is easy this April, with loads of family-friendly activities designed to get them creative and curious. From messy play for the little ones to hands-on workshops for the whole family, there are plenty of options.

• Fridays Under 5s - Get Stuck In!: Every Friday during term-time at Weston Park Museum, little ones can enjoy creative, sensory fun. It gets messy, but the cleaning up is all taken care of! (10am–12.30pm, Suggested donation £3)

• Playful Portraits: Inspired by the Taylor Wessing Photo Portrait Prize, this drop-in session at the Millennium Gallery lets families play with props and photography. (Wed 1 Apr, 12pm–3pm, Suggested donation £3)

• Marvellous Mysterious Magnets: Head to Kelham Island Museum to learn about Sheffield’s history with magnets and make your own magnetic game. (Thu 2 Apr, 12pm–3pm, Suggested donation £3)

• Clay Tile Making: At Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet, get your hands dirty and create your own clay tile inspired by the site's industrial past. (Sat 4 Apr, various times, £7.50)

• Split Pin Puppet Making: Draw your hero and turn them into a puppet at Weston Park Museum. (Tue 7 Apr, 12pm–3pm, Suggested donation £3)

• All You Can Make at the Art Buffet: Get stuck into a buffet of art materials at the Millennium Gallery and create a colourful masterpiece. (Wed 8 Apr, 12pm–3pm, Suggested donation £3)

• Safety Suits You: Design your own fantastical workwear inspired by the amazing silver safety suit at Kelham Island Museum. (Thu 9 Apr, 12pm–3pm, Suggested donation £3)

• Bird Buffet - Ceramic Plate Painting: Decorate a plate for the birds at Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet in this popular ceramic painting workshop. (Sat 11 Apr, various times, £7.50)

• Art at the Start: A messy, creative session at the Millennium Gallery specially designed for babies and toddlers under 3. (Wed 15 Apr, 12.30pm–2.30pm, Suggested donation £3)

• Baby Friendly Art Club: A relaxed art class at the Millennium Gallery for parents and carers with babies under 12 months. (Tue 21 Apr, 11am–12.30pm, £9)