Blockbuster exhibitions in the North
Planning a cultural day out in the North of England? From a celebration of JMW Turner to immersive installations by contemporary artists, don't miss the biggest exhibitions open now.
Beyond its stunning scenery, the North of England has a vibrant creative landscape. Whether you're interested in contemporary art or history, learning about the most famous artists or discovering emerging stars, there's an exhibition on offer for every cultural appetite.
From visitor favourites such as Wakefield's Yorkshire Sculpture Park and Liverpool's Walker Art Gallery to historic places like Kendal's Abbot Hall and York's Castle Howard, a rolling programme of must-see exhibitions runs throughout the year.
Here's our guide to some of the biggest blockbuster exhibitions in the North open now.
Don't forget to pack your National Art Pass to get great benefits at every venue, and check out our full listings for more upcoming exhibitions.
Discover some of the best exhibitions in the North of England with an Art Pass
Marshmallow Laser Feast
Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of the oak tree. In this audiovisual installation commissioned by Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, artist collective Marshmallow Laser Feast have used innovative technologies to create a spectacular digital work that brings an ecosystem and its invisible networks to life.
Playing with Fire: Edmund de Waal and Axel Salto
Axel Salto was a pioneering 20th-century potter from Denmark who created expressive works inspired by organic forms. Don't miss this major exhibition dedicated to Salto at the Hepworth Wakefield. Curated by ceramicist and writer Edmund de Waal, the exhibition spotlights Salto's unique approach to their shared craft, and includes a new installation by de Waal that reveals how Salto continues to inspire his practice.
William Kentridge: The Pull of Gravity
Witness a historic first: a museum exhibition exclusively dedicated to William Kentridge's monumental sculptures outside of South Africa. Over 40 works go on display across the Underground Gallery and in the grounds of Yorkshire Sculpture Park, inspired by the artist's interest in puppetry, film and theatre props.
Facing the Past - Black Lancastrians. A Portrait Exhibition by Lela Harris
Through portraiture, self-taught artist Lela Harris reimagines six Black people connected to the transatlantic slave trade who lived in Lancaster during the 18th century. Harris has combed through archival material to produce visual records of these people who have been historically erased, crucially reminding us of their existence and humanity.