M+ CULTURE: 5 art Exhibitions to see this summer
Whether you’re squeezing in an hour between school drop-offs or planning a full day exploring with the family, London’s galleries offer something captivating this summer.
From the quiet dignity of Jean-François Millet’s rural scenes to the bold, thought-provoking works of Grayson Perry and the playful, dreamlike figures of Yoshitomo Nara, these five exhibitions prove that culture can be simple, enriching and wonderfully accessible.
1. Royal Academy Summer Exhibition 2025
Royal Academy of Arts | 17 June – 17 August
The one to return to each year. The RA’s open-submission show is a joyful jumble of work from emerging artists and household names, displayed and available to buy.
This year’s theme, Dialogues, explores how art sparks conversation across cultures and disciplines, curated by architect Farshid Moussavi.
If going with children take time to explore the Annenberg Courtyard outside, where a playful large-scale installation by Ryan Gander RA features five giant inflatable balls, each printed with surreal, childlike questions co-created with children to spark curiosity and conversation. Book here
2. Yoshitomo Nara
Hayward Gallery | 10 June – 31 August
Japanese artist Yoshitomo Nara brings a world of defiant, wide-eyed figures to the Southbank in this expansive exhibition of over 150 works.
Through paintings, sculpture and immersive installations, Nara explores protest, alienation and tenderness — all via deceptively childlike forms. It’s visually rich and emotionally layered, with plenty to intrigue both adults and children.
(Some works include written swearing and imagery such as smoking or weaponry — nothing gratuitous, but worth knowing in advance). Book here
3. Grayson Perry: Delusions of Grandeur
The Wallace Collection | until 26 October
Perry brings his signature mix of wit, craft, and emotional insight to this historic London townhouse.
His ceramics and tapestries sit alongside the museum’s more traditional treasures, poking fun at grandeur while celebrating it too. It’s clever, beautifully staged, and surprisingly moving. A brilliant one to see solo, ideally with time to wander upstairs afterwards. Book here
4. Textiles: The Art of Mankind
Fashion and Textile Museum | until 7 September
Tactile, global and deeply human this exhibition explores the role of textiles in storytelling and ceremony. Expect rare, fascinating objects from around the world including a mermaid-shaped fertility cloth from Panama as well as modern stitch projects that centre community and connection.
One to visit if you’re craving something slower, more grounded, and a little off the beaten path and older children who love craft may enjoy it too. Book here
5. Millet: Life on the Land
National Gallery | 7 August – 19 October
This major free exhibition celebrates Jean-François Millet, famed for his honest, unsentimental portrayals of rural 19th-century life.
Featuring iconic works like L’Angelus (1859), Millet’s paintings influenced artists such as Van Gogh, Degas, and Pissarro and he was one of the most important painters of the late 19th / early 20th century.
This is a fantastic opportunity to experience the timeless beauty and power of his paintings, whilst reflecting on how they are still relevant in the modern day. Book here