Exhibitions Events in Edinburgh in May 2025
Scroll down to view the events taking place in Edinburgh during May 2025, or use the filters to narrow down the results.
Events in Edinburgh
Maps: Memories from the Second World War
Through personal stories, photography and memorabilia, this exhibition at the National War Museum charts the creation and use of maps during the Second World War.
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Cold War Scotland
Exploring Scotland’s critical position on the frontline of the Cold War, a new exhibition will tell the stories of the Scots at the centre of this global conflict.
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Inked Up: Printmaking in Scotland
Inked Up: Printmaking in Scotland celebrates this versatile artform, presenting a selection of works from the City Art Centre’s permanent collection of fine art.
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Everlyn Nicodemus
Everlyn Nicodemus opens her first retrospective exhibition, at National Galleries of Scotland: Modern One in Edinburgh.
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Shining a Light: A History of Nursing Support Workers: Exhibition
Discover the fascinating history of nursing support work and celebrate the contribution that nursing support workers continue to make today.
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The Craft of Couture: Victor Edelstein designs for Anna Miller
This small display explores the work of fashion designer Victor Edelstein. A favourite of Princess Diana, Edelstein exemplifies the finest British fashion design of the 1980s.
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The Scottish Colourists: Radical Perspectives
Discover this groundbreaking exhibition in partnership with the Fleming Collection, which for the first time showcases the Scottish Colourists in the context of their European contemporaries.
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Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography
This exhibition at The Palace of Holyroodhouse, charts the evolution of royal portrait photography from the 1920s to the present day!
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Ian Hamilton Finlay
The centenary of celebrated Scottish artist Ian Hamilton Finlay (1925-2006) will be marked by a new, free display of his work at the National Galleries of Scotland: Modern.
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Snapshots: Gallery Short Talks
Join us on Thursdays at The Palace of Holyroodhouse for a short talk on one of the fascinating photographs in our exhibition Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography!
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Camila Ospina Gaitán: Unconquered Natures - Tropicalism
Camilla Ospina Gaitán’s new commission, at Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop, examines the logic of colonialism through the lens of orchid collection - an 18th and 19th-century practice.
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Postcards from Edinburgh - Simon Rivett
This exhibition, by Simon Rivett at Patriothall Gallery, features paintings that are playful, fun, affectionate reflections on Edinburgh’s residents and visitors.
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Confluence by Graeme Swanson
Graeme Swanson is an abstract visual artist and an art tutor based in Edinburgh and his exhibition 'Confluence' is showing at Wasps Patriothall.
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A Colourful Palette
The Snug at Hotel du Vin Edinburgh will be showcasing Gillian Henshaw’s delightfully colourful and joyful paintings until 31st August. All paintings are available to purchase.
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Work on Paper - Andrew Mackenzie
Leith School of Art is delighted to showcase work by Andrew Mackenzie in the exhibition 'Work on Paper', showing until 20th June.
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The World of King James VI and I
Marking the 400-year anniversary of King James’s death, this exhibition will chart his remarkable reign through stories of friendship, family, feuds and ambition.
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Nurture Through Nature with Children’s Books
Delve into the Museum of Childhood’s book collection and explore the links between wellbeing and nature introduced to us through books from an early age.
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Kate Bentley at Morningside Gallery: Two Worlds
Kate Bentley’s explorative nature and unique imagination has created a truly striking collection of paintings and they are showing at Morningside Gallery from 3rd to 18th May.
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Katharine Le Hardy :: Beneath the Trees
Katharine Le Hardy returns to &Gallery in May with an exciting new body of work for her solo presentation!
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Works in Progress
Works In Progress is an exhibition of collaborative artworks by students at the University of Edinburgh. Catch it at Whitespace from 9th to 15th May!
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Grid : Alan Chapman and Eleanor Symms
Grid is an exciting new works by painter and printmaker, Alan Chapman, and contemporary jeweller, Eleanor Symms at Coburg House Art Studios on Saturdays & Sundays from 10th to 18th May.
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Your Art World
Your Art World is a colourful exhibition, showcasing the artwork of creative 3–18-year-olds from across Scotland, at the National Galleries of Scotland: National.
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Falastin Film Festival: Exhibition: Nakba 77 - Palestine’s Depopulated Villages
A photographic documentation of the 500+ Palestinian villages across Mandatory Palestine that were depopulated during the Nakba in 1948 and subsequently destroyed by the Zionist settler state.
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Escape Velocity: Art Exhibition at Sett Studios
Artists Felicity Inkpen and Rory MacLeod present a cosmic art exhibition of music, mathematics and madness, through the lens of astrophysics and neuroscience at Sett Studios.
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THE SMALL PRINT Exhibition
THE SMALL PRINT is a new exhibition by artist Kerry Simms featuring a series of work developed during her two-month residency in the Out of the Blueprint studio in Spring 2025.
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Gretna 110 Exhibition
Curated by the Royal Scots Regimental Museum, the exhibition is designed to raise awareness of the 110th anniversary of the Quintinshill Rail Disaster where 216 members of the 7th Battalion died.
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Paint the World a Beautiful Place
'Paint the World a Beautiful Place' is an exhibition by Scottish painter Sue Tait, showing at Dundas Street Gallery from 23rd to 28th May.
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The Ascent of Man
This exhibition at The House of Smalls, showcases the artwork of 75 female artists, made in response to their feelings at the ever-increasing oppression, repression and suppression of women.
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Doug Cocker in Conversation
Join sculptor Doug Cocker at Dovecot on the opening day of his exhibition as he discusses this dynamic new body of work and the themes in his practice, past and present!
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Doug Cocker: Threads
Doug Cocker, one of Scotland’s leading sculptors, unveils a dynamic new body of work at Dovecot Studios in collaboration with The Scottish Gallery.
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The Arienas Collective Exhibition 2025: For Love or Money
Come along to The Arienas Collective Exhibition 'For Love or Money?' featuring the work of 8 Edinburgh artists, along with creative events!
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Woof! The Dog Show
Morningside Gallery is hosting a new exhibition of work from some of Scotland’s most notable contemporary artists, celebrating the joy, loyalty and character of dogs.
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Helter Skelter - Exhibition
Helter Skelter, the first solo exhibition by Leith-based artist, Pauly Pocket, is showing at Sett Studios from 30th May to 1st June.
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Hooked: 500 Years of Addiction
From heroin to gambling, from alcohol to love, explore the history of addiction at Hooked, an exhibition at the Physicians' Gallery.
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Architecture Reassembled: Ros Lawless & Charles Young
This exhibition at Upright Gallery brings together Ros Lawless & Charles Young, two artists whose interest lies in the built environment - both real and imagined.
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John Bellany: A Life in Self-Portraiture
John Bellany: A Life in Self-Portraiture captures the span of an extraordinary life and career, told through the lens of the artist’s own eyes and the words of the people who knew him best.
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Laleh Sherkat: Photographing Iran, 1984–1993
Craigmillar Now is hosting a Photography Exhibition on Iran, 1984–1993 by Iranian photographer Laleh Sherkat, focusing on the lives of women in Iran following the Islamic Revolution in 1979.
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WOOF! Children’s Exhibition
Morningside Gallery will exhibit work from some of the city’s youngest artists, showcasing the entries from a dog-themed drawing and painting competition.
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Exhibitions Events in East Renfrewshire
Exhibitions Events in Fife
Here's a selection of Exhibitions Events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Fife:
Yolandé Kenny : Watercolours of our Beautiful Fife Coast
Yolandé’ Kenny is back exhibiting at The Scottish Fisheries Museum this month with 'Watercolours of Our Beautiful Fife Coast' running daily until the 28th May.
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Buckhaven’s Hidden Harbour
Buckhaven’s Hidden Harbour was created by local P6 school children and explores the history of Buckhaven Harbour which was built in 1838.
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The Fife Show
Don’t miss The Fife Show on 24th May! It's a great day out for all the family but is still, first and foremost, a traditional agricultural Show.
READ MOREExhibitions Events in Glasgow
Here's a selection of Exhibitions Events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Glasgow:
I Like Things I Remember - An Exhibition by Jonathan McKinstry
Jonathan McKinstry's solo exhibition 'I like things I remember' is a collection of paintings inspired by childhood memories of fun, games, and tasty treats!
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Glasgow 850
2025 will be a big year for Glasgow as we celebrate the city's 850th birthday. It's a milestone and everyone who has or does call Glasgow home is invited to the party!
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From Pit To Pitch: A Story Of Coal Seams & Football Dreams
From Pit To Pitch: A Story Of Coal Seams & Football Dreams at the Scottish Football Museum explores the links between mining and football in Scotland.
READ MOREExhibitions Events in Lanarkshire
Here's a selection of Exhibitions Events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Lanarkshire:
Scottish Garden Festival
Whether you're a gardening enthusiast or simply looking for a fun and enriching outing, the Scottish Garden Festival promises a memorable experience for everyone!
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The Artful Codgers
The Artful Codgers Exhibition celebrates the work of three old pals – award winning artist, Jim Scullion, acclaimed actor and director Tony Roper and Scottish football legend, Danny McGrain.
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Summerlee Museum Model Railway Show
The annual Summerlee Model Railway Show is being held on Saturday 31st May and Sunday 1st June, come along and see model railway layouts, model vehicles and more!
READ MOREExhibitions Events in Renfrewshire and Inverclyde
Here's a selection of Exhibitions Events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Renfrewshire:
Micro Layouts Model Railway Show
Join Renfrewshire Model Railway Club, Cupar Model Railway Club and Leven Valley Trains for the Micro Layouts Model Railway Show on Saturday 22nd March!
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ACCORD Hospice Annual Art Exhibition
ACCORD Hospice's Annual Art Exhibition returns - bigger and better than ever before - bringing together the best local and national artists to celebrate all forms of art and creativity!
READ MOREExhibitions Events in Stirling
Here's a selection of Exhibitions Events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Stirling:
Smoke and Steel: The History of Scotland’s Railways
This exhibition at Stirling Castle charts the rise, decline and renewal of Scotland's railways.
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Milestones To Moments – Forth Valley Welcome Photography Exhibition
From Milestones to Moments: The New Scots Experience, a photography exhibition showing the experience of New Scots as they settled into Scotland.
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Home Turf, Stirling and the Shire: A Spring Exhibition
Discover Stirling through the eyes of local artist Iona Leishman as she exhibits her work within the historic Church of the Holy Rude!
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