Rocket’s Guide to the Best Exhibitions this Spring and Summer
London’s exhibition calendar promises yet another captivating season ahead. At Rocket, we have an enduring love for the intersection of food and art, and celebrate a longstanding history of curating awe-inspiring events to complement some of the most sought-after exhibitions in the capital. With London’s art scene ever thriving, there is no shortage of meaningful exhibitions to explore, many hosted by our wonderful partner venues. Whether you’re seeking to peruse an exhibition or two for leisure or after inspiration for your next event, read on for our selection of standout exhibitions this season.
If you’re looking to plan an event inspired by any of these exhibitions, contact us at parties@rocketfood.com for a bespoke brochure with tailored menu ideas and creative inspiration.
Summer Exhibition 2025 at Royal Academy of Arts
17 June - 17 August 2025
The UK’s beloved annual art show returns, featuring an eclectic mix of contemporary works across various media, from painting and sculpture to film and architecture. The 2025 exhibition, coordinated by Farshid Moussavi RA, explores art’s power to foster dialogue and address societal concerns such as ecology, survival, and coexistence. Many pieces will be available for purchase, with proceeds supporting artists and the Royal Academy Schools.
José María Velasco: A View of Mexico at National Gallery
29 March – 17 August 2025
The first UK monographic exhibition dedicated to José María Velasco, Mexico’s most renowned 19th-century landscape painter. His works vividly depict the Valle de México during a period of industrial and social transformation, capturing both its natural beauty and rapid modernisation.
Oskar Reinhart Collection ‘Am Römerholz’ at The Courtauld Gallery
14 February – 26 May 2025
The Courtauld Gallery presents an extraordinary exhibition featuring Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces from the Oskar Reinhart Collection ‘Am Römerholz’—on display outside Switzerland for the first time. Highlights include works by Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, and Cezanne, as well as Goya’s Still Life with Three Salmon Steaks and Manet’s Au Café.
Edvard Munch Portraits at National Portrait Gallery
13 March - 15 June 2025
Edvard Munch, one of the greatest portraitists of the 19th and 20th centuries, consistently captured intimate portraits of family, friends, lovers, and fellow artists. This UK-first exhibition focuses on his portraiture, showcasing his energetic brushstrokes, bold colours, and psychological depth. Munch’s work reveals the human condition, blending personal observations with broader existential themes.
Splash! A Century of Swimming and Style at Design Museum
28 March – 17 August 2025
This major exhibition celebrates 100 years of swimming culture through fashion, sports, and architecture. Featuring over 200 objects—including Pamela Anderson’s Baywatch swimsuit and an early bikini—it explores the evolution of swimwear, the impact of design on aquatic performance, and the broader cultural significance of swimming.
Dress Codes at Kensington Palace
13 March – 30 November 2025
This exhibition explores the evolution of royal and court fashion, featuring rarely-seen garments worn by Queen Elizabeth II, Diana, Princess of Wales, and Princess Margaret. Dress Codes examines the influence of fashion in shaping identity and tradition while incorporating fresh perspectives from young designers.
Leigh Bowery! at Tate Modern
27 February - 31 August 2025
A vibrant retrospective of Leigh Bowery, a trailblazing artist, designer, and performer who defied conventions. From his impact on 1980s London nightlife to collaborations with figures like Lucian Freud and Alexander McQueen, this exhibition immerses visitors in his radical, boundary-pushing world.
Self-Made: Reshaping Identities at Foundling Museum
OPEN UNTIL 1 JUNE 2025
An exploration of identity through contemporary ceramics, Self-Made showcases works by leading artists who use clay to reflect personal and cultural narratives. This exhibition delves into themes of transformation, heritage, and self-creation, resonating with the Foundling Museum’s legacy of care and belonging.
The Indian Army at the Palace at Hampton Court Palace
Open until 28 September 2025
Discover the untold stories of Indian Army soldiers who camped at Hampton Court Palace for early 20th-century coronation celebrations and peace parades. Featuring rare objects, photographs, and personal accounts, this exhibition sheds light on their experiences and the public’s reaction to their presence.
The Story of Soldier Magazine at National Army Museum
4 February – 6 July 2025
Celebrating the 80th anniversary of Soldier, the British Army’s official magazine, this exhibition traces its history from its 1945 inception to its role in documenting military life today. A short film highlights key moments and the magazine’s impact over the decades.
Wildlife Photographer of the Year at Natural History Museum
Open until 29 June 2025
See the world through a new lens and experience the wonder of life on Earth through the world’s best wildlife photography. Celebrating its 60th year, this exhibition takes you on a visual journey through different environments, showcasing breathtaking images—from majestic predators on the hunt to stunning compositions. Discover the impact of human activities on nature and explore powerful stories of survival, fragility, and the delicate balance of life. Alongside the photography, soundscapes, films, and expert insights highlight the beauty and diversity of our planet and what we can do to protect it.
Versailles: Science and Splendour at Science Museum
Open until 21 April 2025
Explore how science played a crucial role in the grandeur of the Palace of Versailles. This exhibition transports visitors to the French royal court, showcasing extraordinary objects, from Louis XV’s rhinoceros to Marie Antoinette’s legendary watch. Learn about the scientific minds who shaped Versailles, including Madame du Coudray, who revolutionised midwifery in France.
Arpita Singh: Remembering at Serpentine North Gallery
20 March - 27 July 2025
Remembering is the first solo exhibition of Arpita Singh outside India, featuring key works selected in close collaboration with the artist from her prolific career spanning more than six decades. Singh’s paintings centre on her emotional and psychological state, drawing from Bengali folk art and Indian stories, interwoven with experiences of social upheaval and global conflict. The exhibition at Serpentine North traces Singh’s luminous works from the 1960s to recent years, showcasing her large-scale oil paintings as well as her more intimate watercolours and ink drawings.
Ed Atkins at Tate Britain
2 Apr – 25 Aug 2025
This career-spanning exhibition presents the first major UK showcase of Ed Atkins, known for his cutting-edge digital animations that explore intimacy, love, and loss. Atkins’ work, combining digital technology with traditional media like painting and embroidery, blurs the line between the virtual and the real, creating a deeply emotional and immersive experience.
Lives Less Ordinary: Working-Class Britain Re-seen at Two Temple Place
Open until 20 April 2025
This exhibition challenges traditional narratives of working-class life, celebrating creativity, resilience, and cultural identity through ceramics, film, painting, and photography. Featuring works from public collections and contemporary artists, it presents a rich and nuanced perspective on working-class experiences in Britain.
Grayson Perry: Delusions of Grandeur at The Wallace Collection
28 March 2025 - 26 October 2025
Sir Grayson Perry presents over 40 new works in the largest contemporary exhibition ever held at the Wallace Collection. Combining ceramics, tapestries, and digital art, Perry explores themes of craft, perfectionism, and artistic authenticity. The exhibition also highlights ‘outsider art’ and Perry’s reflections on gender, class, and the meaning of making art today.
Cartier at Victoria & Albert Museum
Opens April 2025
A dazzling exhibition featuring over 350 exquisite objects, from historic gemstones to iconic Cartier timepieces. Highlights include Princess Margaret’s rose brooch, the Maharaja of Patiala’s legendary necklace, and the world-renowned Panther bangle. This showcase celebrates Cartier’s legacy of craftsmanship and innovation.
At Rocket, we work with a variety of museums and galleries which provide a spectacular backdrop for dinners, parties, and events and offer the unique opportunity to include private views of these exhibitions. To find out more, please email parties@rocketfood.com or call 020 7622 2320