5 Must-See Art Exhibitions in the Netherlands This Summer
Summer in the Netherlands isn’t just for beaches and bikes—it’s also the season of blockbuster exhibitions and hidden art gems. From Van Gogh reinterpretations to surrealist sculptures by the sea, this summer’s art calendar is bursting with bold ideas and visual wonder. Whether you’re a casual browser or a devoted museumgoer, these 5 must-see exhibitions should be at the top of your list.
🎨 1. Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience—Amsterdam
📍 Van Gogh Immersive Room, Westerpark
📅 Through September 2025
🎟️ From €15
Step inside Van Gogh’s swirling brushstrokes in this all-sensory, 360° digital exhibition. Hosted in a massive industrial space in Westerpark, this immersive journey offers projections, animations, and soundscapes that bring Vincent’s most famous works—and his emotional world—to life.
Why go?
- Instagram-worthy visuals
- Relaxed, seated experience (great for families too)
- New VR room: walk through Van Gogh’s Arles!
🧬 2. Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirror Rooms—Voorlinden Museum, Wassenaar
📍 Museum Voorlinden
📅 Through October 2025
🎟️ €19.50
Yayoi Kusama’s dazzling mirror rooms return to the Netherlands in a new setting: the tranquil, nature-wrapped Voorlinden Museum. Step into infinite repetition, light, and reflection in her most iconic installations. The museum’s leafy estate adds an extra layer of serenity.
Why go?
- Rare chance to see multiple Kusama rooms at once
- Beautiful location with sculpture gardens
- Timed entry keeps it uncrowded
👁️ 3. Surreal Worlds: Sculptures by the Sea – Beelden aan Zee, The Hague
📍 Museum Beelden aan Zee, Scheveningen
📅 Summer 2025 (through September)
🎟️ €16
Explore surrealist and dreamlike sculpture in this special summer exhibition at Beelden aan Zee, the only museum in the Netherlands focused entirely on sculpture. Think twisted bodies, strange creatures, and oversized forms—all in a museum hidden beneath the dunes of Scheveningen beach.
Why go?
- Outdoor and indoor artworks
- Sculptures that kids and adults can both enjoy
- Combine with a seaside stroll or dinner on the boulevard
🖼️ 4. Remix: Dutch Design Meets the Golden Age – Centraal Museum, Utrecht
📍 Centraal Museum
📅 June–September 2025
🎟️ €15
What happens when you remix the Golden Age with contemporary design? This clever exhibition pairs old masters with 21st-century designers in surprising and playful ways. It’s smart, stylish, and very Dutch—exploring the nation’s aesthetic DNA from Rembrandt to Rietveld and beyond.
Why go?
- Surprising combinations of old and new
- Great café and outdoor sculpture garden
- Near Utrecht's beautiful canals and boutiques
🏺 5. Egypt: Living Forever – Rijksmuseum van Oudheden, Leiden
📍 National Museum of Antiquities
📅 Through August 31, 2025
🎟️ €14
This stunning exhibition explores ancient Egyptian burial rituals, mummification, and the myth of eternal life. Featuring objects from the museum’s world-class collection and international loans, it’s a rich, educational experience that’s perfect for adults and teens alike.
Why go?
- Fascinating, well-curated narrative
- Interactive elements and reconstructions
- Close to Leiden’s botanical garden and canals
✨ Final Tip: Summer = Museumkaart Season
If you're planning to hit more than one of these exhibitions, consider getting a Museumkaart—you'll save money and have unlimited access to hundreds of Dutch museums, many of which are hosting summer-only events.