Current & upcoming exhibitions in The Hague’s museums 2026
- maxwell museums
- Dec 8, 2024
- 10 min read
Updated: Mar 15
The Hague is one of Europe's most unsung cities for museum lovers, art fans and history seekers. It's definitely not a city all about bureaucracy and government as many people assume.
From global masterpieces like Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring at the Mauritshuis, to the cutting-edge modern art collections at the Kunstmuseum, the city offers an extraordinary range of exhibitions year-round.
And I know this well. I'm updating this guide in March 2026, and I've visited the city four times in recent years to see what's on, including last summer. I've seen first hand the world-class exhibitions the Hague can host.
Whether you’re hunting for iconic artworks or contemporary photography, this guide will help you navigate what’s on right now and what’s coming soon. Updated regularly, it’s your go-to for planning a cultural visit to the Netherland's third-biggest city, but one of its highest-quality museum destinations.
Quick links for exhibitions in the Hague:
Exhibitions on now in The Hague in 2026
What’s on in The Hague right now? A lot, actually — and not just the usual suspects. This is your cheat sheet to the best current exhibitions in The Hague’s museums.
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Jan van der Vaart: For Jan and All | at Kunstmuseum Den Haag
Lovers of ceramics should head to Kunstmuseum Den Haag for an exhibition celebrating the most influential artist of post-war Dutch ceramics. Jan van der Vaart had a fifty-year career and was praised from all sides: critics, museums, government and collectors. With 150 objects on display, this major retrospective — titled Jan van der Vaart: For Jan and All and open now until 25 October 2026 — presents the full range of his output, from iconic products to unique art pieces.
BIRDS Curated by The Goldfinch & Simon Schama | at the Mauritshuis
One of the Mauritshuis' most famous paintings is Carel Fabritius’ 17th-century masterpiece The Goldfinch (which rose to even greater global fame after its central role in the 2013 eponymous novel by American author Donna Tartt). Now curators have put it at the heart of an exhibition that examines our relationship to birds. Expect paintings, sculptures, natural history exhibits, audiovisual installations, fashion and contemporary art, with the biggest names including Dame Tracey Emin, Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt and Holbein. And in a major coup, the exhibition is curated by prominent British historian and broadcaster Sir Simon Schama. BIRDS Curated by The Goldfinch & Simon Schama is now open at the Mauritshuis until 07 June 2026.
London Calling | at Kunstmuseum Den Haag
Some of the most famous British artists of the 20th century are now at Kunstmuseum Den Haag until 07 June 2026. Works by Francis Bacon, Lucian Freud, David Hockney, Paula Rego and more are on display, in an examination of postwar British painting, specifically the so-called 'School of London.' London Calling is a collaboration with Tate who have lent over 40 artworks to the show. The exhibition reveals how these well-known figures explored the human experience through a focus on the human form. It will also expand the canon of British figurative painting by showcasing the work of equally noteworthy but previously overlooked artists.
Reclining Figures | at Museum Beelden aan Zee
The image of a reclining figure is one of the most popular motifs in sculpture, and it's explored in this compact exhibition at Museum Beelden aan Zee. A highlight is a work by Henry Moore (on loan from the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam), who reinterpreted reclining figures to explore the complex relationship between the human body and the landscape. Visitors will also see work by Charlotte van Pallandt, Mimmo Paladino, Hans Op de Beeck and Urs Fischer. 14 sculptures are on display in Reclining Figures in total, and can be seen until 24 October 2026. Together they show how artists engage with established conventions, but also seek new ways to depict this familiar visual language.
Upcoming exhibitions in The Hague
If you're planning a cultural visit to The Hague at a later date, below you'll find a curated guide to the most exciting upcoming exhibitions in the city in 2026, including major art shows. Here's what I think you should look forward to.
Rui Chafes x Alberto Giacometti | at Museum Beelden aan Zee
Portuguese sculptor Rui Chafes was born the same year as Swiss artist Alberto Giacometti died — 1966. Exactly 60 years later, the two artists are brought together in an exhibition at the Hague's excellent sculpture museum by-the-sea. Both Chafes and Giacometti strive for a state of immateriality and transcendence, attempting to give form to the invisible. Visitors will encounter both artists side-by-side, to consider their common themes, yet subtle differences. Rui Chafes x Alberto Giacometti will run at Museum Beelden aan Zee from 26 June 2026 until 10 January 2027. This will be Rui Chafes’ first exhibition in the Netherlands.
Thyssen-Bornemisza & Mauritshuis: a love story between two museums | at the Mauritshuis
This is a rare exchange of treasures between two of Europe's great museums. 25 highlights from the permanent collections of the famous Thyssen-Bornemisza in Madrid will come to the Mauritshuis, while the same number go in the opposite direction. Thyssen-Bornemisza & Mauritshuis: a love story will open at the Mauritshuis on 15 October 2026 until 17 January 2027 and will features masterpieces by world famous painters, from Jan van Eyck, Albrecht Dürer and Lucas van Leyden to El Greco, Antonello da Messina Bronzino and Michael Sweerts. The selection in the Hague focuses on paintings with people in the leading role: from biblical and mythological scenes to a selection of stunning portraits.
Escher & Islamic Contemporary Culture | at Escher in The Palace
This exhibition examines the little known inspiration Islamic architecture and mosaic patterns had on the tessellations work of M.C. Escher. He made two visits to the medieval fortress and palace complex Alhambra in Granada, Spain which forms the starting point for his intensive research into tessellations. In Escher & Islamic Contemporary Culture — which runs at Escher in The Palace from 10 June until 01 November 2026 — visitors will bringing together Escher's work with that of 20 contemporary artists who also relate to Islamic cultural heritage in various ways. Many of the international works are being shown in the Netherlands for the first time.
Explore beyond the Hague?
For exhibitions you should see across the rest of the Netherlands in 2026, check out my guide here.
Best museums in The Hague
Don't worry if planning means you're not sure if you'll be in the Hague for these temporary exhibitions. The Hague's museums are some of Netherlands’ most impressive permanent sights and collections, so there's always something to see. Here are the museums that can be enjoyed year-round — and are some of my favourites.
The Mauritshuis
A miniature Dutch palace sitting on a vast lake in the heart of the Hague, the Mauritshuis museum is stunning before you even step inside. But once through the doors, it offers an even bigger wow factor. After an absolutely massive £24 million refurbishment in 2014, it's now a world-class museum fit for the 21st century. While Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring is the big draw, there are plenty of other Dutch masterpieces among its 250-strong art collection, including Rembrandt’s The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp and Carel Fabritius’s The Goldfinch.
Kunstmuseum Den Haag
The quirky and incredibly vast palace to twentieth century icons that is the Kunstmuseum is a must-visit for art-lovers. This huge art deco gallery is a short tram ride from the city centre, but once inside, every new gallery or turn of a corner reveals artworks by absolute masters. There's Monet, Picasso, Kandinsky, Sol Lewitt, Francis Bacon, Louise Bourgeois, Yayoi Kusama, Egon Schiele, Bridget Riley, Nam June Paik, Ann Veronica Janssens, plus many, many more. Just get lost in it all.
National Monument Oranjehotel
Stark, sombre and very moving, the Oranjehotel was a prison during World War II and is now a Dutch National Monument. Between 1940 and 1945, over 25,000 people were imprisoned here for interrogations and trials, locked up for actions the German occupiers considered crimes. The museum and exhibition spaces here now — including a single cell preserved just as it was in the 1940s — are a tribute to the resistance fighters who were imprisoned here by the Nazis.
Tips for visiting The Hague’s museums and exhibitions in 2025
1. Book tickets online in advance
To avoid long queues and guarantee entry, purchase tickets online before your visit. This is especially true for the Mauritshuis which gets a lot of tour groups and can get crowded. Buying your Mauritshuis tickets ahead ensures you're guaranteed entry including during peak times.
2. Visit midweek to avoid crowds
Plan your visit between Tuesday and Thursday for a quieter experience. The Mauritshuis tends to be less crowded in the afternoons, especially after 15:00 and on Thursday evenings.
3. Use the Museum Pass for savings
Consider the Museumkaart pass, which grants access to over 500 museums across the Netherlands, including many in The Hague. It costs €75 per year for adults and €39 for young people under 18 and children.
4. Visit after-hours with Museum Night
The annual Museum Night The Hague sees over 30 museums open their doors until 01:00 with special exhibitions and events. Keep your eyes peeled for the 2026 date. But the junior version — Museum Night Kids, where sixteen museums stay open late especially for children between 4 and 12 — will take place on Saturday, March 28 2026.
5. Check for renovations and temporary closures
Before planning your visit, verify if any museums are closed for renovations. For example, the Haags Historisch Museum is scheduled for refurbishment from late 2024 to spring 2027, so plan accordingly.
6. Combine museums with nearby attractions
Some museums are by other Hague landmarks or city destinations. The Mauritshuis for example is next to the Binnenhof parlianment building and the Hofvijver lake, while Museum Beelden aan Zee is seconds from the beach. Combining visits makes for an efficient cultural itinerary!
7. Use the Hague's public transport to save time
The Hague’s tram and bus network is fantastic, and is really convenient for reaching museums. Tram lines 1, 9, and 17 provide easy access to key cultural sites, and let's you explore the city along the way.
8. Explore lesser-known museums
Don’t miss smaller gems like the Museum Meermanno, which is the oldest book museum in the world, or the Louwman Museum, famous for its historic car collection. These offer unique insights beyond the major museums.
Where to stay near The Hague’s museums
The Hague has a wide range of hotels, but if you're planning a culture-focused trip, you'll likely want to be within walking distance of the city’s top museum the Mauritshuis, and then short tram rides to other cultural venues. Here's two hand-picked hotels I've stayed in myself on my travels.
Townhouse Hotel Den Haag | 6 minutes walk from The Mauritshuis
Clean, compact and cosy-chic, this hotel is perfect city-break accommodation. Townhouse is on a quiet cobbled street that's also within walking distance of the train station. It feels boutique and won't break the bank. Â
voco The Hague | 7 minutes walk from The Mauritshuis
A 1920s former bank building is now home to the warm and stylish voco The Hague. Its location is perfect — just a few minutes walk to the Mauritshuis and a tram stop right outside takes you to both Scheveningen and to the nearby city of Delft.
Past exhibitions in the Hague
The following exhibitions have now closed to the public. However, they demonstrate how world-class The Hague's exhibitions are. Browse this archive to see what’s recently been on show, or head back to the top of the page to find my current recommendations."
Ryan Gander x Edgar Degas: Pas de Deux [NOW CLOSED]
The Museum Beelden aan Zee hosted one of the world’s most-loved sculptures in this meaningful but amusing exhibition. Degas’ iconic sculpture La Petite Danseuse de Quatorze Ans — or The Little Fourteen-Year-Old Dancer — is one of the most recognizable sculptures of modern art. In Ryan Gander x Edgar Degas (which closed to the public on 04 January 2026) it was seen with over 20 other ballerina sculptures, all created by the British artist Ryan Gander. Instead of the 19th century’s air of poise, Gander places his teenage dancer in unexpected or everyday situations — one is even smoking. And often, she's paired with an ultramarine blue cube to add a splash of colour. It was the first time ever more than one of Gander's ballerinas have been displayed together. Explore Gander's modern twist on Degas in my interview with the exhibition's curator.
The Grand Tour: Destination Italy [NOW CLOSED]
Masterpieces from three of the UK’s most esteemed stately homes travelled to the Mauritshuis for this exhibition of a very British historical travel trend. Until it closed to the public on 04 January 2026, visitors were able to discover how — and why — young British aristocrats finished their education by spending years travelling through continental Europe. En route, they learned about art, architecture and culture, and collect artworks for their homes back in England. Many of those collected artworks featured here, with the Grand Tour exhibition displaying loans from Holkham Hall, Woburn Abbey and Burghley House.
Titanic & Fashion: The Last Dance [NOW CLOSED]
The revolutionary fashions of the 1910s are explored through the lens of the legacy of the Titanic. 15 original costumes from the 1997 Oscar-winning film are shown alongside never-before-seen historic garments and accessories from the Kunstmuseum Den Haag's collection to show that it was the decade when corsets were cast-off and visionary designers like Coco Chanel and Lucile redefined modern dress. Titanic & Fashion: The Last Dance — which runs until 25 January 2026 — also includes contemporary designers such as John Galliano for Maison Margiela, and Iris van Herpen to show how the 1910s and its fashion legacy has endured to today.