The Wonders of Moominvalley at Ferens Art Gallery:
Step Into The Magic

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Posted 22nd May 2026

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Hull’s stunning Ferens Art Gallery is hosting a spectacular, interactive exhibition celebrating some of the most beloved characters in children’s literature: The Wonders of Moominvalley.

The Wonders of Moominvalley invites families and grownups to step into the enchanting world of the Moomins through a specially curated interactive exhibition, inspired by the stories and artwork of the Finnish writer, artist and illustrator Tove Jansson.

Running from Saturday 23rd May to Sunday 6th September 2026, this immersive exhibition honors the incredible creativity, warmth, and imagination of Finnish author and illustrator Tove Jansson.
Entry to the exhibition is completely free! It is the ultimate budget-friendly summer highlight for families across Yorkshire.

What to Expect at the Exhibition

The Wonders of Moominvalley is specially curated to be an immersive, hands-on experience where "little people can explore big feelings." Visitors of all ages can wander through beautifully crafted island installations that bring the whimsical landscapes of Moominvalley to life. Alongside these physical spaces, the gallery will showcase enchanting projections of Tove Jansson’s original fine art paintings, a history of the moomins through literature and media and her iconic, timeless illustrations.

But this isn’t just a look-and-see exhibition—it is packed with awesome interactive fun for families to experience together. Here is what your little adventurers can look forward to:

• Play: Play in Moominvalley: Step right into the stories! Kids can explore the moomin stories through immersive play
• Creative: From a colouring station to making your own Moomin themed stop-motion story.
• Dress Up: Become a Moomin or other character from the books and stories.
• Discovering Moods and Feelings: True to Tove Jansson's thoughtful storytelling, the exhibition features gentle interactive elements designed to help children discover and talk about different moods and big emotions in a safe, creative way.
• Cosy Storytime: Find a comfy spot to sit back and enjoy one of the Moomin stories.

For The Grown Up Fans

While the exhibition is designed to be a magical experience for children, it also offers plenty of delights for grown-up fans of the Moomins. The exhibition celebrates the incredible creativity and imagination of Tove Jansson, whose work has captivated readers of all ages for decades. Visitors can discover the history of the Moomin Stories in literature and other media, see other works of art and discover more on the life of their creator Tove Jansson.

More Moomin Fun at Ferens Art Gallery

Ferens Art Gallery has lined up a fantastic programme of family activity days, storytelling sessions, creative workshops, and theatrical events running throughout the summer.
Top Tip: While entry to the main exhibition is free and requires no booking, many of the extra events are ticketed and will sell out fast. Be sure to book in advance!

Here is a breakdown of what’s coming up:

1. Launch Day: Moomins Family Fun
   • When: Saturday 23rd May 2026, 11am – 3pm
   • Cost: FREE (Drop-in)
   • Kick off the half-term holidays by celebrating the exhibition’s opening day. Children can work with local artists to craft their own Moomin-themed mini dioramas, try their hand at whimsical nature printing, and listen to enchanting Moomin stories hosted by Hull Libraries.
2. Multi-Sensory Storytelling with Debutots
   • When: Friday 5th June 2026 (Sessions at 10:15am and 11:15am)
   • Cost: £6.50 per child (Booking essential, suitable for ages 1–5)
   • Perfect for toddlers, this interactive, multi-sensory dramatic play session takes inspiration from Jansson’s classic tales to help build confidence and spark early imaginations.
3. "Tove Jansson: The Moomins and More" Talk & Book Signing
   • When: Saturday 11th July 2026, 2pm – 3pm
   • Cost: £12 (Booking essential)
   • A fantastic afternoon event for older children, literature lovers, and art fans. This talk dives deep into the fascinating life of Tove Jansson (1914–2001) as a novelist, painter, and creator, followed by an exclusive book signing.
4. Creative Craft Workshops for Kids
   • Ferens Art Gallery is hosting several hands-on workshops led by professional artists and animators later in the summer. Tickets for these are £14.95 and booking is essential:
   • Indigo Moon Shadow Puppet Theatre (Wednesday 29th July): Learn traditional shadow-puppetry and build your own Moomin puppets.
   • My Pockets Animation Workshop (Tuesday 11th August): A brilliant stop-motion tech workshop where kids can expand on the exhibition's themes and animate their own short Moomin valley film.
   • Shadow Box Workshop with Alex Bennett (Wednesday 19th August): Create a beautiful, layered paper shadow-box landscape to take home.
5. Live Theatre: Mischief and Mystery in Moominvalley
   • When: Saturday 22nd August 2026 (11am and 2pm)
   • Cost: £10 (Booking essential, ideal for ages 3–7)
   • Acclaimed theatre company Get Lost and Found brings Moomintroll, Snufkin, and Little My to life using a mix of 2D rod puppets, life-sized 3D puppets, and an amazing pop-up book set. This gentle, immersive show features original music and interactive moments like playful indoor snowball fights and marshmallow toasting.

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Plan Your Visit to the Ferens Art Gallery

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• Cost: FREE
• Open Days: Daily
• Wonder of Moominvalley Exhibition: 23rd May to 6th September 2026
• Times: 10:30 am to 4:30 pm, except Sunday 11 am to 4 pm
• Location: Queen Victoria Square, Hull, HU1 3RA
• Dog: Assistance Dogs Only
• More Visitor Information: Find more detail on visiting Ferens Art Gallery Here