May's bank holidays across much of Europe offer a perfect excuse to explore cultural offerings. This week's highlights span from Oslo to London, with a mix of art, film, and music that reflects the continent's diverse creative pulse.
Exhibitions
Edvard Munch and the Chocolate Factory
When: Until 11 October 2026
Where: MUNCH, Oslo, Norway
Edvard Munch is globally known for his anguished figures, but a lesser-known chapter of his career reveals a passion for public art. In 1923, he became the first painter commissioned by a factory, creating vivid oil portraits for Freia, Norway's most popular chocolate brand. Many of these works depict women, who formed the majority of Freia's workforce, offering a window into a period of social transformation. The MUNCH museum expands on this with documentary and archival materials, contextualising Munch's canvases within broader industrial and cultural shifts. For more on European cultural events, see our weekly cultural roundup.
Jurassic Oceans: Monsters of the Deep
When: Until 3 January 2027
Where: Natural History Museum, London, UK
If you think modern marine life is intimidating, this exhibition will change your perspective. The Natural History Museum presents a colossal display of Jurassic ocean predators, from the razor-toothed pliosaur to the dolphin-like ichthyosaur and the mosasaur—often called the T. rex of the sea. Visitors can examine shark skin and marine crocodile fossils, coming face-to-face with some of Earth's most formidable ancient creatures. Given the popularity of such displays, tickets are expected to sell quickly. For a deeper dive into the exhibition's climate and educational angles, read our piece on London's Natural History Museum Dives Into Jurassic Oceans and Climate Lessons.
Bonus: Antony Gormley in Belgium
British sculptor Antony Gormley's exhibition Geestgrond opens at the Middelheim Museum in Antwerp, Belgium, from 23 May to 20 September 2026, featuring his distinctive human forms in dialogue with the landscape.
Film
Tuner
Where: Cinemas across Europe
When: 29 May
Leo Woodall (The White Lotus) and Dustin Hoffman (Rain Man) star in this indie crime thriller about a piano tuner with extraordinary hearing who stumbles into a robbery and uses his skills to crack safes. The film's rhythmic narrative echoes the tension of Sexy Beast and Baby Driver, offering a taut, original story that rewards attention. Whether reviews hit major or minor keys, it's a welcome addition to European cinema screens.
Spider-Noir
Where: Prime Video
When: 27 May
Nicolas Cage brings his signature intensity to Spider-Noir, a hardboiled reimagining of the Spider-Man mythos. Set in 1930s New York, Cage plays Ben Reily, an ageing private detective whose personal tragedy forces him to confront the city's corruption. Pulpy, moody, and unmistakably Cage, this series offers a fresh take on the superhero genre.
Bonus: Backrooms and Ponies
Backrooms, an adaptation of the online found-footage horror series, arrives in select cinemas on 29 May. It follows a therapist lost in a liminal office space—think Severance meets creepypasta. Meanwhile, Ponies, starring Emilia Clarke and Haley Lu Richardson as embassy secretaries entangled in CIA operations, is now streaming on Sky and NOW.
Music
Paul McCartney: The Boys of Dungeon Lane
When: 29 May
Paul McCartney releases his 18th solo album, an introspective blend of pop and rock exploring his childhood and relationships with former bandmates George Harrison and John Lennon. Ahead of Sam Mendes' Beatles biopic in 2028, the album offers a raw, intimate look at the band's pre-fame experiences. It's a must-listen for fans of European music history.
For those still catching up, the Venice Biennale and other European cultural highlights remain on offer.
