Helios Installation Lights Up Cardiff with Summer Events
12:26, 21 July 2026 | Updated 14:39, 21 July 2026
The sun has made a striking appearance in Cardiff as a new exhibition titled Helios opens at the National Museum Cardiff. This impressive seven-metre-wide sculpture, which features a detailed illuminated representation of the sun, will be on display until 31 August. Entry to this captivating installation is free, making it an attractive summertime outing for families throughout the school holidays.
Helios marks the return of artist Luke Jerram to the museum, following the successful exhibition of his previous work, Museum of the Moon, earlier this year. Jerram’s latest creation utilises intricate NASA imagery to deliver an immersive visual experience, offering a unique opportunity to engage with our solar system. “I used to visit the museum every weekend to gaze in wonder at the incredible art on display,” Jerram commented. He now sees it as a privilege to showcase his artwork at an institution that played a significant role in his artistic development during his education at Cardiff Metropolitan University.
Helios arrives shortly before a rare solar eclipse scheduled for 12 August, allowing visitors a timely chance to reconnect with the celestial body that sustains life on Earth. Accompanied by an immersive soundscape designed by Duncan Speakman and Sarah Anderson, the installation transforms the typically distant sun into an engaging experience for all ages.
Mared Maggs, the head of National Museum Cardiff, expressed her excitement about the new exhibition, stating, “Helios has a real sense of warmth and renewal and feels like the perfect way to welcome the summer months. It’s a brilliant, free experience for families during the school holidays.” There is hope that visitor figures during this exhibit will match those from the Museum of the Moon, which saw the busiest months for the museum since it opened in 1920.
The Helios installation measures seven metres in diameter, featuring high-resolution imagery of the sun’s surface, meticulously compiled using approximately 400,000 photographs taken by astrophotographer Dr Stuart Green and NASA observations. With professional guidance from solar scientist Professor Lucie Green of University College London, the sculpture is an intriguing blend of science and art.
In addition to the installation, the museum has planned an exciting summer programme aimed at families, including hands-on activities, special events, and opportunities to spark curiosity about the sun. A series of evening events designed for adults will also be available, providing a unique experience to engage with Helios.
Among these adult-oriented events is The Science of the Sun, taking place on 8 August, which features a mix of science, storytelling, and music led by science communicator Jon Chase. Families can also look forward to a Museum Sleepover Under Helios on 22 and 23 August, coinciding with the summer’s solar eclipse.
Another highlight of the summer schedule is the Solar Eclipse Late Night Opening on the day of the eclipse itself, offering visitors a special opportunity to experience Helios after hours. Additionally, wellness enthusiasts can join Sunset Yoga sessions with instructor Eleri Morgan from 24 July to 28 August, held under the glow of the installation.
For children, the Clore Discovery Centre will host various activities, such as summer trails and the chance to create their own solar eclipse viewer, ensuring entertainment throughout the break.
Helios is part of Haf o Hwyl (Summer of Fun), Amgueddfa Cymru’s seasonal programme of events spanning its seven national museums. As the installation remains in Cardiff until 31 August before embarking on an international tour, residents and visitors alike are invited to experience this remarkable moment in the sun.
Entry to the National Museum Cardiff is free, and all are encouraged to book in advance to receive updated information on summer events and activities. Further details can be found on the museum’s website at National Museum Cardiff.
