When do cinemas, galleries, museums and theatres open? Date venues reopen across UK in lockdown roadmap

Lockdown restrictions across the UK are continuing to slowly ease, but some may still be eagerly waiting to head to the cinema, wander around a museum or soak up the bright lights of the theatre.

But when do cinemas, museums, galleries and theatres open across the devolved nations?

Here’s what you need to know.

When will cinemas reopen?

Cinemas are set to reopen on 17 May in England, Wales and Scotland.

However, in Northern Ireland they are not due to reopen their doors until 24 May.

When will museums and galleries reopen?

In England, museums and galleries are set to reopen from 17 May.

Meanwhile in Scotland, museums and galleries were able to reopen from 26 April, but not all cultural buildings and exhibitions have opened their doors to the public yet, so it’s worth checking your local museum’s website before visiting.

In Wales, all indoor galleries and museums are set to reopen from 17 May, with those in Northern Ireland having to wait until 24 May until they can visit their favourite exhibition.

When will theatres reopen?

In England, as part of the Government's stage three of the easing of lockdown restrictions, theatres are set to reopen from 17 May.

In February, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in step three, in-person performances and sports can come back within limits, and that “theatres and concert halls can reopen their doors”.

In Scotland, theatres are set to reopen from 17 May, alongside concert halls, music venues and comedy clubs.

Cultural venues will be able to welcome back audiences of up to 100 from mid-May, as long as social distancing can be accommodated.

Outdoor events and festivals for up to 500 people will also be allowed from that date.

In Northern Ireland, theatres are set to reopen from 24 May.

What will happen in the UK from 21 June?

The Prime Minister announced in February that the Government hopes all social restrictions can be lifted by 21 June, which could include nightclubs being able to reopen and the limits on the size of weddings coming to an end.

However, this depends on numerous factors, including current Covid infection rates and the vaccination rollout programme.

Some ministers are also now hinting that the wearing of face masks and social distancing may continue beyond that point.

This is something which the head of the Oxford University vaccine group, Professor Andrew Pollard, recently reiterated, as he said that although he believes there will be the end of social distancing and the wearing of face masks in the future, there’s still a “long way to go”.

Prof Pollard said that given the current global wave of Covid-19, some restrictions are expected to remain in place for a while yet.

Speaking on BBC’s Andrew Marr Show, Prof Pollard said: “I think that there is a future with no social distancing and no more masks, but from a global perspective we’re still a long way from that.

“Here in the UK we’ve had remarkable success through the vaccine programme and that is getting closer to happening, but from a global perspective there’s such a long way to go.”