V&A Exhibitions – Current Shows, Tickets and Future Plans

The Victoria and Albert Museum in South Kensington remains one of London’s most visited cultural destinations. As of May 2026, the museum is presenting a strong programme of exhibitions that span fashion history, Black British music, and family animation. With several major shows already open and more announced for later this year and into 2027, planning a visit requires knowing what is on now, what is coming soon, and how to secure tickets.

What exhibitions are on at the V&A now?

• The V&A is London’s top destination for fashion and decorative arts exhibitions, attracting over 3 million visitors annually.
• Schiaparelli is the V&A’s first UK exhibition on the designer, spanning nearly a century of influence across fashion, art, and perfume.
• Advance booking is strongly recommended for major exhibitions, as many sell out weeks in advance.
• V&A Membership offers unlimited free access to all paid exhibitions, often paying for itself after 2–3 visits.
• The Music is Black is the inaugural exhibition at the newly opened V&A East, marking a cultural milestone for the museum’s expansion.
• Rumors of a Marie Antoinette exhibition stem from the V&A’s strong collection of 18th-century French decorative arts, but no official dates have been announced.
• General admission to the V&A’s permanent collections remains free, making the museum accessible to all.

What are the upcoming V&A exhibitions in 2026 and 2027?

Beyond the three major shows currently open, the V&A has announced several more exhibitions for later in 2026 and early 2027. Rising Voices: Contemporary Art from Asia, Australia, and the Pacific is expected to open in summer 2026 at South Kensington, bringing diverse contemporary works to the Sainsbury Gallery after Schiaparelli closes. Another confirmed show is Enthoven Unboxed: 100 Years of Collecting Performance, a deep dive into the V&A’s performance arts collections, also slated for 2026.

What exhibitions are coming to the V&A in 2027?

The most significant development for 2027 is the reopening of the historic Fashion Gallery, which has been closed for redevelopment. The space, formerly known as Octagon Court, will reopen in spring 2027 as the Burberry Gallery following a £1 million redesign focused on accessibility and inclusivity. The new gallery will showcase more than five centuries of dress, including modern pieces worn by Elton John and Harry Styles. Beyond that, the V&A has not yet announced its full 2027 exhibition cycle, though some current shows may extend into that year.

How do I get tickets for V&A exhibitions in 2026?

Tickets for all current and upcoming exhibitions are available through the official V&A website. The primary booking page is the V&A What’s On page, where visitors can filter by date, venue, and exhibition type. For Schiaparelli, weekday tickets are £28 and weekend tickets are £30, with concessions available for students and seniors. Inside Aardman tickets are £12.50, and The Music is Black pricing is listed on the V&A site. Advance booking is essential — many exhibitions sell out, especially during school holidays and weekends.

What is the Schiaparelli exhibition at the V&A?

Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art is the headline exhibition of 2026 at the V&A. It is the first UK exhibition ever dedicated to Elsa Schiaparelli, the Italian-born designer who blurred the line between fashion and surrealist art. The show features more than 200 objects, including garments, accessories, jewelry, paintings, photographs, and sculptures. Works by Picasso, Cocteau, and Man Ray appear alongside Schiaparelli’s own creations. The exhibition also presents her perfumes, furniture, and archival material, offering a full view of her creative universe.

When does the Schiaparelli exhibition close?

The exhibition opened on 28 March 2026 and is scheduled to close on 8 or 9 November 2026, depending on the day of the week. That gives visitors roughly seven months to see the show. After it closes, the Sainsbury Gallery will be prepared for Rising Voices, which is expected to open in summer 2026 but may shift depending on the exact Schiaparelli end date.

Does the V&A have a Marie Antoinette or Cartier exhibition?

This question comes up frequently in search queries, and the answer requires some clarification. The V&A did hold a Marie Antoinette Style exhibition that ran from 20 September 2025 to 22 March 2026. That show has now closed, but its influence continues through related fashion displays in the museum’s permanent galleries. There is no current Marie Antoinette exhibition at the V&A, and no future edition has been officially confirmed, though the museum holds a strong collection of 18th-century French decorative arts that could support a future show.

As for Cartier, the V&A hosted a major exhibition titled Cartier in the 20th Century in 1997. In 2025, the museum presented a separate Cartier exhibition (12 April – 16 November 2025) focusing on jewelry and fashion. That show has also closed. As of May 2026, there is no active Cartier exhibition at the V&A, nor any announced plans for a new one. Search queries mentioning Cartier at the V&A likely refer to the 2025 show.

How do I get tickets and what are the benefits of V&A Membership?

Tickets for all paid exhibitions can be booked via the V&A What’s On page. Prices vary by exhibition: Schiaparelli costs £28 on weekdays and £30 on weekends, Inside Aardman costs £12.50, and The Music is Black is priced on the V&A site. Concessions are available for students, seniors, and families. The V&A also offers group and family deals. For Young V&A exhibitions, children’s tickets are often cheaper.

What are the benefits of V&A Membership?

V&A Membership, available via the V&A Membership page, provides unlimited free entry to all paid exhibitions, priority booking, and access to exclusive Member spaces and preview events. Members also receive a 10% discount at V&A shops. Membership can be purchased as a gift. For anyone planning to visit two or more paid exhibitions in a year, it typically pays for itself.

What exhibitions have recently closed and what is coming next?

Looking at the recent past helps contextualize the V&A’s exhibition strategy. The Cartier exhibition (April–November 2025), NAOMI: In Fashion (June 2024–April 2025), and Fragile Beauty (May 2024–January 2025) have all closed. These shows reinforced the V&A’s focus on fashion and photography. For the rest of 2026, the confirmed upcoming shows are Rising Voices: Contemporary Art from Asia, Australia, and the Pacific (summer 2026) and Enthoven Unboxed: 100 Years of Collecting Performance (2026). In spring 2027, the Burberry Gallery reopens, and potential extensions of The Music is Black and Inside Aardman are possible.

1. Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art — opened 28 March 2026, closes November 2026
2. The Music is Black: A British Story — opened 18 April 2026, ongoing into late 2026
3. Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends — opened 12 February 2026, closes 15 November 2026
4. Rising Voices: Contemporary Art from Asia, Australia, and the Pacific — summer 2026 (TBC)
5. Enthoven Unboxed: 100 Years of Collecting Performance — 2026 (TBC)
6. Burberry Gallery reopening — spring 2027

What is confirmed and what remains uncertain about future V&A exhibitions?

Why does the V&A focus so strongly on fashion and decorative arts exhibitions?

The V&A’s exhibition programme consistently aligns with major cultural milestones and anniversaries. Shows like Schiaparelli, Dior, Christian Louboutin, and NAOMI are not random — they reflect the museum’s deep collection strength in fashion and decorative arts. The V&A holds one of the world’s most comprehensive fashion collections, and its exhibitions function as both scholarly contributions and tourism drivers. Fashion exhibitions are a major draw for international visitors to London, and the revenue from ticket sales and Membership helps fund the museum’s free general admission policy. Competition for exhibition space and dates is high, and announcements often coincide with fashion weeks or museum industry conferences.

What do the sources say about the V&A’s exhibition programme?

“Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art is the UK’s first exhibition dedicated to the visionary designer Elsa Schiaparelli, showcasing her work from the 1920s to today.”

— V&A Official Press Release, Schiaparelli exhibition page

“Members enjoy unlimited free entry to all V&A exhibitions, priority booking, and exclusive events.”

— V&A Membership page

“This show cements the V&A’s reputation as the world’s leading museum of fashion.”

— The Guardian, Schiaparelli review

What are the best exhibitions in London right now and how does the V&A compare?

Within the V&A itself, the three must-see shows as of May 2026 are Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art for art-fashion crossover, The Music is Black: A British Story as a cultural milestone at the new V&A East, and Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends for families and animation fans. Across London, complementary exhibitions include Fairy Tales at the British Library and Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style at The King’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace. The V&A remains the leading venue for fashion and decorative arts exhibitions in the capital. For a complete overview of current and upcoming shows, the official V&A What’s On page is the most reliable source.

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