Here’s What’s On at The V&A Right Now
By
4 weeks ago
One of London's prettiest and most prestigious museums, the V&A always has an impressive roster of exhibitions
Here’s what to book and look forward to at the V&A over the coming months. Plus: don’t forget to pay a visit to the Young V&A which opened in summer 2023, encouraging visitors of all ages to play, imagine and design – and keep your eyes peeled for news about the incoming V&A East in Stratford.
What’s On At The V&A In 2025?
- Making Egypt: 15 February–2 November 2025, Young V&A
- Cartier: 12 April–16 November 2025, V&A South Kensington
- Design & Disability: 7 June 2025–15 February 2026, V&A South Kensington
- Marie Antoinette Style: 20 September 2025– 22 March 2026, V&A South Kensington
- The Music Is Black: A British Story: 2026 (dates TBC), V&A East
Set of nine photographic prints on aluminium, by Chant Avedissian, 1990. (© Victoria and Albert Museum, London)
Making Egypt
Budding Egyptologists will beg to return to Making Egypt, the Young V&A’s flagship exhibition right now. Drawing together art, design and pop culture, this exhibition whisks visitors away on a journey through the ancient past, exploring Egypt’s creativity, impact and relevance right through to the present day. Visitors will try to decipher hieroglyphs, discover messages communicated through colour, plus explore the making of objects that populated ancient Egypt.
Details: Making Egypt runs 15 February to 2 November 2025 at the Young V&A (Cambridge Heath Road, Bethnal Green, London E2 9PA). Tickets are £10pp.
Cartier
Cartier is an unparalleled force in the jewellery and watch industry – but how did it get here? Featuring more than 250 objects, Cartier – the very first UK exhibition delving into this world-famous jewellery house in 30 years – will trace the evolution of the Maison’s art, design and craftsmanship since the three grandsons of founder Louis-Francois set to create the first globally recognisable jewellery house at the turn of the 20th century. Fans of Cartier span royalty and aristocracy across the globe – as well as creatives from the world of cinema, music and fashion. Indeed, the exhibition will feature works lent by none other than His Majesty The King from the Royal Collection, alongside pieces from the V&A archives, Cartier’s archives, UK and international museums, and private collections. Read all about what to expect here.
Details: Cartier runs 12 April to 16 November 2025 at the V&A South Kensington (Cromwell Rd, London SW7 2RL). Tickets start from £27pp.
‘Rebirth’ Garments. Sandra Oviedo (a.k.a.) Colectivo Multipolar (Courtesy of Victoria and Albert Museum, London)
Design & Disability
Announced during the 2024 Paralympics, Design & Disability delves into the consideration of disability as a culture and an identity. Disabled, deaf and neurodiverse people and communities have always been important, radical contributors to design. Design and Disability will draw together design, art, architecture, fashion and photography from the 1940s to now to function as a celebration, an educational tool and a call to action, showcasing how design can be made more equitable, accessible and aim towards design justice.
Details: Design & Disability runs 7 June 2025 to 15 February 2026 at the V&A South Kensington (Cromwell Rd, London SW7 2RL). Tickets start from £16pp. Entry is free for disabled people and a companion.
Antoinetta, 2005 by Manolo Blahnik (Courtesy of Victoria and Albert Museum, London)
Marie Antoinette Style
Her legacy never fades: Marie Antionette is one of history’s most remembered style icons, and – following displays devoted to Chanel and Naomi Campbell – the V&A will delve into this historical figure in the UK’s first dedicated exhibition. A fashion icon amongst her contemporaries as well as to modern fashion lovers retrospectively, the dress and interiors modelled and adopted by the ill fated queen in the late 18th century would have a lasting influence on design, fashion, film and decorative arts, stretching 250 years to today – and beyond, we are sure. Marie Antoinette’s style has had countless revivals – but why are we so entranced by her style? The V&A exhibition will delve into this across objects and media, from gowns to audio visual installations, considering afresh the legacy of this complex figure whose style nevertheless beguiles us.
Details: Marie Antoinette Style runs 20 September 2025 to 22 March 2026 at the V&A South Kensington (Cromwell Rd, London SW7 2RL). Tickets start from £23pp.
‘Hi Tension’, 1979 (© Adrian Boot, urbanimage.tv)
The Music Is Black: A British Story
The first exhibition at the all-new V&A East Museum in Stratford will be an ode to Black British musicians. Celebrating 125 years of Black music in our country, The Music is Black will span Jazz, Reggae, 2 Tone, Drum & Bass, Trip Hop, Garage, Grime and more, telling the long-overdue story of Black excellence, struggle, resilience, and joy. Read all about what to expect here.
Details: The Music Is Black: A British Story is expected to open in 2026 at the V&A East Museum (East Bank, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London). Find out more at vam.ac.uk
The V&A (Getty Images)
Permanent Displays
The V&A is known for its eclectic collection of art (including ceramics, glass, textiles, costumes, silver, ironwork, jewellery, furniture, medieval objects, sculpture, prints and printmaking, drawings and photographs), housing over 2.27 million objects across 145 galleries, occupying a whopping 12.5 acres and spanning 5,000 years. Founded in 1852 and named after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, it is the world’s largest museum of applied arts, decorative arts and design.
Is It Free To Enter?
The V&A Museum is free to enter, although you have to purchase a ticket for most exhibitions.
EXPLORE
Visit vam.ac.uk for more information.
