The V&A has unveiled its October to December 2026 programme across its London sites, and there is plenty for families. Highlights include Aardman-inspired half term workshops at Young V&A from Thursday 29 to Saturday 31 October, a free Freddie Mercury trail at V&A South Kensington from 24 October, and free Festive Fridays in the run-up to Christmas.
Many of the events are free, making the V&A a handy option for half term and the festive season in London.
October half term at Young V&A
Young V&A has two family workshops running from Thursday 29 to Saturday 31 October, both linked to its Aardman exhibition.
Clay Character (ages 5 to 11): families design their own characters in the playful style of Aardman Studios, with guidance from artist Nanami Takeuchi. Held in the Play Studio, tickets are £15.
Imaginary Film Poster (ages 7 to 14): children and their grown-ups explore museum objects and use them to design a poster for an imaginary animated film, helped by illustrator Lucia Vinti. This one is free and runs from 11am to 4pm.
Half term is also one of the last chances to see Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends, which closes on Sunday 8 November. The exhibition goes behind the scenes of stop motion animation, with more than 150 items including sketches, props, set models and storyboards from Wallace & Gromit, Chicken Run and Shaun the Sheep. Tickets are £12.50.
Can’t make half term? The free Family Design Challenge runs on the second Saturday of each month from 12pm to 4pm until March 2027, inviting families to solve, design and make together.
Free Freddie Mercury trail at V&A South Kensington
From Saturday 24 October, Freddie Mercury | Splendid Things puts eight looks worn by the Queen frontman on display around V&A South Kensington. Marking what would have been his 80th anniversary year, the trail spans outfits from music videos and legendary live performances. It is free and no ticket is needed.
On Saturday 7 November, the major new exhibition Constantinople to Istanbul: One City, Two Empires opens in Galleries 38 and 39. A UK first, it explores 1,600 years of art and design from landmarks including Hagia Sophia, Topkap? Palace and the Galata Tower. Tickets start at £25.
Fashion fans have until Sunday 8 November to catch Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art (£28 to £30), while the free Burberry Trench: Crafting an Icon display runs until 3 January 2027.
Festive Fridays at the V&A this Christmas
V&A South Kensington is opening late for Festive Fridays on 20 November and 4, 11 and 18 December. These free evenings bring pop-up performances, including the award-winning Rock Choir, plus seasonal drinks to buy and Christmas shopping across the museum’s three shops.
The Freddie Mercury trail and the Constantinople to Istanbul exhibition both stay open during Festive Fridays. On Fridays the museum is open until 10pm, though some galleries close after 5.45pm.
Free music nights at V&A East
Over in Stratford, V&A East Museum has extended its free upperground DJ nights, which run every Thursday from 6.30pm to 9.30pm until 17 December. Inspired by the exhibition The Music is Black: A British Story, the line-up includes DRYBABE, sweetestcape, Elijah, Crash Tracy and Ryan Lovell. Visitors can also explore the museum’s free Why We Make galleries and enjoy views across London from the top floor terrace.
On Thursday 12 November, BBC Introducing Live and BBC Radio 1Xtra host New Black British Sound x BBC Introducing, a free evening from 7pm to 9.30pm with a panel discussion led by Angelle Joseph and open mic sessions hosted by Theo Johnson. Registration is via the V&A website.
The Music is Black exhibition itself runs until 3 January 2027, with tickets priced £22.50 to £24.50. October is also the last chance to see V&A East’s free New Work commissions, including pieces by Es Devlin, Rene Mati?, Lawrence Lek and Carrie Mae Weems, which close on Sunday 18 October.
At nearby V&A East Storehouse on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the David Bowie Centre (£5) showcases 200 objects from the star’s archive across nine displays. The Storehouse is free to visit and open daily from 10am to 6pm, and until 10pm on Thursdays and Saturdays.
Know before you go
V&A South Kensington is on Cromwell Road, London SW7 2RL, and is open daily from 10am to 5.45pm, with late opening until 10pm on Fridays. V&A East Museum is at 107 Carpenters Road, London E20 2AR. General entry to the V&A sites is free, with charges for some exhibitions and workshops as listed above.
