Freddie Mercury at the V&A: See 8 Iconic Looks for Free
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
If you’re looking for a free day out in London and have even a passing interest in Queen, there’s a new one worth adding to the diary. The Freddie Mercury | Splendid Things trail at the V&A will bring together eight looks worn by Freddie Mercury during some of the best-known moments of his career, and visiting the display won’t cost you anything. It opens at V&A South Kensington on the 24th of October 2026 and runs until the 17th of January 2027.
This fits particularly well with the free attractions and events I collect in my Cheap Days Out UK guide, because there isn’t a voucher to download or a discounted ticket to find. General admission to V&A South Kensington is free and the museum says visitors don’t need to book an entry ticket, although some separate exhibitions and events do charge.
What can you see on the free Freddie Mercury V&A trail?
The Freddie Mercury V&A trail will contain eight looks spread across six different locations within the museum’s permanent galleries. Rather than putting the outfits together in a single exhibition room, each stop has been created around a particular moment from Freddie’s career. The displays will also place his clothes alongside objects, architecture and collections already within the V&A.
One of the earliest outfits featured is a monochrome ensemble associated with an early Queen performance at Imperial College, which also appeared on the cover of Queen’s debut album. Visitors will also be able to see the Mercury Wing catsuit designed by Wendy de Smet, worn during the A Night at the Opera tour and associated with the Bohemian Rhapsody video.
These are pieces linked directly with some of the performances and imagery that helped establish Freddie’s stage persona.
Another major part of the trail is Freddie’s crown and cloak, designed by Diana Moseley and worn during Queen’s Magic Tour. The outfit was also worn for Freddie’s final stage appearance with Queen at Knebworth. Clothing from his solo career is included too, including the costume worn for the Made in Heaven music video.
Seven of the eight looks are being lent to the museum by Mary Austin, Freddie’s former fiancée and long-standing friend. Accessories and pieces from his personal wardrobe will also be included, giving the display a little more depth than a collection made entirely from stage costumes. The V&A says the trail has been designed by Tom Piper, with some locations using sound, lighting and theatrical staging around the clothes.
Is the Freddie Mercury V&A exhibition really free?
Yes, the main Freddie Mercury | Splendid Things trail is free to visit. The official V&A listing identifies the display as free, while the museum’s South Kensington visitor information confirms that general museum admission is free and you don’t need to book before visiting.
That means there aren’t actually any “free tickets” you need to claim for the trail. You can visit as part of normal admission to the museum, although I’d still check the V&A website shortly before travelling in case access arrangements or individual gallery openings change.
Separately ticketed exhibitions and events at the museum can carry a charge, so make sure you’re looking specifically at Freddie Mercury | Splendid Things when planning your visit.
When does Freddie Mercury | Splendid Things open?
Freddie Mercury | Splendid Things opens on Saturday the 24th of October 2026 and runs until Sunday the 17th of January 2027. The display forms part of celebrations marking what would have been Freddie Mercury’s 80th anniversary year.
Having almost three months to see it also means you don’t necessarily need to plan a dedicated trip as soon as it opens. If you’re going into London for Christmas shopping, another museum or a family day out during the school holidays, it could be added without increasing your attraction budget. That’s particularly useful when several people are travelling together, where paid London attractions can become expensive very quickly.
Where is the Freddie Mercury exhibition?
The trail is at V&A South Kensington on Cromwell Road, London, SW7 2RL. The nearest Underground station is South Kensington, which the museum puts at around a five-minute walk away, while Gloucester Road is around ten minutes on foot. The nearest step-free Underground option is Knightsbridge, at around a 14-minute walk.
The museum is currently open from 10am until 5.45pm each day, with Friday opening extended until 10pm, although some galleries close earlier. Those opening times could change, particularly around Christmas, so check the visitor page before making a special journey. The museum is closed from the 24th to the 26th of December.
Can you turn it into a completely free London day out?
You can certainly build the Freddie Mercury V&A trail into a much bigger free day in South Kensington. The V&A sits close to several other major museums, which is one reason this part of London works well when you want plenty to do without buying attraction tickets. I’ve included the V&A alongside other ideas in my guide to free and low-cost things to do with the family.
Planning several nearby attractions also saves you from spending half the day travelling from one side of London to another. If you’re taking children, bringing drinks and some food can help keep the cost of the day under control as well, particularly when the main activity itself costs £0. You can find more ideas like this in my main Cheap Days Out UK section.
If you’re visiting London around the same time, it’s also worth checking my guide to Open House Festival and its free London events. The dates and booking arrangements are different, but it’s another useful example of how much you can see in London without paying normal attraction prices.
Are all of the related Freddie Mercury events free?
No. The museum is planning additional activity connected with Freddie Mercury | Splendid Things, but the main free trail and separate paid events shouldn’t be confused. The V&A currently lists a Staging Freddie talk on the 23rd of October as a paid event, while the trail itself is explicitly listed as free.
That distinction is worth checking whenever you visit a museum offering free general admission. Permanent collections and displays can be free while temporary exhibitions, talks and special events have their own ticket prices. If your aim is a genuinely £0 attraction day, stick to the free trail and permanent galleries.
How to keep the rest of the day cheap
The attraction itself may cost nothing, but travel, food and impulse spending can still turn a free day into a surprisingly expensive one. If you’re travelling into London by train, compare your available fares before booking and check whether any cashback is available through JamDoughnut, TopCashback, Quidco or another cashback service you already use.
The same applies once you’re in London. Taking your own drinks and lunch gives you more control over the cost, while grouping attractions within walking distance can reduce the amount you spend moving around the capital. A free attraction works best as a cheap day out when the rest of the spending stays under control too.
If Freddie Mercury | Splendid Things is something you want to see, I’d bookmark the official V&A page now and check it again shortly before you travel. There’s no general admission ticket to secure, so you don’t need to rush to book a place, and the relatively long run gives you plenty of opportunities to fit it into another London trip.
FAQs
Is the Freddie Mercury exhibition at the V&A free?
Yes. Freddie Mercury | Splendid Things is a free trail across V&A South Kensington featuring eight looks from Freddie Mercury’s career. General museum admission is also free.
Do you need tickets for the Freddie Mercury V&A exhibition?
No. The V&A says you don’t need to book a general admission ticket, and Freddie Mercury | Splendid Things is listed as a free display. Separate paid exhibitions and events have their own ticketing arrangements.
When does the Freddie Mercury exhibition open?
The trail opens on the 24th of October and runs until the 17th of January. It will be displayed at six locations around the museum.
What Freddie Mercury costumes will be at the V&A?
The eight looks include Freddie’s crown and cloak, the Mercury Wing catsuit, an early Queen monochrome outfit and clothing connected with his solo career. Seven of the looks are being lent by Mary Austin.
Where is the Freddie Mercury V&A exhibition?
It’s at V&A South Kensington on Cromwell Road in London. South Kensington Underground station is around a five-minute walk from the museum.
