Archive · 27 Aug 2026
Freddie Mercury Exhibition Opens at London’s V&A Museum
The Victoria and Albert Museum in London is putting on an exhibition about Freddie Mercury.
It opens on 24 October, during the year he would have turned 80.
Visitors will see eight special costumes that he wore.
These include clothes from Queen performances and music videos.
One display includes the crown and cloak from his final stage appearance.
Mary Austin, who was a close friend of Mercury, lent seven of the costumes.
The exhibition will be arranged as a trail through the museum instead of one ordinary room.
It shows how clothing helped Mercury express his music, personality and creativity.
The V&A will display eight of Freddie Mercury’s iconic costumes from 24 October to 17 January 2027.
The exhibition marks what would have been Mercury’s 80th birthday.
Seven costumes were lent by Mary Austin, Mercury’s former fiancée and lifelong friend.
Highlights include Mercury’s 1986 crown and cloak, his “Mercury Wing” catsuit, and an early Queen performance outfit.
The trail-style exhibition explores Mercury’s artistic vision, fashion and life beyond the stage.
- Who
- The Victoria and Albert Museum, Freddie Mercury, Mary Austin and Queen are central to the exhibition.
- What
- The V&A is opening “Freddie Mercury/Splendid Things,” a trail displaying eight of Mercury’s costumes and exploring his artistic and fashion legacy.
- When
- The exhibition opens on 24 October and runs until 17 January 2027, marking what would have been Mercury’s 80th birthday.
- Where
- The exhibition will be held at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
- Why
- The museum aims to celebrate Mercury’s legacy and show how costumes shaped his performances, creative vision and self-expression.
- Exhibition
- Freddie Mercury/Splendid Things
- Venue
- Victoria and Albert Museum, London
- Opening date
- 24 October
- Closing date
- 17 January 2027
- Costumes displayed
- Eight
- Costume lender
- Mary Austin lent seven of the eight costumes
- Designer
- Tom Piper designed the exhibition trail