Please note that on Friday 18 October the museum will close earlier at 17:00

Exhibition Relaxed Opening

Barbie: The Exhibition Relaxed Opening

Join us for a Relaxed Opening of Barbie®: The Exhibition, suitable for visitors with a neurodivergent profile, sensory processing differences, SEND, neurological conditions or anxiety and their families, companions and carers.

What to expect

Celebrating the 65th anniversary of the Barbie® brand, the exhibition features 180 dolls alongside a selection of Barbie’s Dreamhouses, outfits, accessories and promotional materials, which reflect changes in tastes, trends and expectations in wider society.

The Relaxed Opening allows you to visit with fewer people in the gallery, a more relaxed attitude towards noise and movement, and additional support.

Special adjustments will include:

• Ticket sales are limited to 50% capacity, so there will be far fewer people in the gallery than on other dates

• Our ‘Barbie: The Exhibition’ High Street Shop will be open to ticket holders from 18:00 – 20:00

• The museum’s café, Atrium shop, other exhibitions and displays will not be open during this event

• A small Chill Room will be available on Level -1, near the gallery entrance and exit

• A selection of tactile materials from the exhibition will be available to touch in the gallery foyer before and after visiting the exhibition

• Recommended time to see the exhibition is approximately 50 minutes

• More information about your visit will be sent via email, 4 days ahead of the event date to help you prepare for your visit

• A link to an online Sensory Map will also be included in the pre-visit email to all bookers

• A print copy of the Sensory Map will be available onsite during the Relaxed opening

Please note that a video description of entrance journey will be added to this page soon.

Scroll down this page for Booking information.

Sensory Map

You can download a PDF of our Sensory Map, which is a guide to sensory stimuli, access and amenities around the exhibition gallery. It is designed to give visitors an understanding of what to expect when visiting the exhibition.

Barbie: The Exhibition 2024 © Jo Underhill for the Design Museum

Book Online

Booking information

Adult tickets from £16.18

Concession/Student tickets from £12.12

Accompanying Carer ticket: Free

• Pre-booking is required as spaces are limited

• The gallery will start closing 15 minutes before the museum closes at 20:00. This will be a soft closure, with no loud announcements, and the staff (wearing denim aprons) will approach you with a communication card in use. This event is taking place after the regular opening times, which can be viewed in our Plan your visit page.

• Suitable Age: 12 +. Children under 16 must be accompanied by a responsible, ticket-holding adult

• Tickets are non-refundable. If you cannot make it to the event, please contact the team via the email bookings@designmuseum.org as soon as possible, and we will get in touch to exchange your ticket for another time.

• Please note that the museum cafe will not be open during this time, but there are many cafes and restaurants in the area.

• The museum's High Street Shop will be open until 20:00

Access information

For additional information about accessibility at the museum, including a digital version of the exhibition's Large Print Guide, please visit our Access page.

Getting to the museum

For directions to the museum, please see our Getting Here page.

The exhibition

Barbie®: The Exhibition

A major exhibition exploring the design evolution of one of the world’s most famous dolls: Barbie®. Journey into the Barbie universe to discover rare, unique and innovative dolls dating from 1959 to the present day.

Background image: Barbie: The Exhibition 2024 © Jo Underhill for the Design Museum