Barbie: The Exhibition opens in Glasgow this June
More than 250 objects spanning fashion, architecture and furniture will fill Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum when Barbie: The Exhibition makes its Scottish debut.
The all-ages exhibition runs from Saturday 13 June to Sunday 18 October 2026 at the museum on Argyle Street, Glasgow. Payment is required and tickets are on sale now, although Glasgow Life has not published the base admission prices in the supplied event information. Visitors planning a wider Glasgow itinerary can also consider a free GoMA exhibition.
Visitors should also allow for possible booking charges. E-tickets are free, while a £1.95 fulfilment fee is listed. Transaction charges are up to £1.50 online and up to £1.75 by phone; counter bookings carry no transaction charge. No exhibition opening time is specified, so visitors are advised to check the venue’s opening hours before travelling.
Read also: Drawing Inspiration opens free in Glasgow this September
More than 250 objects trace Barbie’s design story
The exhibition follows Barbie from her beginnings to the present day, examining how the doll and her surroundings have changed across almost seven decades. Clothing is only part of the display: architecture, furniture and Barbie’s many friends also feature among the objects.
Created through a collaboration between the Design Museum in London and Mattel, the exhibition is being hosted in Glasgow by Glasgow Life Museums. Its arrival at Kelvingrove marks the exhibition’s first presentation in Scotland.
The scale and range make it relevant to more than collectors. The event is open to all ages and is likely to appeal to families, design followers and visitors interested in how fashion, interiors and popular culture are represented through familiar objects.
Booking charges depend on how tickets are bought
Tickets can be purchased online, by telephone or at the box office. Phone bookings are available through 0141 353 8000, with lines open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Saturday, excluding bank holidays.
The published charges distinguish between ticket delivery and the method used to complete the transaction. Choosing an e-ticket avoids a delivery charge, while booking in person avoids the transaction fee. The underlying admission price should be checked during booking before payment is completed.
A cloakroom is also available for £2, payable in cash only. Capacity is limited to coats and small items; prams, buggies and bulky belongings cannot be stored.
Public transport may be easier than parking
Parking at Kelvingrove is limited because spaces on the west side of the building are closed. The car park has 58 spaces, including 10 for Blue Badge holders and two electric-vehicle charging spaces. Blue Badge parking is free without a time limit when a valid permit is displayed, and the designated spaces do not require advance booking.
Glasgow Life recommends public transport where possible. Kelvinhall Subway station is roughly half a mile from the museum, while Partick, Charing Cross and Exhibition Centre railway stations are around a mile away. Regular bus services stop outside Kelvingrove on Argyle Street, including First Bus routes 2, 3 and 77 and McGill’s service 17.
Step-free access and refreshments at Kelvingrove
Wheelchair users and visitors with prams can reach all public areas using the lifts. Accessible toilets are available on every floor, a hearing loop is installed, and guide and assistance dogs are welcome. An AccessAble guide, a venue floor plan and further accessibility information are available through the museum.
The lower-level KG Café offers table service, meals, sandwiches, drinks and home baking, with vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free choices available. The KG Coffee Shop in the main hall provides a more casual counter-service option, although seating can be limited when daytime events are taking place.
Visitors planning to attend between 13 June and 18 October can book now online, by phone or at the box office, checking the final admission price, applicable charges and museum opening hours before setting out.
Source: Glasgow Life Events
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Event dates, venue, booking charges and visitor facilities were drawn from Glasgow Life’s published event and venue information.
- Confirmed the exhibition runs from 13 June to 18 October 2026.
- Confirmed Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum as the venue.
- Separated the unpublished admission price from the listed fulfilment and transaction charg...
- Checked the published transport, parking and accessibility information.
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- Glasgow Life Events
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- 2026-08-17 16:31
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