Barbie: The Exhibition opens in Glasgow on 13 June: key details

Name: Barbie: The Exhibition
Start: 2026-06-13
End: 2026-10-18
Location: Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

demoduck.co.uk editorial team 2026-08-16 18:25 3 min read

A brightly lit Barbie-themed storefront exterior in a Scottish street.

Barbie’s changing wardrobe will share gallery space with architecture, furniture and more than 250 objects when Barbie: The Exhibition opens in Glasgow. The exhibition runs from Saturday 13 June to Sunday 18 October 2026 at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum on Argyle Street.

Paid admission applies, and tickets are on sale through Glasgow Life. The event is open to all ages, although the listing does not provide a standard admission price or fixed daily start time. Visitors should check the museum’s opening hours when choosing a date.

Nearly 70 years of Barbie design in one exhibition

The exhibition follows the history and design of Barbie from its beginnings to the present day. Its scope extends beyond the dolls themselves, bringing together examples connected with fashion, architecture, furniture and Barbie’s circle of friends.

Created through a collaboration between the Design Museum in London and Mattel, the exhibition is making its Scottish debut at Kelvingrove. Glasgow Life Museums is hosting the show, which presents Barbie as a changing design object that has reflected different styles across almost seven decades.

Barbie: The Exhibition opens in Glasgow on 13 June: key details

The breadth of the collection gives visitors several ways into the subject. Those interested in fashion can follow changes in clothing and styling, while design-focused visitors can examine the objects, interiors and built environments associated with Barbie’s world. Its all-ages classification also makes it an option for family visits during the summer and early autumn.

Ticket fees depend on how visitors book

Glasgow Life states that tickets are available now. E-tickets carry no dispatch charge, while the published booking information lists a £1.95 fulfilment fee. Transaction charges can reach £1.50 for online purchases and £1.75 for telephone bookings; counter or in-person transactions carry no transaction charge.

The listing does not state the underlying admission price, so visitors should review the full cost during booking. Tickets can also be booked by calling the box office on 0141 353 8000. Its lines operate from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday, excluding bank holidays.

Public transport may be simpler than parking

Parking at Kelvingrove is currently limited because spaces on the west side of the building are closed. The museum 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 restriction when a valid permit is displayed, and the designated spaces do not need to be reserved.

Glasgow Life recommends public transport where possible. Kelvinhall is the nearest Subway station, approximately half a mile from the museum. Partick, Charing Cross and Exhibition Centre railway stations are each roughly a mile away, while buses serving Argyle Street include First Bus routes 2, 3 and 77 and McGill’s service 17.

Short-stay cycle shelters are available near the museum beside Kelvin Hall. Visitors driving to alternative parking at Bunhouse Road should allow for the possibility that it will be busy.

Step-free access, cloakroom limits and places to eat

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. Glasgow Life also directs visitors to an AccessAble guide and provides a Kelvingrove floor plan; documents can be requested in Braille or large print.

The cloakroom costs £2 in cash and accepts only coats and small items because capacity is limited. Prams, buggies and bulky belongings cannot be stored there.

Food and drinks are available at the lower-level KG Café and the counter-service KG Coffee Shop in the main hall. Both cater for vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free requirements, but operate on a walk-in basis. Before travelling, visitors should confirm museum opening hours and the final ticket total, then book online, in person or through the box office on 0141 353 8000.

Source: Glasgow Life Events

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Source check How this guide was checked

Event dates, venue information, booking charges and visitor facilities were taken from Glasgow Life’s published listing.

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