In 2026, the British Library’s major exhibitions will explore the enchanting world of fairy tales and the incredible legacy of the most famous crime writer of all time. In the spring Fairy Tales will delve into the history of treasured stories from childhood and the heroes, villains and fantastical creatures that inhabit them (March to August). Next year marks the 50th anniversary of the death of beloved crime writer Agatha Christie, and in the autumn the Library will be exploring her life and impact on crime fiction through a major exhibition, that will include a number of items that have never been displayed before. (October to June 2027).
As part of the Library’s public programme in Leeds a free, family-friendly experiential space (February – May) inspired by the Library’s collection will introduce children to the wonders of literature through exploratory, imaginative and sensory play.
Fairy Tales
27 March – 23 August 2026
British Library, 96 Euston Road, London, NW1 2DB
Fairy Tales will explore the timeless world of fairy tales and how they continue to capture the imagination of children around the world, from Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella and Hansel and Gretel to Aladdin and Beauty and the Beast.
The exhibition will invite families to embark on a journey through the world of well-known stories and their iconic characters and settings, while discovering enchanted tales from across the world. Featuring interactive activities inspired by bedtime tales, Fairy Tales will delve into the key elements that have made these traditional tales so popular over the centuries, including magical creatures, mysterious woods, glamorous palaces and the ‘happy-ever-after' ending.
Children and their parents and carers will have an opportunity to rediscover together the heroes, tricksters, villains and fantastical creatures that inhabit the magical world of fairy tales through historic manuscripts, contemporary illustrations, pop-up books, costumes and puppets. Drawing on different versions of the stories, Fairy Tales will highlight how tales from Europe and beyond continue to be revisited and reinvented.
Presented items will range from original manuscripts to colourful illustrations, graphics and theatre costumes, showcasing retellings of classic fairy tales by Hans Christian Andersen, the Brothers Grimm and Charles Perrault as well as stories from India, China, Africa and North America.
Fairy Tales is supported by Wayland Games.
Agatha Christie
30 October 2026 – 20 June 2027
British Library, 96 Euston Road, London NW1 2DB with accompanying Living Knowledge Network displays at public libraries around the UK
In a major exhibition the British Library will explore the life and works of the best-selling novelist of all time, Agatha Christie.
Next year marks 100 years since the publication of The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, part of the Poirot series, it represented an innovation in crime writing and changed Christie’s career. The exhibition will explore not only the origins of her iconic fictional sleuths like Hercule Poirot, Miss Marple and other characters, but will also go behind the scenes to explore Christie's life, her travels, and her wide-ranging interests including archaeology and pharmacology.
Visitors will be able to gain an unprecedented insight into her writing process, through notebooks, personal letters, early manuscript drafts, and listen to her own dictaphone recordings. The exhibition will also include personal objects belonging to Christie, many of which provided direct inspiration for her stories.
The exhibition will also explore how Christie influenced crime writing, her experiences adapting her work for the stage, and the impact her books continue to have as they are revisited and reworked for a global audience.
Developed with support from Agatha Christie Limited and The Christie Archive Trust.
Accompanying the exhibition will be Living Knowledge Network displays and crime fiction events at public libraries around the UK.
Story Explorers
19 February – 31 May 2026
Leeds Central Library, Calverley Street, Leeds, LS1 3AB
Take a fantastical trip to the far reaches of outer space, the depths of the jungle and the bottom of the ocean floor in a free experience co-produced by the British Library and Leeds Libraries.
Created together with Leeds families, there’ll be lots of books, of course, but also intriguing objects, surprising sounds and exciting art – selected from and inspired by the collections of Leeds Libraries, Leeds Museums and Galleries, and the British Library.
Explore the unique role storytelling plays in cultures and communities in this free, family-friendly interactive space for children aged 2–9 and their families.
Supported by The BAND Trust and The Klein Family Foundation.
ENDS
Notes to editors
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