What Exhibitions and Events Are on at Imperial War Museums?

Imperial War Museums (IWM) lists its current and upcoming programme under the "What's On" section of iwm.org.uk, covering tours, talks, immersive experiences, exhibitions and festivals across its five sites. The listings shown on the site include Childhood in War at IWM London (31 July 2026 to 28 February 2027), Pressure: The D-Day Decision on board HMS Belfast (21 August 2026 to 11 April 2027), and a Fireworks Night at IWM Duxford (5 November 2026). Because dates and venues differ by site, the reliable way to plan a visit is to check the What's On pages for the specific museum you intend to visit.

The five IWM sites

IWM's programme is spread across five locations, and each has its own events calendar:

A single exhibition or event is tied to one site, so confirm the venue before booking travel. For example, Pressure: The D-Day Decision is presented on board HMS Belfast rather than at IWM London.

What kinds of things are on

The site describes its events as ranging "from tours and talks to immersive experiences," alongside temporary exhibitions and larger festival-style events. In practice this means you can choose a format that suits your interests and time:

• Exhibitions — themed, date-bound displays such as Childhood in War and Pressure: The D-Day Decision.
• Tours and talks — scheduled sessions that add interpretation to the collections.
• Immersive experiences — presented as part of the events programme.
• Festivals and seasonal events — for example, the Fireworks Night at IWM Duxford.

Example: Pressure: The D-Day Decision

This exhibition, running on HMS Belfast from 21 August 2026 to 11 April 2027, is described as exploring "the forecast that shaped D-Day." It is a useful example of how IWM pairs a specific historical decision with the site where it is told — the ship itself.

Example: Childhood in War

Running at IWM London from 31 July 2026 to 28 February 2027, this exhibition focuses on children's experiences of conflict, consistent with IWM's stated aim of telling "personal stories and experiences of conflict."

How to check what's on before you go

1. Go to iwm.org.uk and open the What's On section.
2. Filter or browse by the site you plan to visit (IWM London, Churchill War Rooms, HMS Belfast, IWM North or IWM Duxford).
3. Note the dates and venue for anything you want to see — these vary by site and event.
4. Check the individual event page for any details on how to attend, since formats differ between talks, tours and festivals.

The site does not publish pricing or booking terms in the material available here, so treat any cost or access question as something to confirm on the specific event page rather than assume.

Related ways to engage beyond the calendar

If your interest is broader than a single exhibition, the site also points to:

• The online shop — books, prints and gifts inspired by IWM's collections, with purchases supporting the museum.
• Volunteering — IWM describes itself as a volunteer-involving organisation with over 1,000 volunteers across its five sites.
• Membership — benefits listed include free standard admission to Churchill War Rooms, HMS Belfast and IWM Duxford.
• Donations — IWM is a charity and invites support to fund exhibitions and learning programmes.
• Newsletter sign-up — updates on collections, exhibitions, stories and events, with a 10% discount in the IWM shop mentioned for signing up.

For planning purposes, the What's On section remains the authoritative place to confirm what is running during your visit, since the programme changes by site and by date.