Worcester’s cultural night-time offer is set for a unique addition this July as the Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum announces a special after-hours opening. On Friday 24th July, from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM, the museum will open its doors for a dedicated evening event centred around its major summer exhibition: 54321FAB!
Running from 4th July to 6th September 2026, the exhibition pays homage to mid-century pop culture and the much-loved 1960s TV shows of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson. Visitors will have an unprecedented opportunity to see screen-used, painstakingly restored original puppets, including Lady Penelope and Joe 90, alongside working replicas of the heroic Thunderbirds pilots. Iconic studio models of vehicles like Fireball XL5 and the Thunderbirds craft will also be on display, alongside original comic art and rare 1960s memorabilia.
The special after-hours event on 24th July brings this nostalgic world to life with a distinct social atmosphere. Designed to attract both local residents and regional visitors, the evening will feature live music performances and themed refreshments alongside the gallery displays. Attendees are even encouraged to embrace the theme with matching retro attire, creating an immersive experience within the historic building.
The initiative reflects a growing trend where cultural heritage sites utilise late-night openings to engage new audiences and stimulate the local leisure economy outside of standard operating hours.
“Events of this nature are incredibly valuable for Worcester’s evening economy,” said Worcester BID. “By transforming a traditional daytime asset into a vibrant night-time destination, Museums Worcestershire is providing a sophisticated alternative for Friday night footfall, benefiting the wider city centre ecosystem for wider demographics.”
Civic leaders have welcomed the initiative as an excellent example of creative programming that keeps Worcester’s high street active, engaging, and competitive into the evening.
Beyond the late-night event, a FAB programme of activities will run throughout the summer, including spotlight talks by leading illustrator Graham Bleathman and Marc Silk, the voice of Captain Wayne Rigby in Thunderbirds Are Go! The exhibition has been made possible with the support of Fanderson, the official Gerry and Sylvia Anderson Appreciation Society.
To find out more about the event, the exhibition, and the summer activity programme, visit www.museumsworcestershire.org.uk.
Spotlight Talk | Graham Bleathman – Master of the Cutaway + meet and greet | Saturday 18 July, 11am – 12noon. £10
Museum After Hours | 54321! ‘Standby for action, we are about to launch’ | Friday 24 July, 6.30 – 9pm. FREE
Spotlight Talk | Marc Silk – The Voice of Your Imagination + meet and greet | Saturday 1 August, 11am – 12noon. £10
Museum After Hours: FAB! ‘Anything can happen in the next half hour’ | Friday 21 August, 6.30 – 9pm. FREE
Spotlight Talk | Marc Silk – The Voice of Your Imagination + meet and greet | Saturday 29 August, 11am – 12noon. £10