Dark Secrets Exhibition Brings Occult Artefacts and Cursed Objects to The Vaults in London
A major new exhibition exploring the occult, esotericism and supernatural history opens this autumn in London — and it promises to be one of the capital’s most immersive cultural events of the year.
Dark Secrets: The Esoteric Exhibition, running from 11 October 2025 to 31 May 2026 at The Vaults in Waterloo, showcases more than 1,000 rare and original artefacts from the hidden worlds of magic, ritual and the paranormal. Many of the items on display have never been seen by the public before.
Set across 27 themed rooms and 1,200 square metres of atmospheric underground space, the exhibition includes:
- Europe’s largest collection of cursed dolls, including the infamous “Weeping Doll”
- Original artefacts from Aleister Crowley, including his ceremonial staff and Thoth Tarot
- Rare ritual manuscripts and sacred objects from global esoteric traditions
- A full 1620 edition of the Malleus Maleficarum, the notorious witch-hunting manual
- A Dybbuk box, believed in Jewish folklore to house a malevolent spirit
- Voodoo fetishes, Tibetan skull cups (kapalas), and a 19th-century vampire-hunting kit
- Jimi Hendrix’s jacket, linked to the myth of the 27 Club
- Cursed sports memorabilia, including objects tied to strange sporting misfortunes
Curated by Italmostre — the Italian cultural producers behind London’s previous exhibition on serial killers, which drew over 120,000 visitors — Dark Secrets blends museum-quality curation with immersive storytelling. Each room is carefully designed to take visitors deep into different aspects of esoteric belief, folklore and the history of magic.
Unlike a haunted house attraction or sensationalised paranormal show, Dark Secrets adopts a critical and anthropological approach. The exhibition is built on extensive historical research and shines a light on how beliefs in magic, possession, and ritual have shaped societies — from medieval witch trials to modern pop culture.
The setting, The Vaults beneath Waterloo Station, adds to the experience. Known for hosting immersive theatre and alternative art, the venue’s shadowy tunnels and arched brick chambers enhance the show’s eerie, otherworldly atmosphere.
For accredited media, a press preview event will take place on 10 October. Highlights include a live Victorian-style séance led by forensic anthropologist Prof. Matteo Borrini, a world expert on exorcism and vampire burials.
Whether you’re drawn to spiritual history, dark folklore, or simply intrigued by the line between myth and truth, Dark Secrets offers a thought-provoking journey into the human fascination with the unseen.
Location: The Vaults, Waterloo, London
Dates: 11 October 2025 – 31 May 2026
Opening hours: Wed–Thu 12:00–19:30 | Fri–Sat 12:00–21:30 | Sun 12:00–19:30
Tickets:darksecretsexhibition.com/london
Elena Leo is the Culture & Lifestyle Editor of Ikon London Magazine.