This Saturday, May 17, Europe comes alive with late-night culture. Night of Museums 2025 invites you to explore exhibitions, concerts, and performances across the continent, most of them free! Whether you’re into classical art, experimental installations, or just love the idea of exploring a museum at midnight, here’s where to be.
Athens, Greece
Experience history under the stars in one of the world’s oldest cities. Athens offers free entry to key archaeological museums, such as the National Archaeological Museum, with added performances, temporary exhibitions, and storytelling sessions. Expect atmospheric lighting and a crowd of night owls.
🔗 Program to be announced via local museum sites
Lisbon, Portugal
In Lisbon, more than 70 museums and cultural spaces join the celebration with interactive exhibitions, guided night tours, and family-friendly workshops. The National Tile Museum, the MAAT, and the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum all offer special access.
🔗 View Lisbon’s Program
Rome, Italy
Rome’s “Notte dei Musei” is a cultural marathon. Over 50 museums, including the Capitoline Museums and Galleria d’Arte Moderna, will be open until 1:00 a.m., many for just €1. Live music, dance, and theater events will transform traditional galleries into creative playgrounds.
🔗 View Rome’s Program
Turin, Italy
Turin’s museums, including the Museum of Cinema, Palazzo Madama, and the Museum of Oriental Art, will stay open late with free entry and special programs.
Notte dei Musei in Rome is a true cultural marathon. Over 50 museums, including the Capitoline Museums and the Gallery of Modern Art, will remain open until 1:00 a.m., many for just €1. Live music, dance, and theatrical performances will turn traditional galleries into creative spaces.
🔗 Turin Program
Bologna, Italy
In Bologna, museums will offer free entry and special evening events until midnight, including exhibitions and cultural programs.
🔗 Bologna Program
Madrid, Spain
Madrid offers a full day and night of celebration. From the Prado to smaller community museums, the city presents guided tours, open-air performances, and even silent discos in courtyards. Don’t miss the activities in Conde Duque Cultural Center and the Museo del Romanticismo.
🔗 Explore Madrid’s Program
Barcelona, Spain
From 7:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m., around 95 museums and cultural venues in Barcelona and its surroundings will offer free entry, along with concerts, light shows, and family-friendly workshops.
🔗 Barcelona Program
Paris, France
One of the biggest highlights of Night of Museums 2025 is Paris. France boasts over 3,400 participating institutions, with 214 venues in Paris alone. Doors open from 6:00 p.m. till midnight or later, with free entry. While it’s a great time to visit icons like the Louvre or Orsay, look beyond the big names: light-painting workshops, shadow theater you can join, and exclusive performances (like Gaël Faye with Rwandan intore dancers) are all on the menu.
🔗 Search Paris Events
Le Havre, France
In Le Havre, museums like the Graville Abbey and Hôtel Dubocage de Bléville will offer night tours, herbal teas, and temporary tattoos.
🔗 Le Havre Program
Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, France
The Faience Museum in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie will be open from 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., offering both self-guided and organized tours.
🔗 Moustiers-Sainte-Marie Program
Sofia, Bulgaria
Nearly 80 museums and galleries in Sofia will open their doors for free exhibitions, concerts, film screenings, and workshops. The event is organized by the French Institute in Bulgaria and the Sofia Municipality.
🔗 Sofia Program
Bucharest, Romania
Museums in Bucharest, including Art Safari, will be open from 12:00 p.m. to midnight, offering exhibitions, concerts, and special events.
🔗 Bucharest Program
Warsaw, Poland
Poland’s capital transforms into a cultural playground, with over 200 locations participating. Visitors can expect long lines at top museums, but hidden gems offer intimate experiences like behind-the-scenes tours or historical reenactments. Trams and buses will run special routes to help museum-hop across the city.
🔗 See Warsaw Program
Vilnius, Lithuania
Vilnius joins in with an eclectic lineup of museums, galleries, and theaters. Beyond free entry, events include torch-lit courtyard concerts, nighttime literary readings, and quirky exhibits like Soviet-era oddities and interactive folk-art corners.
🔗 Vilnius Event List
Valmiera, Latvia
The Valmiera Museum invites visitors to evening events from 6:00 p.m. to midnight, including exhibitions, workshops, and meet-the-maker sessions with local artisans.
🔗 Valmiera Program
Riga, Latvia
From the Latvian National Museum of Art to the Museum of Natural History, Riga’s institutions will offer extended hours, music sets, and themed storytelling for all ages. The city encourages walking tours between venues to enjoy its charming old town atmosphere by night.
🔗 Riga’s Program
Tallinn, Estonia
Today, May 17, Estonia is celebrating the 16th annual Night of Museums. This year’s theme is “Books in the Night.” Around 200 museums are participating, along with several churches and libraries that have prepared special programs.
Museum doors are open to visitors typically from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., with free admission or a symbolic fee of 1 €.
🔗 Tallinn Program
Can’t attend Night of Museums 2025 this weekend?
Some European cities host their own Museum Nights later in the year. Here’s a quick calendar to bookmark:
- Helsinki – August 14, 2025
- Berlin – August 30, 2025
- Zurich – September 6, 2025
- Oslo – September 12, 2025
- Vienna – October 4, 2025
- Copenhagen – October 10, 2025
- Brussels – October 18, 2025
- Munich – October 18, 2025
- Amsterdam – November 1, 2025
Each city offers a unique local flavor from Nordic minimalism to Central European grandeur.
What About North America?
While Canada doesn’t have an official Night of Museums, many cities celebrate International Museum Day (May 18) with free admission and special exhibits. In the USA, similar after-dark experiences pop up during May’s Museum Month and around Smithsonian Museum Day in the fall. Always check your local listings!
What About Other Countries?
While Europe celebrates the Night of Museums this Saturday, other countries host similar events on different dates:
- Canada – Participates in International Museum Day (May 18) with special events, but no formal “night” in most provinces. Check local museums.
- USA – Museums often hold evening events during Museum Month in May, especially around Memorial Day weekend.
- Australia – Many museums join International Museum Day, but night events are less centralized. Look for National Science Week (August) for similar vibes.
- Japan, Korea, and China – Special night events may be tied to museum anniversaries or cultural festivals throughout the year.
Whether you’re planning to be in Lisbon or Vilnius, Paris or Prague, Night of Museums 2025 is your chance to explore, play, and be inspired after dark. For more tips on how to make the most of events like this, check out our guide to smart travel planning.
Let us know where you’re going!
