This month of May is full of events and activities for all audiences. After the chulapeo, the donuts and the limoná of the Festivities of San Isidro and the opening of the municipal swimming pools the Night of the Museums, a festival celebrated in several European countries, is back.
On Saturday, several museums in the city will be open until midnight with free tickets. In addition, there will be activities such as concerts, workshops and all kinds of cultural events. This year’s theme is Museums for Education and Research, which underscores the critical role of cultural institutions in providing a holistic learning experience.
More museums with special programming
During the Night of the Museums most of the museums in Madrid open their doors and although there are many more activities this is our selection, so you know where to go.
Reina Sofia Museum
Free tickets at the Reina Sofia Museum until full capacity is reached during the Night of the Museums. And to warm up the atmosphere, on the 17th you can celebrate the Radio 3 party, live radio and concert marathon for 17 hours. Some of the invited artists are Mala Rodríguez, Pignoise, Sr. Chinarro, Dollar Selmouni or Sara Socas, among others. From 9:00 p.m. there will be electronic music with Radio 3 DJs.
Cerralbo Museum
Free all day on May 18. The last access will be at 8:00 p.m. and at 9:00 p.m. the doors will close. One of the activities offered is the Art in Stitches Workshop with limited seating capacity and for which prior registration is required through its web page.
Prado Museum
The Prado Museum will also offer a special program and will open its doors until midnight (00:30 h.). The ticket will be free for visitors who want to enjoy the collections of Spanish, Flemish and Italian paintings as well as several rooms dedicated to sculpture during the evening hours.
The Royal Collections Gallery
On May 16 and 17, the Royal Collections Gallery will open for the first time to the public the doors of its storerooms, where pieces from the Royal Collections are kept. Visits will be from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. on May 16 and from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on May 17. However, it will be necessary to fill out a form to gain access (while tickets last).
Activities for the whole family
During the Night of the Museums, activities and workshops are organized for families, in order to bring culture closer to children for free. We have prepared a selection of our favorite activities:
Archaeological Museum
The visit to the Archaeological Museum of Madrid will be free from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and there will be a special family program to bring a look at the past to the youngest members of the family. The activity is called When I grow up I want to be a potter it is for children between 8 and 12 years old and tickets must be booked in advance at the muse website o. Another free activity offered by the Archaeological Museum is a concert called “Anima errante Arte Sonando” free at 18:00 h. with ticket collection at the box office from one hour before the start.
Costume Museum
Free from 7:00 p.m. to 00:00 a.m. (last ticket at 11:30 p.m.), until full capacity is reached. The creative space offers a family activity in which you will have to create an explorer’s hat and an activity to classify animals and plants.
Planetarium
On May 18, the Madrid Planetarium will open its projection room free of charge. Invitations for the 11:00 a.m. sessions will be distributed starting at 10:00 a.m. “Chloe’s Heaven” tickets for the 12:00 noon session will be distributed starting at 11:00 am. “In Orbit with Lopez” and from 12:00 noon tickets will be available at the box office for the session “Polaris” session, from 1:00 p.m.
Other museums that will be open free of charge
The CaixaForum, the Railroad Museum, the National Museum of Natural Sciences or the Museum of America are other museums that will open their doors for free and will extend their usual hours to celebrate the day.