Long Night of Museums

The Long Night of Museums (German: Lange Nacht der Museen), or the Night of Museums, and, since 2005, the European Night of Museums,^[1] is a cultural event in which museums and cultural institutions remain open late into the night to introduce themselves to new potential patrons. Visitors are given a common entrance pass which grants them access to all exhibits as well as complimentary public transportation within the area.

The first Lange Nacht der Museen took place in Berlin in 1997.^[2] The concept was very well received. In 2005 the Council of Europe, UNESCO and the International Council of Museums joined to promote this event with the goal of improving access to culture.

Museum Night takes place on the third Saturday of May. Most recently in 2021, some 1200 museums in 120 cities throughout Europe, as well as other nations including Argentina and the Philippines, welcomed nearly 2 million visitors to their collections.