Starting this weekend, May 16 and 17, the celebrations for International Museum Day begin , with free events ranging from an authentic Baroque ball to concerts, as well as many other cultural activities throughout the city.
Every year on May 18, International Museum Day is celebrated, and once again, the International Council of Museums (ICOM)’s suggestion is very clear: use and take advantage of cultural spaces to bring people together around culture and art.
That is why EGEAC – Lisboa Cultura and other cultural organizations have announced very comprehensive schedules, with free admission and a variety of offerings; that is precisely what we are going to show you below, tailored to the different interests you may have.
Music and performances
Baroque Ball at Palácio Pimenta: Saturday, May 16
The first of our highlights goes to the Baroque Ball at Palácio Pimenta: it takes place on Saturday, May 16, transforming this palace into the setting for an authentic period ball, under the guidance of a dance master, with the audience being challenged to dance and relive the atmosphere of the court. Acrobatics , music, games, food, and drinks are also part of this event.
Tribute to Carlos Paredes at the Fado Museum: Saturday, May 16
The exhibition “Variations for Carlos Paredes” takes on a new dimension with a guided tour led by curator António Manuel Nunes at the Fado Museum. The event concludes with live music featuring Ricardo Parreira and João Filipe. Admission is free, but advance registration is required via email at comunicacao@museudofado.pt.
Fado with Aldina Duarte at Casa Fernando Pessoa: Sunday, May 17
Starting at 6 p.m., Casa Fernando Pessoa welcomes one of today’s great voices, Aldina Duarte, who takes the stage in a performance conceived as a tribute to life and silence, accompanied by Pedro Amendoeira on the Portuguese guitar and João Filipe on the viola.
Chords of Peace at the National Coach Museum: Sunday, May 17
In a celebration where vocal harmony meets historical heritage, the National Coach Museum is preparing to host the event “Chords of Peace.” The highlight of this cultural afternoon is the performance by the ViVa Voz Choir at 4 p.m., a musical group formed by former students of the Liceu de Oeiras, which promises to fill one of Portugal’s most visited museums with voices rich in history and emotion.
Exhibitions and workshops
Interactive weekend at MUDE: Saturday and Sunday, May 16 and 17
The newly renovated MUDE – Design Museum is offering free admission all weekend, with an unconventional program featuring guided tours, talks, and a series of workshops designed for families, dedicated to crochet, photography, screen printing, and storytelling.
Exhibition opening at the Monument to the Discoveries: Sunday, May 17
“PADRÃO. Casa-Obsessão” is the name of the exhibition that will open at the Monument to the Discoveries, dedicated to visual representations of the monument since 1940.
Around the World at the Puppet Museum: Saturday and Sunday, May 16 and 17
The Puppet Museum offers a guided tour of its long-term exhibition, and on Sunday, creativity takes shape in a workshop in the cloister, where each participant is invited to build their own puppet using simple materials.
Immersive experiences at MACAM – Armando Martins Museum of Contemporary Art: May 17 and 18
During these days, the museum transforms into a stage for immersive experiences that go far beyond the passive observation of works of art. The program stands out for the uniqueness of its offerings: visitors will be able to participate in guided tours of the museum’s storage areas, gaining a privileged behind-the-scenes look at conservation efforts, and engaging in direct conversations with curators. To democratize access to culture, the museum offers free admission at strategic times: on Sunday (the 17th), between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., and on Monday (the 18th), all day (from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.) . The full program is available on the website.
Printmaking at the Júlio Pomar Studio-Museum: Saturday and Monday, May 16 and 18
The courtyard of the Júlio Pomar Studio-Museum transforms into a workshop, challenging visitors to print cloth bags with Júlio Pomar’s shapes and colors. On Monday, the space will exceptionally open its doors for a visit that intertwines the artist’s work with the building’s unique architecture, designed by Álvaro Siza Vieira.
The 150th Anniversary of Zé Povinho at the Bordalo Pinheiro Museum: Monday, May 18
The Bordalo Pinheiro Museum will host two special tours: at 2:30 p.m., the curatorial narrative of the permanent exhibition will be deconstructed by curators Mariana Roquette Teixeira and Pedro Bebiano Braga; and at 4:00 p.m., a guided tour of the exhibition “Toma!”, which celebrates the century and a half of life of the most iconic character in Portuguese satire, Zé Povinho, led by João Alpuim Botelho and Jorge Silva.
Resistance Archives at the Aljube Museum
At the “Museum of the Resistance , ” you can visit, free of charge, two temporary exhibitions rich in historical significance: “They Were Afraid, Yet They Went” and “Before Independence Came, There Was a Struggle for Liberation.” The first focuses on resistance to the dictatorship from a female perspective; the second marks the 50th anniversary of independence through the museum’s collection.
Multisensory experiences at the Royal Treasury Museum: May 17 and 18
This institution invites the public to smell, touch, and taste history through the temporary exhibition “From the Garden to the Throne: Botany in the Royal Treasury.” To mark the occasion on May 18, the museum is launching an enticing “two-for-one” ticket campaign. The initiative offers a fascinating journey through the ancient trade and diplomatic routes that brought teas, cocoa, spices, and tobacco to European courts, shaping symbols of luxury and monarchical power. During the commemorative weekend, the stories come to life: guided tours include the opportunity to sample infusions inspired by the botanical world of the exhibition. More details on the website.
European Night of Museums
If you’re someone who prefers to experience culture outside of the usual hours, the celebrations continue after work hours the following weekend, on May 23, from 6:00 PM to midnight.
One of the events will take place at the Lisbon Museum – Roman Theater, which marks this date with three tours of this archaeological site, highlighting the wealth found beneath Lisbon’s streets.
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