Since 1977, May 18 has been celebrated as International Museum Day and, since then, there have always been offers for everyone on this day, from free admission to museums, activities for the whole family and guided tours of temporary and permanent exhibitions… all over the world.
This year, under the motto “Museums, Education and Research”, International Museum Day explores various themes such as providing and guaranteeing quality, inclusive and participatory lifelong education for all.
Let’s take a look at some of the new features already announced for this year, which you can mark in your calendar.
Table Of Contents
- Fernando Pessoa House
- Lisbon Museum
- Puppet Museum
- Bordalo Pinheiro Museum
- São Jorge Castle
- Carris Museum
- National Museum of Ancient Art
- National Museum of Natural History and Science
- National Coach Museum
- Calouste Gulbenkian Museum
- Ajuda National Palace
- Orient Museum
- National Museum of Contemporary Art (Museu do Chiado)
- MAAT
- Water Museum
- Medeiros e Almeida Museum
Fernando Pessoa House
On May 18, the entrance to the Fernando Pessoa House is completely free, but the programming it won’t stop here for another day this week.
Lisbon Museum
The Museum of Lisbon will celebrate International Museum Day with an unprecedented week of celebrations, culminating in a meeting on the conservation and restoration of industrial heritage, promoted by the Museum of Lisbon’s new museum area, the Milling Factory.
On day May 18, there will also be the traditional Baroque Ball at Museu de Lisboa – Palácio Pimenta, with access to workshops, games and staged visits in the same palace.
Puppet Museum
This year, the choice of things to do on International Museum Day is quite diverse, including guided tours, shows, book presentations and temporary exhibitions for the whole family.
And of course, the date is celebrated with free admission to the museum and a programming special throughout the month.
Bordalo Pinheiro Museum
On International Museum Day, the Bordalo Pinheiro Museum will host three days of Illustrated Book and Comic Book Fairs, talks, exhibitions, activities and much more programming for everyone.
The cultural offer is for three days, but free admission will only be available on May 18 and 19, which also includes food and drink.
São Jorge Castle
On May 18th the St. George’s Castle will celebrate another International Museum Day, with a programming there is a wide range of activities to suit all tastes, from guided tours to free workshops (only the entrance ticket is charged).
On May 18 and 19, the Castle will also host the dance show “Na Substância do Tempo” (In the Substance of Time) at 10pm, for which you’ll have to book your ticket.
The tours and activities are free for visitors, but admission to the Castle is paid.
Carris Museum
O Carris Museum will also join these celebrations with a programming special for May 18, International Museum Day, this time on the theme of the 25th anniversary of the Carris Museum.
Admission will also be free on this day, and you can’t miss the opening of Américos Simas’ new photography exhibition, “Invisible City”.
National Museum of Ancient Art
Entry to the National Museum of Ancient Art will be free between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on May 18.
On this day there is a whole programming interesting so you can plan this date to suit you.
National Museum of Natural History and Science
The National Museum of Natural History and Science has prepared a program special with guided tours, workshops, talks and much more, requiring only prior registration by emailing geral@museus.ulisboa.pt or call 21 392 18 08.
On this day, entry to the Museum, the Lisbon Botanical Garden and the Tropical Botanical Garden in Belém will be free!
National Coach Museum
The National Coach Museum will also be taking part in the day, with free admission, guided tours, games, gatherings, concerts and much more.
For two days, the National Coach Museum will present a vast and varied programming, promoting social participation and enabling the transformation of the museum into a social space.
Calouste Gulbenkian Museum
O Calouste Gulbenkian Museum celebrates International Museum Day with two days of visits, photography workshops, urban sketching, creative workshops, concerts, performances and lots of music.
These days, the program, entrance to the Gulbenkian Museum and all temporary exhibitions is free.
Ajuda National Palace
On May 18th, the Ajuda National Palace will be offering a programming very special to celebrate International Museum Day, with the party starting at 11am with “15 minutes with Luís da Camões”.
Orient Museum
On this special day, the Orient Museum also offers free admission to visit the various exhibitions, with special attention to those related to Japan, such as the “Japan: Parties and Rituals”.
A programming is very diverse and is designed for different types of audiences, especially family activities.
National Museum of Contemporary Art (Museu do Chiado)
This year, the Museu do Chiado will also be betting on a programming with special attention to the activity “Unveiling 2 contemporary painting supports”, which asks you to discover what the supports of the exhibited paintings hide.
But the day starts at 11.30 a.m. with a guided tour in partnership with APEDV – Associação Promotora de Emprego de Deficientes Visuais.
MAAT
To mark International Museum Day, the MAAT proposes a special program that includes yoga, visits and theater, among other proposals.
Of course, entry to the museum is free, as are most of the activities on offer.
Water Museum
The International Museum Day program at the Water Museum includes free admission:
- Águas Livres Aqueduct, from 10 a.m. to 5.30 p.m
- Address: Calçada da Quintinha 6
- Mãe d’Água das Amoreiras Reservoir, from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m
- Address: Amoreiras Garden 10
- Barbadinhos Steam Pumping Station, from 10 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from 1.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m
- Rua do Alviela 12
The Water Museum is also celebrating the European Night of Museums with immersive tours starting at the Patriarcal Reservoir (Príncipe Real Garden) and ending at the São Pedro de Alcântara Viewpoint, on the theme of the days leading up to April 25, 1974.
This tour must be booked by calling 218100215 or by e-mail mda.epal@adp.pt
Medeiros e Almeida Museum
On this day, the MMA is presenting the program “Conversas Arte & Ciência”, which is the result of a partnership between the Medeiros e Almeida Museum and IN2PAST – Associated Laboratory for Research and Innovation in Heritage, Arts, Sustainability and Territory.
The aim of this event is to highlight the new paths in museology that are combined with research produced in an academic environment, in the areas of Art History, Chemistry and Laboratory Analysis, in order to gain a more in-depth knowledge of collections , where various case studies will be presented.
