Rome Night of Museums 2026: special openings and program

On Saturday 23 May the Night of Museums lights up Rome with extended openings, performances and activities for all ages. The event gathers 70 cultural venues across the city—civic museums, institutes, academies and embassies—offering a rich evening program.

When and hours

• Date: Saturday, 23 May 2026
• General hours: from 20:00 on Saturday 23 to 02:00 on Sunday 24 May (last admission at 01:00)
• Opening moment: the evening starts in Piazza del Campidoglio with a performance by the Municipal Police Band at 19:30

Tickets and fares

• Symbolic fee for Civic Museums: €1 for residents of Rome and the Metropolitan City; €2 for non-residents
• Free entry for Roma MIC Card holders
• Some venues or activities (special exhibitions, Planetarium shows, guided bunker tours) may have separate fees and/or mandatory pre-sale

What to expect

The program includes about 150 events: concerts ranging from classical to jazz and electronic music, guided visits, theatre and dance performances, screenings and workshops. The lineup is designed to engage diverse audiences and showcase Rome’s cultural heritage.

Participating museums and venues (selected)

• Musei Capitolini
• Centrale Montemartini
• Mercati di Traiano – Museum of the Imperial Forums
• Museum of the Ara Pacis
• Museum of Rome and Museum of Rome in Trastevere
• Villa Torlonia museums (Casino Nobile, Casina delle Civette, Casino dei Principi, Serra Moresca)
• Civic Museum of Zoology
• Gallery of Modern Art
• Napoleonic Museum
• Pietro Canonica Museum at Villa Borghese
• Carlo Bilotti Museum – Villa Borghese Orangery
• Giovanni Barracco Museum of Ancient Sculpture
• Museum of the Forma Urbis

Free access and special appointments

• Free entry for all: Museum of the Roman Republic and Garibaldian Memory, Casal de’ Pazzi Museum and the Celio Archaeological Park
• Planetarium of Rome: shows available with mandatory pre-sale on the Planetarium website
• Guided visits to Villa Torlonia’s bunkers and air-raid shelters at a reduced fee with mandatory pre-sale

Practical tips

• Arrive early for popular events: seats and places for activities can be limited
• Check reservation or pre-sale requirements for specific shows and tours
• Note closing times: last admission is generally at 01:00

Night of Museums is an opportunity to explore Rome’s cultural sites under a different light: a wide, varied program tailored to different interests and ages.