Rome Prepares for its 16th ‘Night of Museums’ on May 23
Rome, Lazio, Italy – The Eternal City is gearing up for one of its most anticipated cultural events: the ‘Night of Museums,’ returning on Saturday, May 23, 2026. This marks the sixteenth edition of the initiative, which is also part of the wider ‘Nuit Européenne Des Musées’ circuit. The event transforms Rome into a vast open cultural space, with museums and iconic landmarks offering extended evening access and hosting vibrant live performances.
The ‘Night of Museums’ is promoted by Roma Capitale, in collaboration with the Department of Culture and the Capitoline Superintendence for Cultural Heritage, and organized by Zètema Progetto Cultura. It continues to be a pivotal moment in the city’s cultural calendar, attracting both residents and tourists.
Extraordinary Openings and Live Shows Until 2 AM
As per tradition, the Civic Museums and numerous other cultural venues across the city will remain open for extraordinary evening hours, from 8:00 PM until 2:00 AM, with the last admission at 1:00 AM. Beyond the unique opportunity for late-night visits, the public can partake in a diverse program of live events and performances. These events are carefully selected through the public call for proposals, ‘Notte dei Musei 2026’.
Interested entities, associations, and companies have until 12:00 PM on May 6, 2026, to submit their project proposals, thereby contributing to the creation of a broad and inclusive cultural offering for the city.
Smeriglio: “Culture is a Common Good”
Massimiliano Smeriglio, Councillor for Culture and Coordination of initiatives related to Holocaust Remembrance Day, emphasized the importance of the event. “The great transformation of Rome also passes through culture and initiatives like the ‘Night of Museums of Rome.’ This transformation involves Roman museum structures which, in these first months, have recorded a very significant number of visitors, testifying to the appreciation of Romans for the cultural proposal. It will also involve associations, entities, companies, and other subjects who will enrich the cultural opportunities for citizens. We are happy to confirm a cultural dissemination that mixes languages and aims to speak to everyone, because culture is a common good,” stated Smeriglio.
Key Museums and Cultural Spaces Involved
The 2026 edition will feature some of Rome’s most prominent cultural institutions. Among the participating venues are the historic Capitoline Museums and Centrale Montemartini, the Museum of the Ara Pacis, and the Markets of Trajan. The Museum of Rome and the Napoleonic Museum will also be open to the public.
Further enriching the program are the Museum of Rome in Trastevere, the Pietro Canonica Museum at Villa Borghese, the Museums of Villa Torlonia, the Carlo Bilotti Museum, the Giovanni Barracco Museum, and the Civic Museum of Zoology. The Museum of the Roman Republic and Garibaldian Memory, the Gallery of Modern Art, the Museum of Casal de’ Pazzi, and the Archaeological Park of the Celio will also participate, offering a comprehensive cultural experience across the city.
This widespread participation ensures that citizens and visitors alike will have ample opportunity to explore Rome’s rich history and vibrant contemporary culture in an engaging and accessible format.
Source: La Capitale
