On the night of Saturday, May 18, the most fantastic and majestic beings will come to life at the Casa dels Entremesos (Pl. Beates, 2); the melodies that for years were prohibited for political or religious reasons will be played again at the Museu de l’Art Prohibit (Diputació, 250); the labyrinth of columns, arches and mirrors built by Xavier Corberó will be illuminated in the historic center of Esplugues; and a journey through time will make it possible to tour the Roman Empire with the help of one of its protagonists at the Museu d’Arqueologia de Catalunya (P.º Santa Madrona, 39-41). Everything is possible during the Night of the Museums.
Once again, the only evening a year arrives in Barcelona in which the museum spaces of the city and its surroundings – there will be proposals in Badalona, Cornellà, Esplugues, l’Hospitalet, Sant Adrià, Santa Coloma and Sant Joan Despí – are illuminated to Reveal the magic that hides during the night. From seven in the afternoon until one in the morning, 87 institutions will together offer more than 170 activities including guided tours, comedy shows, performances, art workshops and musical shows.
The event coincides this year with International Museum Day (something that has not happened since 2019), so entry to Barcelona art centers will be free throughout the day. Only in some cases, for reasons of capacity or for the correct development of the activity, it will be necessary to reserve in advance through the La Nit dels Museus website.
This year there are four new spaces that will open their doors at night for the first time: the Museu Terra, a cultural center that invites the public to reflect on sustainable social transformation from the rural world; the Center Martorell d’Expositions, which houses two exhibitions dedicated to science and nature; the Museu de l’Art Prohibit, the first and only collection of censored art in the world; and the Roman Wall, which is part of the Barcelona Archaeological Service.
In addition, the permanent exhibitions of the art centers will be nourished with special activities. Like at the Museu Picasso in Barcelona, where visitors will be able to admire the collection of more than 4,200 works by the Spanish painter, followed by a musical festival that celebrates “existing and illustrated nature,” by artists Siddharth G. Singh and Fito With that.
At the Center de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (CCCB), starting at 10 p.m., the Poetry Slam will take place, a poetry championship that serves as a platform for the creation and dissemination of contemporary oral literature. Meanwhile, in the Botanical Garden located in the Montjuïc park, a show will mix humor with natural sciences, while dialogue with the surrounding vegetation, led by the company Planeta Impro.
Museum night also provides the unique opportunity to see places that are not normally open to the public. This is the case of Espai Corberó, Xavier Corberó’s architectural jewel that stands in the center of Esplugues de Llobregat. This space, which has been the scene of filming such as the film Vicky, Cristina, Barcelona and the video clip for the song Vampiros by Rosalía and Rauw Alejandro, will accept 30-minute guided tours in small groups with prior reservation.
Montjuïc Castle will also offer guided tours to discover its hidden corners. In addition, all visitors will be able to enjoy one of the best night views of the city from the terrace, where there will be live music and special lighting for the occasion. But to choose well which museum you want to spend the night in, it is advisable to consult the program and the list of all the centers and spaces.