The International Museum Day commemorated on the 18th of May features the theme “Museums uniting a divided world“.
On this day the museums are free, and it is possible to visit various exhibitions and participate in some initiatives prepared exclusively for this commemorative day. The opening hours are also extended so that more visitors have the opportunity to visit the museums.
This years edition aims to promote social cohesion, intercultural dialogue, and mutual understanding.
Some of the region’s museums take part in European Museums Night, one of the most popular and eagerly anticipated initiatives. It offers visitors the opportunity to experience the institutions’ cultural offerings during extended and unusual opening hours. The programme is wide-ranging, with activities to suit all tastes and age groups.
+info: Official Website
Programme
18 May
Funchal
Fortaleza do Pico
Free admission
Museu Quinta das Cruzes
Opening hours: 10:00–12:30 and 13:30–17:30
Programme:
10:00–12:00 — Themed visit and activity “Museums that Unite Worlds”
Audience: School groups (participation subject to registration)
15:00–16:00 — Themed visit “Museums Uniting a Divided World”
Audience: Adult public (participation subject to registration)
18:00–19:00 — Commented concert
Organisation: Associação da Orquestra Clássica da Madeira
Audience: General public
23 May
Opening to the public from 19:00 to 00:00 — Free admission
Programme:
19:15–19:35 — Bagpipe concert by Filipe Teixeira
19:40–20:20 — Concert by musical group Estrond’Ilha from the Associação de Jazz da Madeira – Melro Preto
20:30 / 22:00 – Concert by Duo L.E.Q.U.E by Slobodan Sarcevic (accordion) and Pedro Marques
Jéssica Sá (harp)
20:30 / 22:00 — Guided tours of the permanent exhibition “Decorative Arts”
00:00 — Closing
Núcleo Museológico do Forte de São Filipe
18 May
Torre do Capitão – Núcleo Histórico e Museológico de Santo Amaro
18 May
Programme:
10:00–12:00 — Themed visit to the exhibitions and historical museum space, especially aimed at school groups and subject to prior booking
14:00–19:00 — Open activity for the general community, inviting visitors to discover the history of the centre through an educational treasure-hunt style activity
19:30 — Mandolin recital by students of the Conservatório – Escola das Artes da Madeira under the artistic direction of Professor Teresa Leão
Note: Registrations via telephone: (+351) 291 641 378 or email: nsa.tcapitao-se@madeira.gov.pt
Casa-Museu Frederico de Freitas Museum
18 May
Opening hours: 10:00–19:30
Programme:
“A Thousand and One Collections” — General visit to Casa da Calçada
10:00,11:00,13:00,16:00,18:00
“Brightness and Harmonies” — General visit to Casa dos Azulejos
11:30,13:30,16:30,18:00
Universo de Memórias João Carlos Abreu Museum
18 May
Programme:
10:00–16:00 — Regular guided visits and participatory activities for all age groups
At the entrance to the museum, works created during the creative workshops “Riscar a Cor” and “O Despertar da Primavera” will be displayed, revealing the diversity of perspectives and forms of expression within the community.
In the garden, visitors are invited to take part in a guided creative activity, making flowers that will become part of the Wall of Hope — a collective installation featuring flowers created by children and adults before and during the event itself.
23 May
Programme:
19:00–23:00 — The museum joins the European Night of Museums with a special programme of free staged visits designed to provide the public with an immersive and distinctive cultural experience.
The visits, lasting approximately 30 minutes, take place every 30 minutes and are intended for groups of 6 to 15 participants, ensuring comfort, quality of experience, and efficient visitor flow management.
The museum route includes moments of historical interpretation and performative interventions that enrich the exhibition narrative and promote a dynamic and emotional experience of the space.
Santa Clara Convent
19 May
Free admission
23 May
20:30 — Celebration of the European Night of Museums
Ponta Delgada
Solar do Aposento
19 May
Extended opening hours: 10:00–17:30
Guided visits to the space and collections
23 May
Opening hours: 19:00–22:00
Exceptional evening visit
Machico
Solar de São Cristóvão
18 May
Extended opening hours:
09:30–12:30 | 13:30–16:00 | 19:00–22:00
Porto Santo
Casa Colombo – Museu do Porto Santo e dos Descobrimentos Portugueses
18 May
Educational activity “My Imaginary Museum”, aimed at primary school students (Years 1–4).
Please note: Prior booking required.