The Night of the Museums is an annual Rendez-vous with Barcelona. You can find here an easy guide to the Night of the Museums 2023. The program list is long. If you are looking for ideas, here are some alternative options.
The night happens from 7 pm to 01 am, this Saturday, May 13th.
The Program
The Night of the Museums 2023
For those who are unfamiliar, the Night of the Museums is a night when cultural institutions including museums are opening their doors for free to the general public. There will be a lot of activities during the evening including concerts, guided visits, theatre representations, workshops, and games.
Similar to last year, Badalona, Cornellà, Esplugues, L’Hospitalet, Sant Adrià, Sant Joan Despí, and Santa Coloma will also be hosting the Night of the Museums 2023.
The general public can participate in 121 exhibitions and 86 activities. Some Museums require reservations though (see the star next to their names).
Museums recommendations
I drew up a list of museums and places of interest for this Night of the Museums 2023.
The majority is on my list because either they are usually unavailable for free or because I am more interested in them this year.
The Moco Museum
The Moco Museum is an independent museum with a wide range of inspiring contemporary and street art. They have two locations: Amsterdam (the Netherlands) and Barcelona (Spain).
Moco exhibits artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat, Banksy, Icy & Sot, JR, KAWS, Keith Haring, Jeff Koons, Damien Hirst, Yayoi Kusama, Andy Warhol, Studio Irma, and many more.
Moco Museum link here
The Mirador Torre Glories
Mirador Torre Glòries is a new concept of vantage point, a double observatory from where Barcelona can be contemplated through an exhibition space that combines art, science and technology.
It culminates in the dome on the 30th floor of Torre Glòries.
Mirador Torre Glories link here
The Mies Van Der Rohe Pavilion
The Mies van der Rohe Pavilion was the German Pavilion for the 1929 International Exposition in Barcelona. This building is important in the history of modern architecture, known for its simple form and its spectacular use of extravagant materials, such as marble, red onyx and travertine.
The same features of minimalism and spectacular can be applied to the furniture specifically designed for the building, including the Barcelona chair. It has inspired many important modernist buildings.
From 9 am to 11 pm you can enjoy the reading of poems by Cristina Álvarez Roig and Israel Clarà.
The Mies Van Der Rohe Pavilion link here
Centro Jujol – Can Negre
Can Negre is a masía located in San Juan Despí. It was transformed by the modernist architect Josep Maria Jujol I Gibert between 1915 y 1930.
The space belongs to the City Hall and is used to organise cultural activities. Fans of Modernism might find this museum interesting. In addition, there will be dressed-up characters going around the site to theatrically enhance the event.
Centre Jujol – Can Negre link here
Colección de Carrozas Fúnebres
Who would think about going to see a collection of hearses? Not me to be honest but why not? I did visit cemeteries in the past including the Montjuic Cemetary to which this place is attached. This visit could add additional insight into the history of the cemetery.
This place also offers free routes and cultural activities on normal days but it is nice that the Night of the Museum puts it on the radar.
One of the workshops organised for the Night of the Museums 2023 is about making a Mexican altar in memory of the architect Lluís Domènech I Montaner. Sadly, the workshop is fully booked.
Coleccion de Carrozas Fúnebres link here
Botanical Garden of Barcelona
The Botanical Garden is beautiful. I visited it during the BML. It was amazing.
It seems that the night visit is also worth the trip. The Botanical Garden also offers a 20-minute concert every hour from 20H to 23H.
Contrary to what is written on the City Council’s website, it is not required to reserve your places. You can go and enjoy the garden and the concert without any previous bookings. I called. That is how I know.
Botanical Garden of Barcelona link here
Museums where you can still book (at the moment I write this post)
The MEAM
The MEAM is the Museum of Modern Art of Barcelona. The MEAM is a living museum that organises numerous art activities: exhibitions, concerts, theater, courses in painting and sculpture, and workshops for children.
The MEAM is one of my favourite museums in Barcelona. It still has 65 tickets available for the midnight session at this moment.
Meam tickets link here.
CosmoCaixa
CosmoCaixa is a science museum operated by the Caixa Social Foundation. The museum features a variety of permanent and temporary exhibitions that showcase the environment, nature, science, and space. CosmoCaixa also has a planetarium.
CosmoCaixa is also available. The Night includes several activities, such as workshops and projections.
CosmoCaixa tickets link here.
Sold-out Museums
I did some investigations. Here is a list of Museums that, at this date, don’t have available tickets anymore to book. Sad smiley face. But at least you can save yourself the trouble of looking into it.
Moco Museum
The Moco Museum is on the list of free sites during the Night of the Museums 2023. However all the tickets are sold out. The museum being private, it does not offer free visits, unlike the museums that participate to the free first Sundays of the month, for example. No wonder why the tickets flew.
The Mirador Torre Glories
I checked the website. There are no more tickets available.
The activities of the Museu de la Musica
Music for rubber tape, the activity organised by the Museu de la Musica is sold out.
Practical information
To book tickets, follow the same steps as when you buy an entrance. At the end of the transaction, you will see a 0 Euro price, validate, and voila! You are in!
The Night of the Museums 2023 official website: Link
Post edit: The After Night of the Museums 2023
It was raining a lot last Saturday. But we still visited the Botanic Garden. The guided visit was interesting but as it got darker we did not see much. The concert was pleasant.
We finished the night at the MEAM admiring its new exhibition, Mimesis. No need to say, we were very happy with our night.