European Night of Museums 2026: Open Doors and Special Events in Plovdiv
Saturday, May 23
Various Locations

European Night of Museums returns to Plovdiv as part of the large-scale European initiative bringing together thousands of cultural institutions across more than 30 countries. The main goal of the initiative is to open museums and galleries during unusual evening hours, transforming them into vibrant spaces for dialogue, inspiration, and entertainment.
This year’s edition is held under the international theme “The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities.” The focus is placed on the active role of visitors and on cultural heritage as a bridge between generations in the dynamic 21st century.

Programme

Regional Archaeological Museum – Plovdiv
Opening hours: 10:00–22:00
Free admission: 18:00–22:00
Exhibitions: Permanent exhibition and “Women Through the Millennia”
Children’s workshop: “Museum of the Future – Time Capsule” (free for children)
In a special children’s area, young visitors will draw objects they would like to preserve for future generations 100 years from now, encouraging them to become active creators and guardians of memory.

Regional History Museum – Plovdiv
Opening hours: 09:30–18:00
Free admission: 18:00–22:00
19:00, “Unification” Hall – concert “Slavic Spirit in Music” by the Capella Arte ensemble

Regional Natural History Museum – Plovdiv
Opening hours: 09:00–17:00
Free admission: 17:00–22:00 (excluding the Planetarium and Butterfly Hall)
Special attraction: Leo the Lion welcomes visitors

Municipal Institute "Äncient Plovdiv"
Opening hours: 09:30–18:00
Free admission: 18:00–22:00
19:30, courtyard of the Zlatyu Boyadzhiev exhibition – concert by Stanley Stonks
The musician will present a mix of rock, funk, and blues traditions combined with classic pop influences.

Regional Ethnographic Museum – Plovdiv
Opening hours: 09:00–22:00
Free admission: 18:00–22:00
Kuyumdzhieva House – festive programme
“The World of the Iron” – collection of over 1,200 irons
19:00 – Opening of the exhibition “Pseudo-Nature 2.0”

Plovdiv City Art Gallery
Free admission: 18:00–22:00
Open venues: Permanent Exhibition; Icons Exhibition; Hall “2019”; Temporary Exhibition Halls; Kapana Gallery
19:30, Permanent Exhibition Hall – Celtic harp concert
19:00, Temporary Exhibition Halls – meeting with the curators of “Photo Academica” 2026

Museum of Investment Gold “Guardian of Value”
9:00 – 10:30, free entry all day