International Museum Day

Museums are vibrant places of dialogue, diversity, and exchange

Since 1992, International Museum Day has been accompanied by a different theme each year and is held under the patronage of the President of the Federal Council.

There are various reasons for collecting, whether it be scientific curiosity, the desire to preserve cultural heritage for future generations, or to document developments.

At the same time, collecting is one of humanity’s oldest passions. From the early cabinets of curiosities and chambers of wonders, through princely and private collections, to today’s museums, museum collections offer fascinating insights. No collection is random; each has a story and serves as a bridge between the cultural past and the present.

The ICOM motto for this year’s International Museum Day is “Museums as Bridge Builders / Museums uniting a divided world” and highlights the social significance of museums in times of global crises and social tensions. Museums serve as connecting spaces that foster dialogue and bring people together across cultural, generational, and social boundaries. Berlin’s museums are also participating in International Museum Day with numerous events: they are offering special opening hours, a diverse program of guided tours and workshops, and, in many cases, free admission.

International Museum Day highlights the thematic diversity

The aim of International Museum Day is to draw attention to the broad spectrum of museum work and the thematic diversity of the approximately 6,500 museums in Germany.

Launched in 1977, International Museum Day aims to give museums and their staff around the world the opportunity to collectively highlight the importance of their work as a contribution to cultural and social life.

At a Glance

• Event: International Museum Day 2026
• Date: May 17, 2026
• Admission: Generally free

Participating museums, memorials, and exhibition venues for International Museum Day in Berlin 2026 (as of May 8, 2026):

Belvedere Pfingstberg, Berlinische Galerie, Berliner Unterwelten Museum, Bröhan Museum, German Historical Museum, German Museum of Technology, Documentation Center for Nazi Forced Labor, East Side Gallery and Parliament of Trees, Marienfelde Emergency Reception Camp Memorial, Futurium, Georg Kolbe Museum, Krumpuhler Weg Historical Site, Huguenot Museum, Jewish Museum Berlin, Keibelstraße Learning Center, Liebermann Villa on Lake Wannsee, Mitte Museum, Ephraim Palace Museum, Knoblauchhaus Museum, Nikolaikirche Museum, Reinickendorf Museum, Museum of Natural History, Museum in the Kulturbrauerei, Düppel Museum Village, Musical Instrument Museum, New Synagogue Berlin – Centrum Judaicum, PalaisPopulaire, Sanssouci Park, Peacock Island, Babelsberg Palace, Oranienburg Palace Museum, Berliner Volksbank Art Forum Foundation, Tränenpalast, URBAN NATION Museum for Urban Contemporary Art, Werkbund Archive – Museum der Dinge, Spandau Citadel