International Museum Day
International Museum Day (IMD), celebrated annually on May 18, is an initiative promoted by the International Council of Museums (ICOM) since 1977, aimed at strengthening the role of museums as spaces for cultural exchange, mutual understanding, and the building of more inclusive and informed societies.
In each edition, thousands of institutions across more than 150 countries join this global celebration, developing programs that bring diverse audiences closer to heritage, history, and contemporary creation.
Museums Uniting a Divided World
In 2026, ICOM proposes the theme "Museums Uniting a Divided World", underscoring the essential contribution of museums as spaces for dialogue, mediation and bridge-building between different communities, generations and worldviews. In times marked by social fragmentation, polarisation and inequality, this theme reinforces the role of museums as places of encounter, where the diversity of voices is welcomed and valued.
The theme is also part of the celebrations marking ICOM's 80th anniversary and aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals, in particular SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). In this context, museums are invited to develop participatory, accessible and community-centred programmes capable of strengthening a sense of belonging, promoting respect for diversity and encouraging new forms of cooperation and dialogue.
DIM/NEM in numbers
- 0ª Edition
- 0+ Museums in IMD
- 0+ Countries & territories
- 0+ European countries in ENM
European Night of Museums
Created in 2005 by the French Ministry of Culture, the European Night of Museums (ENM) is now a landmark initiative in the European cultural landscape. In the 2026 edition, taking place on the night of 23 May, museums across Europe, including Portugal, will again open their doors later into the evening, inviting the public to discover heritage, collections and cultural programmes in a nocturnal setting. Throughout the night, visitors can enjoy guided tours, thematic trails, performative activities, projections, musical moments and other specially designed proposals — in a unique atmosphere accessible to all. The initiative complements International Museum Day, reinforcing the mission of museums as open, participatory spaces close to their communities.
Celebrating heritage together in a commemorative week
Through these two initiatives, Museus e Monumentos de Portugal reaffirms its commitment to:
- Democratic access to culture, ensuring free admission during International Museum Day and the European Night of Museums, and promoting activities for diverse audiences
- Community engagement, through educational, participatory and inclusive programmes
- The promotion of cultural heritage, highlighting the role of museums, monuments and palaces as living spaces for learning and citizenship
Since 18 May 2026 falls on a Monday — a usual closing day for many institutions — and the European Night of Museums is held on the following Saturday, 23 May, MMP will promote and consider initiatives celebrated on these respective days as well as those distributed throughout the week, according to each museum's availability and own programming.
In addition to the museums, monuments and palaces within the MMP network, the Portuguese Museums Network and other museum entities have joined this commemorative week.
We invite all visitors to join the International Museum Day and European Night of Museums celebrations, taking part in the initiatives that will be announced.
International Museum Day themes
- 2026 Museums Uniting a Divided World Current edition
- 2025 The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities
- 2024 Museums for Education and Research
- 2023 Museums, Sustainability and Well-being
- 2022 The Power of Museums
- 2021 The Future of Museums: Recover and Reimagine
Museus e Monumentos de Portugal
Museus e Monumentos de Portugal (MMP) is the public body responsible for managing and promoting national museums, monuments and palaces, under the Ministry of Culture. MMP brings together some of Portugal's most emblematic heritage institutions, open to the public and dedicated to the preservation, research and dissemination of Portuguese cultural heritage.
MMP coordinates the International Museum Day and European Night of Museums celebrations in Portugal, working in partnership with ICOM Portugal, the Portuguese Museums Network, municipal museums and private foundations. Each year, this commemorative week mobilises dozens of institutions across the country.
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