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European Night of Museums
Exhibitions
Last updated date : 22/04/2026
Are you planning to visit Lyon on Saturday 23 May 2026 for European Museum Night? Don't miss this unique opportunity to explore Lyon's museums in a special atmosphere and for free! Read on for an overview of the events on offer during this extraordinary night.
European Night of Museums programme
The 22nd European Night of Museums, organised by the Ministry of Culture, takes place on 23 May 2026. Unusual tours, costumes, shows and concerts… Discover all the events on offer at Lyon’s museums that evening.
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Exhibition
European Night of Museums
Lieux divers - 69123 LyonTwo or three days in Lyon is great, but not long enough! So any opportunity to make the most of your weekend is worth taking, and the European Night of Museums is just the thing! This year, on Saturday 23 May, the museums are inviting you to join them for this event. Here’s our selection of the most original activities to look out for that evening.
Silent party at the Musée des Confluences
The Musée des Confluences has chosen to focus on the sounds of nature, birds, water and even silence for this 22nd edition of the European Night of Museums. As well as immersive sound experiences in the permanent and temporary exhibitions, there will be a participatory concert where your smartphone will be at the heart of the performance. A silent party will also be held on the museum’s terrace. The concept? Three DJs will play their music on three different frequencies. Equipped with connected headphones, audience members can choose their favourite and dance without making a sound. It's a unique experience in an extraordinary setting!
The museum will be open from 7 pm to midnight. The last admission will be at 11.30 pm.
Click here to find the detailed programme for the evening.
Museum
Musée des Confluences
86 quai Perrache - 69002 Lyon 2ème
Medieval fantasy at the Lyon History Museum
On the night of 23 May, a strange atmosphere will take hold at the Lyon History Museum (MHL). In keeping with the 'Marvellous Middle Ages' exhibition, which is currently on display, the museum will be immersed in the literary and cinematic world of 'medieval fantasy', blending medieval references with fantastical elements. Elves, hobbits, and other mysterious creatures will be brought to life in living tableaux created by cosplayers inspired by The Lord of the Rings, The Witcher 3, and The Legend of Zelda.
Admission to the museum is open from 7pm to 11.30pm. The programme has been organised in collaboration with the Yggdrasil festival and the Excalibur company, a medieval historical re-enactment group.
Museum
Museum of the History of Lyon - Gadagne Museums
1 place du Petit Collège - 69005 Lyon 5ème
Fashion takes centre stage at the Fine Arts Museum
As it has done for the past 11 years, the Fine Arts Museum is collaborating with a local higher education institution. This year, students from ESMOD, a fashion arts and crafts school, are responsible for organising the Night of Museums. They will naturally explore the museum’s collections through the lens of fashion, creating costumes inspired by various pieces of art. This is an original way to discover the artworks in 3D and in motion. Three workshops will also be offered to visitors: colouring a painting using textiles; personalised embroidery on a canvas bookmark; and an introduction to the pin-moulding technique.
The museum is open from 7 pm to midnight. Entry is free and no booking is required.
Creative workshops and theatrical performances at the Lugdunum Museum
On Saturday 23 May, immerse yourself in the world of ancient Rome at the heart of the Lugdunum Museum on Fourvière Hill. There, you can explore the permanent collection and the temporary exhibition, ‘C'est Canon ! L'art chez les Romains' (It's Brilliant! Art among the Romans). A range of activities have been planned for the evening to further explore this theme, including theatrical performances by the Compagnie des P’tites Dames, who will bring the great figures of mythology to life, as well as creative workshops such as polystyrene engraving, an introduction to drawing and ceramic modelling.
The museum is open from 7 pm to midnight. Performances and workshops run until 11.30 pm.
Museum
Lugdunum - Musée et Théâtres romains
17 rue Cléberg - 69005 Lyon 5ème
Find out more about the programme for this special evening at other museums across the Lyon metropolitan area on the official European Night of Museums website by clicking here.
Nighttime openings at Lyon’s museums
If you aren’t in Lyon for European Museum Night, there will still be plenty of other opportunities to explore Lyon’s museums late into the evening. From exhibitions and concerts to talks and unique tours, discover the museums’ evening programme!