On the evening of May 23, 2026, the National Museum of Lithuania will join the international Night of Museums initiative, inviting visitors into an after-hours world of history, storytelling and sensory discovery across its branches. Beginning at 18:00, the museum’s spaces throughout Lithuania will fill with live narratives, music, creative workshops and educational activities designed to experience history not only through sight, but also through sound, smell and touch.

In Vilnius, History Becomes Nocturnal

For one night only, all branches of the museum in Vilnius will remain open later than usual, welcoming visitors free of charge to both permanent exhibitions and a special program created specifically for the Night of Museums.

At Gediminas Castle Tower, visitors will not only gain free admission, but also step into immersive historical adventures. Families are invited to participate in “Mission: Iron Wolf,” an educational quest in which participants solve clues and unlock a mysterious chest. Throughout the evening, short, fast-paced tours titled “Stories From the Past” will guide guests through the legends surrounding the birth of Vilnius and the evolution of the Upper Castle.

Nearby, at the foot of Gediminas Hill, the Castellan’s House will offer a different kind of encounter with history. Visitors can attend the presentation of the playful historical comic “The Six Values of Castellan Petras Nonhartas, or the Story of Six Pickled Cucumbers,” as well as explore the olfactory exhibition “Liturgical Scents of Lithuanian Faiths,” where history unfolds through aroma rather than image. The evening’s program there will also include a guided tour examining witchcraft trials in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, alongside scent tastings that invite visitors to experience religious traditions through the sense of smell.

At the Old Arsenal, guests are encouraged to journey through the history of fire and light, exploring early hearths and the symbolic role of fire in human life. Meanwhile, at the Bastion of the Vilnius Defence Wall, history becomes tactile: visitors will have the opportunity to try archery in the educational activity “Arrow Through Time.” Nearby, a creative initiative titled “Give Me Five for Ukraine” will invite participants to contribute to a collaborative artwork as a symbolic gesture of solidarity.

At the House of Histories, the evening’s journey stretches far beyond the Baltic region. Interactive tours will introduce visitors to the culture of the Ainu people of northern Japan, offering live storytelling about their worldview alongside creative hands-on activities. The Night of Museums program there will also feature the presentation of philosopher Gintautas Mažeikis’ book Lilimai, a concert by the ensemble Kanklės from Skriaudžiai, and a range of guided tours exploring Lithuanian mythology, the world of spirits and the ways Lithuania has shaped its image abroad.

Elsewhere, at the Kazys Varnelis House-Museum, visitors to the exhibition “The Book Dragon: A Fantastic Story About the Beauty of Books” will embark on a journey through the creation of books, discovering their layered meanings and enduring beauty as artistic objects.

Additional programs will take place at other branches of the National Museum of Lithuania, including the Jonas Šliūpas Museum, the Vincas Kudirka Museum and the Birthplace of Jonas Basanavičius. Visitors there can expect programs featuring performance art, live music, contemporary art, folklore and educational excursions.

All Night of Museums events organized by the National Museum of Lithuania will be free of charge from 18:00 onward, though daytime exhibition visits will operate under regular admission conditions. Most events are open to all and do not require registration. However, some guided tours and educational activities have limited capacity, making advance registration necessary.

For more information about the events and registration, click here.