Dominican Republic celebrates Long Night of Museums 2026 with free cultural activities nationwide

The event officially opened on Thursday at the National Museum of History and Geography, located in the Plaza de la Cultura Juan Pablo Duarte. The ceremony was led by Minister of Culture Roberto Ángel Salcedo, Vice Minister of Cultural Heritage Gamal Michelén, and Director General of Museums Carlos Andújar.

Visitors can tour major museums in Santo Domingo, including the Museum of Dominican Man, Museum of Modern Art, National Museum of Natural History, and the Columbus Lighthouse Museum. Several museums in the Colonial Zone are also participating, including the Museum of the Royal Shipyards, the Museum of the Dominican Family, and the Fortress of Santo Domingo Museum, which is featuring an immersive nighttime experience with holograms and interactive storytelling.

The celebration extends beyond the capital, with participating museums such as the San Felipe Fortress Museum, the Heroes of the Restoration Museum, the Horacio Vásquez Museum, the 26 de Julio Museum, and the Juan Ponce de León House Fort Museum. Private museums and cultural centers have also joined the initiative with special programs.

The Long Night of Museums

First launched in Germany in 1997 and celebrated in the Dominican Republic since 2008, the Long Night of Museums is now observed in more than 130 countries around International Museum Day, held annually on May 18.