Night of Museums 2025 in Minsk: Guide to Exhibitions & Events

The international event “Night of Museums” returns to Minsk on May 17, 2025. Every year the event is timed to coincide with International Museum Day, which is celebrated on May 18. This is a unique opportunity for residents and visitors of the capital to see familiar cultural spaces in a completely new light — through the prism of special exhibitions, performances, quests, and interactive installations. In this article, we have compiled a detailed guide to the most interesting museum venues in Minsk that are worth visiting as part of the event.

National Art Museum: A Symbolic Flight over Belarus

Theme: “Cranes over Belarus”
Time: May 17, 18:00–24:00
Cost: 10–20 BYN

The country’s main art museum has chosen a deeply symbolic theme for Night of Museums 2025. In Belarusian culture, the crane traditionally symbolizes happiness, joy, and well-being. In the year of the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, this image takes on special significance, reminding us of the gratitude of the modern generation for a peaceful sky.

The program for visitors includes:

• New thematic exhibitions
• Theatrical performances and choreographic numbers
• Light and multimedia installations
• Interactive areas for children and adults
• Performance by the Polifonica choir
• Presentation of a new fashion collection by Mark Formelle
• Quests with prizes for the winners

National Center for Contemporary Arts: Immersion in the World of the Avant-Garde

Time: May 17, 19:00–23:30
Cost: 25 BYN

The NCCA invites everyone to an evening dedicated to contemporary art in its diverse forms. The event program is designed so that each visitor can not only view the exhibitions but also become part of the creative process:

1. 19:00 — Tour of the “Breaking the Silence” exhibition with the curator and project authors
2. 19:30 and 20:50 — Eco-art workshops (creating works from recycled materials)
3. 20:20 — Performance-reflection on the themes of loneliness and isolation
4. 20:50 — Lecture “Nadar: When He Was a Photographer” about the 19th-century French master
5. Evening finale — electronic set with video projections by the Dita Redrum project

Literary Museums of Minsk: Immersion in the World of Classics

Yanka Kupala Literary Museum: One Hundred and One Nights with a Classic

Program: “100 і 1 Nights”
Time: May 17, 14:00–23:00

The event is dedicated to significant anniversary dates: the 100th anniversary of Yanka Kupala being named People’s Poet of Belarus and the 120th anniversary of the start of his creative work. The museum will be transformed into the poet’s home, where guests will find:

• Family quest “Rest with Kupala”
• Opening of the anniversary exhibition “People’s Poet.100”
• Intellectual quest “His Majesty the Word”
• “Belarusian Evening” with a scene from the play “Pavlinka”
• Puppet show “Kupala Mystery” (16+)
• Screening of retro films from the museum’s collections
• Folk dance and song master class

Maxim Bogdanovich Literary Museum: An Evening of Poetry and Mystery

Program: “Walks with Maxim”
Time: May 17, 16:30–23:30
Cost: 20 BYN

The museum has prepared a two-part program suitable for both family and adult visits:

Children’s Program (16:30–18:00):

• Dramatized reading with Tatyana Kritskaya
• Introduction to Belarusian mythical creatures
• Creative workshops for children of various ages

Adult Program (19:00–23:30):

• Performances by Ales Kamotski and Mary Helios
• Literary quiz for connoisseurs of Belarusian poetry
• Traditional fortune-telling and mystifications created with AI
• Visual poetry master class
• Exhibition of a unique artifact — the “Slutsk Belt”

Petrus Brovka Literary Museum: Back to the Soviet Era

Program: “Night of Museums – 2025: Time to Relax!”
Time: May 17, 18:00–23:00

The museum offers a dive into the atmosphere of Soviet leisure and a look at how people spent their free time in that era. A mandatory condition is dress code: comfortable and cozy clothing. The program includes:

• Exhibition “Petrus Brovka without a Tie”
• Practical master class on weaving a mesh shopping bag
• Screening of the feature film “Kahanaya” (1965)
• Soviet board games
• Tarot card readings for those interested

Unusual Museum Venues in Minsk

Skateboarding Museum: Immersion in Youth Subculture

Time: May 17–18, 18:00–00:00
Cost: 8–15 BYN (discount if you bring your own skateboard)

The only museum of its kind on Oktyabrskaya Street has prepared a two-day program that allows guests to fully immerse themselves in skateboarding subculture:

• Guided tours of the updated exhibition
• Opening of the thematic exhibition “Skate Philately”
• Master classes on riding Soviet skateboards
• Screening of rare skate videos on VHS tapes
• Gaming zone with the cult game Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater
• Skate spot with unusual lighting
• Nighttime postcard exchange with thematic postcards
• Opportunity to take an instant retro photo as a keepsake

Oceanography Center “Open Ocean”: Into the Depths of Marine Mythology

Program: “Water Mythology”
Time: May 17, 17:00–22:00
Cost: 10–15 BYN

The Oceanography Center invites visitors on a mystical journey through the water universe, where reality intertwines with fantasy:

• Interactive installations about sea deities
• Workshops on creating protective water talismans
• Mysterious predictions from the sea goddess Calypso
• Thematic quests with elements of marine mythology
• Live music accompaniment
• Demonstration of artifacts from ancient shamans

Belarusian Watchmaking Museum: A Journey through Time

Time: May 17, 19:00–23:00
Cost: 5–15 BYN (children under 5 — free)

The only museum in the country dedicated to the art of measuring time offers guests:

1. Interactive quest on the evolution of clocks from ancient sundials to modern mechanisms
2. Insight into the history of the legendary “Luch” watch production
3. Opportunity to feel like a real watchmaker
4. Special children’s zone with thematic activities
5. Relaxation area for breaks between exhibitions
6. Photo zone with timepieces from different eras
7. Participation in a win-win lottery with themed prizes

Outdoor Nature and History

Belarusian State Museum of Folk Architecture and Rural Life: A Night in a 19th-Century Village

Time: May 17, 19:00–23:00
Cost: 10–20 BYN

The open-air museum in the Ozertso agrotown offers visitors a unique experience of immersion in the atmosphere of a traditional Belarusian village, lit only by lanterns and stars:

• Tours of folk architecture monuments
• Demonstration of traditional crafts
• Informative lecture on folk musical instruments
• Live performance by the KAS folklore group
• Reenactments of medieval knight battles
• Theatrical performances depicting ancestral life
• Chance to practice archery
• Traditional dances and games around a night bonfire

“Grand Duchy of Sula” Park: A Walk among the Ghosts of the Past

Program: “Forgotten Shadows of Ancestors”
Time: May 17
Cost: 15–40 BYN

The medieval history park offers guests an exclusive nighttime walk with quest elements based on mystical plots and legends. Participants will be able to:

• Delve deeper into the mysterious atmosphere of the Middle Ages
• Hear thrilling stories from experienced guides
• Encounter enigmatic characters from bygone eras
• Unravel ancient secrets and mysteries of Belarusian land

“Alivaria” Museum: The Art of Beer Aromas

Program: Immersive Tasting
Time: May 16, from 19:00
Cost: free (limited availability)

The “Alivaria” Museum begins its Night of Museums program earlier than the other venues — on Friday evening. In collaboration with the “NOS” Scent Gallery, they will host a unique immersive tasting during which participants will:

• Explore various natural aromas
• Learn about the bouquet of scents unfolding in beer
• Find interesting aromatic associations
• Create and take home their own perfume composition

Cultural and Historical Museums of Minsk

Museum of the History of Minsk: A Gastronomic Journey through the Capital

Time: May 17, 20:00–23:30
Cost: 15 BYN

The museum invites true connoisseurs of urban history to an evening program dedicated to the capital’s culinary traditions:

• Interactive quest at three locations about Minsk cuisine and gastronomy
• Informative lecture on Soviet Minsk signage through different eras
• Thematic tour of the exhibition on war correspondents
• Creative cyanotype photography master class

National Historical Museum: On the Wings of Time

Concept: “Wings of Time”
Time: May 17, 17:00–23:00

The National Historical Museum has timed its program to the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War. Visitors will be able to:

1. Immerse themselves in the past with the exhibition “Belarus from Its Origins to the 18th Century”
2. Visit the workshop for making famous Belarusian glazed tiles
3. Try their hand at being a centuries-old book printer
4. Discover the unique world of urban trade at the “Fair of Wonders” exhibition
5. See unique artifacts at the “1000 Rarities of Belarus ‘I Am Writing to You…’” exhibition
6. Learn more about the heroism of the Belarusian people at the “Belarus United and Invincible. Three Wars” exhibition

Practical Tips for Visitors to Night of Museums 2025

1. Plan Your Route

Since many events occur simultaneously in different parts of the city, plan your route in advance to make sure you visit the venues most interesting to you. Remember that May evenings are quite long, allowing you to visit more than one museum.

2. Ticket Purchase

Some events may require prior registration or advance ticket purchase. Check this information on the official museum websites or their social media.

3. Comfortable Clothing and Footwear

Given that programs are busy and may involve active movement or participation in workshops, choose comfortable clothing and shoes. In some museums, such as the Petrus Brovka Literary Museum, there is a dress code of maximum comfort.

4. Photo and Video Recording

Clarify the rules for photo and video recording in each museum in advance. During Night of Museums, many institutions allow photography in areas where it is usually prohibited.

5. Transportation

Consider how you will travel between museums and return home after the events. Some venues, such as the Museum of Folk Architecture and Rural Life in Ozertso or the Grand Duchy of Sula Park, are located outside Minsk.

6. Food and Drink

Some venues will have food courts or cafes, but it’s best to check in advance and, if necessary, bring water and light snacks.

Conclusion

Night of Museums 2025 in Minsk promises to be an unforgettable cultural event, offering residents and guests of the capital a unique opportunity to see familiar spaces in a new light. The variety of programs ensures that everyone can find something interesting — from classic exhibitions to modern interactive installations, from historical reenactments to avant-garde performances.

Don’t miss the chance to be part of this large-scale international event and discover many new facets of Belarusian culture and history. After all, the Night of Museums is not just an event but a true celebration of art that brings together people of all ages and interests.