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On May 18th، International Museum Day، Kazakhstan's major cities، Astana and Almaty، will host the annual 'Museum Night' event. This special occasion offers residents and visitors the chance to explore cultural institutions with free entry، enjoy extended evening hours، and participate in a variety of curated programs and activities.

Astana's Cultural Showcase

The National Museum of Kazakhstan in the capital will be the central hub for the event، opening its doors from 10:00 AM until midnight. The daytime program is tailored for families and children، featuring engaging activities. As evening descends from 6:00 PM، visitors can anticipate a range of special events and exhibitions designed to illuminate Kazakhstan's rich history and culture.

Almaty's Diverse Museum Offerings

Almaty is set to host 'Museum Night 2026' across nine of its museums، all operating from 10:00 AM to 12:00 AM on May 18th. The main evening festivities commence at 6:00 PM، promising a night filled with cultural immersion. Free admission will be granted to several key institutions، including the Kasteyev State Museum of Arts، the Museum of Folk Musical Instruments named after Ykhlas، and the Central State Museum.

Attendees can look forward to interactive quests، quizzes، museum masterclasses، theatrical performances، and themed guided tours. Special exhibitions will also be on display، including a scientific reconstruction of a Saka warrior and a tribute to the 45th anniversary of the Ykhlas Museum. The Kazakhfilm Museum will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the iconic film 'Kyz Zhibek' with an exhibition of personal items from its cast and crew.

The event also includes a city-wide museum quest called 'Following the Traces of History،' where teams will navigate between museums، complete tasks، and collect special stamps for a chance to win prizes. Additionally، the 'Gift to the Museum' project invites citizens to donate old items or family artifacts of historical significance.

Online Access to Culture

For those unable to attend in person، a portion of the 'Museum Night' events will be streamed online. Live broadcasts will offer virtual tours of exhibitions and museum spaces. For instance، the Almaty Museum of Arts will host a TikTok live tour showcasing its architecture، permanent collections، and contemporary art. The National Museum in Astana will also provide an evening online stream، highlighting famous exhibits like the 'Golden Man' and paleontological finds.

This initiative aims to make cultural heritage accessible to a wider audience، bridging the gap between physical and digital engagement with history and art.