COVER IMAGE: https://surfacetreasure.neocities.org archival work of Maddie Potocnik via Cow Galerie at beautiful distress
Once a year, Museumnacht Amsterdam invites the city to experience its museums after hours. For one night, more than 65 museums open their doors for a special programme of art, workshops, performances and unexpected discoveries. Now in its 26th edition, Museumnacht returns on 7 November 2026 from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Come early, stay late. There’s a lot to see in one night, so we’ve gathered a few recommendations to help you make the most of it. Try somewhere you haven’t been before. Might turn out to be the place that leaves you buzzing and inspired…
SCREEN TO SCENE @ Beautiful Distress House
SCREEN TO SCENE turns Beautiful Distress House into an interactive exploration of how online life shapes the way we see ourselves and one another. Expect art, fashion, music, performances and installations that invite you to take part—from the catwalk to the dance floor. A lively stop for a night out in Noord.
Experience works by Floor Meijers, Joris Janssen, Marijn Bax, Xander te West, Cow Galerie, DJ rriddim.
GMO : How far are you willing to mutate? @ Mediamatic
Mediamatic’s programme dives headfirst into genetic modification, yeast that makes its own scents, and a speculative greenhouse where strawberries grow on human blood. Cute? Creepy? You decide. This one is for anyone who likes their art with a little body-horror energy.
Step into Mediamatic for a sci-fi night of live experiments and wonderfully weird questions. A little weird, a lot to explore, tumble down conspiracy rabbit holes, track down GMOs.
Still hungry? @testtafel brings GMOs to the table with a special snacks and drinks.
A night of explorations with Margherita Soldati, Hsu Rae, Maya Erin Masuda, Matthijs De Block, Silke Riis, Laura Elidedt Rodríguez, Yorke Mulder-Bhangoo
Screen printing, book sale and guided tour @ AGALAB
Tucked away in Amsterdam West, AGALAB is a creative print workshop where artists, photographers and designers experiment with image-making, ink and print techniques. For Museumnacht, they are opening the studio doors for a guided tour of the workshop. Get a closer look at the tools, processes and creative space where the magic gets made. A little behind-the-scenes detour for anyone who loves seeing how art comes together.
A book sale and a DIY screen-printing! A perfect way to try your hand at screen printing. Choose a ready-made design and print it onto a T-shirt or a bag? Got a textile item at home that could use a glow-up? No experience needed because volunteers will guide you through each step. It’s an easy, hands-on intro to one of AGALAB’s signature techniques, and you’ll leave with a custom print of your own. Fab.
Sails of Anarchy by Cold in Church @ Arti et Amicitiae
Feeling grunge? Arti et Amicitiae is handing its galleries over to Cold in Church, an Amsterdam art-rock and performance collective, for a night of pirate mythology, maritime history and beautifully chaotic world-building. Their exhibition Sails of Anarchy turns three connected rooms into the universe of Convent, the band’s new concept album: expect. There’s no need to understand the lore before boarding. Ahoy?
The night begins with poetry, followed by a live performance of Convent with a choir. Ambient improvisations taking over later on and finishing with a set from Metaterme (Freya Edmondes and Emiddio Vasquez) for closing duties.
While you’re there, check out Wellness, Wigs and Weapons, another Arti exhibition that turns the space into a series of uncanny boutiques. Artists Bein van Vilsteren and Marianne Theunissen perform Health and Sanity Check quizzing the wigs, weapons, furniture and merchandise on their mental and physical wellbeing. In-sane-ity in the museum secured.
Assembled Realities @ Treehouse NDSM
Created especially for Museumnacht, this one-night exhibition brings together artists from the Treehouse NDSM community. Each shares a fragment of a reality they’ve chosen to reveal, building a collective portrait of the things we can/can’t control. Explore the exhibition, meet the artists, and join a guided tour through their studios to see where the work takes shape during their residencies.
Not only this. They said go big or go home with their programme for the night. It brings drop-in activities like collaborative drawing, flash tattoos and a sensory nature ritual, plus ring-making, breathwork with live electronic music, silhouette storytelling, performances, soundscapes and DJ sets.
Fluid Futures @ Waag Futurelab
Another premiere during museum night! The historic Waag is going full water-world. Drop in for Fluid Futures, where artists explore the tangled relationship between people, tech and aquatic ecosystems.
Make a splash with their lineup of performances and workshops featuring: Live, meditative soundscape by artist Roos Pollmann // ROOSPEEE, blending water, electronic instruments and singing bowls. DIY eco-cleaning products from herbs, plants and kitchen scraps ; making data move with artist Kerrie O’Leary who turns ecological data into movement and light ; learn to weave secret messages into dance moves.
The programme is part of S+T+ARTS AQUA MOTION, which brings artists, scientists, policymakers and communities together to tackle urgent water challenges.
