Museum Night Basel – a night for one and all

Launched in 2001, the Museum Night has consistently proved one of Basel’s most cherished cultural highlights. Its blend of cultural attractions and a party atmosphere has something in store for all generations as they enjoy a night out together.

Basel’s museum authorities took their cue from Berlin’s “Long Night of Museums” in 1998, recognising the potential of such a joint project for the local museum landscape. The 1990s had brought a shift in cultural policy attitude, with museums increasingly putting visitors at the heart of their strategic considerations. The aim was to create programmes that turn the museums into lively and participatory sites of learning experiences.

To this day, the Museum Night attracts entire families, art aficionados, party lovers and all those in-between. For the museums, it’s an ideal format to try out new and low-threshold ways of highlighting the appeal of their specific cultural riches. Each year it is a pleasure to observe the dedication with which they approach this task of making art and culture accessible to everyone.