Rijksmuseum Boerhaave in Leiden is the Dutch national museum for the history of science and medicine, named after the famous physician Herman Boerhaave. It showcases a world-renowned collection of scientific instruments and objects spanning five centuries of discovery and innovation, from microscopes and anatomical theaters to groundbreaking medical equipment. The museum makes science accessible to visitors of all ages through interactive exhibitions and educational presentations.

Wereldmuseum Leiden is an ethnographic museum that explores the world’s cultural diversity through objects, stories, and exhibitions from various regions across the globe. It offers a broad perspective on how people worldwide live, believe, and experience traditions, encouraging reflection on our shared humanity and history. Visitors can explore permanent and temporary exhibitions that tell stories of worlds from the past to the present, focusing on culture, identity, and social connections.

Museum De Lakenhal in Leiden is the city museum for fine arts, history, and culture, housed in the monumental Laecken-Halle from 1640. The museum tells the rich story of Leiden through masterpieces by artists such as Lucas van Leyden and Rembrandt, complemented by modern art. The collection shows how art and history together reflect the city’s character and offers a broad perspective on the past and present.

Naturalis Biodiversity Center in Leiden is the national natural history museum and research institute of the Netherlands, taking you on a journey of discovery through the richness of nature, from ancient fossils to living biodiversity. In the museum, you can see impressive exhibitions featuring millions of plants, animals, fossils, and minerals, including the famous T. rex Trix, and learn about life on Earth throughout time. Visitors of all ages can experience, learn, and marvel at the diversity of the natural world.

The Canal Watch in Leiden focuses on making plastic pollution in the city canals visible through research and a small exhibition of found objects. The project combines action, education, and exhibitions to provide insight into the impact of waste on people and nature. During Museum Night, they are opening their doors specifically for this exhibition, inviting visitors to look at waste, nature, and the city from a different perspective.

Ars Aemula Naturae in Leiden is a visual arts center and gallery featuring rotating exhibitions by local and regional artists, including painting, printmaking, and sculpture. Founded in 1694, the association is one of the oldest artists’ societies in the Netherlands. In addition to exhibitions, Ars Aemula Naturae serves as a meeting place where art, craft, and exchange take center stage.

Japan Museum SieboldHuis in Leiden explores Japan and the cultural exchange between the Netherlands and Japan, located in the former home of physician and collector Philipp Franz von Siebold. It showcases a unique collection of Japanese objects, including prints, ceramics, fossils, maps, and clothing collected by Siebold in Japan between 1823 and 1829. Visitors gain insight into Japanese culture and history, complemented by rotating exhibitions and special presentations.

Heritage Leiden and Surroundings is the place for anyone interested in the history of Leiden and the region. The organization preserves, researches, and shares the past through archives, collections, archaeology, and monument care. Heritage Leiden is currently temporarily located in the historic Gravensteen in Leiden while their own location on Boisotkade is being renovated.

The National Museum of Antiquities in Leiden is the Netherlands’ national archaeology museum, bringing ancient civilizations and cultural history to life through more than 180,000 objects from Egypt, the Ancient Near East, the Classical World, and the Netherlands itself. The museum presents permanent and temporary exhibitions featuring artifacts such as mummies, stone statues, and everyday objects that provide insight into thousands of years of human history.

Hortus botanicus Leiden is the oldest botanical garden in the Netherlands and one of the oldest in the world, established in 1590 for the study and collection of plants from across the globe. Located in the heart of Leiden, the garden combines historic greenhouses and gardens with unique collections of tropical orchids, carnivorous plants, ferns, and ancient trees, offering visitors a green and inspiring escape in the city center.

Beestenmarkt is the central starting point of Museum Night Leiden, where the evening comes to life. The route along the museums begins at the square, offering a place to meet, get information, and enjoy a diverse program of activities and entertainment.

Leiden American Pilgrim Museum is a small museum in Leiden telling the story of the English Pilgrims who lived in the city for nearly twelve years in the early 17th century before departing for America on the Mayflower in 1620. Located on Kloksteeg next to the Pieterskerk, the museum opens its doors on the historic site where this community gathered, featuring objects and stories about their lives and journey.

De Valk Windmill Museum in Leiden is a windmill museum housed in the authentic tower mill De Valk, built in 1743 and the only one of the nineteen original windmills on the Leiden city walls still standing. The museum shows how millers used to live and work and features an extensive collection on the technology and history of mills, with authentic interiors and grinding mechanisms. From the mill, you also have a panoramic view over the city of Leiden.

De Nobel is Leiden’s premier music venue and this year’s setting for the Museum Night afterparty. Keep the Museum Night vibe going a little longer here, with music, atmosphere, and plenty of room to hit the dance floor. A festive finale where culture flows into dance and nightlife.

The Night Path is the connecting route of Museumnacht Leiden that leads you past several museums and through the city. Along this path, you’ll experience various acts, performances, and surprises, bringing Museumnacht to life outside the museum walls. This way, not just the culture, but the entire city of Leiden comes alive.