International Museum Day is observed every year on May 18, a date established by the International Council of Museums (ICOM) to recognize these spaces as living centers of learning, encounter and cultural dialogue. The theme for the 2026 edition is Museums Uniting a Divided World.
In Puerto Rico, museums at various points across the island have organized special free programming to mark the date. Activities will take place between Friday, May 15, and Sunday, May 17, and include workshops, guided tours, lectures and exhibitions open to the public.
💡 Below are the confirmed free activities, listed in chronological order. If you're looking for more options, Platea has a roundup of active exhibitions at museums around the island.
Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña Programming
The Museum and Parks Program of the Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña (ICP) will celebrate International Museum Day with four free activities at three of its venues. Programming runs from Friday, May 15, through Saturday, May 16.
Date: Friday, May 15, 2026, 11:30 a.m.
Location: Centro Ceremonial Indígena Caguana, Utuado
Cost: Free
The celebration opens with the lecture Centro Ceremonial Indígena de Caguana: Epicentro de la Cultura Taína, led by archaeologist Luis J. Pérez. The specialist will offer a look at the site's archaeological history and its contributions to the study of Puerto Rican and Antillean archaeology, from John Alden Mason's pioneering work in 1915 to the most recent investigative techniques and findings.
Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Centro Ceremonial Indígena Caguana, Utuado
Cost: Free
Areito en Caguana will include a discussion on Taíno culture led by the Concilio Taíno Guatu Ma Cu A Borikén, public participation in the Areito ceremony, and educational clinics to learn the traditional game of batú.
Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026, 2:00 p.m.
Location: Museo de Arte Religioso Porta Coeli, San Germán
Cost: Free
ICP conservationist architect Jorge Ortiz Colom will deliver the lecture Entre misión y permanencia: hacia una crónica de la iglesia conventual Porta Coeli. The presentation includes an architectural analysis of the venue, its design and the restoration processes of one of the oldest religious structures on the island.
Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026, 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Location: Museo de la Música Puertorriqueña, Ponce
Cost: Free
The ICP celebration closes with the second edition of BAZARTE, in the museum's courtyard. The event, in collaboration with Amor que Sana and the collective Pa' que digas algo, will bring together artisans, poets and musicians. Live music will be provided by the Escuela de Bomba y Plena Isabel Albizu, Juan Riestra, Dayra Lee ML, several guest poets, and a closing set by Kefas Safek.
Museo de Arte Francisco Oller
Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026, 10:00 a.m.
Location: Patio Interior del Museo de Arte Francisco Oller, Bayamón
Cost: Free
The museum invites the public to the Exhibición Colectiva de los Participantes de los Talleres Sabatinos, in recognition of International Museum Day. The show will display work by students in the museum's educational program. The official poster for the event is the work of José Anielo Ramírez, one of the participants.
Museo de San Juan
Date: Saturday, May 16, and Sunday, May 17, 2026
Location: 150 Calle Norzagaray, Old San Juan
Cost: Free
The Museo de San Juan joins the celebration of ICOM's 80th anniversary with two days of special programming for the whole family. On Saturday, May 16, there will be a mixed-media printmaking workshop (10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., ages 12+), a painting-with-coffee workshop (10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., ages 5+), a trivia afternoon (1:00 to 3:00 p.m., ages 12+) and an all-day interactive collective textile installation activity.
On Sunday the 17th, the museum will offer guided tours (10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.), a guided tour and sensory workshop for children ages 5 to 9 (10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.), and a weavers and knotters gathering as a collective textile installation (1:00 to 4:00 p.m.). To register, write to educacionmuseosj@gmail.com or call (787) 480-3553 or (787) 480-3552.
Museo Biblioteca La Casa del Libro
Date: Sunday, May 17, 2026, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location: Old San Juan
Cost: Free
La Casa del Libro will open its doors as part of the Pase de Museos del Viejo San Juan. Visitors will have access to the international exhibition Ex libris: Un grabado para tu libro, with guided tours at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. During the afternoon there will be art workshops: monotype printmaking at 1:00 p.m. and a collage workshop at 2:00 p.m.
Museo de las Américas
Date: Sunday, May 17, 2026, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location: Cuartel de Ballajá, second floor, Old San Juan
Cost: Free
Museo de las Américas joins the Pase de Museos with a creative miniature rural house workshop, available from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. During the afternoon, three guided tours of the museum's permanent galleries will be offered: El Indígena de las Américas (1:00 p.m.), Las Artes Populares (2:00 p.m.) and Herencia Africana (3:00 p.m.).
Casa Museo Felisa Rincón de Gautier
Date: Sunday, May 17, 2026, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Old San Juan
Cost: Free
Casa Museo Felisa Rincón de Gautier will open on Sunday, May 17, with a guided tour titled El Viejo San Juan de doña Fela, which departs from the museum and passes through key points in the historic district connected to the figure of San Juan's first mayor. Capacity is limited to 15 people, so those interested should call (787) 723-1897 to reserve a spot. The museum recommends bringing the Pase de Museos to have it stamped during the visit.
Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico
Date: Sunday, May 17, 2026, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Location: 299 Avenida José de Diego, Santurce
Cost: Free
Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico (MAPR) will open its doors free of charge all day Sunday as part of its Access for All Day program, dedicated to dance. Starting at 11:45 a.m., various dance performances, interpretive dance, ballet, plena and hip hop will take place in different areas of the museum.
If you're looking for more cultural options this month, check our guide to exhibitions and events at museums around Puerto Rico.
This content was translated with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
