Since 1977, museums around the world have observed International Museum Day on May 18 to highlight the important role museums play in society and culture.
The theme for 2026 — “Museums Uniting a Divided World" — illustrates how museums can bring people from diverse backgrounds together and promote the value of communication and tolerance.
This year, various museums in the country are once again participating in the annual celebration.
Here are some venues and activities worth checking out if you have time to explore.
Take note that many of the activities and exhibits listed run on dates beyond May 18, so you still have time to plan your visit.
National Museum of the Philippines
Visitors will enjoy a variety of activities in the museum's Manila venue as well as its regional branches.
There are interactive gallery games, weaving workshops, lectures, guided tours, and arts and crafts sessions, among others.
What's more, a fun and educational detective game starting from 4:30 P.M. will be rolled out at the museum's Natural History building.
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Metropolitan Museum
Catch the museum's current exhibitions: Seams of Memory by Winna Go, Omocha: Japanese Toys Today, and Femme Hommage.
While there, explore the interactive stations featuring self-portrait illustration and play areas.
Best of all, admission to the museum is free from May 19 to 31 in celebration of International Museum Day.
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UP Manila Museum of a History of Ideas
Know more about Ermita's rich history by signing up for the Museum Walk and Talkback with curator Dr. Achanzar-Labor at 8:30 A.M.
You can also join the UP Manila Heritage Buildings Tour scheduled at 9:30 A.M.
Ayala Museum
Purchase a 2F exhibition ticket to access the museum galleries, which feature a wide range of collections, including historic ceramics, textiles, gold artifacts, artworks, and more.
Visitors can avail of a special promo giving full access to 2F exhibiiton ticket holders until May 28.
Here are the rates:
- Local Citizens: PHP200
- Discounted Rate: PHP120 (For students, seniors, PWDs, teachers, and museum workers)
- Foreigners: PHP300
The museum is also hosting a textiles exhibition focusing on shared weaving and embroidery techniques across different indigenous groups on May 19, a kids' art workshop on May 23, and a workshop plus discussion with Filipina fashion icon Patis Tesoro.
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Yuchengco Museum
Visitors can explore the museum’s ongoing exhibitions free of charge, but only until today, May 18.
Some of the exhibitions currently hosted by the museum include Anton Quisumbing's Pasulong: Recent Sculptures, Bernie Bacosa's Nakita sa Makati, Marco Y. Santos' Art-in-Progress, and Agimat at Anting-Anting.
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Ateneo Art Gallery
Visitors are welcome to access the museum for free on Tuesday, May 19.
Those interested in joining the banig weaving workshop at the Ben Chan ArtSuite, Soledad V. Pangilinan Arts Wing, from 1 P.M. to 4:30 P.M. will need to pay a PHP300 participation fee and bring two to three cleaned tetrapak cartons.
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DE LA SALLE COLLEGE OF SAINT BENILDE
The campus's auditorium will host a film screening organized by MCAD Manila on Friday, May 22, from 11 A.M. to 5 P.M. Free admission.
"This edition’s screening moves through the lives, practices, and inner worlds of selected Philippine visual artists, tracing how cinema becomes a space for remembering and honoring," MCAD Manila wrote on its Instagram page.
"From Nick Deocampo’s Edades: Victorio C. Edades and Modernism in Philippine Art (2004), Adieu Philippines (1981), to Hesumaria Sescon’s Yuta (1991), Candy Nagrampa’s Ang Kalibutan ni Nunelucio Alvarado (2021), Sari Dalena’s Asong Simbahan (1994), and Januar Yap and Kristoffer Villarino’s Masterpiece (2020), filmmaking here is regarded as a mnemonic practice."
To register, visit: bit.ly/MCADxMI-May
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Ocampo Pagoda Mansion (Quiapo Pagoda)
The Ocampo Pagoda Mansion, also known as the Quiapo Pagoda, is opening its doors to guests on May 23, from 9 A.M. to 4 P.M.
Constructed between 1936 and 1941 by real-estate tycoon Jose Mariano Ocampo, the Quiapo Pagoda is a three-story residence with a seven-story tower.
The house combines Japanese pagoda-inspired rooflines, medieval Western castle features, and Art Nouveau influences in its design
Fees are PHP75 (showcase area and balcony access) and PHP150 (full-access experience).
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MUSEO DEL GALEÓN
Step foot on the Galeón Espíritu Santo, a full-scale representation of a 17th-century galleon, and take a voyage of history and culture.
Sign up for this exciting free guided tour available throughout May, every Wednesday to Monday, with scheduled tours at 10 A.M., 1 P.M., and 4 P.M.
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