Museums at Night is nearly here: Where will you go?

This article originally appeared on Culture24.

Museums at Night, May 13-16, is almost upon us; here's a taster of what's in store

Now in its seventh year, Museums at Night offers the chance to experience culture and heritage in a totally unexpected way.

With hundreds of museums, galleries and historic spaces all over the UK opening their doors after hours to put on an array of special events, you could experience everything from a sleepover or treasure hunt to a gig or a dance in your local museum.

Find something near you at museumsatnight.org.uk or take a look at our region-by-region highlights below.

The festival has experienced phenomenal growth during the past few years, attracting 180,000 visits to 700 events in more than 500 venues across the country in 2014.

LONDON

Expedition to Iceland Sleepover, The William Morris Museum, London (May 16) Camp out in the mysterious landscape of the William Morris Gallery, follow Sigurd the Volsung's brave journey in the Icelandic stories performed by E17 Puppet Project and take part in art and craft activities. Ticket includes breakfast, hands-on activities, prizes, a torch tour and a puppet show. For children aged 8-12-years-old. More here.

Dunkirk Little Ships 75th Anniversary festival (May 16)
More than 20 Dunkirk Little Ships gather in London’s Royal Docks over the weekend ahead of their Return to Dunkirk journey to mark the 75th anniversary of the Dunkirk Evacuations. During the evening the Dunkirk Little Ships will parade around Royal Victoria Dock and The Silver Queen will offer twilight trips around the docks. There will be also be the chance to step aboard some of the other ships taking part. Any Age. More here.

The Royal College of Music presents Museums at Night, Fulham Palace, London (May 15) A special site-specific evening of cultural entertainment as talented musicians take visitors back in time with vignette performances in the Palace's unique and beautiful settings with atmospheric pieces from the Tudor, Georgian and Victorian eras. More here.

Nature Late: The Horniman Museum, London (May 14) Visit the Horniman after hours and discover how contemporary artists have been inspired by fauna and flora to create fascinating responses to the world around us. From reinventing taxidermy and 1920s nature films with an electronic live score to street artists painting wildlife, tours, cocktails, food and more. More here.

Dickens After Dark, the Charles Dickens Museum, London (May 15) For one evening only, the former home of the great author opens its doors for a delectable evening of Victorian entertainment. Michael Slater will read from the infamous books penned in the house alongside classic film screenings, live music, The Library Bar and a beautiful hidden walled garden waiting to be discovered. More here.

Museum Mile Walking Tour, London (May 15) Visit five of the museums in the Museum Mile - the Cartoon Museum, the Brunei Gallery, the Petrie Museum, UCL Rock Room and the British Museum. The walk will start at 5.30pm by the red sculpture in the courtyard of Central Saint Giles, 1 Saint Giles high Street, London, WC2H 8AG and end by 8.30pm near Great Russell Street. More here.

Late Night Keats, Keats House, London (May 15) ‘Through buried paths, where sleepy twilight dreams the summer time away’...try your hand at the art of shadow puppetry, create your own Regency silhouette or join a twilight tour to explore John Keats’ life. Join puppeteers Smoking Apples for a drop-in workshop. More here.

Put That Light Out! Sleepover, Firepower Royal Artillery Museum, London (May 16) An evening packed with fun activities such as Military Drilling, Rocket Firing, World Wars Tour and Medal Making Crafts followed by a sleepover in among the guns and exhibits of the Museum. During the evening there will be a traditional military Sunset Ceremony to lower the flag and reflect on the day followed by a campfire sing-along of World War II favourites and hot chocolate. More here.

SOUTH EAST

Charleston House, Sussex (May 15-16) will have several author events taking place for Museums at Night as part of their annual Charleston Festival, ranging from Antonia Fraser in conversation with Jon Snow to Monty Don discussing his career with Observer writer Kate Kellaway. More here.

Family Dockyard Sleepover - Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, Portsmouth, Hampshire (May 15-16) An evening of exciting activities at the National Museum of the Royal Navy and Action Stations. Battle your way through Laser Quest, scale the climbing wall, help build a mini dockyard out of Lego and design and wear your own naval style tattoo. Ages 5-13. More here.

Sensations - Pitt Rivers Museum, Oxford (May 15)
Sound artists Mike Blow and Alex Allmont improvise with a ‘Theremuino’ and make beats from LEGO, live bands play in the Museum of Natural History, torch tours explore the galleries, pop-up sensory stations and hands-on activities open up the collection; a taste challenge takes place among the dinosaurs and much more. 18+. More here.

SOUTH WEST

The Singular Exploits of Sherlock Holmes, The Salisbury Museum, Wiltshire (May 15) Join the greatest super sleuth of all time, brought back to life by the multi-talented Jonathan Goodwin, Artistic Director of the Don’t Go Into The Cellar Theatre Company. Featuring wry humour and quick costume changes – Victorian theatre at its gothic best. 11+ years. More here.

Party in the City: Swing Band - Roman Baths, Bath, Somerset (May 15)
Enjoy swing music and a drink from the bar beside the Great Bath and then head inside the museum to hear ancient Lyre player Michael Levy and Waytes & Measures, a band of medieval music makers. There will also be a replica Roman water organ for you to play. Any Age. More here.

EAST OF ENGLAND

Across North Norfolk (May 14-16)
Eighteen free events over three days at museums, parks, libraries and other cultural venues and heritage sites across 10 North Norfolk towns ranging from traditional Norfolk music at North Walsham Library to a Wild Night at the Museum of the Broads at Stalham. More here

Artists Rooms: Jeff Koons - Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery, Norwich (May 16) A very special evening designed by an extraordinary group of young people, the Koons Collaborative, as part of the Young Norfolk Arts Festival. Events include a resident DJ in the Koonsbury Festival Garden, a selfie opportunity on the Kitschbooth, parading bears, living statues, firebreather and many more surprises.
All Ages. More here.

Escape the Crystal Room - Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences, Cambridge (May 15) Ever wondered what it would be like to be locked in a museum after dark? Escape the Crystal Room, an interactive live escape game designed for groups of 3 to 8 people including puzzles code cracking. You'll race against time in order to escape the room you are locked in. All Ages. More here.

MIDLANDS

Martin Parr and Canaletto - Compton Verney (May 14)
One of Britain’s most successful and popular contemporary photographers discusses his long and influential career in photography. Photography activities will show you how to learn to document day-to-day life and life events on camera. Any age. More here.

The Great Warwickshire Show and Tell - Market Hall Museum, Warwick (May 15) Warwick town centre will again be transformed into ‘The Great Warwickshire Show and Tell' with more than 50 very public exhibition spaces curated by local people. Bringing together the fantastic and personal heritage and culture of Warwickshire, each exhibitor will show objects that they feel best represent their hobby/group/activities. Any age. More here.

Red by Night, Black Country Living Museum, Dudley (May 16) For one night only the Museum will recreate the industrial might of the region by transforming into a glowing plethora of smoke and fire as skilled craftsmen and costumed demonstrators recreate one of the hardiest landscapes England has ever known. Any age. More here.

Open Cockpits Evening - Royal Air Force Museum Cosford, Shifnal, Shropshire (May 15-16) Take a closer look at a wide range of aircraft, including transport aircraft, jet fighters and unique research airframes. Get a feel for what it was really like to fly these much loved machines in an special after-hours access to the museum. Any age. More here.

NORTH EAST

The Late Shows - various, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Tyne and Wear (May 15-16) An inspiring, after-dark programme of events and exhibitions centering on cultural venues in Newcastle and Gateshead. Expect anything from interactive art, treasure trails, behind the scenes tours to live music, DJs, discos and artist talks.
More here.

Music, Food and Fun at Beamish - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North, Durham (May 16) An evening of music, food and entertainment and a special after hours chance to see Beamish's unique preservation of early 20th century everyday life in North East England after hours. Family Friendly. More here.

NORTH WEST

Night of a Thousand Selfies - Abbot Hall Art Gallery, Kendal, Cumbria (May 15) You are invited to join the obsession as the Kendal gallery transforms into a bar, tattoo parlour, discussion space and giant photo booth inspired all by the amazing portraits on display 14+ years. More here.

Marks in Time exhibition: M & S Company Archive, Leeds (May 14) Actors bring to life characters from M&S’ past to tell the story of the company’s earliest days as a market stall to today's bustling department store - all in the place where it began. More here.

LightNight, Liverpool (May 15) Liverpool’s one-night arts festival, LightNight, returns to illuminate the city for the sixth consecutive year. There are around 100 free events, including interactive light projections, colourful street performances, exhibition launches, heritage tours, open studios, exclusive science demonstrations, live music, hands-on art workshops and much more from 50 city centre locations. More here.

Manchester After Hours (May 14) Not to be outdone, Manchester’s museums, galleries and libraries join together for a one-night, city-wide social ranging from music at Marx and Engels' hangout, Chetham's Library, to an immersive, sensory experience of moving image and live music amid the mighty turbines of the Museum of Science & Industry. More here.

WALES

Museums at Night Science Special - National Waterfront Museum, Swansea (May 15) Demonstrations and practical experiments galore in this fun and interactive Lucky Dip show. Family Friendly. More here.

Mad Hatters Tea Party, Gladstone’s Library, Flintshire (May 15) Celebrating the 150th anniversary of the publication of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland with a whole host of literary themed events. More here.

SCOTLAND

Behind the Scenes - The Tenement House, Glasgow, (May 15)
A unique opportunity to see items too delicate for regular display at The Tenement House, a time capsule of Glasgow life in the early 20th century. Any Age. More here.

Dancing in the Streets - Almond Valley Heritage Centre/Museum of the Scottish Shale Oil Industry, Livingston, West Lothian (May 15) Bring all the family and show off your Scottish dancing skills at this family-friendly ceilidh. More here.

• Find an event near you at museumsatnight.org.uk.
  

Source: http://www.culture24.org.uk/places-to-go/art524776-museums-at-night-is-nearly-here-where-will-you-go