Beyond the public events that Pope Leo XIV will lead during his visit to Madrid, his trip to the capital will also result in a special edition of the Noche en Blanco on the night of June 6–7, 2026, which will extend the usual opening hours for the public at a number of museums, cultural institutions, and historic parishes.
The initiative—dubbed the White (and Yellow) Night, in a nod to the Vatican flag—will not only allow visitors to explore museums such as the Reina Sofía, the Thyssen, the Prado, or the Temple of Debod well into the night and even past midnight, but admission will also be free ( including for temporary exhibitions).
The Pope’s visit will also involve the opening of some churches in the capital: according to the event’s official website,“several Madrid parishes of architectural, historical, and artistic value will also join in, opening their doors during those hours so that pilgrims can visit and pray there.” One of them will be the Parish Church of Los Sagrados Corazones, which will remain open all night.
Museums and cultural institutions that will be open at night
- Reina Sofía National Art Museum. Extended hours until 11:30 p.m., with free admission starting at 7:00 p.m.
- Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum. Extended hours until midnight, with free admission starting at 7:00 p.m. Includes access to temporary exhibitions.
- Caixaforum Madrid. Extended hours until midnight, with free admission starting at 8:00 p.m. Includes access to temporary exhibitions.
- Naval Museum. Extended hours until midnight.
- Espacio Fundación Telefónica. Extended hours until midnight.
- National Prado Museum. Extended hours until 12:30 a.m.
- Gallery of the Royal Collections. Extended hours until 1:00 a.m.
- Mapfre Foundation. Extended hours until 1:00 a.m., with free admission starting at 8:00 p.m.
- Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando. Extended hours until 2:00 a.m., with free admission starting at 7:00 p.m.
- Madrid History Museum. Extended hours until 2:00 a.m. Including access to temporary exhibitions.
- San Isidro Museum. The Origins of Madrid. Extended hours until 2:00 a.m.
- Temple of Debod. Extended hours until 2:00 a.m.
- Banca March Garden. Extended hours until 4:00 a.m. Includes access to the temporary exhibition.
Thanks to this special opening, the public will have access to some of Madrid’s most notable current exhibitions, such as Robert Frank & The Americans, as well as other museums like the Lope de Vega House Museum, the Nave de Motores de Pacífico, and the Dos de Mayo Art Center Museum (CA2M). On this map you can see all the participating venues, and here you’ll find all the details, such as opening hours, addresses, and even how each stop relates to Pope Leo XIV’s visit.
The event will also feature the Reina Sofía School of Music with a concert at the School’s Auditorium from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. (advance registration required), the Teatros del Canal —with a program aimed at young people titled “No la debemos dormir”—and even the Verdi Cinemas on Bravo Murillo, which is offering a series of faith-themed screenings with tickets priced at €4.90 from 12:30 a.m. to 7:00 a.m.
