The Prado Museum in Madrid broadens its evening outreach with a program called El Prado at Night, scheduled for the first Saturday of every month. The galleries will open from 20:30 to 23:30 to invite more people to experience world‑class art in a setting that feels intimate and accessible. This initiative, supported in part by Samsung, limits access to certain parts of the museum while inviting visitors to delve into curated highlights during a special after-hours window. The aim is to demystify the museum experience and bring the public closer to the collection by offering a thoughtfully paced, in-person encounter with masterpieces under soft lighting and a quieter crowd. The planning statement from the Prado emphasizes a deliberate effort to disseminate knowledge in an orderly and engaging manner, making the institution’s treasure trove of European painting—spanning generations and regions—more approachable during a single, social evening. The opening night is slated for March 4, with the Central Gallery featuring works by masters such as Tintoretto, Titian, and Rubens, providing a focused opportunity to study iconic canvases up close while enjoying the unique after-hours atmosphere. The program includes a curated slate of musical performances and interactive multimedia experiences created through the collaboration with Samsung, which marks a decade of partnership between the two institutions. On the inaugural night, Radio 3 will broadcast live from the Jerónimos lobby, delivering a program that weaves music and commentary into the Prado experience and adds a layer of creativity to the visit. This after-hours model is designed with flexibility in mind, allowing the venue to accommodate a diverse audience while ensuring that social distancing and crowd management guidelines can be respected as a norm during these extended hours. The museums note that entry remains free until capacity is reached, and the last entry is allowed at 23:00 via the Los Jerónimos entrance, while the cafeteria continues to serve guests throughout the duration of the event. The overall aim is to cultivate a welcoming environment that encourages repeated visits, fosters dialogue about the artworks, and demonstrates how modern technology and live performance can enhance traditional gallery viewing. The program’s structure and timing are crafted to complement daytime operations, providing an alternative rhythm for those who might not otherwise plan a trip to the Prado, and to support broader accessibility goals while honoring the museum’s preservation responsibilities. Visitors are encouraged to arrive early enough to enjoy the initial rooms, where the privilege of extra time with celebrated canvases becomes a practical, human-scale experience rather than a rushed, daylight sprint through the galleries. In keeping with the ongoing collaboration with Samsung, the event also invites attendees to explore multimedia installations and sonic experiments that invite new interpretations of classic paintings, offering a fresh lens on long-standing masterpieces. The Prado’s leadership hopes that El Prado at Night will become a regular feature in Madrid’s cultural calendar, drawing residents and travelers alike to a late-evening cultural ritual that blends art, music, and technology into a single, memorable outing. The program aligns with the museum’s mission to educate and inspire the public by presenting art in a lively, inclusive setting, and it stands as a compelling example of how cultural institutions can entertain while they educate.
From the Jerónimos lobby, the March 4 event promises a unique fusion of visual and sonic experiences, inviting visitors to linger in front of canvases and listen to commissioned musical works that respond to the rooms and the artworks on view. The central gallery’s emphasis on Tintoretto, Titian, and Rubens will offer a concentrated encounter with late Renaissance and Baroque masterpieces, inviting comparisons across space, technique, and narrative. The music program, designed to complement rather than overwhelm the paintings, aims to spark new conversations among attendees about composition, color, and historical context. The collaboration with Samsung includes a suite of digital features and interactive elements designed to enhance the visitors’ sense of immersion, while still preserving the contemplative atmosphere that distinguishes gallery viewing. The live broadcast by Radio 3 is expected to attract additional attention and provide a sonic footprint that makes the Prado’s after-hours event feel like a cultural ceremony rather than a simple museum visit.
As with any museum initiative, practical details guide the experience. Admission remains free up to capacity, with the final entry timed for 23:00 from the Los Jerónimos entrance, and the café continuing service throughout the evening. Those planning to attend should consider parking and transit options, as late-night schedules can vary with city operations. The Prado emphasizes that while access is extended for this monthly program, the preservation of artworks remains a priority, and visitor flow is managed to safeguard the integrity of the galleries and the safety of both the collection and the guests. In this way, El Prado at Night offers an inviting blend of cultural enrichment and social engagement, giving audiences a chance to connect with masterworks in a setting that feels deliberately paced and warmly human. The initiative also demonstrates how long-standing partnerships, like the decade-long collaboration with Samsung, can evolve into experiences that enrich public life without compromising the museum’s core mission of stewardship and education. Interested visitors should monitor the museum’s communications for any updates or changes to schedules, and come prepared to enjoy a thoughtfully curated evening that showcases art, sound, and technology in harmony with Madrid’s vibrant cultural scene. — Attribution: Prado Museum press materials and event briefings.