Wednesday

All day, eight museums have opened their doors to you!

The Utrecht Archives

Opening hours on Wednesday 13/08/2025: 10:00 – 17:00

Utrecht begins here! In the Expo during UIT you will discover Utrecht’s identity from the past and present and get to know the city. In the summer presentation you can experience the ‘Summer of ’75’ with vintage photos and films, and in the exhibition ‘Voor het kiezen’ you can learn all about Utrecht democracy.

Museum Speelklok

Tours at 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30 and 4:15 p.m.

Looking for a fun cultural activity in the center of Utrecht? Then come to Museum Speelklok! This museum in Utrecht is a typical Dutch must-see. After all, here you step into the wonderful world of self-playing musical instruments. Be surprised by the cheerful music coming from all corners of the museum. Please place the same photo as last year!

Sonnenborgh

In the authentic 19th-century observatory, built on 1552 Sonnenborgh bastion, researchers used to unravel the composition of the sun. Here the KNMI started and scientists drew up the first weather reports of the Netherlands. Now Sonnenborgh is a museum about weather and astronomy and a public observatory where you can investigate and admire the universe yourself.

Railroad Museum

Opening hours on Wednesday 13/08/2025: 10:00 – 17:00

At which museum can you take a real roller coaster ride past Steel Monsters? Or wander through an old and puffing mining village? At the Railway Museum you will experience the adventurous world of trains. And don’t forget to finish with our Trial by Fire, a spectacular virtual journey through time. Do you dare?

People’s Neighborhood Museum

Opening hours on Wednesday 13/08/2025: 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Come see, listen and smell! Discover what it was like to live in a working-class neighborhood in the poverty-stricken conditions of around 1920. The volksbuurt used to be a neighborhood where ‘the common people’ lived, often in small houses in poor condition. Wijk C was Utrecht’s most densely populated neighborhood 100 years ago. In the neighborhood, large families lived in small hovels. Step into the life of the De Jong family and judge for yourself whether it was the ‘good old days’. Maybe after this you will look at your neighborhood with a completely different perspective!

Central Museum

Opening hours on Wednesday 13/08/2025: 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Step inside Centraal Museum and be enchanted in a treasure trove of art, design, fashion and city history. With old paintings to the creations of Gerrit Rietveld, the beautiful costumes of Iris van Herpen or Viktor & Rolf and the studio of Dick Bruna, there is something for everyone! Stress about choices? Do the Eigen Wijzer: a customized itinerary based on your preferences. If you are ready for a drink you can go to Museumcafé Centraal, located in the beautiful museum garden.

Van Ravesteyn House

Opening hours on Wednesday 13/08/2025: 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Railroad architect Sybold van Ravesteyn designed this detached residence for himself in 1932. He experimented with wavy lines and curling forms. Entirely against the principles of the Nieuwe Bouwen, whose members could not always appreciate his exuberance and love of ornaments. Be overwhelmed by this extraordinary house!

University Museum Utrecht

Opening hours on Wednesday, 13/08/2025: 10:00 – 17:00 | From 12:00 – 15:30, guided tours of the hortus will start every half hour.

UMU is the museum for anyone who is curious. Here you get a peek under the hood of science and discover surprising collections. Behind the museum is the Old Hortus, in this former botanical garden you can enjoy special trees and plants and plop down on one of the most beautiful terraces in Utrecht.