During the festive season, residents and visitors will have more opportunities to immerse themselves in culture on public holidays: all the city’s museums will be open on St Stephen’s Day (26 December) and Epiphany (6 January), allowing the public to explore the numerous temporary exhibitions currently on display and the permanent collections.
In addition, the Palazzo Ricchieri Civic Art Museum and the Bertoia Gallery will be open continuously from 29 to 31 December and will hold a special opening on 1 January (New Year’s Day) – an unmissable opportunity to immerse yourself in the prestigious photography exhibitions that form part of the ‘Towards Pordenone, Italian Capital of Culture 2027’ project.
CURRENT EXHIBITIONS
Galleria Bertoia e Museo d'Arte – Palazzo Ricchieri e
The star attractions are the exhibitions dedicated to Robert Doisneau, a master of French photography and the photographer behind the iconic shot ‘Le Baiser de l’hôtel de ville’, and to contemporary photographers Olivia Arthur and Seiichi Furuya, with the exhibition season centred around the theme of ‘reading’. A major cultural project that fosters dialogue and connections between the great masters of international photography and contemporary photographers of the highest calibre, forming an integral part of the Pordenone 2027 dossier. A city that surprises.
Museo di Storia Naturale Silvia Zenari
It is hosting the second edition of the exhibition “E scende giù dal ciel”, an educational exhibition that invites visitors to discover the Nativity through the eyes of an astronomer. A special event takes place on Sunday 28 December at 5.00 pm with “Alla scoperta del cielo” (Discovering the Sky), an afternoon organised in collaboration with local astronomy associations featuring stargazing through telescopes; the event is open to the public of all ages (information and bookings on the Pordenone City Council website).
Museo Archeologico del Friuli Occidentale – Castello di Torre
In addition to the permanent collection, the exhibition “A Mosaic of Stories”, organised in collaboration with the “Il Castello” Association and UTEA Cordenons, is on display until 11 January 2026. The exhibition tells the story of Torre Castle through the art of mosaics and the colours of the tiles used in this ancient artistic tradition.
Public Library
Two temporary exhibitions: “Inks… with artistry. Five artists and the alchemy of the line”, which brings together some of the most established masters of contemporary Italian printmaking (Giulio Belluz, Vico Calabrò, Franco Dugo, Matteo Massagrande and Giovanni Simione), and “Reflections on Water. Landscapes of the Soul”, a solo exhibition by Stefano Andrean celebrating the beauty of the Friuli region through the artist’s poetic and vibrant vision.
SPECIAL EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES: SLEEPOVER AT THE MUSEUM AND CHRISTMAS CAMP AT THE MUSEUMS
For anyone who dreams of experiencing what the characters in the film 'Night at the Museum' went through, 'Sleepover at the Museum' returns to the Art Museum on Saturday 27 December from 8.00 pm – the event that has won over children and families by turning a simple night out into a cinematic adventure. A few places are still available (the 'Sleepover at the Natural History Museum' is already fully booked).
In addition, during the Christmas holidays, on 29, 30 and 31 December, there will be three special days at the Civic Museums featuring creative activities, guided tours and in-depth sessions for children in Years 1 to 5, so they can learn whilst having fun and discover the city’s museum collections.
HOLIDAY OPENING HOURS
Friday 26 December 2025 (Boxing Day)
Galleria Bertoia: 10.00–13.00 and 15.00–19.00
Museo Civico d'Arte: 10.00–13.00 and 15.00–19.00
Museo di Storia Naturale: 3.00 pm–7.00 pm
Museo Archeologico: 3.00 pm–6.00 pm
From 29 to 31 December and on Thursday 1 January 2026 (New Year’s Day)
Galleria Bertoia: 3.00 pm–7.00 pm
Museo Civico d'Arte: 3.00 pm–7.00 pm
Monday 5 January 2026
Galleria Bertoia: 3.00 pm–7.00 pm
Museo Civico d'Arte: 3.00 pm–7.00 pm
Tuesday 6 January 2026 (Epiphany)
Galleria Bertoia: 10.00–13.00 and 15.00–19.00
Museo Civico d'Arte: 10.00–13.00 and 15.00–19.00
Museo di Storia Naturale: 3.00 pm–7.00 pm
Museo Archeologico: 3.00 pm–6.00 pm
Public Library – Children’s Section – Extended opening hours
The Children’s Section of the Public Library, which is normally open Monday to Friday from 3.00 pm to 7.00 pm and on Saturdays from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm and from 3.00 pm to 7.00 pm, is extending its opening hours to include morning sessions during the school holidays:
Wednesday 24 December: 9.30 am–12.30 pm
Tuesday 30 and Wednesday 31 December: 9.30 am–12.30 pm
Friday 2 January 2026: 9.30 am–12.30 pm
A valuable opportunity for children and young people to access library services even in the mornings during the holidays.