A programme ranging from creative workshops to guided tours, from talks with experts to fun and educational days during the holidays, right through to truly special experiences such as ‘Sleeping at the Museum’. A programme designed to offer cultural experiences to all kinds of visitors: from families with children to experts, and from the simply curious to enthusiasts of art, nature, archaeology and photography.
Alberto Parigi, Councillor for Culture: “The numerous activities organised in the municipal museums over the Christmas period perfectly reflect our vision: museums that are open, vibrant and at the service of the community. We have devised activities such as the Christmas Camp, which allows families to entrust their children to a cultural environment where they can learn whilst having fun during the school holidays, or to have the chance to spend the night at the museum with the whole family for a unique experience that turns the visit into a memorable adventure, just like the ones you see in films.” The Councillor continues: “All this means having a very clear idea of how museums should be conceived today: not merely custodians of cultural heritage, but dynamic places teeming with life, spaces that go beyond their traditional function to become genuine centres of social interaction and culture serving the community.”
CHRISTMAS ADVENTURES – THE CIVIC MUSEUMS’ CHRISTMAS CAMP
The Christmas holidays will be a special occasion for children in Years 1 to 5 with the ‘Christmas Adventures at the Museum’: three mornings spent at the three municipal museums (8.30 am–12.30 pm) exploring art, nature and archaeology:
- Monday 29 December: Natural History Museum
- Tuesday 30 December: Museum of Archaeology
- Wednesday 31 December: Art Museum
Each day features creative activities, guided tours and in-depth sessions designed to make learning fun. Children will take part without accompanying adults. The cost of the three-day package is €30.00 per child. Online bookings open on 1 December and close on Thursday 18 December. Further information is available on the Pordenone City Council website.
BEDTIME AT THE MUSEUM – IN PORDENONE, JUST LIKE IN A FILM
By popular demand, following the success of previous editions, the magical ‘Nanna al Museo’ is back – a unique experience that will allow children and families to enjoy an extraordinary adventure: falling asleep surrounded by works of art and natural history exhibits, exploring the museum’s galleries by night, and waking up in a place where history, art and nature come to life. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to turn a night at the museum into an unforgettable memory, just like in the films! Two events:
- Saturday 27 December at the Art Museum – Palazzo Ricchieri (from 8.00 pm). The sleeping area will be set up in the ‘Casarini’ room on the first floor and, if necessary, in the adjoining room.
- Friday 3 January at the Natural History Museum (from 8.00 pm). The sleeping area will be set up in the conference room on the first floor of the Museum.
The cost is €20.00 per child (including one accompanying adult per child). Book and pay online; full details are available on the Pordenone City Council website.
Archaeological Museum of Western Friuli – Torre Castle
From 29 November 2025 to 11 January 2026, during opening hours, visitors will be able to view the exhibition ‘A Mosaic of Stories’, organised in collaboration with the ‘Il Castello’ Association and UTEA Cordenons. 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.
This month also features two major lectures on the archaeology of the Near East, organised in collaboration with the Il Castello Association: Thursday 11 December, 5.30 pm: ‘Discovering Mesopotamia: excavations and surveys in Syria and Iraq’, presented by Dr Katia Gavagnin; and on Wednesday 17 December at 5.30 pm: ‘Archaeology along the Nile: where Egypt meets Sudan’, presented by Professor Francesca Iannarilli
Natural History Museum
The month begins with the opening of the second edition of the exhibition “E scende giù dal ciel” (Friday 5 December, 6.00 pm), an educational exhibition that invites visitors to discover the Nativity through the eyes of an astronomer. The exhibition will be accompanied by a number of events to explore this fascinating topic in greater depth: Saturday 7 December, 5.00 pm: “Through the eyes and instruments of the astronomer” – an informative session to learn about and try out both ancient and modern instruments for observing the sky. The activity is open to the public of all ages.
Saturday 13 December, 4.00–6.00 pm: “Saturday at the Museum: Let’s…” – a workshop for children aged 6 to 10 based on the exhibition’s theme, organised by Mondo Delfino. An event designed for families to discover together the richness of the permanent collections and the fascinating aspects of the temporary exhibitions. This session will explore the fascinating world of stars, comets and meteorites.
Sunday 14 December, 5.00 pm, and Sunday 28 December, 5.00 pm: “Discovering the Sky” – afternoons organised in collaboration with local astronomy societies, featuring stargazing through telescopes; an activity open to the public of all ages.
Sunday 21 December, 3.30 pm: a guided tour of the exhibition “E scende giù dal ciel”, curated by Mondo Delfino. What are the scientific theories behind the Star of Bethlehem? A journey through historical astronomy and modern discoveries, offering a fresh perspective on history.
Museo d'Arte – Palazzo Ricchieri
On Sunday 7 December at 3.30 pm, a family workshop dedicated to winter and its colours: the Civic Art Museum’s collection is brimming with landscapes depicting the various seasons, and participants will embark on a journey through the paintings to discover just how vibrant and full of possibilities this time of year can be, whilst creating their own memento of a magical winter together.
Galleria Bertoia
On Sunday 14 December at 3.30 pm, there will be a guided tour of the exhibition dedicated to Robert Doisneau, a master of French photography and the photographer behind the iconic shot ‘Le Baiser de l’hôtel de ville’. On display at Galleria Bertoia are over a hundred photographs that trace the photographer’s illustrious career, taking visitors on a stroll through the streets, cafés and working-class neighbourhoods of the City of Light that he immortalised through his lens. The guided tour will be led by Mondo Delfino.
Information and bookings
For further details, costs and booking information, please visit the ‘Events’ section on the Pordenone City Council website or send an email to prenotazionimusei@comune.pordenone.it