Free entry for International Museum Day on 18th May
History buffs and those who just savour the feeling of museum legs will want to clear up their schedules on 18th May 2025. To celebrate International Museum Day, museums in Malaysia that are under the Department of Museums Malaysia are lifting admission fees for visitors.
Here’s the full list for your upcoming Sunday museum-hopping excursion.
What is International Museum Day?
On 18th May, museums across the globe are observing International Museum Day, an annual event dedicated to emphasising the pivotal role that museums play in our communities. This year’s theme, The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities, focuses on shifts that museums worldwide are experiencing in the face of social, technological, and environmental changes.
The iconic Muzium Tekstil Negara in KL.
Image credit: @sunflowy19 via Instagram
This year, the Department of Museums Malaysia, or Jabatan Muzium Malaysia (JMM), joins the event by opening up all the museums under its care to the public for free, as announced on their Facebook page. There are 21 museums in total, but two are temporarily closed until further notice for maintenance works: Muzium Diraja Kuala Lumpur and Galeria Perdana Pulau Langkawi.
Image adapted from: @littlecornerofsummer, @being_harith via Instagram
The department is responsible for preserving, conserving, and disseminating knowledge on the country’s historical, cultural, and natural heritage. So, anyone planning to visit as many museums as possible on their list of museums on International Museum Day can expect to walk away more knowledgeable about Malaysia.
The full list of participating museums, sorted by state
Muzium Tekstil Negara.
Image credit: @afifahabdulkarim via Instagram
JMM’s offerings encompass some of Malaysia’s most notable institutions. We’ve sorted them below by state and their highlights, so you know where to head to come 18th May:
| State | Museum | Features |
| Kuala Lumpur |
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| Selangor | Muzium Automobil Nasional Sepang | Malaysia’s automotive heritage with a diverse collection of vehicles and exhibits
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| Perak |
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| Kedah |
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| Perlis | Muzium Kota Kayang | The rich history and cultural exhibits of the region’s heritage |
| Negeri Sembilan |
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| Pahang | Muzium Sungai Lembing | Malaysia’s tin mining heritage, in the historic town of Sungai Lembing |
| Melaka | Muzium Seni Bina Malaysia | Malaysia’s architectural heritage |
| Johor | Muzium Kota Johor Lama | The history of Johor Lama & the historical aspects of the old Johor fortress along the Johor River |
| Labuan |
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Muzium Automobil Nasional Sepang.
Image credit: @afifahabdulkarim via Instagram
Visit museums in Malaysia for free on International Museum Day
With museums that focus on Malaysian heritage and culture flinging open their doors without admission fees required, you’ll want to mark your calendars for Museum Day. Tickets are already priced at an affordable RM2 for Malaysians and RM5 for tourists on a usual day at most of these museums, but now you can bring the whole family and go for a meal after.
Also check out these museums:
- Unique museums in Malaysia
- Penang’s first museum with ancient ceramics & porcelain
- Penang History Gallery, a new museum in Penang
Cover image adapted from: @afifahabdulkarim, @sunflowy19, @being_harith via Instagram