Technology and Science
A planetarium instead of planet posters, jet engines instead of theory, earthquakes instead of geography books: if you want to know how the world works, this is your night. Eight places to marvel, tinker and try things out, from outer space to prehistoric times, and from the first tram to the mobile networks of tomorrow.
Deutsches Museum
For more than 100 years, one of the world's largest museums of science and technology has stood on the Museumsinsel. Here you don't just look, you touch, tinker and figure things out: around 20 exhibitions are packed with interactive stations, the Experimentier-Werkstatt runs hands-on workshops, and science shows in the auditorium and demonstrations in the chemistry lecture hall regularly leave audiences amazed. You'll also meet mountain farmers, amateur radio operators and dancing robots. If the sky is clear, the observatory's stargazing group invites you up to the roof terrace. For a breather, head to the restaurant or the lounge in the aviation hall.
Address: Museumsinsel 1, entrance Corneliusbrücke
Bus tour: 90 Linie Zentral, 94 Tour Ost
Accessibility: accessible
More info: Programme at the Deutsches Museum
Bayerische Volkssternwarte München
The public observatory brings the night sky closer to anyone who wants to see more than just points of light. In small groups of around ten people, you'll go through the exhibition, where vivid models explain our solar system, then into the ZEISS planetarium, and finally up to the roof terrace and the telescopes. On a clear night you'll see the most beautiful objects in the evening and night sky. Tours start every ten minutes; last admission is at 12:30 am.
Address: Rosenheimer Straße 145 h (rear building), entrance via Anzinger Straße 13 (follow the signs)
Bus tour: 94 Tour Ost; also from Ostbahnhof by MetroBus 55, StadtBus 145/155 or special shuttle to Anzinger Straße
Accessibility: not accessible
More info: Programme at the Volkssternwarte
MVG Museum
Munich's tram is turning 150, and the MVG Museum is celebrating with a journey through time for the whole family. Across more than 5,000 square metres, around 25 historic trams, buses and service vehicles from different eras are on display. Information panels and many exhibits tell the story of technology, city history and the people behind public transport. The star of the show is A-car no. 256: from 1898, the A series shaped the cityscape as Munich's first generation of electric trams, and this very car inspired this year's poster motif.
Address: Ständlerstraße 20
Bus tour: 91 Tour Innenstadt; also special shuttle from Odeonsplatz, StadtBus 139/145 to Ständlerstraße or tram 18 to Schwanseestraße
Accessibility: accessible
More info: Programme at the MVG Museum
Deutsches Museum Verkehrszentrum
"What moves us" is the motto of the Verkehrszentrum, which shows the full variety of land transport in three listed former trade-fair halls on the Theresienhöhe, whether on rollers, tyres, wheels or runners. Get moving yourself on the "crazy" bikes in the courtyard, in the carriage simulator or in the "SupraGleiter". The special exhibition "Homo Mobilis" presents large-format photographs by Martin Roemers of people around the world in their vehicles. Students from TUfast show off their latest racing car, and curator tours take place at 7, 8, 9 and 10 pm.
Address: Am Bavariapark 5
Bus tour: 91 Tour Innenstadt
Accessibility: partially accessible (details as PDF)
More info: Programme at the Verkehrszentrum
Telekommunikationsmuseum der TUM
The unique collection of TUM's Chair of Communication Networks tells the story of telephone switching technology since the 1920s, and the best part is that every exhibit still works and they're all connected to each other. This year the exhibition is part of the celebrations for 150 years of electrical and information engineering at TUM, so there are also insights into current research, including the mobile network of the future, 6G.
Address: TUM, Luisenstraße opposite Steinheilstraße, entrance VIII
Bus tour: 92 Tour West
Accessibility: not accessible
More info: Programme at the Telekommunikationsmuseum
Paläontologisches Museum München
The museum of the Bavarian State Collection of Palaeontology and Geology takes you through the history of life on Earth. Highlights include the primeval bird Archaeopteryx, the Mühldorf prehistoric elephant and a special exhibition on the evolution of cephalopods. With VR headsets, you can get up close to dinosaurs and co. virtually. The salon ensemble Csárdásparadies provides the music, scientists are on hand to answer your questions, and the "Paläo-Bar" takes care of your thirst.
Address: Richard-Wagner-Straße 10 / Luisenstraße 37
Bus tour: 90 Linie Zentral, 92 Tour West
Accessibility: not accessible
More info: Programme at the Paläontologisches Museum
Museum Mensch und Natur
Bavaria's natural history museum in the north wing of Schloss Nymphenburg covers everything from minerals and Earth's history to the brain and "Bruno" the bear. There's lots to get hands-on with: experience six historic earthquakes in the earthquake simulator, crack open a geode at the Münchener Mineralienfreunde stand, or take part in real biodiversity research with the Dawn Chorus project. The special exhibition "Molassic Park" takes you to Bavaria's prehistoric apes and elephants, with behind-the-scenes tours every hour from 7 pm to midnight. In the Recycle-Bar, Toni Bartl plays home-made instruments built from old junk from 7 to 10:30 pm.
Address: Schloss Nymphenburg
Bus tour: 92 Tour West, 95 Linie Nord
Accessibility: accessible; the earthquake simulator is not accessible and not suitable for people with a pacemaker or cochlear implant (details as PDF)
More info: Programme at the Museum Mensch und Natur
MTU-Museum
The company museum of MTU Aero Engines boasts a world-class collection: across almost 850 square metres, more than 50 exhibits tell the story of powered flight. You'll see historic aircraft engines from the early days of aviation, including one-of-a-kind pieces, as well as complete engines of today and propulsion technologies for the aviation of tomorrow. A giant greets you right at the entrance: the GP7000, which powers the Airbus A380 into the sky. Best combined with the Linie Nord from Nymphenburg.
Address: Dachauer Straße 665
Bus tour: 95 Linie Nord
Accessibility: information to follow
More info: Programme at the MTU-Museum