The Long Night at the Museum der Natur Hamburg

For the 5,322 visitors, there was a lot to discover in the three exhibitions of zoology, mineralogy and geology-palaeontology. In addition to exciting guided tours and games, the museum guests examined rock samples under the microscope, researched animals and plants encased in amber, identified their own finds and prepared everything from fossils to insects.

In the mineralogy department, young visitors in particular panned gold with great vigour under expert guidance. Visitors tested fluorescent artefacts under a special light and learnt amazing things about the raw material metal and rare earths.

A highlight for children (and all Minecraft fans) was the personal exchange with Dr Stefan Peters. He is not only the director of our mineralogical exhibition, but also the author of the latest WAS IST WAS book "Minerals and Rocks".

The exclusive glimpses behind the scenes were particularly popular. Visitors were given insights into our scientific collections during guided tours. Whether mammals, birds, fish or the surprising world of invertebrates, fascination for the animal world was in the air.

Night owls got creative at hands-on stations with crabigami, upcycling and the Tattoomat, while in the education rooms, visitors were able to get hands-on with (taxidermied) animals.

Our cooperation partners the Asphaltsprenger and Loki Schmidt Foundation were on hand in the zoological exhibition to answer questions about how nature can be discovered beyond the museum and how it is possible to get involved. Visitors were also able to find out more about the City Nature Challenge, which will take place in May.

For the team at our Leibniz Institute, this is always a special bonus: during the Long Night of Museums, volunteers from the three Hamburg exhibitions, colleagues from the collections, research and administration work hand in hand. Once again this year, colleagues from the LIB in Bonn travelled to Hamburg to provide active support and open the museum to interested visitors at night. A special spirit accompanies this annual event – we are already looking forward to the next Long Night in April 2027.

If you don't want to wait that long: we provide information about all upcoming dates on our events page. You can also book exciting events for small and large groups via the Museumsdienst Hamburg or contact our education and outreach team directly.