Any great plans for this coming Saturday evening, May 17? If you won’t be tuning into the camp and glitz of the annual Eurovision Song Contest, you could always check out one of the more than 2,000 events being put on in conjunction with the 5th Edition of the European Night of the Museums. The site’s handy map of Europe will help you to find the locations of the various spectacles, concerts, illuminations and other fun stuff that is to be laid on. Here is a tiny sampling of things you could check out:

GERMANY

Ellwangen, near Stuttgart, the Alamanni Museum has a rock concert and a special exhibit.
Abtsgmünd-Untergröningen, near Stuttgart, offers a nighttime visit to the castle in candlelight.
Bühlertal, near Karlsruhe, Museum Geiserschmiede (blacksmith’s shop), stages illuminations and forge demonstrations.

ITALY

Vicenza, 6 events, including a tasting of old Roman recipes at the Archaeological Museum.

UNITED KINGDOM

Cambridge, Museum of Technology, actors portraying victims of contagious diseases will frighten visitors to the venue venue, which is at an old pumping station.

If you’re a real museum buff, be aware that May 17 is International Museum Day.  To commemorate the occasion, some museums may host contests, workshops, conferences or performances, or offer extended opening hours.