This year, the International Museum Day is celebrated on 18 May 2025 and with a collective focus on The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities. This theme looks to honour the essential role of museums as connectors, innovators, and stewards of cultural identity. And to celebrate Museum Day, DITSONG Museums is offering free access to all their cultural outposts from 18 to 25 May 2025. Here’s what you need to know.

What’s the 2025 theme for International Museum Day?

Aligned with the 27th ICOM General Conference in Dubai, Museums all over the world celebrate International Museum Day 2025 as a call to action for communities worldwide to unite in our mission to thrive amidst rapid change. The annual observational holiday was established in 1977 by the International Council of Museums (ICOM) to increase public awareness of museums’ role in societal development.

Over the years, this initiative has gained significant momentum, with record participation from nearly 35,000 museums across 143 countries in 2013, including South Africa. The City of Tshwane museums have participated in the event since 1997. This longstanding tradition continues in 2025 with free access from 18 to 25 May, and a series of educational and heritage programmes running from 1 to 30 May.

DITSONG Museums in Johannesburg

Military History Museum

The DITSONG Military History Museum in Saxonworld is South Africa’s most important preservation space of the nation’s military heritage. It houses an impressive collection of aircraft, tanks, medals and weaponry from various conflicts, including the Anglo-Zulu War, World Wars, and the South African Border War.

One standout attraction is the Spitfire fighter plane, a rare and iconic aircraft. Visitors can also explore life-size battle dioramas that bring history to life. The museum is not only a treasure trove for enthusiasts but a cultural landmark. It honours the sacrifices of soldiers from all backgrounds and reflects the complex military past of the country. Through its displays, it helps promote understanding, remembrance and national identity in post-apartheid South Africa.

When: Daily, from 7:30am to 4pm
Where: Erlswold Way, Saxonwold, Johannesburg

DITSONG Museums in Pretoria

Pioneer Museum

Get a vivid glimpse into 19th-century settler life in South Africa at the DITSONG Pioneer Museum in Silverton, Pretoria. Centred around the historic 1848 thatched farmhouse, the museum recreates the daily experiences of early pioneers. Visitors can engage in hands-on activities such as baking bread in a clay oven, candle making, and butter churning, all demonstrated by guides in period attire.

The surrounding grounds feature a traditional herb and vegetable garden, an orchard, a furnished wagon house, and a vineyard, enhancing the immersive experience. The museum also hosts events like the annual New Year’s Festival and a weekly farmers’ market, fostering community engagement. As a cultural landmark, it preserves and celebrates the diverse heritage of South Africa’s early settlers.

When: Daily, from 7:30am to 4pm
Where: Keuning Street, Silverton, Pretoria

Cultural History Museum

Housed in the historic former South African Mint building, the DITSONG National Museum of Cultural History showcases artefacts spanning from prehistoric times to the modern era. Highlights include San rock art, Iron Age figurines from Schroda, and exhibits on the cosmopolitan community of Marabastad before apartheid.

The museum’s extensive collections encompass archaeological materials, traditional musical instruments, and historical documents, reflecting the country’s multifaceted cultures. Interactive displays and multimedia presentations enhance the visitor experience, making it educational for all ages.

When: Daily, from 7:30am to 4pm
Where: Bosman St & Visagie St, Pretoria Central, Pretoria

Tswaing Meteorite

You’ll find the DITSONG Tswaing Meteorite Crater approximately 40 km northwest of Pretoria. It is one of the world’s best-preserved impact craters. Formed around 220,000 years ago by a meteorite impact, the crater spans 1.4 km in diameter and reaches a depth of 200 metres. At its centre lies a saline lake, historically significant for salt extraction by indigenous communities and later commercial operations.

The surrounding 2,000-hectare nature reserve boasts diverse ecosystems, including wetlands and bushveld, supporting over 240 bird species and various wildlife. Visitors can explore a 7.2 km hiking trail that offers views of the crater and remnants of the old salt factory. The site serves as both a geological marvel and a cultural heritage landmark.

When: Monday to Friday, from 7:30am to 4pm. Saturday and Sunday, 6am to 2pm
Where: Onderstepoort Road (M35), Soshanguve, Pretoria

Kruger Museum

The DITSONG Kruger Museum in Pretoria is the former residence of Paul Kruger, President of the South African Republic. Built in 1884, the house showcases original furnishings, personal belongings, and period décor, offering a glimpse into Kruger’s life and the era’s historical context.

Notable features include two stone lions on the verandah, a gift from mining magnate Barney Barnato in 1896. The museum also houses Kruger’s state railway coach, used during his travels and exile. Exhibits detail his political career, the Anglo-Boer War, and his journey into exile in Europe.

When: Daily, from 7:30am to 4pm
Where: 60 WF Nkomo Street West Pretoria

Sammy Marks Museum

This beautifully preserved Victorian mansion was once home to industrialist Sammy Marks and his family. Built in 1884, Zwartkoppies Hall features 48 rooms adorned with original furnishings, silverware, and artworks, offering a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of the late 19th century.

Guided tours at the DITSONG Sammy Marks Museum provide insights into Marks’s significant contributions to South Africa’s mining, industrial, and agricultural sectors. The surrounding gardens, with their rose beds and manicured lawns, enhance the estate’s charm. As a cultural landmark, the museum not only preserves the legacy of a prominent figure but also a glimpse into a bygone era.

When: Tuesday to Sunday, from 7:30am to 4pm. Closed on Monday
Where: Old, Bronkhorstspruit Rd, Savannah Country Estate, Donkerhoek, Pretoria

National Museum of Natural History Museum

Established in 1892, the DITSONG National Museum of Natural History in Pretoria houses an extensive collection of fossils, including the renowned Mrs Ples—a 2.1-million-year-old Australopithecus africanus skull from the Cradle of Humankind.

Exhibits like the Genesis Halls trace the evolution of life, while the Austin Roberts Bird Hall showcases all 870 southern African bird species. The museum also features a GeoScience Hall with a vast array of minerals and gemstones. As the only natural history museum in Gauteng, it plays a crucial role in preserving and interpreting the region’s biodiversity and geological heritage. Through its displays, the museum fosters appreciation for South Africa’s rich natural history and scientific legacy.

When: Daily, from 7:30am to 4pm
Where: City Hall, 432 Paul Kruger St, Pretoria Central, Pretoria

Willem Prinsloo Agricultural Museum

The DITSONG Willem Prinsloo Agricultural Museum, situated near Cullinan offers a comprehensive look into South Africa’s agricultural evolution from the Stone Age to 1945. Set on the historic Kaalfontein farm, the museum features restored 1880 and 1913 farmhouses, original outbuildings, and reconstructed Ndebele homesteads. Visitors can explore a vast collection of vintage farming equipment, including ox-wagons, horse-drawn carts, and early tractors.

The museum’s living exhibits showcase indigenous livestock breeds like Afrikaner cattle and Kolbroek pigs. Interactive activities such as cow milking, bread baking, and candle making provide hands-on experiences. Annual events like the Mampoer Festival and National Tractor/Farm Festival celebrate traditional farming practices and community heritage.

When: Daily, from 7:30am to 4pm
Where: R104 Old Bronkhorstspruit Road, Rayton, Cullinan

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