Picture courtesy Bath Museums

Museums at Night 2009 is going to be packed with full-on, family-friendly events, offering numerous reasons to stay up beyond bedtime in the name of culture.

There should be something for everyone, whether you fancy coming face-to-face with some creepy crawlies, taking part in a spooky sleepover or missioning to the moon with Captain Cosmos.

We have chosen just a few of these excellent family-orientated events to give you a tantalising taste of what's on near you during the weekend, and loads more can be found on the Museums at Night 2009 homepage

SOUTHWEST

The city of Bath will be playing host to a whole day and night of festivities on Saturday May 16, with opportunities to don some classical clothes, take part in hands-on activities and watch exciting displays of music and dancing that should keep the whole family entertained. For more information visit Roman Baths.

Picture courtesy the Black Country Museum

LONDON

The Horniman Museum's current exhibition, Robot Zoo, will be open for late night visitors, and there will be Darwin-themed workshops with animal expert Andrew Smith, who will be sharing some fascinating animal facts. Find out why a chameleon changes colour, how a giant squid jets around and how bats locate prey in the dark. For more information visit The Horniman Museum website.

SOUTH OF ENGLAND

Mary Rose Museum & Ship Hall at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is in need of some brave booty hunters to help track down some lost Tudor treasure. Enjoy the film Night in a Museum before embarking on torchlight tours and the treasure hunt. For more information visit Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.

Picture courtesy Bath Museums

EAST ANGLIA

Night Fever will be sweeping through the Cambridge Museum Of Technology on May 16 with an exploration of the deadly diseases that lead to the building of the Old Pumping Station. Creepy characters will be looming out of the shadows to tell you their sorry tales and medical innovators from the past will be magically brought back to life to tell their stories of discovery. For more information visit Cambridge Museum of Technology

NORTH ENGLAND

The National Media Museum in Bradford will be making full use of the night time setting with a special Wizard of Oz evening on May 16. The night includes Oz themed workshops for kids who can drop in and watch the classic film - and dress up for the occasion. For more information visit the National Media Museum.

Courtesy of the Horniman Museum

NORTH EAST

Another citywide series of events will be taking place in Newcastle over the Museums at Night 2009 weeekend with Alien Attack and Meet the Mask Maker at Seven Stories and unprecedented behind the scenes access to the pitch at St James's Park, home of Newcastle United FC. For more information visit Seven Stories.

SCOTLAND

The Montrose Museum & Art Gallery will be celebrating Museums at Night Scottish style with an evening of traditional Scottish music, dancing and storytelling. If this tires you out then some traditional tasty treats will be on offer to help you get your strength back. For more information visit Montrose Museum and Art Gallery.