Lottery Day at the MQ 2026

The highlight of Lottery Day 2026 at the MQ is the anniversary exhibition “Vision and Resistance—How the MuseumsQuartier Changed Vienna,” held in the MQ Freiraum. Marking the MQ’s 25th anniversary, the exhibition looks back on the MQ’s eventful history and its transformation from the former imperial stables into the largest arts and culture complex. The history of the MQ is reconstructed using sketches, original architectural models, plans, historical documents, photographs, and newspaper headlines.

The road to the opening of the MuseumsQuartier in 2001 was long and fraught with conflict, marked by decades of discussions, shifts in political direction, architectural visions, and media-driven debates that went far beyond questions of design. Numerous ideas for the future of the site in the heart of Vienna were on the table—ranging from a shopping center to a hotel to a convention center.

Contemporary art has ultimately prevailed: For 25 years, institutions such as the Leopold Museum, the mumok, and the Kunsthalle Wien have shaped the MuseumsQuartier. Lottery Day also offers an opportunity to discover the exhibitions at the MQ institutions.

Anyone who would like to delve even deeper into the history of the MQ and its fascinating transformation can take part in an MQ “Overview and Architecture Tour” or a guided tour of the anniversary exhibition in the MQ Freiraum.

1. Bring along a product from Austrian Lotteries, such as a Lotto, Toto or EuroMillions ticket, a scratchcard or a scratch-off ticket. The product does not need to be from a current draw or ticket series.
2. Show the lottery product at MQ Point on 11 September.
3. Get free museum tickets and visit the participating museums.