Events, Programs, and Resources

MPM offers unique events, programs, and resources throughout the year.


Visitors: The Streets of Old Milwaukee and European Village exhibits are temporarily closed through February 2 while holiday decorations are removed.

Upcoming Events: Visitors and members enjoy unique events hosted by the Museum throughout the year. Explore ↓

Planetarium: Take a tour of the universe with an awe-inspiring Planetarium program or learn about the wonders of our world with a giant screen film. Explore ↓

Ongoing Programs and Initiatives: Together with our partners, MPM's programs and initiatives make learning about the wonders of the world accessible, engaging, and fun for the community. Explore ↓

Online Resources: Want to learn more about your favorite MPM topics? Check out our educational videos, virtual exhibit tours, and partner links. Explore ↓


Upcoming Events

 
Shop Your Favorites

This holiday season, shop your favorite Museum merch! Our onsite and online marketplaces feature unique, local gifts.

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Spring Break Programming
March 25-30 and April 1-5
10 a.m. - noon and 1 - 3 p.m.

Spring (Break) is in the air! Join MPM Educators in hands-on activities celebrating the best parts of the season. We'll feature butterflies, botany, and birds every day!

Theme Day: Creepy-Crawlies
Saturday, April 6
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Member Storytime: 9 - 10 a.m.

It's nothing personal, but this day is all about what BUGS us. Get up close with the wonderful world of insects and other arthropods! Handle live bugs and use microscopes to study what makes these animals so interesting and important. There's fun for entomologists of every age!
Member Storytime recommended for ages 3-8.

Solar Eclipse Viewings
Monday, April 8
2 p.m.

Safely view the solar eclipse at MPM or other local safe-viewing locations with special telescopes and/or special eclipse glasses, available in the MPM gift shop for $2. Meet near the clock on Wells Street, outside the Daniel M. Soref Planetarium.

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Spring Break at MPM

No sunscreen necessary!

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Sustainer+ Member Perk
Mystery at MPM: Family Edition
Saturday, April 13 and Saturday, June 1, 2024

The family version of our after-hours mystery caper! Test your MPM knowledge at this interactive scavenger hunt game. Get an extraordinary opportunity to get up close and personal with one (or two) of our rarely seen objects!

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Not a member? Learn more and join today!
Sustainer+ Member Perk
Science on Tap: Africa's Lost World
Thursday, April 18

Just back from a thrilling expedition, paleontologist, archaeologist, and explorer Paul Sereno takes you along on the hyper-challenges and adventure of excavating 55 tons of new dinosaurs throughout three months in the heart of the Sahara with the best team he has ever assembled.

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Not a member? Learn more and join today!
Giving Day
Thursday, April 25, 2024

This annual fundraiser calls on MPM fans to make a donation to the Museum during a 24-hour period. Donations are matched dollar for dollar by a generous donor, so your gift has DOUBLE the impact. Those who donate are entered to win special VIP Museum experiences!

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Members Only
Inside Out
Friday, April 26, 2024

Join us as we bring rare and intriguing items from our collections storage into the exhibit areas. You'll see objects too sensitive to remain on view year-round, explore the fascinating back-stories of items already on display, and speak with the staff, researchers, students, and volunteers that keep MPM thriving.

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Not a member? Learn more and join today!
Members Only
Member Swap Weekend
Saturday May 4 and Sunday, May 5, 2024

For one weekend each year, MPM members receive free admission to the Betty Brinn Children's Museum, Milwaukee Art Museum, Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum, and Charles Allis Art Museum.

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Not a member? Learn more and join today!
Sustainer+ Member Perk
Tour-a-Palooza
Thursday, May 9, 2024

Enjoy the Museum after hours with an evening of tours! Learn unknown MPM facts, get the stories behind the exhibits, brave the Third floor in the dark, and go behind the scenes! Guests will have the opportunity to plan their perfect MPM evening and choose their own custom lineup of Educator, Curator, and self-led tours.

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Not a member? Learn more and join today!
Members Only
Member Appreciation Month
June 2024

Throughout the month of June, MPM members receive special perks as a “thank you” for supporting the Museum.

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Not a member? Learn more and join today!
BioBlitz
Saturday, June 22, 2024

The annual BioBlitz brings together scientists, nature enthusiasts, and community members to celebrate and learn about biodiversity. Surveyors from all around the state gather in a particular natural area in southeastern Wisconsin where they race against the clock to see how many species they can discover in 24 hours.

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Indigenous Peoples' Day

MPM celebrates Indigenous Peoples' Day on the second Monday of October with special programming and educational resources that highlight indigenous cultures, traditions, and history.

Annual Gala
October 5, 2024

Attend our annual fundraising gala for an evening of cocktails, gourmet dining, and dancing, where you and your guests will get the chance to talk with the exhibit designers and architects of the Future Museum project as well as our world-class curators.

Members Only
Halloween Hauntings
2024 Date TBD

Trick-or-treat through the Museum's exhibits (costumes encouraged), where you'll also encounter live birds of prey and critters like snakes and frogs. You'll also enjoy arts and crafts, ghost tours, and much more!

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Not a member? Learn more and join today!
European Village Alive!
December 8-9, 2023, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

The American holiday season was shaped, in part, by the thousands of Europeans who immigrated here in the 19th century. Discover what traditions have endured, as well as those that have been forgotten with Museum docents in period dress. Immerse yourself in the spirit of the season, see holiday artifacts not usually on display, and participate in fun, hands-on activities.

Sustainer+ Members Only
Cocoa and Candy Canes with Santa
Saturday, December 9, 2023

Get your photo taken with Santa at MPM! While you wait, enjoy hot cocoa, candy canes, and holiday-themed arts and crafts.

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Not a member? Learn more and join today!
 
 
Sustainer+ Member Perk
Mystery at MPM: Adult Edition
Friday, March 15, 2024

Test your MPM knowledge at this interactive scavenger hunt game. Solve a series of clues that will take you around all three exhibit floors.
This event is sold out.

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Not a member? Learn more and join today!

Planetarium

Now Showing at the Daniel M. Soref Theater and Planetarium

Check out the Planetarium programs and giant films playing daily.

November 1, 2023 through April 8, 2024

10:15 a.m. Wisconsin Stargazing
11 a.m. Blue Whales: Return of the Giants
Noon Lights Out! Eclipses: Whys, Wonders, & Wows
12:45 p.m. Blue Whales: Return of the Giants
2 p.m. Wisconsin Stargazing
2:45 p.m. Blue Whales: Return of the Giants
3:45 p.m. Lights Out! Eclipses: Whys, Wonders, & Wows
4:30 p.m. Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon

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Ongoing Programs and Initiatives

Kohl's Thank You Thursdays
First Thursday of every month

All visitors enjoy free admission to MPM thanks to generous support from Kohl's.

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Science on Tap

Grab a brew (or root-brew!) and meet us at the Museum or online to listen to a lecture from some of the best minds in natural and cultural sciences. Lectures are scheduled every couple of months.

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Docent Tours

Explore the hidden wonders of our exhibits and galleries with free half-hour docent tours every Saturday at 1 p.m.

SPARK!

This program is designed for people in the early-to-mid stages of memory loss to visit with their family and care partners. Programs are offered at MPM at 1 p.m. on the third Sunday of each month.

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Summer Connections

MPM's annual summer initiative provides free, educational programming and access to the Museum for K-8 students throughout Milwaukee in coordination with community partners.

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Wisconsin Statewide Community Science Project

This community-based initiative seeks to make science accessible to a broader audience throughout Wisconsin, even nationally, so the public can feel trust towards science by participating directly in it. The data is then used for future research.

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MPM Book Club

A volunteer-led monthly program that invites interested adults to join lively monthly discussions about nonfiction books of a scientific nature that relate to Museum exhibits, research, or programs.

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Online Resources