Description

November 1, 2026 — January 3, 2027

We're paying tribute to the past 20 years of Planetarium programs and giant films at the Daniel M. Soref Planetarium and Dome Theater with Planetarium Palooza—a nine-week rotating lineup of the 20 greatest hits playing on our big dome!

Each Monday, the weekly schedule changes with three new giant films and two new Planetarium programs.*

One Planetarium program is included with your Museum admission. Available first come, first served.

Giant films are sold separately from Museum admission. Members $5, non-members $6. To guarantee your seat, reserve your tickets online or by phone, 414-278-2728. Tickets can also be purchased in person. Sustainer+ members can reserve for free but must call or visit MPM.

*Wisconsin Stargazing and Pink Floyd are ongoing programs playing at the same time throughout the nine weeks.

Schedule

Swipe or use the arrow buttons to scroll through the full lineup:

Week 1: November 1 - 8

  • 10:30 a.m. — Wisconsin Stargazing
  • 11:10 a.m. — Amazon Adventure Tickets
  • 12:10 p.m. — GALILEO! The Power of the Telescope
  • 12:50 p.m. — Into America's Wild Tickets
  • 1:50 p.m. — Wisconsin Stargazing
  • 2:30 p.m. — Blue Whales Tickets
  • 3:30 p.m. — The First Stargazers
  • 4:10 p.m. — Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon
    Tickets

Week 2: November 9 - 15

  • 10:30 a.m. — Wisconsin Stargazing
  • 11:10 a.m. — Dream Big! Engineering Our World
    Tickets
  • 12:10 p.m. — Space Aliens
  • 12:50 p.m. — National Parks Adventure Tickets
  • 1:50 p.m. — Wisconsin Stargazing
  • 2:30 p.m. — Volcanoes Tickets
  • 3:30 p.m. — Sky Wars! Battles of Discovery
  • 4:10 p.m. — Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon
    Tickets

Week 3: November 16 - 22

  • 10:30 a.m. — Wisconsin Stargazing
  • 11:10 a.m. — Great Bear Rainforest Tickets
  • 12:10 p.m. — It's About Time!
  • 12:50 p.m. — Superpower Dogs Tickets
  • 1:50 p.m. — Wisconsin Stargazing
  • 2:30 p.m. — Ocean Odyssey Tickets
  • 3:30 p.m. — A Teenager's Guide to the Galaxy
  • 4:10 p.m. — Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon
    Tickets

Week 4: November 23 - 29

  • 10:30 a.m. — Wisconsin Stargazing
  • 11:10 a.m. — Titans of the Ice Age Tickets
  • 12:10 p.m. — Surviving in Space
  • 12:50 p.m. — Humpback Whales Tickets
  • 1:50 p.m. — Wisconsin Stargazing
  • 2:30 p.m. — Call of the Dolphins Tickets
  • 3:30 p.m. — Cosmic Recipe: Setting the Periodic Table
  • 4:10 p.m. — Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon
    Tickets

Week 5: November 30 - December 6

  • 10:30 a.m. — Wisconsin Stargazing
  • 11:10 a.m. — T. REX Tickets
  • 12:10 p.m. — Up in the Air!
  • 12:50 p.m. — Serengeti Tickets
  • 1:50 p.m. — Wisconsin Stargazing
  • 2:30 p.m. — Sea Otters Tickets
  • 3:30 p.m. — Stellar Women in Astronomy
  • 4:10 p.m. — Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon
    Tickets

Week 6: December 7 - 13

  • 10:30 a.m. — Wisconsin Stargazing
  • 11:10 a.m. — Turtle Odyssey Tickets
  • 12:10 p.m. — The Artistic Universe
  • 12:50 p.m. — Great Barrier Reef Tickets
  • 1:50 p.m. — Wisconsin Stargazing
  • 2:30 p.m. — Wild Rescue Tickets
  • 3:30 p.m. — Cleopatra's Universe
  • 4:10 p.m. — Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon
    Tickets

Week 7: December 14 - 20

  • 10:30 a.m. — Wisconsin Stargazing
  • 11:10 a.m. — Oceans: Our Blue Planet Tickets
  • 12:10 p.m. — Cosmic Questions
  • 12:50 p.m. — Dinosaurs of Antarctica Tickets
  • 1:50 p.m. — Wisconsin Stargazing
  • 2:30 p.m. — Wings Over Water Tickets
  • 3:30 p.m. — Stargazers of Africa
  • 4:10 p.m. — Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon
    Tickets

Week 8: December 21 - 27

  • 10:30 a.m. — Wisconsin Stargazing
  • 11:10 a.m. — Blue Whales Tickets
  • 12:10 p.m. — The Solar System Show
  • 12:50 p.m. — National Parks Adventure Tickets
  • 1:50 p.m. — Wisconsin Stargazing
  • 2:30 p.m. — Great White Shark Tickets
  • 3:30 p.m. — Defying Gravity!
  • 4:10 p.m. — Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon
    Tickets

Week 9: December 28 - January 3

  • 10:30 a.m. — Wisconsin Stargazing
  • 11:10 a.m. — Call of the Dolphins Tickets
  • 12:10 p.m. — Did an Asteroid Really Kill the Dinosaurs?
  • 12:50 p.m. — Volcanoes Tickets
  • 1:50 p.m. — Wisconsin Stargazing
  • 2:30 p.m. — T. REX Tickets
  • 3:30 p.m. — Constellations!
  • 4:10 p.m. — Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon
    Tickets
  • A Teenager's Guide to the Galaxy

    Created and hosted by cosmic-curious teenagers, this unique space experience will take you on a dynamic journey across the universe and through time. Explore the origins and fate of the universe, wild black holes, the inner workings of our sun, and many more fascinating mysteries and discoveries!

    Showtimes:
    November 16-22 at 3:30 p.m.

  • Amazon Adventure

    With a backdrop of the stunning Amazon Forest in South America, the film tells the epic, true story of Henry Bates, who risked his life in the 1850s to discover the "beautiful proof" for the greatest explanation ever put forward for the development of life on Earth. Experience the wonders of natural selection from the Amazon!

    Showtimes:
    November 1-8 at 11:10 a.m.

    Tickets

  • The Artistic Universe

    Explore fascinating connections between art and science, as they both attempt to understand the incredible beauty and mystery that surrounds us all. Adventure inside Van Gogh's Starry Night painting and experience a fun, new version of "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star." In short, discover how STEAM empowers STEM!

    Showtimes:
    December 7-13 at 12:10 p.m.

  • Blue Whales! Return of the Giants

    Explore the world of the magnificent blue whale! Follow two scientific expeditions—one to find a missing population of blues off the exotic Seychelles Islands and the other to chronicle whale families in Mexico's stunning Gulf of California. This inspirational story transforms our understanding of the largest animal ever to have lived.

    Showtimes:
    November 1-8 at 2:30 p.m.
    December 21-27 at 11:10 a.m.

    Tickets

  • Call of the Dolphins

    Experience the beauty, intelligence, and mystery of wild dolphins like never before. Call of the Dolphins immerses you in their world, from playful social bonds to incredible rescue stories that reveal the deep connection between humans and these remarkable ocean creatures.

    Showtimes:
    November 23-29 at 2:30 p.m.
    December 28 - January 3 at 11:10 a.m.

    Tickets

  • Cleopatra's Universe

    Explore the truths and mysteries of Cleopatra's time more than 2,000 years ago. See stunning recreations of the Alexandria Library, Cleopatra's Palace, the Parthenon in Athens, the Pompey Theater in Rome, and the Pharos Lighthouse. Discover powerful Greek and Roman influences.

    Showtimes:
    December 7-13 at 3:30 p.m.

  • CONSTELLATIONS! Adventures Connecting Earth & Sky

    Connect to the sky above! Explore star, nebula, and moon constellations. Travel the world to discover dazzling stories from the stars of the Big Dipper. Learn what "pareidolia" means and how to pronounce it!

    Showtimes:
    December 28 - January 3 at 3:30 p.m.

  • Cosmic Questions? Answers & Mysteries

    Everyone has a cosmic question! We asked museum people and local celebrities to send us their space wonderings. Explore our answers and how we handle the big mysteries, like aliens, black holes, and multiverse. Join us for a wild ride through the cosmos as we uncover the peculiar, the obvious, and the farout!

    Showtimes:
    December 14-20 at 12:10 p.m.

  • Cosmic Recipe: Setting the Periodic Table

    The famous astronomer Carl Sagan once said, "If you wish to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first invent the universe." Pull up a chair at our Periodic Table and learn about the cosmic recipes that created everything.

    Showtimes:
    November 23-29 at 3:30 p.m.

  • Defying Gravity!

    Tune into the Planetarium Channel and their young science reporters as they explore the brains behind rocket power, gravity on other planets, and even monstrous black holes! Learn what keeps us humans grounded (at least some of the time).

    Showtimes:
    December 21-27 at 3:30 p.m.

  • Did an Asteroid Really Kill the Dinosaurs?

    Did a space rock six miles wide slam into the Earth 66 million years ago and wipe out 75% of all living species, including the dinos? Explore cosmic collisions and dinosaurs up close in this original MPM Planetarium production.

    Showtimes:
    December 28 - January 3 at 12:10 p.m.

  • Dinosaurs of Antarctica

    Journey to a very different Jurassic Antarctica! Roam primitive forests and thick swamps with bizarre dinosaurs and colossal amphibians. A long place where survival means enduring the sunless, six-month polar winter surrounded by meateaters with nightvision. Join today's intrepid Antarctic scientists and their quest to understand the lost prehistoric world of Gondwana.

    Showtimes:
    December 14-20 at 12:50 p.m.

    Tickets

  • Dream Big! Engineering Our World

    Get amazed about engineering! From the Great Wall of China and the world's tallest buildings to underwater robots, solar cars, and sustainable cities, this giant film celebrates the human ingenuity behind marvels big and small—and reveals the heart that drives engineers to create better lives for people around the world.

    Showtimes:
    November 9-15 at 11:10 a.m.

    Tickets

  • The First Stargazers

    Journey long ago to explore our first connections to the sky above! Witness a Moon calendar made from an animal bone 30,000 years ago. Visit Egypt and its amazing pyramids of Giza. See stunning recreations of the Alexandria Library, Chichen Itza, and Stonehenge. Get inspired by the first stargazers!

    Showtimes:
    November 1-8 at 3:30 p.m.

  • Galileo! The Power of the Telescope

    Two eyes and two pieces of glass revolutionized human understanding 400 years ago. Those peering eyes belonged to Galileo Galilei. The curved lenses were the key parts of his new telescope. Join us for the personal and powerful story of Galileo!

    Showtimes:
    November 1-8 at 12:10 p.m.

  • Great Barrier Reef

    Visit one of the seven wonders of the natural world: the Great Barrier Reef, a living treasure trove of biodiversity. A new generation of reef guardians are committed to protecting this marine reserve, making a difference, and sharing their knowledge of this extraordinary ecosystem. Learn how this sanctuary has endured for thousands of years and will continue to do so far into the future.

    Showtimes:
    December 7-13 at 12:50 p.m.

    Tickets

  • Great Bear Rainforest

    Journey to a land of grizzlies, coastal wolves, sea otters, and the all-white spirit bear. Hidden from the outside world, the Great Bear Rainforest is one of the wildest places left on Earth. Found on Canada's remote Pacific coast, it is the last intact temperate rainforest in the world—a place protected by the region's Indigenous people for millennia.

    Showtimes:
    November 16-22 at 11:10 a.m.

    Tickets

  • Great White Shark

    Explore the mighty great white shark and its role at the top of the oceanic food chain. This amazing film aims to reveal the strength and beauty of these animals by looking through the eyes of those who have been touched by shark encounters!

    Showtimes:
    December 21-27 at 2:30 p.m.

    Tickets

  • Humpback Whales

    Take an extraordinary journey into the mysterious world of one of nature's most awe-inspiring marine mammals. Set in the spectacular waters of Alaska, Hawaii, and Tonga, this ocean adventure offers audiences an up-close look at how these whales communicate, sing, feed, play, and take care of their young.

    Showtimes:
    November 23-29 at 12:50 p.m.

    Tickets

  • Into America's Wild

    Step off the beaten path and connect to your inner trailblazer on this cross-country journey to beautiful landscapes across America. You will journey from the wilds of Alaska and the lush coastline of Oregon to the ancient canyons of the Southwest and the rolling hills of the Appalachian Trail. Explore the human connection we all share with the natural world!

    Showtimes:
    November 1-8 at 12:10 p.m.

    Tickets

  • It's About Time!

    Time impacts us every day, but what is it exactly? Join our friendly robots, Tortoise and Hare, as they voyage around the Earth, sun, and beyond to discover the wild origins of time!

    Showtimes:
    November 16-22 at 12:10 p.m.

  • National Parks Adventure

    Take the ultimate off-trail adventure into the nation's awe-inspiring great outdoors and untamed wilderness. Soar over red rock canyons, climb up craggy mountain peaks and into other-worldly realms found within America's most legendary outdoor playgrounds.

    Showtimes:
    November 9-15 at 12:50 p.m.
    December 21-27 at 12:50 p.m.

    Tickets

  • Ocean Odyssey

    Encounter the wonders of the sea! Accompany a pod of humpback whales as they embark on an underwater journey, migrating 2,000 miles from the Great Barrier Reef to their feeding grounds off Antarctica. Learn more about our global network of ocean currents that are crucial to both life in the sea and on land.

    Showtimes:
    November 16-22 at 11:10 a.m.

    Tickets

  • Oceans: Our Blue Planet

    Take an extraordinary journey of discovery and wonder to the deep, mysterious worlds of our oceans. Packed with drama, awe, and spectacle, we reveal untold stories of the ocean's most astonishing creatures.

    Showtimes:
    December 14-20 at 11:10 a.m.

    Tickets

  • Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon

    Experience one of music's most iconic albums under the power and magic of Wisconsin's largest planetarium. Don't miss this cosmic journey into the future and back in time. Each song is a time and space immersion transcending reality!

    Showtimes:
    Daily at 4:10 p.m.

    Tickets

  • Sea Otters: A Wild Family Adventure

    Embark on an unforgettable journey! Discover the wild beauty of Vancouver's rugged coast, and follow Finn, an irresistible otter pup, as he explores life in the sea. Get closer than ever to the ocean's most playful and endearing creatures.

    Showtimes:
    November 30 - December 6 at 2:30 p.m.

    Tickets

  • Serengeti: Journey to the Heart of Africa

    Visit the Serengeti! Experience this incredible place, home to many of the world's iconic animals. See one of the world's greatest natural events, the annual wildebeest migration. Learn how these creatures play a distinct role in the balance of an entire ecosystem.

    Showtimes:
    November 30 - December 6 at 12:50 p.m.

    Tickets

  • Sky Wars! Battles of Discovery

    Experience our struggles to understand the Earth and its place in the universe. Witness the connections and conflicts between astronomy and astrology. See how the Earth went from a flat place to a round world that spins and races around the Sun!

    Showtimes:
    November 9-15 at 3:30 p.m.

  • The Solar System Show!

    Looking to explore the planets, blistering sun, mysterious moons, crazy comets, and amazing asteroids? Join our gang of smart and wacky reporters and all their investigations! We promise planet fun for everyone. Warning: Audience participation may be required!

    Showtimes:
    December 21-27 at 12:10 p.m.

  • Space Aliens

    Join our alien experts, "Hopeful" and "Skeptical," as they examine extraterrestrial files and try to convince each other whether or not life exists beyond the Earth. Follow their astro-arguments from the ocean floor to a journey across the galaxy!

    Showtimes:
    November 9-15 at 12:10 p.m.

  • Stargazers of Africa

    From the dawn of time, African people have looked to the skies above for inspiration and guidance. This is a journey connecting the stars, moon, and planets to the people across this great continent—from long ago to the stargazers of today.

    Showtimes:
    December 14-20 at 3:30 p.m.

  • Stellar Women in Astronomy

    Celebrate trailblazing women who transformed our understanding of the universe. Explore our stellar timeline, from Hypatia's ancient wisdom in Egypt to modern pioneers like Katherine Johnson, Vera Rubin, and Katie Bouman, who helped take the first picture of a black hole! This inspiring journey spotlights brilliance that is too often overlooked.

    Showtimes:
    November 30 - December 6 at 3:30 p.m.

  • Superpower Dogs

    Experience life-saving superpowers and extraordinary bravery of some of the world's most amazing dogs. In this inspiring true story, our best friends are also real-life superheroes. Journey around the globe to meet remarkable dogs who save lives, and discover the powerful bond they share with their human partners.

    Showtimes:
    November 16-22 at 11:10 a.m.

    Tickets

  • Surviving in Space

    Ever dream of rocketing into space? Being an astronaut? Going to Mars? Explore these fascinating journeys with NASA astronaut Karen Nyberg and her robot helper, S.L.O.T.H.! That's short for Space Life Operations Trainer for Humans.

    Showtimes:
    November 23-29 at 12:10 p.m.

  • T. REX

    For more than 100 years, dinosaurs have inspired and thrilled audiences. They command blockbuster status in museums and Hollywood. But among them towers a king—a tyrant lizard king—T. rex! Meet the discoverers of remarkable new bones in the badlands of Hell Creek in the summer of 2023. Explore the life and times of the "Greatest of All Tyrants"—the GOAT—T. rex.

    Showtimes:
    November 30 - December 6 at 11:10 a.m.
    December 28 - January 3 at 2:30 p.m.

    Tickets

  • Titans of the Ice Age

    Transport yourself back to the beautiful and otherworldly frozen landscapes of North America, Europe, and Asia 10,000 years before modern civilization. Dazzling computer-generated imagery brings this mysterious era to life—from saber-toothed cats and giant sloths to the iconic mammoths, giants both feared and hunted by prehistoric humans.

    Showtimes:
    November 23-29 at 11:10 a.m.

    Tickets

  • Turtle Odyssey

    Experience the heartwarming story of one tiny sea turtle's big adventure. Follow Bunji on her incredible journey across the open ocean. Watch her encounters with compelling creatures, from enormous whales to the coral wonderland of the Great Barrier Reef.

    Showtimes:
    December 7-13 at 11:10 a.m.

    Tickets

  • Up in the Air! Rainbows, Aurora, Meteors, & More

    Celebrate the sky above! Join our two rollicking and rambunctious narrators, "Air" and "Space," as they explore cool sky sights like rainbows, clouds, lightning and thunder, aurora, meteors, and sun dogs. Get amazed by what you breathe every day and what else is up in the air!

    Showtimes:
    November 30 - December 6 at 12:10 p.m.

  • Volcanoes

    Earth is a planet born of fire. For billions of years, volcanoes have helped create the world we know. With more than 500 active volcanoes, the Earth is bursting at the seams with these forces of mass construction. The story of volcanoes is the story of the planet's creation, and the story of us.

    Showtimes:
    November 9-15 at 2:30 p.m.
    December 28 - January 3 at 12:50 p.m.

    Tickets

  • Wild Rescue

    Experience the inspiring journey of animals given a second chance at wildlife. Based on the work at the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network, this uplifting film follows the dedicated teams who rescue, rehabilitate, and release injured and orphaned wild animals.

    Showtimes:
    December 7-13 at 2:30 p.m.

    Tickets

  • Wings Over Water

    Discover the amazing prairie wetlands! Travel with millions of birds and animals that call this place home—a place we need to protect. Take a close look at three amazing bird families: huge sandhill cranes, tiny yellow warblers, and charismatic mallard ducks. They all have unique behaviors and migration routes in this largely unknown area of North America.

    Showtimes:
    December 14-20 at 2:30 p.m.

    Tickets

  • Wisconsin Stargazing

    Take a live tour of the current Wisconsin night sky in this 25-minute guided Planetarium program. A lively astronomy educator will show you planets, stars constellations, meteors, and other fun celestial delights.

    Showtimes:
    Daily at 10:30 a.m. & 1:50 p.m.