FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 7, 2026
MEDIA CONTACT:
Madeline Anderson
414-278-2784
andersonm@mpm.edu
Dino Days of Summer Greatest Hit Celebrates Museum’s Iconic T. rex Diorama, Highlights Ongoing Paleontology Research, Brings Back Fan-Favorite Race for Victory Lap
July 11-August 6, 2026
MILWAUKEE —The distant past will roar to life at Milwaukee Public Museum (MPM) July 11-August 6 for the Dino Days of Summer Greatest Hit—the fourth of five exhibit celebrations in 2026 in honor of MPM’s final year open before moving to the Nature & Culture Museum of Wisconsin. During this month-long exploration of life 67 million years ago, visitors will have the opportunity to hold dinosaur fossils, sort through ancient seashells as part of ongoing scientific research, test their “di-knowledge” at Family Trivia Night, race in the Dino Dash virtual 5K and learn behind-the-scenes details about the Museum’s iconic and groundbreaking T. rex versus Triceratops diorama (Hell Creek) that has thrilled—and terrified—visitors for decades.
“Few Museum experiences have captured the imagination of our visitors quite like the dinosaurs,” said MPM President & CEO Dr. Ellen Censky. “Generations have stood in awe and even a little fear of the dramatic Hell Creek scene as they came face-to-face with a T. rex and Triceratops frozen in time. When it opened in the 1980s, Hell Creek was the first diorama in the world to recreate life-sized models of dinosaurs in their natural habitat. Dino Days of Summer is an opportunity to revisit those memorable moments and honor the science and storytelling that brought these prehistoric giants to life.”
SCHEDULE
Special Events
The Intro: Dino Days of Summer
Saturday, July 11, 2026
11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
During this kickoff celebration of the Dino Days of Summer, visitors can stop by various interactive stations on the exhibit floors that highlight some of MPM’s world-famous dino dioramas, test visitors’ knowledge about what is—and isn’t—a dinosaur, demonstrate what day-to-day work looks like for a paleontologist and explore the discoveries of one of the world’s first paleontologists. Families with young children (recommended for ages 3-6) can also take part in storytimes and activities all about these prehistoric creatures.
Science on Tap
Thursday, July 16, 2026
6 - 8:30 p.m.
Dr. Jonathan R. Hendricks, MPM's Robert & Sally Manegold Associate Research Curator of Paleontology, will present his research on Florida's ancient seashells and what they reveal about species extinction and survival. Tickets include a social hour from 6-7 p.m. where guests can help sort through these sandy fossils to help further scientific research.
Family Trivia Night: Dinosaur Edition
Thursday, July 23, 2026
6 - 7:30 p.m.
During this family affair, participants will compete for prizes and bragging rights as the MPM Dino Trivia Champ. Recommended for dino experts ages 6 and up. Tickets are $15 per person.
The Finale: Dino Days of Summer
Thursday, August 6, 2026, Admission is FREE for Kohl’s Thank You Thursday
11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
During this closeout celebration of the Dino Days of Summer, visitors can stop by various interactive stations on the exhibit floors that highlight some of MPM’s iconic dino dioramas, test visitors’ knowledge about what is—and isn’t—a fossil and demonstrate what day-to-day work looks like for a paleontologist. Families with young children (recommended for ages 3-6) can also take part in storytimes and activities all about these prehistoric creatures.
Month-long Activities (MPM closed Tuesdays)
Dino Dash
MPM is bringing the Dino Dash 5K back from its 2002 extinction! This time, the annual run that used to be held through the streets of downtown Milwaukee has been reimagined as a virtual race. Participants can register to receive an exclusive Dino Dash T-shirt and medal, then complete the 5K on their own route and schedule. Registration is open now-August 6.
Museum Dino Dash Walking Course
Visitors paying general admission can follow the stops on a self-guided, quarter-mile walking tour through MPM’s three floors of exhibits, including the Dino Dash finish line on the Ground Floor. Dino Dash registration is not required to complete the Museum walking course.
Education Stations
During the week, Museum experts will be stationed throughout the exhibits at the following hands-on educational tables. Programming is based on daily availability, and times may vary.
Shell Sorters: Learn what seashells can teach us about extinction as YOU do the work sorting shells to further scientific research and understanding. Hosted every Friday by one of MPM's paleontologists!
Fossil Challenge: Hold and examine different objects to try deciphering which are and aren’t fossils, and why.
Dino or Di-No: Learn what sets dinosaurs apart from other prehistoric creatures.
Mary Anning: Dig through the famous finds of Mary Anning, a 19th-century fossilist, geologist and paleontologist.
Dinosaur Name-o-saurus: Learn about how scientists name species and put it to practice by creating your own dino name.
More details about the Dino Days of Summer special events, programs and merchandise are at mpm.edu/greatest-hits/dino-days.
MERCHANDISE
This is the final year to shop official Milwaukee Public Museum merchandise. MPM fans can commemorate their favorite exhibits with the limited-edition Greatest Hits apparel, accessories and collectibles. New items are released every other month throughout 2026. All Greatest Hits-themed items are available for purchase at the MPM Marketplace.
MPM’s Greatest Hits features a lineup of five different month-long celebrations of special events and programs highlighting MPM's most popular and impactful exhibits—or “greatest hits.” Check out the schedule: mpm.edu/greatest-hits.
In 2027, MPM will move into a new, world-class building in downtown Milwaukee and change its name to the Nature & Culture Museum of Wisconsin. An official opening date for the Nature & Culture Museum of Wisconsin is still being determined. Updates on this monumental project can be found at mpm.edu/future.
About the Milwaukee Public Museum
The Milwaukee Public Museum is Wisconsin’s natural history museum, welcoming over half a million visitors annually. Located in downtown Milwaukee, the Museum was chartered in 1882, opened to the public in 1884, and currently houses more than 4 million objects in its collections. MPM has three floors of exhibits that encompass life-size dioramas, walk-through villages, world cultures, dinosaurs, a rainforest, and a live butterfly garden, as well as the Daniel M. Soref Dome Theater and Planetarium. MPM is operated by Milwaukee Public Museum, Inc., a private, non-profit company, and its facilities and collections are held in trust and supported by Milwaukee County for the benefit of the public.
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