MPM offers unique events, programs, and resources throughout the year.
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
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.
Special Session: Learn With An Expert
Wednesday, April 24
What's your dinosaur IQ? Find out in this virtual program with Paul Sereno, National Geographic Society Explorer-in-Residence, discoverer of dinosaurs on five continents, and leader of dozens of expeditions! Don't miss this opportunity to learn about his work as a paleontologist and to ask him questions via the chat. Best suited for grades 1-5.
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!
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.
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.
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.
Member Appreciation Celebration
July 22 - August 17
On these dates, MPM members receive special perks as a “thank you” for supporting the Museum.
Mystery at MPM: Family Edition
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!
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.
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.
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!
Planetarium
Now Showing at the Daniel M. Soref Theater and Planetarium
Check out the Planetarium programs and giant films playing daily.
April 10, 2024 through June 13, 2024
10:15 a.m. | Wisconsin Stargazing |
11 a.m. | Great White Shark |
Noon | Cosmic Questions? Answers & Mysteries |
12:45 p.m. | Titans of the Ice Age |
2 p.m. | Wisconsin Stargazing |
2:45 p.m. | Great White Shark |
3:45 p.m. | Cosmic Questions? Answers & Mysteries |
4:30 p.m. | Titans of the Ice Age |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.