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 ↓
Educator Guide: Educators can book a field trip to MPM, create a lesson plan from our online resources or request MPM-related educational outreach at your site. 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
Deck the Streets and Village
Now through January 21, 2024
Experience the magic of the holiday season inside two of MPM's most beloved exhibits, Streets of Old Milwaukee and European Village, where the walkthrough turn-of-the-century streetscapes are transformed into holiday wonderlands.
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.
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.
Florentine Opera Holiday Concert
Monday, December 11, 2023, 2-3 p.m.
The Florentine Opera's Baumgartner Studio Artists return to MPM to perform Christmas hymns and other classic holiday songs in front of the Butterfly Vivarium (First Floor). This event is part of SPARK!'s annual celebration but is also open to Museum visitors. Free to SPARK! families; included with admission for public.
Old Milwaukee Mixer
Thursday, December 14, 2023
Join us to celebrate the season with an after-hours mixer. Learn more about how people celebrate the season during the Victorian period while strolling the Streets of Old Milwaukee exhibit decked for the holidays. This event is sold out.
Winter Break Programming
December 27-31, 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m.
MPM Educators will be on the exhibit floors where they'll highlight cold weather animal adaptations, including topics such as the furs that cover arctic animals, how to tell horns, tusks, and antlers apart, and the differences between mammoths and mastodons—both of which called Wisconsin home before they went extinct.
Mystery at MPM
Saturday, January 13, 2024 - Family Edition
Test your MPM knowledge at this interactive scavenger hunt game. Solve a series of clues that will take you around all three exhibit floors.
MPM Trivia Night
Thursday, January 25, 2024
Are you a proud Museum person? Test your knowledge at our first-ever official Trivia Night! Bring your friends and compete for bragging rights as the MPM Trivia champ.
Romancing the Stars + Love & Heartbreak Tour
Saturday, February 10 and Wednesday, February 14, 2024
During this Valentine's Day program at the Daniel M. Soref Planetarium, Romancing the Stars takes guests on a romantic tour of the universe to explore the magic of night and constellations of love. The Love & Heartbreak tour then takes you on a tour throughout the Museum to learn about love, heartbreak, and weird mating habits of the animal kingdom.
Food & Froth
March 9, 2024
During this annual fundraiser, listen to live music and wander the exhibit floors while sampling dishes from local restaurants and caterers, and beers, ciders, and more from local breweries.
Members-only presale: 11/20
Public sale: 11/27
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
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.
2024 Date TBD.
Member Swap Weekend
For one weekend each year, MPM members receive free admission to the Betty Brinn Children's Museum, Milwaukee Art Museum, and Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum.
2024 Date TBD.
Member Appreciation Month
June 2024
Throughout the month of June, MPM members receive special perks as a “thank you” for supporting the Museum.
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.
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 |
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 11 a.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.
Field Trips
Curious Classroom
Wisconsin Indian Resource Project
MPM on the Move Outreach Program
Field Work MKE Poetry Path
360 Virtual Exhibit Tours
Native American Heritage