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
Groundbreaking exhibition
Now through January 20, 2024
Explore the innovation and evolution of Milwaukee Public Museum throughout its 140 year-history and learn more about its new home at this special exhibition.
Deck the Streets and Village
November 16, 2024 - January 26, 2025
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 have been transformed into a winter wonderland.
MPM Trivia Night
Thursday, January 16, 2024
Test your knowledge at Trivia Night! The evening will consist of four rounds representing Botany, Anthropology/History, Geology, and Zoology. Bring your friends and compete for bragging rights and prizes as the MPM Trivia champ!
Goodbye to Groundbreaking
Saturday, January 18, 2025
11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Celebrate our special exhibit about MPM's groundbreaking legacy during its closing weekend! Chat with Museum professionals as they highlight some of MPM's most interesting specimens and artifacts, share behind-the-scenes knowledge about exhibit creation and artistry, and much more!
Museum Days
January 23-February 2, 2025
Enjoy MPM's three floors of exhibits, plus special programming, at the discounted rate of $15 during VISIT Milwaukee's Museum Days!
Mystery at MPM: Family Edition
Saturday, January 25, 2025
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!
This event is sold out.
CANstruction Milwaukee Exhibition
February 1-17, 2025
View colorful and creative sculptures—each made of at least 1,000 canned and non-perishable food items—created by teams of local leaders in architecture, engineering, and construction. Located in the Steigleder Special Exhibits Gallery on MPM's Second Floor. More details coming soon.
Romancing the Stars! Valentine Stargazing
Friday, February 14 & Saturday, February 15, 2025
During this special Valentine's Day program at the Daniel M. Soref Planetarium, take a romantic tour of the universe to explore the magic of night and constellations of love. Attendees will receive a red rose and box of chocolates to complete their perfect evening.
Member pre-sale begins 1/1
Tickets on sale on 1/8 at 10 a.m.
Saturday Storytime Series: Celebrating Black History
February 15 & 22, March 1
10 a.m. - noon and 1-3 p.m.
Families with young children (recommended for ages 3-6) are welcome to stop into our Early Learning classroom for hands-on activities and story times about Black history!
Saturday Exhibit Tour Series: Celebrating Black History
February 15 & 22, March 1
11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Join us for a special collaboration with America's Black Holocaust Museum as their docents, or “griots,” highlight African and African American history throughout MPM's exhibit galleries. Tour is 50 minutes. Recommended for 15 years and up.
Crossing the Line: The Milwaukee Fair Housing Marches of 1967-1968 Traveling Display
February 19-March 6
Learn about the practices and prejudices that led to segregation in Milwaukee from a special traveling display from the Wisconsin Historical Society. MPM Educators will also be on hand to explain how historians use primary resources to learn about Milwaukee's civil rights history. Located on the Ground Gloor Garden Galleries. Recommended for 10 years and up.
Mystery at MPM: Adult Edition
Friday, February 21, 2025
Test your MPM knowledge at this interactive scavenger hunt game. Solve a series of clues that will take you around all three exhibit floors, searching for objects that you have likely passed by without noticing.
Sustainer + Member presale: January 1-7
Public sale begins: January 8
Food & Froth
Saturday, March 8, 2025
7 - 9:30 p.m.
Cheers with Granny at Food & Froth! This annual event invites guests to an after-hours party at the Museum where they have the rare opportunity to wander the exhibit floors while sampling delicious brews and bites from dozens of local vendors. The evening also includes live music on the First Floor.
Tickets on sale now.
Science on Tap
"Seeding Resilience: Haudenosaunee Corn & History"
Thursday, April 10, 2025
With a focus on the Oneida people of Wisconsin, corn has played an integral role in both their daily and ceremonial lives throughout their often-turbulent history. Learn about current efforts to grow and celebrate corn on the Oneida Reservation with Dr. Rebecca M. Webster.
Science on Tap
"Amphibian and Reptile Conservation in Wisconsin"
Thursday, May 22, 2025
Amphibians and Reptiles are interesting components of Wisconsin's natural communities. Joshua M. Kapfer invites you to review some of the factors that impact these species in the Upper Midwest and learn more about the challenges these animals present.
Planetarium
Now Showing at the Daniel M. Soref Theater and Planetarium
Check out the Planetarium programs and giant films playing daily.
January 1, 2025 through April 4, 2025
| 10:15 a.m. | Wisconsin Stargazing |
| 11 a.m. | Cities of the Future |
| Noon | Constellations! |
| 12:45 p.m. | Cities of the Future |
| 2 p.m. | Wisconsin Stargazing |
| 2:45 p.m. | T. REX |
| 3:45 p.m. | Constellations! |
| 4:30 p.m. | Cities of the Future |
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.
360 Virtual Exhibit Tours
Native American Heritage
Black History Month
Hispanic Heritage Month