Natural History Museum

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A Safari Adventure with WETA PBS Kids & the National Museum of Natural History!

One-Time Events Learn more about your place in the world through explorations of nature and culture with museum educators and our friends from WETA! Join us on Saturday, October 24, for a special African safari adventure with our friends from WETA PBS Kids, the Smithsonian's National Zoo, and a special guest—Elmo! Explore the animals that live on the African savanna, create art inspired by a safari, and watch Elmo’s safari adventure in Sesame Street and the Great Elephant Adventure! In Sesame Street’s first-ever safari, our friends embark on an unforgettable journey of discovery. They travel from the caring confines of the elephant sanctuary into the unpredictable African bush, where they come face-to-face with some of nature’s most iconic wildlife, including lions, zebras, giraffes, and hippos. Families with learners of all ages are invited to explore different stations, observe specimens from our collection, and engage in play and art-making. They can meet costume character Elmo in person and capture a memorable moment… Sponsor: Natural History Museum. Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: Ground Floor, Q?rius: The Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Event Group: Earth Month Every Month. Early Learning. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Featured Event: Central OPA use ONLY. Topics: Science & Nature. Saturday, October 24, 2026, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM.

American Bison Cart Chat

Ongoing Tours & Activities Join educators in the "Bison: Standing Strong" exhibit to discover more about the Nation's Mammal - the American Bison. Learn how these fascinating animals alter their ecosystem in ways that benefit other animals and their habitat, as well as their importance to humans. Image by Jean Beaufort, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=83971372 . Sponsor: Natural History Museum. Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: 2nd Floor, Bison: Standing Strong exhibit. Cost: Free and open to the public. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Topics: Science & Nature. Sunday, October 25, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.

Ocean Topics Cart Chat

Ongoing Tours & Activities Looking for a deeper dive into ocean topics? Come and find one of our Ocean Educators to explore some of the latest discoveries in marine science, stationed at an interactive cart in the Sant Ocean Hall. Image Credit: Phillip R. Lee, Smithsonian Institution. Sponsor: Natural History Museum. Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: 1st Floor, The Sant Ocean Hall. Cost: Free and open to the public. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Event Group: World Ocean Month (June). Related Exhibition: The Sant Ocean Hall. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Topics: Science & Nature. Sunday, October 25, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM.

Coral Reef Tank Talk

Ongoing Tours & Activities Swim by the Sant Ocean Hall to meet some of the coral reef species that call the Smithsonian NMNH home! Hosted by an Ocean Educator, this interactive cart experience will walk you through the world of saltwater fish, coral colonies, and invertebrates galore! Image Credit: Phillip R. Lee, Smithsonian Institution. Sponsor: Natural History Museum. Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: 1st Floor, The Sant Ocean Hall. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Event Group: World Ocean Month (June). Related Exhibition: The Sant Ocean Hall. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Topics: Science & Nature. Monday, October 26, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.

Play Date at NMNH: Bats!

One-Time Events Join us on Tuesdays for special family play dates with museum educators! Tuesday, October 27th, is all about bats! Families can celebrate Bat Week by making observations of different bat species for our specimen collection, explore different elements of play related to bats, and learn why almost all bat species hang upside down! Come and join us for a fun time learning through play and exploration! The event is part of our drop-in program, Play Date at NMNH. Play Date at NMNH is a program designed for early learners and their caregivers and families. Activities are designed with early learners in mind, but all ages are welcome. Location: This program is held in the Kenneth E. Behring Family Hall of Mammals exhibit on the 1st floor of the museum. Please note that space is dependent on the location of that week's event. Some locations have less capacity than others. It is possible that the program might be at capacity when you arrive. If this happens, please enjoy other areas of the museum and try again later… Sponsor: Natural History Museum. Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: Kenneth E. Behring Family Hall of Mammals (1st Floor). Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Event Group: Early Learning. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Topics: Science & Nature. Tuesday, October 27, 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM.

Ocean Hall-o-ween

One-Time Events Visitors beware, you're in for a scare! Join us for an eerie educational experience in the Ocean Hall, where costumed scientists will share curious creatures and spooky specimens in the spirit of the season! Photo of Chimaera by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Sponsor: Natural History Museum. Co-sponsor: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: 1st Floor, The Sant Ocean Hall. Cost: Free and open to the public. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: The Sant Ocean Hall. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Featured Event: Central OPA use ONLY. Topics: Science & Nature. Thursday, October 29, 2026, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM.

The World & Me: Bat Week Extravaganza with special guests…Arachnids!

One-Time Events Join us for a special program celebrating Bat Week! Come help us celebrate bats as we learn about how important bats are to our planet. Help us also shine the light on the importance of spiders! See bat and spider specimens up close, make art celebrating bats and spiders, and learn other ways you can support bats and spiders all year long! Feel free to wear your favorite bat or spider attire. Families can join at any time during the duration of the event and stay as long as suits each family. Location: This program is held in Q?rius, The Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center, on the Ground Floor of the museum. Please enter through the Constitution Avenue entrance. Q?rius is located on the right as you enter the museum. Accessibility: Access services such as American Sign Language interpretation, real-time captioning (CART), or audio-description are available with advanced notice. However, accommodations may not be possible with less than two-weeks advanced notice. To request this service, please… Sponsor: Natural History Museum. Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: Ground Floor, Q?rius: The Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Event Group: Earth Month Every Month. Early Learning. Featured Event: Museum Level Featured Event. Topics: Science & Nature. Saturday, October 31, 2026, 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM.

Megalodon Mania

One-Time Events Have you ever wanted to hold a piece of ancient history in your hands? Get up close with real fossilized Megalodon shark teeth collected at the bottom of the ocean! Travel millions of years into the past to discover where these giant sharks lived, where their fossils are found, and how fossils form. Presented by: Dr. Colleen Brown, Aquatic Ecologist, Sea Grant Knauss Fellow Photo by Colleen Brown. Sponsor: Natural History Museum. Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: 1st Floor, Sant Ocean Hall. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Topics: Science & Nature. Monday, November 2, 2026, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM.

Play Date at NMNH: Animal Spotlight - Bison!

One-Time Events Join us on Tuesdays for special family play dates with museum educators! This week is a special animal spotlight on bison! Families can celebrate our national mammal by making observations of bison specimens from our education collection, learn about ways they help their ecosystem, and explore how bison have been portrayed in art. The event is part of our drop-in program, Play Date at NMNH. Play Date at NMNH is a program designed for early learners and their caregivers and families. Activities are designed with early learners in mind, but all ages are welcome. Location: This program is held in the Kenneth E. Behring Family Hall of Mammals exhibit on the 1st floor of the museum. Please note that space is dependent on the location of that week's event. Some locations have less capacity than others. It is possible that the program might be at capacity when you arrive. If this happens, please enjoy other areas of the museum and try again later in the program. Accessibility: Access services such as American… Sponsor: Natural History Museum. Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: Kenneth E. Behring Family Hall of Mammals (1st Floor). Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Event Group: Early Learning. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Topics: Science & Nature. Tuesday, November 3, 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM.

The World and Me: National Bison Day

One-Time Events Learn more about your place in the world through explorations of nature and culture. Join us Saturday, November 7th, as we celebrate National Bison Day! Discover different bison adaptations and learn how the bison almost went extinct but are now rising in numbers. Families with learners of all ages will be invited to explore different stations, make observations of museum specimens up close, and explore bisons through play and art. This is a drop-in event. Families can drop in anytime from 10:00am - 12:30pm and stay for as long as your family would like. No registration is required. Cost: Free. Location: Meet at the entrace of Q?rius, The Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center, on the Ground Floor of the museum. Q?rius is located next to the Constitution Avenue entrance. Accessibility: Access services such as American Sign Language interpretation, real-time captioning (CART), or audio-description are available with advanced notice. However, accommodations may not be possible with less than… Sponsor: Natural History Museum. Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: Q?rius, The Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center, Ground Floor. Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Event Group: Earth Month Every Month. 250 Our Shared Future. Early Learning. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Featured Event: Central OPA use ONLY. Topics: Science & Nature. Saturday, November 7, 2026, 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM.

Behind the Science with Research Anthropologist and Curator of Human-Environment Interactions Dr. Torben Rick

One-Time Events “The Fascinating Origins of Tuna and Billfish Fisheries” Tuna and billfish are among the world’s most important large ocean predators and an important global food source. Millions of tons are caught every year. Despite significant declines in their populations, we know relatively little about tuna and billfish harvest prior to 20th century industrial exploitation. Smithsonian scientists are conducting archaeological, historical, and ecological research to understand the deep history of the fishery and help plan for the future sustainability of these critical fish. This month, go behind the science with Research Anthropologist and Curator of Human-Environment Interactions Dr. Torben Rick who is exploring this untold history through archaeology and the restudying archaeological and historical tuna and billfishes in museum collections and in the field. Bonus: find out how Dr. Torben Rick’s research connects the December Behind the Science expert, Dr. Katherine Bemis. Registration is encouraged. Space is… Sponsor: Natural History Museum. Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: National Museum of Natural History (Ground Floor). Cost: Free; registration is required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/32430410/behind-the-sciencenovember-washington-national-museum-of-natural-history. Categories: After Five. Lectures & Discussions. Event Group: Earth Month Every Month. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Featured Event: Museum Level Featured Event. Central OPA use ONLY. Topics: Science & Nature. Tuesday, November 10, 2026, 6:30 PM – 8:15 PM. For more info visit www.etix.com.

STEAM Career Workshop for Undergraduate Students

One-Time Events Save the date for an exciting opportunity for undergraduate students!Are you curious about careers in science, museums, or research? Want to find an internship or fellowship in a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) field? Join us for a full day of hands-on learning, networking, and behind-the-scenes access to the Smithsonian! Meet museum professionals and explore natural history careers. Freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors, and recent grads from community colleges, colleges and universities are invited to sign up for the event. Agenda 10:00 – 10:45 a.m.: Check-in/Welcome/Continental Breakfast Participants will meet in the Constitution Avenue Lobby and be escorted to Q?rius, The Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center. Enjoy a light continental breakfast while meeting fellow students and museum staff. 10:45 – 11:00 a.m.: Introduction to the Smithsonian and the National Museum of Natural History Learn about the Smithsonian Institution and the National Museum of Natural History,… Sponsor: Natural History Museum. Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: Meet in the Lobby on the Ground Floor of the Museum at Constitution Ave. & 10th St. NW. Cost: Free, but registration is required. Breakfast and lunch are included. Get Tickets/Register: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/jLTHApKEXg. Categories: Workshops. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. ASL-interpreted program. Featured Event: Museum Level Featured Event. Topics: Science & Nature. Friday, November 13, 2026, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM.

Natural History on the Big Screen: The Great American Bison Roadtrip

One-Time Events In March 2026, three monumental bronze bison embarked on an unlikely road trip bound for the Smithsonian and the fulfillment of a century-old promise. On March 19th, 2026, just in time for America’s 250th birthday, they arrived at the entrance of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History after an unlikely migration across the bison’s former range from Colorado to the National Mall. Join us for a screening of The Great American Bison Roadtrip, the fast and fun documentary that follows their journey. Smithsonian Sant Director Kirk Johnson, sculptor Gary Staab, and filmmaker Trevor Hawkins lead us on a kinetic, funny, and deeply moving adventure through the bison’s near-eradication, survival, and extraordinary return, exploring what America nearly lost and what we still have the power to restore. After the screening, join Kirk, Gary, and Trevor for a conversation and audience Q&A about the film and their adventures. Registration is requested. Space is filled on a first come, first served basis. The… Sponsor: Natural History Museum. Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: National Museum of Natural History (Ground Floor). Cost: Free; registration is required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/33853644/natural-history-on-the-big-screenthe-great-american-bison-roadtrip-washington-national-museum-of-natural-history. Categories: After Five. Lectures & Discussions. Films. Event Group: Earth Month Every Month. 250 Our Shared Future. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Featured Event: Museum Level Featured Event. Central OPA use ONLY. Topics: Science & Nature. Wednesday, November 18, 2026, 6:30 PM – 8:15 PM. For more info visit www.etix.com.

Paleoproteomics in Paleoanthropology

One-Time Events The diversity and variation of Late Pliocene to Early Pleistocene species of early humans in southern Africa has been characterized based on the fossil evidence alone – until recently, with the emergence of paleoproteomics, the study of ancient proteins. Dr. Palesa Madupe, postdoctoral fellow at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, will present recent paleoproteomic research based on dental enamel proteins extracted from specimens of Homo naledi, Paranthropus robustus, and Australopithecus africanus. Moderator: Dr. Briana Pobiner, paleoanthropologist and educator at Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History. This program is part of the ongoing HOT (Human Origins Today) Topics series and will be presented as a Zoom video webinar. A link will be emailed to all registrants. Image caption: SK-48, a Paranthropus robustus fossil from Swartkrans, South Africa, Image credit: Smithsonian Human Origins Program. Sponsor: Natural History Museum. Event Location: Online; Internet connection required. Cost: Free; Registration Required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/34567475/paleoproteomics-in-paleoanthropology-washington-national-museum-of-natural-history. Categories: Webcasts & Online. Accessibility: Captioning. Featured Event: Museum Level Featured Event. Central OPA use ONLY. Topics: Science & Nature. Thursday, November 19, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM. For more info visit www.etix.com.

Behind the Science with National Systematics Lab Research Zoologist and Curator of Fishes Dr. Katherine Bemis

One-Time Events "Mola molas and More: The Biology of Ocean Sunfishes" Known for centuries for basking and seemingly sluggish behavior at the water’s surface, recent tagging studies show that ocean sunfishes swim over great horizontal and vertical distances in the water column at higher speeds than previously thought. NOAA and Smithsonian scientists are using new information about their natural history and behavioral ecology to reinterpret the evolution of the many unusual anatomical features of sunfish and its extreme body form. This month, go behind the science with Dr. Katherine (Kate) Bemis, Research Zoologist at NOAA Fisheries’ National Systematics Lab and Curator of Fishes at National Museum of Natural History who is studying these unusual fishes in the field and in museum collections. Read more about this work (link to come for NOAA article by end of September). Registration is encouraged. Space is filled on a first come first served basis. Image caption: Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola) have some of the most unusual… Sponsor: Natural History Museum. Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: National Museum of Natural History (Ground Floor). Cost: Free; registration is required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/50387828/behind-the-sciencedecember-washington-national-museum-of-natural-history. Categories: After Five. Lectures & Discussions. Event Group: Earth Month Every Month. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Featured Event: Museum Level Featured Event. Central OPA use ONLY. Topics: Science & Nature. Tuesday, December 8, 2026, 6:30 PM – 8:15 PM. For more info visit www.etix.com.

Natural History Research Experiences (NHRE) For Undergraduates 2027: How to Apply INFO Session - December Session

One-Time Events The National Museum of Natural History (NMNH), Smithsonian Institution, hosts a world-class research staff and unparalleled scientific research collections. NHRE summer internships pair undergraduates with museum scientists to complete a research project in Anthropology, Botany, Entomology, Invertebrate Zoology, Mineral Science, Paleobiology, or Vertebrate Zoology. Although most of the internship time is spent working on the research project, there are additional events including lectures, tours of museum collections, and other activities related to natural history research. The NMNH is located on the National Mall in the heart of Washington DC. The program runs for 10 weeks starting the day after Memorial Day, June 1st through August 6, 2027. Participating students will receive a stipend of $8,250, and up to $800 for travel to the DC area. We also cover housing in Washington DC area dorm style housing in single-occupancy rooms. Previous research experience is not required. Questions about NHRE? Contact… Sponsor: Natural History Museum. Event Location: Online; Internet connection required. Cost: Free. Categories: Webcasts & Online. Accessibility: Captioning. Featured Event: Museum Level Featured Event. Topics: Science & Nature. Monday, December 14, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM.

Wildlife and Wildfires: Chimp Behavior and Early Human Implications

One-Time Events How do chimpanzees and other wildlife respond to fire in an East African mosaic–woodland ecosystem? Dr. Alexander Piel, Associate Professor of Anthropology at University College London, will describe some species’ exploitation of burned landscapes as well as the costs and benefits associated with living with annual fires. These patterns provide insight into how animals adapt to increasingly frequent and widespread fires and highlight fire as a key selective pressure in African ecosystems. Ultimately, these findings offer a comparative framework for understanding how early hominins may have navigated fire-prone environments, shaping the evolutionary context of human-fire interactions. Moderator: Dr. Briana Pobiner, paleoanthropologist and educator at Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History. This program is part of the ongoing HOT (Human Origins Today) Topics series and will be presented as a Zoom video webinar. A link will be emailed to all registrants. Image caption: Chimpanzees from the Issa… Sponsor: Natural History Museum. Event Location: Online; Internet connection required. Cost: Free; Registration Required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/40369754/wildlife-and-wildfireschimp-behavior-and-early-human-implications-washington-national-museum-of-natural-history. Categories: Webcasts & Online. Accessibility: Captioning. Featured Event: Museum Level Featured Event. Central OPA use ONLY. Topics: Science & Nature. Thursday, December 17, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM. For more info visit www.etix.com.