Autumn Adventures Weekend

About this event

Date: October 31 — November 1, 2026

10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Have you noticed changes in the leaves? A chill in the air? The green is disappearing… and we need YOUR help!

Something strange is happening to all of the green! As leaves change and plants prepare for the changing season, our resident scientist Dr. Chlorophyll wants you to be a detective for a day to help solve this colorful mystery.

Your Mission: Join our team and discover the science behind autumn’s beautiful transformation. Pick up your investigation kit when you arrive, and visit themed exhibits, shows, and activities around the museum to help crack the case. Once you’ve collected enough clues, stop by Mission Control for your detective certificate and a small take-home science experiment!

While you’re here, you can also enjoy ghostly bubbles, go on an adventure in our Glow Zone or even celebrate Jack-O-Lanterns with some explosive experiments all while learning about the science behind changing seasons! Costumes are encouraged (but not required) and join us for a happy, haunted Halloween!

Program Schedule 10/31:

● 11:00 am — Science Discovery: Leaf Logic

● 11:45 am — Cosmic Adventure (Planetarium full-dome movie)*

● 12:15 pm — Costume Parade!

● 12:30 pm — Science Discovery: Explosive Experiments

● 1:15 pm — Astronomy Live! Satellites: A Space Oddity (Educator-led program in the

planetarium)*

● 2:00 pm — Astronomy Live! Tour of the Solar System (Educator-led program in the

planetarium)*

● 2:45 pm — Science Discovery: Color Changing Science

● 3:30 pm — Encounters in the Milky Way (Planetarium full-dome movie)*

● 4:15 pm — Afternoon Astronomy

Program Schedule 11/01:

● 11:00 am — Science Discovery: Leaf Logic

● 11:45 am — One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Big Adventure (Planetarium full-dome

movie)*

● 12:15 pm — Costume Parade!

● 12:30 pm — Science Discovery: Explosive Experiments

● 1:15 pm — Astronomy Live! Satellites: A Space Oddity (Educator-led program in the

planetarium)*

● 2:00 pm — Astronomy Live! Tour of the Solar System (Educator-led program in the

planetarium)*

● 2:00 pm — Keeper Chat: Snake Feeding

● 2:45 pm — Science Discovery: Color Changing Science

● 3:30 pm — Birth of Planet Earth (Planetarium full-dome movie)*

● 4:15 pm — Afternoon Astronomy

Ongoing Activities for Both Days — 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Leaf Logic — Examine fall leaves and the science behind them as you embark on your investigation

Glow Zone Interactive Exhibit — Discover the wonders of ultraviolet light with hands-on glow-in-the-dark activities and a glowing “laser” maze

Boo Bubbles

Chalk Art

There is always something new happening both on our grounds and inside the museum

building. For maximum fun, experience one of our daily planetarium programs *, take a ride on

the Worcester Railers Explorer Express Train * when operating seasonally, and get up close to our resident

otters *!

* Requires a separate ticket that is not included with admission.

Get Tickets to Visit!