See an ‘ancient living fossil’ and hear about the research into their diet being led by Syd Joheim, Prince Intern, and Ken Angielczyk, MacArthur Curator of Paleomammalogy. Tanyka, a Permian stem tetrapod from Brazil, is known only for its jaws that have extensive fields of tiny teeth on their&nbsp;inner surface. These unique features suggest they had a different diet than&nbsp;other early tetrapods who lived over 275 million years ago. Discover how researchers hope to gain insight into what it might have been eating by&nbsp;comparing the complexity of these teeth to those of other contemporary&nbsp;species and examining micro-wear patterns on the teeth to reconstruct their diet.

What did Tanyka eat? Reconstructing the diet of an ancient Brazilian tetrapod

Threads Tell Stories: How Archaeologists Read Andean Textiles

Meet a Scientist: The Science of Interpretation

Meet a Scientist: Diversity of Amphibians

See the latest science firsthand in the Grainger Science Hub.

Meet a Scientist

Young visitors and a museum educator examine a teaching specimen together in the Grainger Science Hub

Meet a Scientist in the Grainger Science Hub

Scientists, researchers, and collections managers are behind the scenes every day, uncovering new information and taking care of our collection.

During Meet a Scientist, you can find them in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fieldmuseum.org/exhibition/halls-and-galleries/grainger-science-hub">Grainger&nbsp;Science Hub</a>. They'll discuss their work and share real items from the museum’s collection of nearly 40 million objects. From collections care to field work, and dinosaurs to ecology, there’s a world of science to explore.

Visit the&nbsp;Science Hub&nbsp;on select weekdays for an up-close look at what our researchers do every day.

*The Nocturnal Garden Walk is a one-hour, limited-capacity tour of the Rice Native Gardens to learn about bats, raccoons, opossums, and other nocturnal residents. Gain early access to Boo with SUE and explore the gardens with a scientist! In the event of inclement weather, enjoy a tour of the museum's behind-the-scenes mammal collections instead.

Trick-or-treat yourself to a night at the Field Museum! This after hours Halloween party will be a scream for all ages. Whether you're a ghost, ghoul, or guest, you'll have the opportunity to trick or treat with SUE and our team of scientists, getting up close and personal with spooky specimens from the museum's collections along the way! Then, enter the realm of nocturnal creatures and take on our special walkthrough attraction, Dioramas in the Dark. Your senses will be put to the test in a series of challenges and obstacles as the lights go out and the “Dead Zoo” comes to life!
Costumes encouraged!
For the safety of all guests, please do not wear costumes that cover your face or include prop weapons of any kind.
Guests are encouraged to register in advance. All sales are final. Access to all museum exhibitions, including the Crown Family PlayLab, Underground MisAdventure: Zombie Fungus!, Pokemon Fossil Museum, and After the Age of Dinosaurs, is included with admission. Get your tickets for Boo with SUE below!
Parking for Boo with SUE can now be purchased in advance directly through Soldier Field - North Garage. Rates are subject to change for parking that is purchased upon your arrival on the day of your event.&nbsp;Please purchase parking in advance by following <a href="https://www.soldierfieldparking.com/?doing_wp_cron=1692375913.0622060298919677734375">this link</a> and selecting Boo with SUE on October 30th.
For all other questions, please email us at familynights@fieldmuseum.org or call us at 312.665.7525.

Family Field Nights: Boo with SUE

Explore science after hours with the whole family!

Field Family Nights

Young visitors check out some spooky science at Boo! with SUE

Standard Ticket

Nocturnal Garden Walk Ticket*

What can a piece of cloth tell us about the people who made and used it? Using contemporary Andean textiles, alongside images from archaeological research, visitors will be encouraged to look closely at fibers, threads, weaving techniques, colors, and patterns and discuss how these details can help archaeologists understand technology, identity, labor, and everyday life in the past. Become a “textile detective” as you consider what clues different materials and manufacturing choices can provide about the people and communities that produced them.
Presented by Rosa María Varillas, PhD Candidate in Anthropology, University of Illinois Chicago; Scientific Affiliate, Field Museum.

Illustration copyright (c) 2026 Kristen Balouch; Published in 2026 by Red Comet Press, LLC, Brooklyn, NY
Join us at the Field Museum for an inspiring professional learning experience exploring how children's literature can help educators create affirming, culturally responsive classroom libraries. Educators will examine how thoughtfully selected books can foster identity, belonging, empathy, and critical thinking while expanding students' understanding of different communities, cultures, and lived experiences.
The workshop will feature a keynote address by Dr. Taraneh Matloob, Associate Professor of Literacy Education and children's literature scholar, whose research and writing center on multicultural children's literature and its role in literacy education. Participants will explore practical strategies for evaluating and selecting books that serve as both windows into others' experiences and mirrors that reflect students' own identities.
Drawing on Dr. Matloob's expertise as both a scholar and picture book author, educators will engage in discussion around representation, perspective, and the power of storytelling in the elementary and middle grades. Participants will leave with tools and resources to thoughtfully build and evaluate classroom libraries that reflect a range of cultures, identities, experiences, and perspectives.
As part of this unique experience, attendees will enjoy a special viewing of items from the Field Museum's Iran Collection, offering an opportunity to connect literature with material culture and deepen understanding of Persian history and storytelling traditions. The day will conclude with a meet-and-greet and book signing with Dr. Matloob for her picture books <a href="https://www.redcometpress.com/picturebooks/invisible">An Invisible River to Cross</a> and <a href="https://www.redcometpress.com/picturebooks/dearnewfriend">My Dear Friend</a>.
Whether you are building a new classroom library or reexamining the books already on your shelves, this workshop will provide practical strategies, meaningful dialogue, and museum-based resources to support thoughtful and culturally responsive literacy instruction.

Creating Classroom Libraries: Centering Representation in Children’s Literature

Stories in Motion: Early Childhood, Identity, Movement, and Making

Native Knowledge 360° Teach In: Cultural Sovereignty and Solidarity on the 250th

Join us in person at the Field Museum for a professional learning experience and workshop!

Professional Development for Educators

Illustration copyright (c) 2026 Kristen Balouch; Published in 2026 by Red Comet Press, LLC, Brooklyn, NY

Illustration copyright (c) 2026 Kristen Balouch; Published in 2026 by Red Come Press, LLC, Brooklyn, NY

Thursday, October 1

Tickets

Registration will remain open until September 25 or until the program reaches capacity.

<h3>Registration Includes</h3>

<ul>
<li>Keynote presentation by Dr. Taraneh Matloob</li>
<li>Workshop materials and instructional resources</li>
<li>A signed copy of <a href="https://www.redcometpress.com/picturebooks/invisible">An Invisible River to Cross</a></li>
<li>A signed copy of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.redcometpress.com/picturebooks/dearnewfriend">My Dear Friend</a></li>
<li>Meet-and-greet and book signing with the author</li>
<li>Exclusive viewing of objects from the Field Museum's Iran Collection</li>
<li>Continental breakfast</li>
<li>Soldier Field parking</li>
<li>General admission to the Field Museum</li>
</ul>

Educators who complete the workshop series will receive 6 hours of Illinois Professional Development Credit (CPDUs).

Questions? Contact Ria Pretekin, <a href="mailto:rpretekin@fieldmuseum.org">rpretekin@fieldmuseum.org</a>&nbsp;

Step into the shadows of science at this 21+ after-hours event where eerie tales meet evidence. Secrets and Specimens invites you to explore strange stories and unsettling legends from the Field’s collections—and uncover how science helps explain the unexplainable.
Explore pop-up storytelling sessions scattered throughout the galleries, where Field Museum staff and scientists bring chilling true stories to life. Hear how the museum and its collections have played a role in uncovering mysteries, investigating unusual cases, and revealing the unexpected connections between science, history, and the world around us.
Plus, put your own skills to the test with hands-on mystery-solving activities and observation-based challenges that explore how scientists use the tools of their trade to separate science from superstition.
Follow the clues, and you may even discover a hidden speakeasy tucked within the museum, offering a moody retreat for the curious.
Whether you’re a skeptic, a storyteller, or a science lover, Secrets and Specimens invites you to see the museum in a whole new light—where every strange tale hides a scientific truth waiting to be uncovered.
Tickets include light snacks, beer, and wine. Additional food and beverages will be available for purchase.

Halloween Candy Partner

Ferrara Candy Company

Secrets and Specimens

Game Night: The Scientist’s Secret

Museum After Hours

Events for Adults

basecamp-bc_caves_jamestoftness-42-dropbox_jamestoftness_webexport.jpg

Image for Events for Adults

Price

Purchase a meal voucher ahead of time for $20. Meal vouchers include a main dish, side dish and dessert. Menu will be shared closer to the event. Gluten free and vegan options will be available upon request. All meal vouchers must be purchased before the event.

Limited stations will be available at the Field Bistro for purchase at the event.

All ticket sales are final. 

Please email us at <a href="mailto:adults@fieldmuseum.org">adults@fieldmuseum.org</a> or call 312.665.7264 with any questions.&nbsp;

Join us at the Field Museum for a celebration of all things anime. Enjoy a model-making tutorial with Mohammed Masoud of La Estrella, a panel co-moderated by podcaster and self-proclaimed nerd Malcom Crawford and Field Museum Project Manager for Africa Hall Community Engagement Angelica London, live music by DJ EvieTheCool, and a cosplay contest!
Come early to catch your favorites: SUE the T.rex, the Chicago Archaeopteryx, Tsavo Lions, priceless gems and jades, and then stay late for Level Up: Anime at the Museum— included in general admission! Add special exhibitions After the Age of Dinosaurs and Pokémon Fossil Museum separately.
This event takes place from 5:30pm-8:30pm. The museum will be open from 9am-9pm.

Level Up: Anime at the Museum

Legendary Late Hours

Enjoy extended museum hours from 9am to 9pm, last entry at 8pm.

Enjoy extended museum hours from 9am to 9pm, last entry at 8pm

Cosplay competition, panel discussion, model making, and music!

<h3>Panelists</h3>

Malcolm Crawford - Co-moderator, podcaster and creator&nbsp; Angelica London - Co-moderator, Field Museum Project Manager for Africa Hall Community Engagement&nbsp; EvieTheCool - Panelist, DJ&nbsp; Ella McCann - Panelist, Head of Partner Activation at The Executives' Club of Chicago D'Andre Adonis - Panelist, Singer and artist&nbsp; Mohammed Masoud, Model-making, Owner, La Estrella&nbsp;

Use the building blocks of life to build a poem.

Poetry Pop-up: Genetic Poetry

Poetry Pop-up: On the Wings of Pterosaurs

Poetry Pop-up: Insects and Poems

Poety Pop-up: Whale Songs

Discover the natural world through poetry at weekly pop-up events featuring the Field’s poet in residence.

Poetry Pop-up

Use the building blocks of life to build a poem. Join Eric at the DNA Discovery Center on the upper level.

Let your poems soar with our pterosaurs. Eric will be on the upper level near the perching quetzalcoatlus replica.

Imagine what it would feel like to stand next to a T. rex. Ponder what flowers smelled like 30 million years ago. See what inspiration you'll find and start turning your ideas into poetry with Eric Elshtain, the Field Museum's first poet in residence.&nbsp;
Join us for a series of weekly events that change how you see the museum—whether you’ve visited once or dozens of times. Encounter objects from our collection. Tour an exhibition. Find our poet in residence at a typewriter station to craft your own poem!
Eric hosts pop-ups most Thursdays from 10am–12pm, in locations across the museum. No prior knowledge of poetry needed. &nbsp;

A group gathers at the corner of a diorama case. One man sits a desk with a typerwriter. He looks up to a family of three standing over him. The man in the middle stands with arms around the other two individuals. Both are smiling down at the man seated at the desk. A black box with a glass front holds a rock specimen and is propped up against the leg of the desk.

Poetry Pop-Up

gn92631_149ad-photoarchives_webexport.jpg

Use poetry to describe what you like or hate about bugs. Find Eric in the Small Treasures Room on the lower level.

Write poems under the shadow of a right whale skeleton, while listening to the mournful songs of different whale species.

Imagine what it would feel like to stand next to a T. rex. Ponder what flowers smelled like 30 million years ago. See what inspiration you'll find and start turning your ideas into poetry with Eric Elshtain, the Field Museum's first poet in residence.&nbsp;
Join us for a series of weekly events that change how you see the museum&mdash;whether you&rsquo;ve visited once or dozens of times. Encounter objects from our collection. Tour an exhibition. Find our poet in residence at a typewriter station to craft your own poem!
Eric hosts pop-ups most Thursdays from 10am&ndash;12pm, in locations across the museum. No prior knowledge of poetry needed. &nbsp;

Come join Lincoln Park Zoo and meet two Guest Engagement Fellows who facilitate and create public education programs on Zoo grounds. You will have the opportunity to participate in hands-on activities to learn how fellows forge emotional and intellectual connections between Zoo visitors and our stories related to care and conservation for wildlife.
<h3 dir="auto">Presenters</h3>
<ul>
<li dir="auto">Joe Frumkin- Guest Engagement Coordinator</li>
<li dir="auto">Mack Shenker- Guest Engagement Fellow</li>
<li dir="auto">Chloe Schaffel- Guest Engagement Fellow</li>
</ul>

Please carefully review our updated policy regarding age requirements for Dozin' with the Dinos attendees.

<ul>
<li>Children under the age of 6 will not be admitted into a Dozin' with the Dinos event. Families and groups with children under the age of 6 may be asked to leave the event without a refund.</li>
<li>Adults may not attend Dozin' with the Dinos without a child between the ages of 6-12. If you attend the event and do not have children in your party, you will be asked to leave the event without a refund.</li>
<li>If you've purchased tickets incorrectly by mistake, you have until 2 weeks prior to the event to request a refund. After the two week period no refunds will be given, and you will not be admitted to the event.</li>
</ul>

If you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out via email: overnights@fieldmuseum.org or give us a call at 312-665-7525.

Age Policy

See the Field Museum in a whole new light! Families and groups with kids ages 6 to 14 can spend the night at the museum during Dozin’ with the Dinos.
Stay up late with scientists as the Field Museum comes to life in games, challenges, and stories throughout the night. Will you dissect owl pellets and identify animal tracks to become the next great wildlife detective? Or, will you embark on a paleontologist’s expedition to learn how fossils form? Choose from these challenges and more as the night unfolds. No two nights at the museum are the same, but each is an adventure!
<h3>Tickets for 2027 Dozin' events go on sale soon!</h3>
<ul>
<li>Monday, August 17th - Members</li>
<li>Monday, August 24th - General Public</li>
</ul>
Tickets to Dozin’ with the Dinos scheduled for January, February, and March will include admission to the Pokémon Fossil Museum. Timed tickets will be assigned to all Dozin’ ticketholders prior to the event. All sales are final.

Dozin&rsquo; with the Dinos is supported by Utz Brands&nbsp;

Acknowledgments

Utz Brands

Dozin' with the Dinos

Media for Before SUE the T. rex, there was ‘Gorgeous George’

Media for Visiting SUE the T. rex: What to Know Before You Go

An adult and two children standing at the skull of SUE the T. rex in it's glass display case..

The smallest of museum visitors can get up close and personal with the largest dinos at our special events.

© Ed Lines, Jr

Settle in for a snooze next to your favorite species at Dozin' with the Dinos!

Science is more fun in your pajamas.

Standard

Premium

Tour

Ultimate SUE Sleepover 

All Dozin&rsquo; with the Dinos tickets include a sleeping spot in the&nbsp;exhibitions, discounted parking, admission to select ticketed exhibits,&nbsp;general admission to the Museum the following day, an evening snack, and a&nbsp;continental breakfast. Upgrade to sleep near the dinos in&nbsp;Evolving Planet,&nbsp;or SUE with the Ultimate SUE package!

Groups of 15 or more can get discounted tickets with all standard amenities&mdash;learn more and register via the&nbsp;<a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfjoMYuxAVCgGvcpVOEwSKU7AfaHKvPlLU2Erv3h50mrp2Lcw/viewform">Group Info Form.</a>

All sales are final. Tickets are non-refundable.

2027 Ticket Packages

Welcome to Dozin' with the Dinos at the Field Museum

Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park

Learning from Coast Salish Weaving and Woolly Dogs

In this session created especially for Early Childhood teachers, hear from Eliot White-Hill, Kwulasultun (Snuneymuxw) about storytelling and the importance of the Woolly Dogs for the Coast Salish people.
Then, take on the role of a student as we connect the story of the Woolly Dogs– whose hair was used in Coast Salish weaving– to a hands-on weaving activity that helps our earliest learners practice fine-motor skills and connect to special animals as well as special clothing in their lives.
<h3>Educators will</h3>
<ul>
<li>
Understand: We learn by doing and making connections to what we already know. Weaving tells a story, and storytelling in the Coast Salish community is a powerful means of conveying knowledge, expressing identity, and preserving culture.
<ul></ul>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Do: Practice weaving, listen to a story about the Woolly Dogs and their importance to Coast Salish people, and make personal connections.
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Feel: Prepared to utilize best practices in early childhood learning to make the unfamiliar familiar.
</li>
</ul>
Registration is open to formal and informal educators of all levels, though activities for this session are most applicable for PreK-Grade 2 teachers.
<h3>Your registration includes</h3>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr">Materials</li>
<li dir="ltr">Light breakfast</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Parking&nbsp;
</li>
</ul>
Looking to be more environmentally-friendly? You can find public transit options <a href="https://www.fieldmuseum.org/page/directions-parking">here</a>.
Registration will remain open until Tuesday, October 20, 2026, or until full. Participants must register by October 20 to guarantee parking validation.
Program questions? Contact Samantha Chapleau, <a href="mailto:schapleau@fieldmuseum.org">schapleau@fieldmuseum.org</a>.

This program is made possible with the generous support of Lilly Endowment, Inc.&nbsp;

<h3 dir="ltr">Illinois Educators will earn 2 hours of Professional Development for attending this training.</h3>

<h4 dir="ltr">Standards Alignment</h4>

Skyline

<ul>
<li dir="ltr">PreK Social Science
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="2">
Unit 4: Me and My World
</li>
</ul>

</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Grade K</li>
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="2">
Unit 1: Getting Along Together
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="2">
Unit 4: From the Past to the Future
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Grade 1: Living, Learning, and Working Together
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="2">
Unit 4: Past, Present, and Future
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="2">
Unit 5: The Work We Do
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h4>Illinois Physical Development and Health Standards</h4>
19.A.ECa Engage in active play using gross- and fine-motor skills.
<h4 dir="ltr">Illinois Social Studies Standards – Geography</h4>
SS.1.G.3. Compare how people in different types of communities use local and worldwide environments to meet their daily needs
<h4 dir="ltr">Illinois Social Studies Standards – History&nbsp;</h4>
SS.K.H.1. Compare life in the past to life today, including the points of view of diverse groups of people.
<h4 dir="ltr">Illinois Social/Emotional Development Standards</h4>
1.A.ECa Show empathy, sympathy, and caring for others.
30.C.ECa Exhibit eagerness and curiosity as a learner.&nbsp;
30.C.ECb Demonstrate persistence and creativity in seeking solutions to problems.&nbsp;
30.C.ECc Show some initiative, self-direction, and independence in actions.&nbsp;
30.C.ECd Demonstrate engagement and sustained attention in activities.
<h4>Common Core State Standards – ELA</h4>
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.1.3 Describe characters, settings, and major events in a story, using key details.
<h4 dir="ltr">Social Justice Standards&nbsp;</h4>
DI.K-2.8 I want to know about other people and how our lives and experiences are the same and different.

Educators will explore Native histories and contemporary experiences through the lens of continuity, resilience, and joy. The program will feature keynote speaker Dr. Gabrielle Tayac (Piscataway), whose work centers Native history, identity, and contemporary Indigenous experiences. Through guided discussion, exhibition exploration, and educator-centered activities, participants will examine how Native peoples and communities have responded to historical challenges while continuing to shape the present and future.
Participants will consider ways to move beyond narratives that position Native peoples only in the past and explore classroom approaches that connect difficult histories with stories of resistance, reclamation, cultural continuity, and joy. Educators will also engage in a collaborative art-making activity focused on how communities express resilience and joy and leave with ideas and resources for bringing these perspectives into their own teaching.
<h3>Your registration includes</h3>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr">Materials</li>
<li dir="ltr">Light breakfast and lunch</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Parking &nbsp;
</li>
</ul>
Looking to be more environmentally friendly? You can find public transit options <a href="https://www.fieldmuseum.org/page/directions-parking">here</a>.
Participants must register by September 19, 2026, to guarantee parking validation.&nbsp;
Program questions? Contact Samantha Chapleau, <a href="mailto:schapleau@fieldmuseum.org">schapleau@fieldmuseum.org</a>.

Presented in partnership with the National Museum of the American Indian and Teaching for Change.

Explore Native histories and contemporary experiences through resilience, continuity, and joy while gaining practical strategies for bringing these perspectives into teaching. 

Corporate Family Day

Gather your friends and family for an unforgettable day packed with adventure and discovery!

All Dozin’ with the Dinos tickets include a sleeping spot in the&nbsp;exhibitions, discounted parking, admission to select ticketed exhibits,&nbsp;general admission to the Museum the following day, an evening snack, and a&nbsp;continental breakfast. Upgrade to sleep near the dinos in&nbsp;Evolving Planet,&nbsp;or SUE with the Ultimate SUE package!

Groups of 15 or more can get discounted tickets with all standard amenities—learn more and register via the&nbsp;<a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeqNYWa048zKci5SUk2zdf1kMi7j3SWUujH9UP2yysGv4Vm5Q/viewform">Group Info Form.</a>

All sales are final. Tickets are non-refundable.

See the Field Museum in a whole new light! Families and groups with kids ages 6 to 12 can spend the night at the museum during Dozin' with the Dinos.
Stay up late with scientists as the Field Museum comes to life in games, challenges, and stories throughout the night. Will you dissect owl pellets and identify animal tracks to become the next great wildlife detective? Or, will you embark on a paleontologist's expedition to learn how fossils form? Take on these adventures and more with the Dozin&rsquo; Institute for Nocturnal Observations (DINO) on our late-night mission of discovery. Then, grab your flashlight and explore the halls as the lights go out. This is a night at the museum you won't forget!
Tickets to Dozin&rsquo; with the Dinos scheduled for September 18th and November 6th will include admission to the Pok&eacute;mon Fossil Museum. Timed tickets will be assigned to all Dozin&rsquo; ticketholders prior to the event. All sales are final.

2026 Tickets Packages

See the Field Museum in a whole new light! Families and groups with kids ages 6 to 12 can spend the night at the museum during Dozin' with the Dinos.
Stay up late with scientists as the Field Museum comes to life in games, challenges, and stories throughout the night. Will you dissect owl pellets and identify animal tracks to become the next great wildlife detective? Or, will you embark on a paleontologist's expedition to learn how fossils form? Take on these adventures and more with the Dozin’ Institute for Nocturnal Observations (DINO) on our late-night mission of discovery. Then, grab your flashlight and explore the halls as the lights go out. This is a night at the museum you won't forget!
Tickets to Dozin’ with the Dinos scheduled for September 18th and November 6th will include admission to the Pokémon Fossil Museum. Timed tickets will be assigned to all Dozin’ ticketholders prior to the event. All sales are final.

All Dozin’ with the Dinos tickets include a sleeping spot in the&nbsp;exhibitions, discounted parking, admission to select ticketed exhibits,&nbsp;general admission to the Museum the following day, an evening snack, and a&nbsp;continental breakfast. Upgrade to sleep near the dinos in&nbsp;Evolving Planet, or SUE with the Ultimate SUE package!

Groups of 15 or more can get discounted tickets with all standard amenities—learn more and register via the&nbsp;<a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeqNYWa048zKci5SUk2zdf1kMi7j3SWUujH9UP2yysGv4Vm5Q/viewform">Group Info Form.</a>

All sales are final. Tickets are non-refundable.

&nbsp;Purchase a meal voucher ahead of time for a discounted rate of $20. Meal vouchers include a main dish, side and dessert. Menu will be provided closer to the event date.&nbsp;

All ticket sales are final. Please email us at adults@fieldmuseum.org or call 312.665.7303 with any questions.&nbsp;

Join us for a 21+ evening celebrating games around the world, woven together with a museum-wide mystery.&nbsp;
Try your hand playing ancient board games from around the world - The Royal Game of Ur, Nine Men’s Morris, and more! From games tied to ritual and the afterlife to those built on strategy and chance, discover how play has connected people across civilizations for thousands of years and influenced games we still play today.
But this game night comes with a mystery.&nbsp;
As the evening unfolds, you'll uncover clues left behind by an anonymous scientist who believed a hidden secret was concealed within the museum. Follow the trail, solve puzzles hidden throughout the exhibits and game lounges, and piece together the mystery.&nbsp;
Will you uncover the truth behind the scientist's secret?
All permanent exhibitions will be open for the duration of the event. The Pokémon Fossil Museum and After the Age of Dinosaurs will not be open. Tickets include light snacks, beer and wine. Additional food and beverages will be available for purchase.&nbsp;

Visitors reacting to seeing jarred specimens at an event.

Join us on October 7th for a vibrant community celebration honoring the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of Latin America through music, education, and community connection. Kick off the day with an energetic cultural performance by La Escuelita Bombera de Corazón, then explore our Community &amp; Career Fair featuring Field Museum staff and local organizations sharing educational resources, career pathways, and opportunities to get involved.
Designed with youth and families in mind, this event welcomes Chicago-area middle and high school students, educators, and visitors of all ages to connect with community partners, discover future opportunities, and celebrate Latin American heritage in a fun and engaging environment.
10:30am-11am: La Escuelita Bombera de Corazón performance 11-12pm: Community and Career Fair&nbsp; Location: Stanley Field Hall
This event is included with General Admission, which is free to <a href="https://www.fieldmuseum.org/our-events/free-wednesdays">Illinois residents on Wednesdays</a>.

Sigamos Adelante: Community and Career Fair

Cultural Programming

This event is part of our celebration of <a href="https://www.fieldmuseum.org/activity/latin-american-heritage-month">Latin American Heritage Month</a>.&nbsp;

Thank you to all the Field Museum staff who helped organize LAHM programming.

Join us for a fun, interactive PlayDate complete with music, movement, instruments and more! Families with 2-6 year olds are invited to a free, drop-in program led by Karim Nagi, musician &amp; educator. Karim Nagi will lead young artists to collectively compose a unique performance using rhythm, melody, color, fabric and body movement.

PlayLab PlayDate: A is for Artist! Song Makers with Karim Nagi

PlayLab PlayDate: Diwali Storytime and Craft

Drop in to the Crown Family PlayLab for free weekly activities for 2-6 year olds!

PlayLab PlayDates

The Crown Family PlayLab offers PlayLab PlayDates on select Wednesdays and Saturdays. PlayLab PlayDates are drop-in activities, free to museum guests with children ages 2-6, featuring storytime sessions, music, crafts, science experiments, and more.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Pre-registration is not required! Sessions take place in the <a href="https://www.fieldmuseum.org/exhibition/halls-and-galleries/crown-family-playlab">Crown Family PlayLab</a>.&nbsp;

Program length varies, usually from 20 minutes to 1 hour.

For more information, please see the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.datocms-assets.com/44232/1771856923-general-playlab-programs-policies-faqs-updated.pdf">PlayLab Programs FAQs</a>. Still have questions? Contact the PlayLab team at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:playlabevents@fieldmuseum.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">playlabevents@fieldmuseum.org</a>.

Come discover the incredible diversity of amphibians with Conservation Ecologist &amp; Field Museum Curator of Amphibians Diego Santana. We'll explore the three major groups of living amphibians (with a focus on frogs and toads) to learn about their diversity, biology, fascinating adaptations, and the important roles they play in ecosystems around the world.

Scientists, researchers, and collections managers are behind the scenes every day, uncovering new information and taking care of our collection.

During Meet a Scientist, you can find them in the <a href="https://www.fieldmuseum.org/exhibition/halls-and-galleries/grainger-science-hub">Grainger&nbsp;Science Hub</a>. They'll discuss their work and share real items from the museum’s collection of nearly 40 million objects. From collections care to field work, and dinosaurs to ecology, there’s a world of science to explore.

Visit the&nbsp;Science Hub on select weekdays for an up-close look at what our researchers do every day.

Join us for a 1-hour virtual professional development where educators will explore the importance of focused field trips, learn strategies for making meaningful curriculum connections, and discover how to plan impactful learning experiences for students.

Virtual Professional Development: Planning Purposeful Focused Field Trips  

Join us as we continue our Virtual Professional Development Series! 

Educator Virtual Professional Development Series

Learn how to book and plan purposeful museum visits that maximize student learning.

Field Museum Gala

Celebrate and support the Field Museum at our annual Gala!

Field Museum Gala 2026

Illinois Free Wednesday 

Beat the mid-week blues and come visit SUE— the Field is free on Wednesdays for Illinois Residents! 

Illinois Free Wednesdays

Soirèe at the Gala

Enjoy a night of music, dancing, and science with other young professionals at the Field Associates' annual fundraiser.

Field Museum Soirèe at the Gala

Legendary Late Hours: Open until 9pm on select dates

<spanhelvetica neue",arial;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;color:#222222;"="" data-sheets-root="1">Families with 2-6 year olds are invited to a free, drop-in program celebrating the Diwali season. Join us and our special guest, Parul L. Bhandari, author of Shine a Light on Diwali, at 11am for a festive read-aloud and crafts!</spanhelvetica>

Educator Open House

Join us for an exciting professional development opportunity for Pre-K-12th grade educators.

Educator Open House 2026

Early Morning: The Pokémon Fossil Museum 

Early Mornings

Early Morning events

Join this week's session as Grace Burgin from the University of Illinois Chicago presents the talk&nbsp;Mate Choice in Phlox Wildflowers.

Events

August 27, 2026

August 28, 2026

August 29, 2026

Saturday, August 29

Events

Filter controls

Events by date

August 27, 2026

August 28, 2026

August 29, 2026

Saturday, August 29

Tags for Early Morning: The Pokémon Fossil Museum