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Text: Thursday Feb 26, 2026, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Museum Adventure After Dark. History, Science, and Culture with a Twist! An 18+ Event

Thank you for attending this stellar event!

SAVE THE DATE: The next Museum Adventure After Dark will be on October 1, 2026.

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Guests gathered around a bar on the second floor
A guest playing with LittleBits circuit pieces.
Two guests playing Tetris
Two guests leaning on the railing in front of a glowing Carousel
Five guests smiling together with cocktails or mocktails
Two guests posing and smiling under the whale
Two guest posing and smiling in front of the Planetarium
Guests smiling and laughing while riding Carousel horses
A huge crowd of guests under the whale skeleton on the first floor
Guests interacting with activities on a whiteboard
A guest raises their arm victoriously on a putt putt course
A guest places a straw rocket on an air pressure launcher
Two guests pose and smile holding an envelope that says stellar self care 1

The Museum Adventure After Dark Experience:

  • Access to all three floors of Museum exhibits… after hours, & under the stars!

  • Guided and independent activities focused on outer space and humanity’s scientific endeavors. Try your hand at crafting nebulas and launching (mini) rockets!

  • Interactive shows at the Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium, featuring the latest news from the space world.

  • Opportunities donate and support the GRPM’s work.

  • Casual attire, come as you are! (But if you showed up dressed as an astronaut, we wouldn’t complain…)

  • Light bites will be available at stations throughout the Museum.

  • Cosmic cocktails and meteoric mocktails, beer, wine, seltzers, and other refreshments will be available. Your first drink is on us!

  • Get in on the raffle, gift card pull, and photo booth!

  • Parking will be free in the Museum ramp.

  • This is an 18+ event

Interested in sponsoring this unique event?

Contact Development Manager Lyric Floria | lfloria@grpm.org, (616) 929-1704

View from the 3rd floor of the Museum at night. The City Hall clock glows, the whale skeleton is illuminated, the Biplane hangs between them.
Guests bathed in pink light experiment with colorful flashlights and toy building materials
Guests lean back in seats in the Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium under a screen full of galactic gaseous clouds
A couple sit and look out the windows with one's arm around the other.
Guests look at artifacts set out on a table to interact with.
A bartender sets a berry on a neon toothpick on top of a purple layered drink.
A guest waves on a stationary old fashioned bike.
A guest holds a pencil, a cocktail, and an ipad in an exhibit with another guest.
Two guets pose with peace signs in the Museum
Two guests walk and talk together in an exhibit with cocktails in hand.
Two guests talk over a water lab activity
Guests peer in through a glass wall to see a volunteer in the lathe.
Three guests walk down a hallway with drinks in hand, smiling.
A guest experiments with circuitry.

Sponsored By

Ambassador

NOCO Provisions Logo

Patron

Applause catering logo
Steve and Amy Van Andel Foundation

Sustainer

Friend

The Carousel will be temporarily closed.

During routine mechanical checks, staff noticed an issue with the Spillman Carousel’s 98-year-old custom gearbox. Our team is hopeful for a timely fix and is actively working to locate this unique part. We anticipate it to remain closed into next week, and will reopen the Carousel as soon as possible.

We understand that our guests have been looking forward to riding the Carousel again, and are also sad to share this news. Our top priorities are guest safety and preservation of this nearly 100-year-old artifact. We will keep you updated as we work to repair this community treasure.

The Museum will be open for regular hours.

The Carousel is Closed Today, March 20

Due to a mechanical issue, the 1928 Spillman Carousel is closed today Friday, March, 20. 

We apologize for any inconvenience, and are hard at work making a repair to this century-old artifact. We will let you know when the Carousel is back up and spinning again!

The GRPM is CLOSED today.

The Grand Rapids Public Museum is closed today, January 27, due to weather conditions. 

This evening’s invite-only event by the Helen Devos Children’s Hospital will be taking place as scheduled from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Drive safe, and stay warm! We’ll see you soon!

GRPM is Closed January 23

The Grand Rapids Public Museum is closed on Friday, January 23, 2026, due to weather. 

Early Closure on Friday, Jan. 16

The Grand Rapids Public Museum will be closing early at
1 p.m. on Friday, January 16, for the 2026 Grand Rapids Wedding Affair. 
 
We will resume normal hours on Saturday, January 17.

The GRPM is NOW OPEN

âš¡ Electricity is back in the building! âš¡
 

The GRPM is open for guests today, July 28. While the Museum is open, the cafe will be closed.

We hope to see you here. Stay cool in the heat today, Grand Rapids!

An exhibit with the label ELECTRICITY in pink lights

Museum Parking Ramp Closed Saturday, July 26

The Museum Parking Ramp will be unavailable for use this Saturday due to the Pleasant Peninsula Mural Festival taking place on Front Avenue. They will be painting 21 new beautiful murals to brighten up Downtown Grand Rapids.

Alternative FREE parking will still be available in the GVSU Mt. Vernon lot at 50 Front Ave SW. See the map below for directions on how to access the Mt. Vernon lot.

See Map

U.S. Service Members and Families Free This Weekend!

This weekend, the GRPM extends free admission to all U.S. service members—active or retired—and their families.
 
See our new Veterans display, in partnership with the Michigan Heroes Museum, honoring West Michiganders who served the United States during World War II.
 

This offer includes those serving in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, National Guard, Reserves, U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, and NOAA Commissioned Corps, along with up to five family members.

Ask our front desk upon arrival to redeem.

Early Closure Notice

The GRPM will be closing early at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, May 14th, for Cabinet of Curiosities: Grand Slam!

This elevated spring fundraiser explores America’s favorite pastime through Grand Rapids history and celebrates the GRPM’s new exhibit, Play Ball! The World’s Largest Collection of Detroit Tigers Autographed Baseballs.

Get Tickets

Planetarium & Cafe Closure Notice

The Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium and the Museum Cafe will be closed from September 2nd – 5th.

Upcoming
Planetarium Closure Notice

The Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium will be closed June 8 through June 15 for the most significant systems upgrade made to our Planetarium in 10 years!

Come back after June 15 to see crisper, cleaner, and more vibrant visuals, and a system capable of showcasing parts of the universe we weren’t able to display before!

Closure Notice

The GRPM will be closed for Easter on Sunday, April 20. We will reopen on Monday, April 21 for normal hours. 

Extended! Become A GRPM Member, Earn $20 in Museum Promo Cash

Get $20 in Museum Promo Cash with the purchase of any membership now through Friday, December 6!

This promo cash can be used towards admission to the Museum, Planetarium tickets, unique local gifts at the Curiosity Shop, and food and beverages at the Museum Cafe.

Become a Member Today!

Museum Promo Cash expires June 30, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. Any unused balance will be forfeited after this date. This card is for promotional purposes only and is not redeemable for cash or Museum credit.

Become A GRPM Member, Earn $20 in Museum Promo Cash!

Get $20 in Museum Promo Cash with the purchase of any membership now through Tuesday, December 3! 

This promo cash can be used towards admission to the Museum, Planetarium tickets, unique local gifts at the Curiosity Shop, and food and beverages at the Museum Cafe.

Become a Member Today!

Museum Promo Cash expires June 30, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. Any unused balance will be forfeited after this date. This card is for promotional purposes only and is not redeemable for cash or Museum credit.

Closure Notice

The GRPM will be closed on Thursday, September 12, 2024 for an event. We will re-open on Friday, September 13, 2024 at 9 a.m. 

Late Opening Notice.

On Saturday, May 11, the Museum will open at 12 p.m. due to road closures for the Amway River Bank Run.

Early Closure Notice.

The Museum will close at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, May 1 for Museum Adventure After Dark. Tickets are still available!