Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2026

Programming Schedule

10am–12:15pm: T. REX 3D Movie (Murch Auditorium) — Dinosaurs have long inspired and thrilled audiences, and among them towers a king—Tyrannosaurus rex, the “tyrant lizard king.” Thanks to recent advances in CGI and breakthroughs in paleontology, now is the perfect time to revisit the iconic T. rex on the giant screen. Chronicling a remarkable discovery in the badlands of Hell Creek in the summer of 2023, this immersive film explores the life and times of the Greatest of All Tyrants. Run time: 42 minutes

10am–5pm: Earth Hands Project (Smead Discovery Center) — Celebrate MLK day in the Smead Discovery Center—Presented by PNC with a hands-on art adventure! Trace your hands and add them to our "world wreath," representing the role we all play in creating a world of unity.

11am–4pm: The Science of Skin Color (Learning Lab) — Learn how environmental factors led to variations in skin color.

11am—4:30pm: Winter Skies Planetarium Shows (Shafran Planetarium) — The long nights of winter have much to offer for backyard stargazers. Join us in the Nathan and Fannye Shafran Planetarium for a tour of the most iconic constellations gracing our skies this time of year. Museum astronomers will also highlight a major cosmic event set to take place in early March. Run time: 15 minutes

11:30–11:50am: Wildlife Talks (Classrooms A + B) — Discover the world of husbandry, training, and enrichment behind our rescued Ohio wildlife! Meet one of the Museum's incredible animal ambassadors and learn what makes these animals so extraordinary.

Noon–12:15pm: Wildlife Talks (Perkins Wildlife Center) — Get better acquainted with the species in the Ralph Perkins II Wildlife Center & Woods Garden—Presented by KeyBank. You may even have a chance to observe feeding or animal enrichment in action!

12:30–1pm: Jim and Josh Animal Encounter Jamboree (Murch Auditorium) — Join the Museum's Director of Wildlife, Jim Nemet, and Associate Director of Museum Experience, Josh Avsec, for a high-energy program featuring a variety of our rescued ambassador animals. This presentation will highlight the husbandry, training, and enrichment that goes into caring for Ohio’s incredible wildlife!

1:15–5pm: T. REX 3D Movie (Murch Auditorium) — Dinosaurs have long inspired and thrilled audiences, and among them towers a king—Tyrannosaurus rex, the “tyrant lizard king.” Thanks to recent advances in CGI and breakthroughs in paleontology, now is the perfect time to revisit the iconic T. rex on the giant screen. Chronicling a remarkable discovery in the badlands of Hell Creek in the summer of 2023, this immersive film explores the life and times of the Greatest of All Tyrants. Run time: 42 minutes

1:30–1:45pm: Wildlife Talks (Perkins Wildlife Center) — Get better acquainted with the species in the Ralph Perkins II Wildlife Center & Woods Garden—Presented by KeyBank. You may even have a chance to observe feeding or animal enrichment in action!

3:30–3:45pm: Wildlife Talks (Classrooms A + B) — Discover the world of husbandry, training, and enrichment behind our rescued Ohio wildlife! Meet one of the Museum's incredible animal ambassadors and learn what makes these animals so extraordinary.