Celebrate the Celestial Event with a weekend full of activities
CLEVELAND—February 20, 2024—This year’s total solar eclipse, an event that won’t happen again in Cleveland again until the year 2444, has placed Cleveland in the path of totality—and at the epicenter of the celestial excitement.
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History is celebrating this once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon with a full weekend of activities. “This is an unrivaled opportunity for Clevelanders to witness a total solar eclipse in their home city,” says Museum President and CEO Sonia Winner. “It’s a shining example of how nature and science can bring people together—and we’re honored to host the community for this incredible experience.”
Featuring events such as Think & Drink with the Extinct, SolarFest: Eclipse Family Fun Days, and the community watch party Total on the Oval, there’s no better place to experience this exceptionally rare event! These events are in partnership with the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) and the Simons Foundation, as part of its 'In the Path of Totality' initiative, and the American Astronomical Society (AAS).
Think & Drink with the Extinct: Lights Out
On Thursday, April 4, starting at 7pm, the Museum’s Think & Drink with the Extinct series will continue with Lights Out—an eclipse-themed evening geared towards guests 21 and older. Attendees will deepen their understanding of space and the upcoming eclipse, while enjoying cosmic libations from local partners. Party the night away with special shows in the Nathan and Fannye Shafran planetarium, meet-and-greets with Museum scientists, live music, and more. A selection of space-themed foods will be available, and all guests will be provided with a pair of ISO-compliant glasses to safely view the eclipse a few days later. The event will cost $5 for members and $15 for non-members. This event is sponsored by RPM.
SolarFest: Eclipse Family Fun Days
Beginning at 11am on Saturday, April 6, and Sunday, April 7, SolarFest will engage the whole family in the upcoming celestial event. Featuring hands-on STEM activities and discussions with Museum experts, this two-day celebration will excite family members of all ages! SolarFest is included with general admission and is free for all Museum members.
Total on the Oval Eclipse Watch Party
The exciting weekend culminates on Monday, April 8 with the Total on the Oval Watch Party. The Cleveland Museum of Natural History will join forces with University Circle Inc. and the University Circle community to host a full day of family-friendly fun, featuring live music, hands-on activities, presentations from the Museum’s Astronomy department, and more. “We are always thrilled to be able to expose new audiences to our dynamic cultural district. There isn’t much better than a once-in-a-lifetime science phenomenon to better shine a light on University Circle!” says UCI President Kate Borders. The Museum will be open from 10am to 2pm, with additional activities located on Wade Oval. The Total on the Oval Watch Party is free for both Museum members and non-members. The Museum will be open for special programming from 10am to 2pm, with outdoor activities kicking off at 11am. The party will fully move outside to the Wade Oval lawn beginning at 2pm.
For more information on the Museum’s solar eclipse programming, visit CMNH.org.
About the Cleveland Museum of Natural History Transformation Project
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History’s $150 million transformation project is an unprecedented reinvention that will align the Museum’s architecture with its mission of instilling a passion for nature and science in all learners. The Transforming the World of Discovery campaign has raised more than $134 million for this project, which will expand the Museum's building to more than 375,000 square feet and its outdoor visitor areas to more than 2 acres.
The transformation project aims to broaden community access and help all stakeholders understand their connection with the natural world and the relevance of science to their daily lives. The latest milestone in this project was the opening in October 2023 of a welcoming new Visitor Hall, a free community space that showcases eight of the Museum’s most iconic objects and specimens. This dramatic, 14,650-square-foot gallery features ceilings that soar to 21 feet and stunning new exhibits placed along the Douglas McCreery and Dr. Laurie McCreery Timeline of the Earth, which marks key events in the history of the Universe.
Slated for completion in late 2024, the Museum’s transformation encompasses a complete reimagining of the Museum campus and all its exhibits. Pioneering a new model for natural history museums, the redesigned exhibits will highlight the Museum’s world-class assets while reflecting its role as a trusted community resource. The Museum appreciates the generous support from community members, corporations, foundations, and government grants that has helped to make this transformation a reality.
About the Cleveland Museum of Natural History
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History illuminates the world around us and inspires visitors to engage with the natural forces that shape their lives. Since its founding in 1920, the Museum has pioneered scientific research to advance knowledge across diverse fields of study and used its outstanding collections, which encompass more than 5 million artifacts and specimens, to deepen the public’s understanding of the dynamic connections between humans and nature. Through its Natural Areas Program, the Museum stewards more than 12,000 acres of protected ecosystems across northern Ohio. A community gathering place, educational center, and research institution, the Museum is a vital resource that serves Cleveland and the nation. For more information, visit CMNH.org.
Media Contact
Samantha Guenther
External Communications Manager
Cleveland Museum of Natural History
216.403.4557
sguenther@cmnh.org
