MLK Jr. Day! (FREE admission)

Monday, January 20 | Pre-registration required | 10:00am to 1:00pm or 2:00 to 5:00pm

Take advantage of the day off school and visit the Institute of Science for FREE this Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Monday, January 20)! The museum will be open from 10:00am to 1:00pm or 2:00 to 5:00pm, offering free general admission for all guests.

Enhance your FREE visit with unique Institute experiences available for an additional fee, including:

  • Catch one of our fascinating planetarium shows, including our newest program, Mars One Thousand One. Join an international crew of astronauts on a daring 1,001-day mission to Mars. Witness history as they attempt to leave humanity's first footprints on the Red Planet, push the boundaries of science, and explore our future among the stars! Learn more.
  • Discover all things dinosaurs in our exploreLAB, featuring our newest program, How T. rex Became a Ruler. Investigate T. rex fossil casts from baby to adult to uncover how this giant grew, thrived, and ruled as the ultimate predator. Plus, dive into fascinating studies on its brainpower and how it likely processed the world around it! Learn more.
  • Eureka! Explore the life, history, and groundbreaking discoveries of Archimedes, one of the greatest mathematicians and scientists of all time, at our newest traveling exhibit! Learn more.
  • Fuel up for a day of fun at Reflections Café! See menu. Café hours: 10:30am to 4:30pm.
  • Stop by and become a scientist at home with our experiment kits or fun keepsakes from the ScienceShop!

Pre-registration is required. We will do our best to accommodate walk-ups, but entry cannot be guaranteed due to capacity limits.

Planetary Alignment Party

Saturday, January 25 | 6:00 to 10:00pm

You’re invited to join Cranbrook Institute of Science astronomers and members of the Warren Astronomical Society as they guide you through an out-of-this-world planetary alignment that will grace our skies on Saturday, January 25!

Are you wondering what a planetary alignment is? This celestial phenomenon, also known as a conjunction, occurs when multiple planets appear close together in the night sky from Earth's perspective—almost like they’re all hanging out together! The upcoming planetary alignment will showcase Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Neptune, and Uranus—though the last two you’ll need to use one of our telescopes to see!

Stop by our Cranbrook Observatory for a close-up view of this fascinating celestial event, grab a seat at the Acheson Planetarium to explore the night sky and learn more about planetary alignments, or chat with an astronomer about all things cosmic. It’s going to be a stellar evening you won’t want to miss!

Pre-registration is highly recommended.

After Dark (21+ only)

Saturday, February 15 | 7:00 to 10:00pm

Fall in love with science this Valentine’s Day! Grab your partner or gather your friends for an unforgettable evening exploring love, sex, and attraction through the lens of science, history, and nature. This one-of-a-kind 21+ event is packed with lively demonstrations, spicy presentations, and interactive activities guaranteed to make your heart race.

Sip on signature cocktails, savor delicious bites (available for purchase), and immerse yourself in the experience with:

  • Gladiatorial Combat: Witness epic clashes and cheer for your champion!
  • Things I Can’t Say to Second Graders – Dino Edition: A mini presentation with a prehistoric twist.
  • Aphrodisiacs: Fact or Fiction? Taste-test the science behind the sizzle.
  • Love Trivia: Flex your knowledge of romance!
  • Cupid’s Arrow: Can you hit the bullseye?
  • Great Sex Scandals from History: Scandalous tales through time.
  • Animals Do It Differently: Match quirky courtship rituals to their wild performers.
  • Love Conquers All: Navigate the stressors of the world to protect your love.
  • Love in the Greco-Roman World: Step into ancient stories of passion.
  • Let the (Valentine) Games Begin: Take on your partner or friends in games of skill and strategy.
  • Star-Crossed Lovers: A planetarium show written in the stars.
  • To the Moon and Back: Gaze at the cosmos at our observatory.
  • And more adult-only fun!

Tickets are $25 for members, $30 for non-members, and $35 at the door (subject to availability). Pre-registration is highly recommended. Please note that tickets are non-refundable.