Cranbrook Institute of Science offers a variety of exciting events for children, families and adults. We have seasonal events at major holidays, themed family events, overnights and evening programs, 21+ events, and more!

Explore the options below!

Member Exclusive Preview of Newest Exhibition, Permian Monsters: Life Before the Dinosaurs

September 27, 2025
12:00pm to 5:00pm

Institute members are invited to be the first to explore our newest traveling exhibition, Permian Monsters: Life Before the Dinosaurs.

8th Annual Women Rock Science

October 8, 2025
6:00pm to 9:00pm

You’re invited to our 8th Annual Women Rock Science Fundraising Event! Join us for an evening celebrating women in STEAM, igniting curiosity, and honoring our 2025 Honorees. Proceeds raised help support our outreach programs for under-resourced Pre-K-12 students throughout Michigan.

Monster Mash (21+)

October 24, 2025
7:00pm to 10:00pm

Get ready for a frighteningly good time!

Join us for our Monster Mash—a Halloween party like no other, exclusively for adults 21 and up.

Enjoy a spine-tingling lineup of activities, eerie entertainment, creepy competitions, Halloween classics reimagined, and more ghoulishly good times as you explore the museum…after dark.

Sci-tacular highlights include:

  • Costume Contest: Strut your creeptastic costume in solo or group categories!
  • Flashlight Ghost Tours: Brave the shadows to discover secrets lurking in dark corners.
  • Celebrity or Serial Killer?: Test your knowledge of the infamous.
  • Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream: Enjoy a sinisterly good icy treat made before your eyes.
  • Skeleton Dance-Off: Show off your best moves with a bony partner—an actual skeleton!
  • Final Girl: Uncover the morality of horror movies.
  • Mummy Relay: Race to wrap your way to victory!
  • Dino Gore Show: Horrifying deaths from the fossil record.
  • Mini Pumpkin Decorating: Enchant us with your Halloween creativity.
  • Halloween in the Acheson Planetarium: A cosmic twist on seasonal chills.
  • Stargazing at the Observatory: Peer into the unknown…if you dare.
  • Haunting Memories: Get your boo-tiful picture taken with free professional photos!

And that’s just the beginning…

Food & Spirits
Enjoy Halloween-themed bites and devilish drinks (available for purchase), including specialty cocktails brewed just for the occasion.

Costumes Encouraged
Whether you go full vampire glam, undead chic, or mad scientist style, this is your night to dress to distress. Show off your most creative—or chilling!—look for a chance to win our costume contest. Group and individual entries welcome! Not into dressing up? No problem—your presence is the real treat.

Tickets
$29 for members, $35 for non-members, and $5 additional per person for walk-in attendees. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged and closes Thursday, October 23 at 5:00pm. Tickets are nonrefundable.

Halloween Science

Saturday, October 25, 2025 - 10:00am - 1:00pm OR 2:30pm to 5:30pm

Costumes Encouraged!

A host of not-too-scary activities and shows highlight Halloween Science at the Institute! Take a fun ride in the Acheson Planetarium, experience our electrifying scientist, hear creepy stories, see a pumpkin hurled through the air from our massive trebuchet, take the bug eating challenge, indulge in ice cream made right before your eyes, and much more! Amid the Halloween decor at the Institute numerous experiments, make-and-take arts & crafts and activity stations await young and old alike. While you explore the haunted hallways, check out the newly opened Permian Monsters exhibit.

Don’t wait! Reserve your tickets today!

Pricing for pre-registered attendees:
$23 per person for members
$27 per person for non-members
$5 additional per person for walk-in attendees

Walk ups welcome; however not guaranteed. Pre-registration is recommended.

Pre-Registration closes @5pm 10/22.

For questions, email us at cisreservations@cranbrook.edu or call 248-645-3210.

Winter Solstice

December 20, 2025
11:00am to 5:00pm

Celebrate the longest night – and the return of the sun -- with traditional and newly-imagined activities, seasonal treats and a culminating Lantern Parade. Held in partnership with Cranbrook Art Museum, your ticket provides access to activities at both museums!

Check back soon for more information!

Jupiter January

January 16, 2026
7:00pm to 10:00pm

This January, Jupiter shines its brightest as Earth passes between it and the Sun. Join astronomy experts at the Institute for an unforgettable viewing experience with cutting-edge technology.

Check back soon for more information!

Member Exclusive Preview of New Exhibit, Mystery of the Mayan Medallion

January 31, 2026
12:00pm to 5:00pm

Institute members are invited to be the first to explore our newest traveling exhibition, Mystery of the Mayan Medallion.

Check back soon for more information!

Murder at the Museum (21+ only)

January 31, 2026
7:00pm to 10:00pm

Join us for a murder mystery night of intrigue! Team up with friends, put your sleuthing skills to the test, and help crack the case.

Check back soon for more information!