Sensory Friendly Trick or Treat
2025-10-24 18:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | At the Museum, 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213-4007, United States
When: Friday, October 24, 6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.
Where: Carnegie Museum of Natural History
Tickets: $16 ($12 for Carnegie Museums Members)
Trick–or–treat your way through the museum at this all ages and all abilities event! Wear your favorite costume to listen to Halloween stories around our faux campfire, enjoy apple cider and other tasty treats, get a closer look at dioramas, fossils, minerals and more in a relaxed setting. Select galleries in the Natural History museum will reopen for this event after Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History close to the general public. Exhibits will have reduced audio/visual elements plus calming spaces with support materials.
Register today!

Nature Craft
2025-10-29 17:00 - 18:00 | Powdermill Nature Reserve, 1795 Route 381, Rector, PA, 15677, United States
When: Wednesday, October 29, 2025, 5:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Where: Powdermill Nature Reserve
Tickets: Free
Calling all artists, hobbyists, and nature enthusiasts! Powdermill Nature Reserve is hosting a new monthly community craft night. Join us as we seek out inspiration and materials from the natural world to incorporate into our art. Every month will be different, so be sure to join us for them all. All ages and skill levels are welcome! Expect an email near the event date for more information about what we will be working on that month.
Register Today!

Family Nature Walk
2025-11-01 14:00 - 15:00 | Powdermill Nature Reserve, 1795 Route 381, Rector, PA, 15677, United States
When: Saturday, November 1, 2025, 2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Where: Powdermill Nature Reserve, 1795 Route 381, Rector, PA 15677
Tickets: Free
Join us as we hit the trails for a guided nature walk! We’ll meet in the atrium of the Powdermill Nature Center before heading outside to explore. This family-friendly experience is open to participants of all ages.
Events fill up fast! Registration is recommended to guarantee your spot and help us plan timing, seating, and/or trail routes. If there are spots available at the time of the program, non-registered individuals can join on a first-come, first-served basis.
Register Today!

Owling at the Moon
2025-11-01 18:00 - 21:00 | Powdermill Nature Reserve, 1795 Route 381, Rector, PA, 15677, United States
When: Saturday, November 1, 2025, 6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.
Where: Powdermill Nature Reserve
Tickets: $10 for adults ($8 for Carnegie Museums Members); $5 for children ($3 for Carnegie Museums Members)
Celebrate owls with crafts, activities, and live owls! Enjoy popcorn and fresh apple cider made onsite, listen to a story by the campfire, and make a lantern. Learn about native owls along the Owl Trail and complete challenges to win prizes. Participate in owl pellet dissection and discover amazing facts from our Powdermill Avian Research Center experts. This is a family-friendly event open to all ages.
Register Today!

Storytime at the Museum
2025-11-07 10:30 - 11:00 | At the Museum, 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213-4007, United States
When: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10:30 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Special Date! Monday, January 19, 2026
Where: Carnegie Museum of Natural History
Tickets: Free with Museum Admission
Join us for Storytime at the Museum! Hear nature and science stories read by our Natural History Interpreters and get a chance to touch museum specimens. Stop by for one page, one book, or stay for the whole time. Meets at the bench in the entrance of the Kamin Hall of Dinosaurs. Registration is not required.
Buy your tickets in advance!

R.W. Moriarty Science Seminar: Leading Powdermill Field Station and Nature Reserve into the Future
2025-11-10 12:00 - 13:00 | PA
Talk: Science, Conservation, and Community: Leading Powdermill Field Station and Nature Reserve into the Future
Speaker: Dr. Mary Janecka, Director of Powdermill Field Station and Nature Reserve
When: Monday, November 10, 2025, 12:00–1:00 p.m.
Where: Carnegie Library Lecture Hall and online via Zoom
Tickets: Free. Museum admission not required.
Dr. Mary Janecka, the new Director of Powdermill Field Station and Nature Reserve, will present past research and plans for leading the team to advance the station’s scientific research, applied conservation efforts, and public outreach initiatives. Fieldwork has long been at the heart of Mary’s own scientific journey, and she has contributed to making field experiences more accessible and welcoming to all. Janecka’s own research on host-parasite interactions (primarily in riverine ecosystems) and how these are affected by anthropogenic change has immediate relevance to the Western Pennsylvania region. Her research combines behavioral ecology, genetics, and conservation; it spans both aquatic and terrestrial systems, and across organism groups—from snakes to migratory birds to ticks. With this multidisciplinary expertise, Janecka is uniquely positioned to further elevate Powdermill’s scientific profile and impact.
Registration is required to attend R.W. Moriarty Science Seminars. Sign-up below to attend in person or click here to join us via Zoom.

Upcoming R.W. Moriarty Science Seminars
Learn about scientific discoveries directly from the experts in the field. Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s scientific research staff and invited speakers discuss their latest findings on numerous scientific topics at the R.W. Moriarty Science Seminar series.

Friends and Family Photo Studio
2025-11-15 | PA

Nature Craft
2025-11-26 17:00 - 18:00 | Powdermill Nature Reserve, 1795 Route 381, Rector, PA, 15677, United States
When: Wednesday, November 26, 2025, 5:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Where: Powdermill Nature Reserve
Tickets: Free
Calling all artists, hobbyists, and nature enthusiasts! Powdermill Nature Reserve is hosting a new monthly community craft night. Join us as we seek out inspiration and materials from the natural world to incorporate into our art. Every month will be different, so be sure to join us for them all. All ages and skill levels are welcome! Expect an email near the event date for more information about what we will be working on.
Register Today!

R.W. Moriarty Science Seminar: Insect Double Feature
2025-12-01 12:00 - 13:00 | PA
Dr. David Wagner, Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at University of Connecticut, is a world authority on insect biodiversity, insect conservation, and matters of global change. On December 1, he will give two separate talks at Carnegie Museum of Natural History: one discussing the global decline of insect populations, and a second talk focusing on caterpillars and their role in ecology and evolutionary biology. Registration is required to attend R.W. Moriarty Science Seminars, read on for full details and registration options for both talks.
Talk: Insect Declines in the Anthropocene
When: Monday, December 1, 2025, 12:00–1:00 p.m.
Where: Art Theater and online via Zoom
Tickets: Free. Museum admission not required.
As the human population has expanded in the last century, global insect populations are declining at a concerningly rapid rate. Significant decreases in both species and populations of insects have been reported, thought to result from “a thousand cuts” including pesticide use, agricultural intensification, shifts in climate and human-induced changes to their native environments. Dr. David Wagner, Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at University of Connecticut, is a world authority on insect biodiversity, insect conservation, and matters of global change. In recent years, he has become an expert on insect decline, publishing both academic and general public articles on the subject.
Sign-up below to attend in person or click here to join us via Zoom.

Talk: Caterpillars: Their Use in Biosystematics, Diversity, and Ecology Studies
When: Monday, December 1, 2025, 4:00–5:00 p.m.
Where: Art Theater and online via Zoom
Tickets: Free. Museum admission not required.
Dr. Wagner will highlight discoveries from five decades of biosystematic studies on Lepidoptera. This informal presentation will feature stunning images of caterpillars, their natural history, and how larval life history data has been used to answer big questions in ecology and evolutionary biology. Time allowing, he will provide a status update of a multi-volumed guide to the Caterpillars of Western North America (Princeton University Press).
Sign-up below to attend in person or click here to join us via Zoom.

Upcoming R.W. Moriarty Science Seminars
Learn about scientific discoveries directly from the experts in the field. Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s scientific research staff and invited speakers discuss their latest findings on numerous scientific topics at the R.W. Moriarty Science Seminar series.

WinterTide
2025-12-06 10:00 - 17:00 | PA
When: Saturday, December 6, 2025, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Where: Carnegie Museum of Natural History
Tickets: Free with purchase of museum admission. Advance registration strongly recommended.
You’re invited to WinterTide, a one-day festival celebrating resilience, adaptation, and joy during the chilly winter months. Explore stories of survival and togetherness across nature and culture through hands-on activities, chats with natural history experts, and more. Warm up with a cup of hot cocoa and baked goods available for purchase in the heart of the event. We invite you to gather your favorite people to share joyful tidings and good cheer with the museum community.
WinterTide activities include:
– Learn how cold-blooded wood frogs survive sub-zero temperatures in Alaskan winters.
– Create traditional Northern European straw stars and snowflakes with Collection Manager of Anthropology, Kristina Gaugler.
– Learn to identify plant species from twigs with Curator of Botany, Mason Heberling.
– Learn about wintering birds and the Christmas Bird Count with educators from Powdermill Nature Reserve

– Take an up-close look at snowflakes and learn about their crystal structures.

– Explore how fur, fat, and feathers keep animals warm in the Hall of North American Wildlife.
– Test your hibernation knowledge by exploring the facts and myths about how animals survive the winter season.
– Create wintertime art in our galleries.

Carnegie Museums Members may enjoy winter activities and light refreshments in the Members Lounge from 12:00–2:00 p.m.

Register for WinterTide below and purchase admission for December 6 on our ticketing page!

Please note that all WinterTide attendees must purchase museum admission for Saturday, December 6.

Winter Stories
Read articles by museum experts to get ready for WinterTide!
Winter Wanderers On a Water TowerCollected on this Day in 2012: WintercreeperWhat Do Bugs Do During the Winter?Fruit and Nut Trees Need Chill Time in the Winter

WinterTide is sponsored by:

Family Nature Walk
2025-12-06 14:00 - 15:00 | Powdermill Nature Reserve, 1795 Route 381, Rector, PA, 15677, United States
When: Saturday, December 6, 2025, 2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Where: Powdermill Nature Reserve, 1795 Route 381, Rector, PA 15677
Tickets: Free
Join us as we hit the trails for a guided nature walk! We’ll meet in the atrium of the Powdermill Nature Center before heading outside to explore. This family-friendly experience is open to participants of all ages.
Events fill up fast! Registration is recommended to guarantee your spot and help us plan timing, seating, and/or trail routes. If there are spots available at the time of the program, non-registered individuals can join on a first-come, first-served basis.
Register Today!

Jolly Opossum (Cancelled)
2025-12-13 16:00 - 17:00 | Powdermill Nature Reserve, 1795 Route 381, Rector, PA, 15677, United States
When: Saturday, December 13, 2025, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Where: Powdermill Nature Reserve, Rector, PA
Tickets: Free
Join us for a warm drink and to hear the tale of the Jolly Opossum! This story will delve into what the creatures of the forest are up to during the holidays. Meet Dr. Skunk, Mx. Chickadee, Mr. Bear, and, of course, the Jolly Opossum. We will also make holiday ornaments/decorations as well. Children of all ages are welcome.
Due to winter weather conditions, we have decided to cancel Jolly Opossum. Stay safe and we hope to see you at another event soon!

Trio Tour
2025-12-21 12:30 - 13:00 | PA
When: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 12:30 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
Special date! Monday, January 19, 2026
Where: Carnegie Museum of Natural History
Tickets: Free with Museum Admission
Join knowledgeable Natural History Interpreters to explore three connected specimens, objects, or dioramas on 30-minute tours. Sometimes the connections will be straightforward, but sometimes you’ll need the expertise of a Natural History Interpreter to connect the dots. Topics will rotate frequently, make a Trio Tour part of every museum visit! Registration not required.
Current Tour: Winter Animals
Through February 2026, take an up-close look at the caribou, mountain goat, and walrus dioramas. Meet the tour next to the walrus display in the Hall of North American Wildlife.

Buy your tickets in advance!

Day Off at the Museums: Teen Takeover
2025-12-29 12:00 - 15:00 | PA
STEAM into the New Year
Monday, December 29, 2025
Noon–3 p.m.
Spend your day off in a world of creativity and discovery! Teens ages 13 to 18 are invited to Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History as they join forces for a full day of STEAM-powered fun alongside Museum Educators and experts.
Start the day in the Hall of Sculpture, where you’ll enjoy food, music, and STEAM-based drop-in activities designed to spark imagination. Then, journey through the museum for interactive gallery engagements and deeper dives into science and art.

Family Nature Walk
2026-01-03 14:00 - 15:00 | Powdermill Nature Reserve, 1795 Route 381, Rector, PA, 15677, United States
When: Saturday, January 3, 2026, 2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Where: Powdermill Nature Reserve, 1795 Route 381, Rector, PA 15677
Tickets: Free
Join us as we hit the trails for a guided nature walk! We’ll meet in the atrium of the Powdermill Nature Center before heading outside to explore. This family-friendly experience is open to participants of all ages.
Events fill up fast! Registration is recommended to guarantee your spot and help us plan timing, seating, and/or trail routes. If there are spots available at the time of the program, non-registered individuals can join on a first-come, first-served basis.
Register Today!

R.W. Moriarty Science Seminar: Chinese Oracle Bones, 3D Digitization, and Game Design
2026-01-12 12:00 - 13:00 | PA
Talk: The Story of the Bones: Chinese Oracle Bones, 3D Digitization, and Game Design
Speakers: Jonathan Walton, Assistant Teaching Professor, Carnegie Mellon University; Dr. Gang Liu, Teaching Professor of Chinese Studies, Director of Undergraduate Studies, Carnegie Mellon University
When: Monday, January 12, 2026, 12:00–1:00 p.m.
Where: Art Theater and online via Zoom
Tickets: Free. Museum admission not required.
Dr. Jonathan Walton and Dr. Gang Liu of Carnegie Mellon University will discuss their project performing 3D scanning of ancient Chinese oracle bones to make virtual models for use by researchers, students, and game users. Integrating game design elements, the project aims to create a unified digital platform that makes these ancient artifacts and related collections from around the world accessible and engaging for modern users.
Registration is required to attend R.W. Moriarty Science Seminars. Sign-up below to attend in person or click here to join us via Zoom.

Upcoming R.W. Moriarty Science Seminars
Learn about scientific discoveries directly from the experts in the field. Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s scientific research staff and invited speakers discuss their latest findings on numerous scientific topics at the R.W. Moriarty Science Seminar series.

Nature Craft
2026-01-28 17:00 - 18:00 | Powdermill Nature Reserve, 1795 Route 381, Rector, PA, 15677, United States
When: Wednesday, January 28, 2026, 5:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Where: Powdermill Nature Reserve
Tickets: Free
Calling all artists, hobbyists, and nature enthusiasts! Powdermill Nature Reserve is hosting a new monthly community craft night. Join us as we seek out inspiration and materials from the natural world to incorporate into our art. Every month will be different, so be sure to join us for them all. All ages and skill levels are welcome! Expect an email near the event date for more information about what we will be working on.
Register Today!

Sensory Friendly Weekend
2026-01-31 10:00 - 17:00 | At the Museum, 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213-4007, United States
When: Saturday, January 31, 2026, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Where: Carnegie Museum of Natural History
Tickets: Free with Purchase of Museum Admission
Families with members who have sensory processing needs are invited to explore the museum galleries with reduced audio and visual elements. Calming spaces with support materials, including single-use ear plugs, sunglasses, fidget toys, etc., will be available. Museum experts will be on-hand to talk for as little or as long as you want about favorite topics like dinosaurs, rocks, gems, animals, bugs, and much more. Every program is designed to welcome all ages and abilities.
Standard sensory friendly supports are in place during regular hours for all Carnegie Museum of Natural History visitors:
• Lower lighting in select galleries
• Video sounds and exhibit background audio turned off in select galleries
• Calming spaces
• Takeaway support materials (single-use ear plugs, sunglasses, fidget toys, etc.)
To provide the most sensory friendly environment possible, advance registration is recommended. Pre-registration is available online until 3:00 p.m. on the day prior to the program. All customers who pre-register will receive a welcome packet via e-mail with detailed information about the event.
Register today!

Sensory Friendly Weekend
2026-02-01 10:00 - 17:00 | At the Museum, 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213-4007, United States
When: Sunday, February 1, 2026, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Where: Carnegie Museum of Natural History
Tickets: Free with Purchase of Museum Admission
Families with members who have sensory processing needs are invited to explore the museum galleries with reduced audio and visual elements. Calming spaces with support materials, including single-use ear plugs, sunglasses, fidget toys, etc., will be available. Museum experts will be on-hand to talk for as little or as long as you want about favorite topics like dinosaurs, rocks, gems, animals, bugs, and much more. Every program is designed to welcome all ages and abilities.
Standard sensory friendly supports are in place during regular hours for all Carnegie Museum of Natural History visitors:
• Lower lighting in select galleries
• Video sounds and exhibit background audio turned off in select galleries
• Calming spaces
• Takeaway support materials (single-use ear plugs, sunglasses, fidget toys, etc.)
To provide the most sensory friendly environment possible, advance registration is recommended. Pre-registration is available online until 3:00 p.m. on the day prior to the program. All customers who pre-register will receive a welcome packet via e-mail with detailed information about the event.
Register today!

Family Nature Walk
2026-02-07 14:00 - 15:00 | Powdermill Nature Reserve, 1795 Route 381, Rector, PA, 15677, United States
When: Saturday, February 7, 2026, 2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Where: Powdermill Nature Reserve, 1795 Route 381, Rector, PA 15677
Tickets: Free
Join us as we hit the trails for a guided nature walk! We’ll meet in the atrium of the Powdermill Nature Center before heading outside to explore. This family-friendly experience is open to participants of all ages.
Events fill up fast! Registration is recommended to guarantee your spot and help us plan timing, seating, and/or trail routes. If there are spots available at the time of the program, non-registered individuals can join on a first-come, first-served basis.
Register Today!

R.W. Moriarty Science Seminar: Anti-Racist Initiatives in Exhibition Development at Science Museums
2026-02-12 18:00 - 19:00 | PA
Talk: Exhibiting Race: Anti-Racist Initiatives in Exhibition Development at Science Museums
Speaker: Joanne Jones-Rizzi, Vice President of Science, Equity, and Education at the Science Museum of Minnesota
When: Thursday, February 12, 2026, 6:00–7:00 p.m.
Where: Art Theater and online via Zoom; Reception to follow at Café Carnegie
Tickets: Free. Museum admission not required.
Joanne Jones-Rizzi, Vice President of Science, Equity, and Education at the Science Museum of Minnesota, is a celebrated leader in inclusive programming, anti-racist initiatives, and community engagement. Joanne will share insights from her career and her experience as one of the exhibition developers of the landmark exhibition, RACE: Are We So Different?
Please join us for a reception in Café Carnegie following the seminar.
American Sign Language interpretation will be provided by Global Wordsmiths for in-person attendees.
Registration is highly recommended to attend R.W. Moriarty Science Seminars, however, walk-ins are welcome until Art Theater is at full capacity. Sign-up below to attend in person or click here to join us via Zoom.

Upcoming R.W. Moriarty Science Seminars
Learn about scientific discoveries directly from the experts in the field. Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s scientific research staff and invited speakers discuss their latest findings on numerous scientific topics at the R.W. Moriarty Science Seminar series.

Family Nature Walk
2026-03-07 14:00 - 15:00 | Powdermill Nature Reserve, 1795 Route 381, Rector, PA, 15677, United States
When: Saturday, March 7, 2026, 2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Where: Powdermill Nature Reserve, 1795 Route 381, Rector, PA 15677
Tickets: Free
Join us as we hit the trails for a guided nature walk! We’ll meet in the atrium of the Powdermill Nature Center before heading outside to explore. This family-friendly experience is open to participants of all ages.
Events fill up fast! Registration is recommended to guarantee your spot and help us plan timing, seating, and/or trail routes. If there are spots available at the time of the program, non-registered individuals can join on a first-come, first-served basis.
Register Today!

R.W. Moriarty Science Seminar: A Search for Evidence of Past Habitability in Jezero Crater, Mars
2026-03-09 12:00 - 13:00 | PA
Talk: A Search for Evidence of Past Habitability in Jezero Crater, Mars
Speaker: Dr. Sergei Bykov, Assistant Research Professor of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh
When: Monday, March 9, 2026, 12:00–1:00 p.m.
Where: Art Theater and online via Zoom
Tickets: Free. Museum admission not required.
Water-bearing rocks and minerals on Mars, such as opals, are key to understanding the planet’s past habitability and identifying where water once existed or may still be present today. In this talk Dr. Sergei Bykov from the University of Pittsburgh will share his research on recent data returned from NASA’s Perseverance rover mission. This work includes detailed analysis of the structure and hydration of opals in Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s collection.
Registration is required to attend R.W. Moriarty Science Seminars. Sign-up below to attend in person or click here to join us via Zoom.

Upcoming R.W. Moriarty Science Seminars
Learn about scientific discoveries directly from the experts in the field. Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s scientific research staff and invited speakers discuss their latest findings on numerous scientific topics at the R.W. Moriarty Science Seminar series.

R.W. Moriarty Science Seminar: Testing the “Sixth Sense” of Anuran Amphibians
2026-04-09 18:00 - 19:00 | PA
Talk: Testing the “Sixth Sense” of Anuran Amphibians
Speaker: Dr. Rafael Marquez, Senior Researcher, Museo Nacional Ciencias Naturales
When: Thursday, April 9, 2026, 6:00–7:00 p.m.
Where: Art Theater and online via Zoom; Reception to follow in Café Carnegie
Tickets: Free. Museum admission not required.
Anuran amphibians (adult frogs and toads) have a very unique adaptation of the inner ear that detects vibrations from soil, water, and plants. Dr. Rafael Marquez, Senior Researcher at the Museo Nacional Ciencias Naturales in Spain, will describe field tests with the emissions of vibrations to shed light on the selective advantage of this seismic detector.
Please join us for a reception in Café Carnegie immediately following the seminar.
Registration is required to attend R.W. Moriarty Science Seminars. Sign-up below to attend in person or click here to join us via Zoom.

Upcoming R.W. Moriarty Science Seminars
Learn about scientific discoveries directly from the experts in the field. Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s scientific research staff and invited speakers discuss their latest findings on numerous scientific topics at the R.W. Moriarty Science Seminar series.

R.W. Moriarty Science Seminar: Lightning Talks from Carnegie Museum Scientists
2026-05-07 18:00 - 19:00 | PA
Natural History in a Flash: Lightning Talks from Carnegie Museum Scientists
When: Thursday, May 7, 2026, 6:00–7:00 p.m.
Where: Art Theater and online via Zoom; Reception to follow in Café Carnegie
Tickets: Free. Museum admission not required.
Meet a variety of Carnegie Museum of Natural History scientists in charge of the museum’s contemporary research and vast collections of specimens and objects. Join us for quick talks that highlight research and scientific activities happening daily at the museum and stay after the talks to interact with CMNH Science staff in a fun, informal setting.
Please join us for a reception in Café Carnegie immediately following the seminar.
Registration is required to attend R.W. Moriarty Science Seminars. Sign-up below to attend in person or click here to join us via Zoom.
