Behind the Scenes Tour: The Alcohol House - Sold Out
2026-03-21 10:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | PA
When: Saturday, March 21, 2026, 10:00–11:00 a.m. and 2:00–3:00 p.m.
Where: Carnegie Museum of Natural History
Tickets: $25 (Museum admission not included.)
Visitors ages 18+ are invited to join Dr. Jennifer Sheridan, Curator of Amphibians and Reptiles, in the Alcohol House. This three-story space contains thousands of amphibians and reptiles preserved in alcohol ranging from the smallest frogs to enormous sea turtles. Learn about Dr. Sheridan’s research on Bornean frogs and ask her your best questions. Sign up today! Spots are limited to 8 people per tour.
Please note: Tour participants must be able to climb stairs and navigate narrow aisles. If you have any concerns regarding accessibility, please email us.
Purchase Tickets for Behind the Scenes Tour: The Alcohol House
Choose your time and purchase your ticket below. Tours meet in the front lobby across from the Admissions Desk and will depart for collections spaces promptly at the tour start time.
By popular demand, Behind the Scenes Tour: The Alcohol House tickets are now sold out. Sign-up for our email list to be among the first to learn about upcoming events and programs.

Behind the Scenes Tours are part of NatureFest! Purchase general admission for March 21 to enjoy the museum and NatureFest before and after your tour.

Behind the Scenes Tour: Herbarium - Sold Out
2026-03-21 10:00 - 11:00 | PA
When: Saturday, March 21, 2026, 10:00–11:00 a.m. and 2:00–3:00 p.m.
Where: Carnegie Museum of Natural History
Tickets: $25 (Museum admission not included.)
Visitors ages 18+ are invited to join Dr. Mason Heberling, Curator of Botany, in the Herbarium. This spaces houses more than 500,000 plant specimens in rows upon rows of cabinets. You’ll see herbarium specimens up close and learn why collecting and maintaining specimens in herbaria is critical for research in this time of significant environmental change. Learn about Dr. Heberling’s research and get your botany questions answered. Sign up today! Spots are limited to 8 people per tour.
Please note: To participate in the Herbarium tour, participants will need to navigate a short flight of stairs. If you have any concerns regarding accessibility, please email us.
Purchase Tickets for Behind the Scenes Tour: Herbarium
Choose your time and purchase your ticket below. Tours meet in the front lobby across from the Admissions Desk and will depart for collections spaces promptly at the tour start time.
By popular demand, Behind the Scenes Tour: Herbarium tickets are now sold out. Sign-up for our email list to be among the first to learn about upcoming events and programs.
Behind the Scenes Tours are part of NatureFest! Purchase general admission for March 21 to enjoy the museum and NatureFest before and after your tour.

NatureFest
2026-03-21 10:00 - 17:00 | PA
When: Saturday, March 21, 2026, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Where: Carnegie Museum of Natural History
Tickets: Included with Purchase of Museum Admission
Get Tickets →
Explore the vibrant voices of the natural world at our second annual NatureFest! From animal communication to natural soundscapes, this one-day celebration invites you to tune in to nature with the expertise of our scientists, educators, and community partners. Browse the full schedule below and plan your day. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly day out or a deep dive into the science of sound, NatureFest offers activities for curious explorers of all ages.
NatureFest Schedule
Family-Friendly Activities: 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., drop-in any time
Enjoy hands-on activities for kids of all ages and their families that explore sound in nature and culture. From dinosaur sounds to Bornean frog calls, there’s so much to hear, see, and discover at NatureFest!
Dinosaur Sounds: What might dinosaurs have sounded like? How well could dinosaurs hear? Investigate dinosaur anatomy to answer your burning questions about their vocalization and hearing abilities.
Frog Calls: Learn to identify a range of frog calls and hear the latest on frog research happening in Borneo.
Seeing Sound: Compare ultrasound graphs of bird calls and learn to identify them visibly.
Get Ready for Summer Camps: Meet members of our Summer Camps team, try a favorite camp activity, and find out how to register for 2026 camps.
City Nature Challenge: Learn how you can participate in this global bioblitz.
Animal Sounds Storytime: 10:15–11:00 a.m.
Join Natural History Interpreters in Earth Theater to hear stories featuring animal sounds. Perfect for young science explorers.
Council of Three Rivers American Indian Center Dance Performance: 1:00 p.m. –1:45 p.m.
Enjoy a dance demonstration by Council of Three Rivers American Indian Center that highlights the historic use of natural materials in outfits and instruments, as well as modern updates.
Yoga with SolSoulSole: 1:00 p.m.–4:30 p.m. (New session every half hour)
Take a break at 20-minute yoga sessions offered on the half hour with instruction by SolSoulSole Yoga.
Visible Conservation Lab: 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., plus special activities below
Visit the Visible Lab within The Stories We Keep: Bringing the World to Pittsburgh anytime during NatureFest to see conservation and collections staff in action.
11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.: Observe staff cataloging frog calls recorded by Dr. Jennifer Sheridan, Curator of Amphibians and Reptiles, during her field research in Borneo.
11:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.: Chat with staff experts and ask them anything about conserving the objects in our care.
Mark Your Calendar for NatureFest
Purchase of museum admission is required to attend NatureFest. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door. Advance purchase is strongly recommended. Make sure to select March 21, 2026 for admission to NatureFest. Get Tickets →
Highlights from NatureFest 2025

Nature Craft
2026-03-25 17:00 - 18:30 | Powdermill Nature Reserve, 1795 Route 381, Rector, PA, 15677, United States
When: Wednesday, March 25, 2026, 5:00 p.m.–6:30 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 Now →

Morning Woodcock Walk
2026-03-28 06:00 - 08:00 | Powdermill Nature Reserve, 1795 Route 381, Rector, PA, 15677, United States
When: Saturday, March 28, 2026, 6:00 a.m.–8:00 a.m.
Where: Powdermill Nature Reserve
Tickets: $10 ($8 for Carnegie Museums Members)
What makes that noise that sounds like “peent” in the night? The American woodcock! Also called timberdoodles, bogsuckers, or Labrador twisters, these oddly shaped birds are famous for their mating displays (The Sky Dance, as it was called by famed naturalist Aldo Leopold). Join us as we track down this elusive natural phenomenon. We’ll meet in the Nature Center where we will learn more about these fascinating creatures followed by a hike to a field where the timberdoodles regularly display. Bring outdoor clothing appropriate for the weather and a headlamp. This event is weather dependent and will be canceled if it is raining.
Purchase Tickets→

Sensory Friendly Weekend
2026-03-28 10:00 - 17:00 | At the Museum, 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213-4007, United States
When: Saturday, March 28 and Sunday, March 29, 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 Now for March 28→
Register Now for March 29→

Evening Woodcock Walk
2026-04-03 18:30 - 20:30 | Powdermill Nature Reserve, 1795 Route 381, Rector, PA, 15677, United States
When: Friday, April 3, 2026, 6:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m.
Where: Powdermill Nature Reserve
Tickets: $10 ($8 for Carnegie Museums Members)
What makes that noise that sounds like “peent” in the night? The American woodcock! Also called timberdoodles, bogsuckers, or Labrador twisters, these oddly shaped birds are famous for their mating displays. The Sky Dance, as it was called by famed naturalist Aldo Leopold, begins at twilight. Join us as we track down this elusive natural phenomenon. We’ll meet in the Nature Center where we will learn more about these fascinating creatures followed by a hike to a field where the timberdoodles regularly display. Bring outdoor clothing appropriate for the weather and a headlamp. This event is weather dependent and will be canceled if it is raining.
Purchase Tickets→

Family Nature Walk
2026-04-04 14:00 - 15:00 | Powdermill Nature Reserve, 1795 Route 381, Rector, PA, 15677, United States
When: Saturday, April 4, 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 Now →

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 Márquez, Senior Researcher, Museo Nacional Ciencias Naturales
When: Thursday, April 9, 2026, 6:00–7:00 p.m.
Where: Library Lecture Hall and online via Zoom
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 Márquez, 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.
Join us in person to practice identifying frog calls with a Natural History Interpreter following the lecture.
American Sign Language interpretation will be provided by Global Wordsmiths for in-person attendees.
Registration is required to attend R.W. Moriarty Science Seminars. Register here to attend in person or click here to join us via Zoom.
To reach the Library Lecture Hall, please use the Portal Entry accessible from the parking area. Proceed past the classrooms and make a left at the Carnegie Library entrance. Head down the hall to the Fossil Fuels Cafe and take the stairs or elevator to the left up one level. Once in Discovery Basecamp, the entrance to the Library Lecture Hall will be to your right, along the wall, next to the Earth Theater. There will be signs and staff along the way to assist you.

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.

Science in the Stream Day
2026-04-11 12:00 - 16:00 | Powdermill Nature Reserve, 1795 Route 381, Rector, PA, 15677, United States
When: April 11, 2026, 12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Where: Powdermill Nature Reserve
Tickets: Free. Registration recommended.
Register for Science in the Stream→
Why do scientists study streams? And what are they looking for? Learn the answers to these questions and try out some scientific techniques yourself with us on Science in the Stream Day! At this family-friendly event you’ll get to meet real scientists, try hands-on experiments, go on a quest around the Nature Center, and get your feet wet in Powdermill Run. Community partners Trout Unlimited Forbes Chapter and Mountain Watershed Association will be on-hand with stream-themed activities to enjoy. Be prepared to get wet, don’t forget your water shoes!
Activity Schedule
Ongoing throughout the Event:
Salamander Survey Scavenger Hunt: Look for model salamanders and record them on your survey sheet. When you’re done, turn your results in for a prize!
Natural Materials Boat Building (ends at ​3:15): Build your own small boat to race down the stream at 3:30 p.m.
Clay Salamander Experiment: Build your own clay salamander and hide it in the forest! Clay salamanders in nice moist areas will stay soft, but clay salamanders in areas unsuitable for salamanders will dry out. Remember to mark your salamander location on the map, so that you can check on your salamander and others throughout the day.

Collect Macroinvertebrates in the Stream: Get in the water and looks for critters with the expert guidance of a Powdermill educator.

Identify Macroinvertebrates: Look at macroinvertebrate specimens through a microscope and learn to identify different species with experts from Powdermill and Mountain Watershed Association.

Play in the Mud: Kids are encouraged to play in the mud! Let your little explorers get dirty and have fun. (We’ll have an area to rinse off. Dress accordingly and bring your own towel.)

12:30 p.m.: Watch the documentary RiverWebs in the Nature Center.
1:30 p.m.: Electro-fishing Demonstration with Dr. Mary Janecka, Director of Powdermill Nature Reserve. Meet at the front desk of the Nature Center.

2:00 p.m.: Watch three short nature documentaries in the Nature Center: Judy’s Creek, Cold Waters, and Guarding Our Waters.

3:30 p.m.: Boat Race! Build a boat from natural materials any time from 12:00-3:15 p.m. and bring it to Powdermill Run to compete.

Science in the Stream was financed in part by a grant from the Community Conservation Partnerships Program Environmental Stewardship Fund under the administration of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation administered through the Pennsylvania Environmental Council’s Laurel Highlands Mini-Grant Program.

Powdermill Avian Research Center Guided Tour
2026-04-17 08:00 - 09:30 | Powdermill Nature Reserve, 1795 Route 381, Rector, PA, 15677, United States
When: Friday, April 17, 2026, 8:00 a.m.–9:30 a.m.
Where: Powdermill Nature Reserve
Tickets: Free
Enjoy a free guided tour of the bird banding lab and research facility, including the flight tunnel. Visit the bird banding lab and see up-close how researchers safely capture and band birds, and learn about the data they gather. Learn about how we’re studying avian perception of glass to provide glass manufacturers and building designers with important information that will help reduce bird-window collisions.
This event takes place in an area typically closed to the public—don’t miss it! Guests must pre-register for the tour and arrive at Powdermill Avian Research Center by 8:00 a.m. The tour is 1.5 hours long.
Register→

Powdermill Avian Research Center Open House
2026-04-25 08:00 - 11:00 | Powdermill Nature Reserve, 1795 Route 381, Rector, PA, 15677, United States
When: Saturday, April 25, 2026, 8:00–11:00 a.m.
Where: Powdermill Nature Reserve
Tickets: Free
Join us for an open house at the Powdermill Avian Research Center (PARC)! Although PARC is operational year-round, it is typically closed to the public. Open House is your opportunity to go behind the scenes and watch our scientists at work. See the bird banding processes up close, visit the flight tunnel, learn about avian perception of glass, and talk with Powdermill researchers.
Drop in at any time from 8:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. We recommend arriving as early as possible for the best chance to see a variety of birds. Registration is recommended but not required.
This event is weather dependent and will be cancelled due to heat (>78 degrees), strong winds, or inclement weather.
Register→

Nature Craft
2026-04-29 17:00 - 18:30 | Powdermill Nature Reserve, 1795 Route 381, Rector, PA, 15677, United States
When: Tuesday, April 29, 2026, 5:00 p.m.–6:30 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 Now →

Powdermill Avian Research Center Guided Tour
2026-05-01 08:00 - 09:30 | Powdermill Nature Reserve, 1795 Route 381, Rector, PA, 15677, United States
When: Friday, May 1, 2026, 8:00 a.m.–9:30 a.m.
Where: Powdermill Nature Reserve
Tickets: Free
Enjoy a free guided tour of the bird banding lab and research facility, including the flight tunnel. Visit the bird banding lab and see up-close how researchers safely capture and band birds, and learn about the data they gather. Learn about how we’re studying avian perception of glass to provide glass manufacturers and building designers with important information that will help reduce bird-window collisions.
This event takes place in an area typically closed to the public—don’t miss it! Guests must pre-register for the tour and arrive at Powdermill Avian Research Center (PARC) by 8:00 a.m. The tour is 1.5 hours long.
Register→

Family Nature Walk - Cancelled
2026-05-02 14:00 - 15:00 | Powdermill Nature Reserve, 1795 Route 381, Rector, PA, 15677, United States
When: Saturday, May 2, 2026, 2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Where: Powdermill Nature Reserve, 1795 Route 381, Rector, PA 15677
Tickets: Free
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Family Nature Walk has been cancelled.
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.

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
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.
Lightning Talks
“Welcome to the Anthropocene. Why Natural History Matters More Than Ever.”
Dr. Nicole Heller, Chair of Research and Curator of Anthropocene Studies

“Snails in Cactus Patches”
Dr. Tim Pearce, Curator of Mollusks

“One of a Kind–Cayenne Nightjar”
Serina Brady, Collection Manager of Birds

“Exploring Personhood in Ancient Egypt”
Dr. Lisa Haney, Curator, Egypt on the Nile

“It is Not Just Scales That Make Pangolins Weird”
Dr. John Wible, Curator of Mammals

“Songbird Stopover Communities in a Changing World”
Dr. Luke DeGroote, Avian Conservation Scientist at Powdermill Nature Reserve

“Baskets as Environmental Archives”
Kristina Gaugler, Collection Manager of Anthropology

“Diving for Dinos: Cretaceous Fossils from Croatia”
Dr. Matt Lamanna, Mary R. Dawson Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology

Registration is required to attend R.W. Moriarty Science Seminars. Register to attend in person or click here to join us via Zoom.

Powdermill Avian Research Center Open House
2026-05-16 08:00 - 11:00 | Powdermill Nature Reserve, 1795 Route 381, Rector, PA, 15677, United States
When: Saturday, May 16, 2026, 8:00–11:00 a.m.
Where: Powdermill Nature Reserve
Tickets: Free
Join us for an open house at the Powdermill Avian Research Center (PARC)! Although PARC is operational year-round, it is typically closed to the public. Open House is your opportunity to go behind the scenes and watch our scientists at work. See the bird banding processes up close, visit the flight tunnel, learn about avian perception of glass, and talk with Powdermill researchers.
Drop in at any time from 8:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. We recommend arriving as early as possible for the best chance to see a variety of birds. Registration is recommended but not required.
This event is weather dependent and will be cancelled due to heat (>78 degrees), strong winds, or inclement weather.
Register→

Nature Craft
2026-05-20 17:00 - 18:30 | Powdermill Nature Reserve, 1795 Route 381, Rector, PA, 15677, United States
When: Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 5:00 p.m.–6:30 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 Now →

TrailMixer at Powdermill Nature Reserve
2026-05-22 18:00 - 21:00 | PA

Sensory Friendly Weekend
2026-06-06 10:00 - 17:00 | At the Museum, 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213-4007, United States
When: Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7, 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 Now for June 6→
Register Now for June 7→

Storytime at the Museum
2026-06-06 11:00 - 11:30 | At the Museum, 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213-4007, United States
When: Daily from 11:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
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 in Discovery Basecamp. Registration is not required.
Purchase museum admission in advance →

Summer Camps 2026
2026-06-07 09:00 - 17:00 | PA
Summer Camps 2026 in Oakland

DinoFest
2026-06-13 10:00 - 17:00 | At the Museum, 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213-4007, United States
When: Saturday, June 13, 2026, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Where: Carnegie Museum of Natural History
Tickets: Included with purchase of museum admission. Get Tickets →
Dig into the past, present, and future of paleontology at Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s second annual DinoFest! Discover how studying ancient fossils shapes our understanding of life today as you enjoy conversations with working paleontologists and hands-on activities led by museum researchers, educators, and community partners. Programming is designed for all ages and every level of dinosaur knowledge.

DinoFest Schedule
Ongoing Family-Friendly Activities: 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., drop in any time
Explore how dinosaurs lived, how fossils form, and how paleontologists work in the field through activities designed for kids ages 5–12 and their families.
• Measure the length of the Diplodocus carnegii fossil from snout to tail, estimate its weight, and compare Dippy’s size to familiar objects.
• Test your dinosaur knowledge by identifying dinosaurs from their silhouette and a few fun facts.
• Discover the colors of dinosaur feathers based on research by Dr. Sarah Davis, Collection Manager of Paleobiology.
• Become a dinosaur detective as you learn to identify what is and is not a fossil.
• Create your own Pennsylvania fossil field guide to take home.
• Pick up a brush and practice uncovering dinosaur and mammal fossils in Bone Hunters’ Quarry, a recreation of an actual dig-site.
Conversations with Researchers: 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., drop in any time
Meet and chat with paleontologists from Carnegie Museum of Natural History and visiting institutions! They’ll share fossils, research, and stories from their work in the field and the lab.
Scientific Illustration Demonstration: 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m., 12:30–1:30 p.m., Third Floor Overlook
Learn how Scientific Illustrator Andrew McAfee brings extinct species to life through detailed paleontology illustrations.
Livestream Dino Dig: 12:00–1:00 p.m., 2:00–3:00 p.m., Library Lecture Hall
Research paleontologist and science livestreamer Danny Anduza will bring you along to a current dig site for a live Q&A from the field. Observe work in real time, ask anything about research, and hear from in-person host Dr. Matt Lamanna, Mary R. Dawson Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology.
Keynote Speaker: 1:00–2:00 p.m., Library Lecture Hall
Listen to vertebrate paleontologist and evolutionary biologist Dr. James Napoli present new research on Nanotyrannus, a smaller cousin of T. rex.
PaleoLab Talks: 12:00–12:45 p.m. and 2:00–2:45 p.m., PaleoLab Lobby
Peek into the ongoing work in PaleoLab and hear from fossil preparator Joe Sawchak! Learn how fossils are conserved, stabilized, and prepared for display—including continued care of the museum’s historic Mosasaurus skeleton and other remarkable specimens.
Carnegie Museum Store: 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Bring home a memento from your day at the museum! Don’t miss the specially curated DinoFest section.
Get Your Tickets for DinoFest!
Purchase of museum admission is required to attend DinoFest. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door. Advance purchase is strongly recommended. Make sure to select June 13, 2026 for admission to DinoFest. Get Tickets →
Peek inside Kamin Hall of Dinosaurs!

Vertebrate Paleontology in the News

“Fossil reveals bizarre gliding creature that hunted birds 120 million years ago,” CNN

“Carnegie museum paleontologist co-leads discovery of a new dinosaur species in China,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

“The Megaraptor Had Giant Claws and an Appetite for for Crocodilians,” The New York Times
“How Realistic are Movie Dinosaurs?” NPR Short Wave
“This Odd-Looking New Spinosaurus is Reviving an Age-Old Debate,” National Geographic
Dinosaur Stories
Read articles by museum experts to get ready for DinoFest! Mesozoic Monthly: NasutoceratopsMesozoic Monthly: DreadnoughtusMesozoic Monthly: ScipionyxMesozoic Monthly: GargoyleosaurusIn the Field: Following the Work of a PaleontologistThe Strange Saga of Spinosaurus, the Semiaquatic Dinosaurian SuperpredatorThe Two-Headed DinosaurThe Dinosaur of a Lifetime
Sponsors

Behind the Scenes Tour: Big Bone Room - Sold Out!
2026-06-13 10:30 - 11:30 | PA
Photo credit: John Schisler, courtesy of Carnegie Magazine
When: Saturday, June 13, 2026, 10:30–11:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., 2:00–3:00 p.m., and 3:30–4:30 p.m.
Where: Carnegie Museum of Natural History
Tickets: $50 (includes museum admission).
Visitors ages 18+ are invited to join Dr. Matt Lamanna, Mary R. Dawson Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology, or Dr. Sarah Davis, Collection Manager of Paleobiology, for a tour of the Big Bone Room. See a fraction of the vertebrate paleontology collection’s 90,000 specimens, which are housed in this space. You’ll get a close up look at dinosaur fossils not on display, historically significant specimens dating back to the museum’s early days, and fossil vertebrates from the Pittsburgh region. Learn about the paleontology research happening at the museum and ask the experts your questions.
Please note: To participate in the Big Bone Room tour, participants will need to be able to stand for the duration of the tour and navigate uneven flooring. If you have any concerns regarding accessibility, please email us.
Purchase Tickets for Behind the Scenes Tour: Big Bone Room
Choose your time and purchase your ticket below. Tours meet in the front lobby across from the Admissions Desk and will depart for the Big Bone Room promptly at the tour start time.
Get Tickets for 10:30-11:30 a.m. Sold out!
Get Tickets for 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Sold out!
Get Tickets for 2:00–3:00 p.m. Sold out!
Get Tickets for 3:30–4:30 p.m. Sold out!
Behind the Scenes Tours are part of DinoFest! General admission for June 13 is included with your Big Bone Room tour ticket. We encourage you to enjoy the museum and DinoFest before and after your tour.

Polar World Closing Weekend
2026-06-26 10:00 - 17:00 | PA
When: Friday, June 26–Sunday, June 28, 2026, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Where: Polar World: Wyckoff Hall of Arctic Life and Halls of Wildlife, Carnegie Museum of Natural History
Tickets: Included with Purchase of Museum Admission. Get Tickets →
Join us as we celebrate the stories and legacy of Polar World: Wyckoff Hall of Arctic Life before the exhibition closes on June 28, 2026. Tour the gallery a final time and enjoy hands–on, Arctic-themed activities, including artmaking, storytime, and spotlight stations in Polar World and the Halls of Wildlife. Learn about the snowhouse, take a winter animals tour, admire the stars through a constellation viewer, and discover the eating habits of polar bears.
Learn more about the closure of Polar World: Wyckoff Hall of Arctic Life.
Get Tickets →

Camp Carnegie (18+)
2026-08-07 18:00 - 22:00 | At the Museum, 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213-4007, United States
When: Friday, August 7, 6:00–10:00 p.m.
Where: Carnegie Museum of Natural History
Tickets: Camp Carnegie Admission: $30 ($25 for Carnegie Museums Members); Behind the Scenes Tour + Camp Carnegie Admission: $50
Camp Carnegie is officially in session! Bring your camp crew to relive the magic of summer camp with a grown-up twist. Wind down like it’s the end of a long day at camp—get busy with favorite camp crafts like making friendship bracelets and beaded lanyards, sip on a s’mores cocktail, and relax around the glowing faux campfire. Spend time outdoors practicing your soccer skills, and explore the museum galleries at a relaxed pace after hours.
Make your camp experience extra special by adding a Behind the Scenes Tour with Dr. Ainsley Seago, Curator of Invertebrate Zoology. Learn more and purchase your ticket today, spots fill up fast!
Tickets include admission to select Carnegie Museum of Natural History galleries and themed activities. Light bites and beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) will be available for purchase.
Camp Carnegie activities include:
• Attend the Pittsburgh Riverhounds Coaches’ Show featuring Coach Rob Vincent, host Robby Incmikoski, and special player guests live at the museum. Meet AMO, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds Mascot, and show off your soccer skills with your fellow campers.
• Learn the essentials of camping safety from Pittsburgh Park Rangers.
• Buddy up for a Flashlight Tour through Art of the Diorama. Keep your eyes sharp and look for intriguing details hiding in the dark.
• Make beaded bug lanyards, a perfect camp keepsake, with members of the Invertebrate Zoology team.
• Test your skills by identifying animal scat, then hit the trails (museum galleries) for a scat-venture hunt.
Get Tickets →

Camp Carnegie is sponsored by Highmark.

Behind the Scenes Tour: Ghost Moths, Death’s Heads, and the Devil’s Coach Horse
2026-08-07 18:30 | PA
When: Friday, August 7, 2026, 6:30–7:00 p.m. and 7:30–8:00 p.m.
Where: Carnegie Museum of Natural History
Tickets: $50, includes admission to Camp Carnegie (21+).
Join Dr. Ainsley Seago, Curator (and Camp Counselor) of Invertebrate Zoology, for a tour of the bug collection as part of Camp Carnegie (21+). Venture off the beaten path an up-close look at our spookiest specimens, walk the halls where Silence of the Lambs was filmed, and learn about the terrifying bug research happening at the museum today. Enjoy this rare opportunity to go behind-the-scenes and ask your questions about museums, bugs, and natural history collections.
Purchase Tickets for Behind the Scenes Tour: Ghost Moths, Death’s Heads, and the Devil’s Coach Horse
Choose your time and purchase your ticket below. Tours meet in the front lobby across from the Admissions Desk and will depart promptly at the tour start time.
Get Tickets for 6:30–7:00 p.m
Get Tickets for 7:30–8:00 p.m.
Behind the Scenes Tours are part of Camp Carnegie (21+)! Admission to Camp Carnegie (21+) is included with your Behind the Scenes Tour ticket. All Behind the Scenes Tour participants must be 21 years of age or older.

Wings Over Westmoreland
2026-08-15 09:00 - 12:00 | Powdermill Nature Reserve, 1795 Route 381, Rector, PA, 15677, United States
When: Saturday, August 15, 2026, 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 1:00–4:00 p.m.
Where: Powdermill Nature Reserve (9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.) and Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art (1:00–4:00 p.m.)
Tickets: Free

Celebrate the Westmoreland County’s pollinators at Wings Over Westmoreland! Come buzz through the gardens with us and enjoy a day of art, nature, and fun!

Spend the morning at Powdermill Nature Center learning about colorful, tiny, fast-flying hummingbirds and their important place as pollinators in their ecosystems. Go on a hike inspired by hummingbird migration, do pollinator-inspired crafts, and find out which plants in our area are perfect for pollinators. If we’re lucky, we’ll get to see some hummingbirds up close.

In the afternoon, head to the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art (SAMA) in Ligonier to learn about monarch butterflies and other insect pollinators. From 1:00–4:00 p.m., catch migrating monarch butterflies from SAMA’s garden and see how they are tagged and recorded for science, create a diorama to understand the monarch’s life cycle, play the monarch migration game, learn about the many species of milkweed native to Pennsylvania, participate in the Fluttering Flutter painting, and see the winning entries from the Pennsylvania Pollinator Photo Challenge. This is a family-friendly event open to all ages.

Wings Over Westmoreland is supported in part by a grant from the Community Conservation Partnerships Program Environmental Stewardship Fund under the administration of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation administered through the Pennsylvania Environmental Council’s Laurel Highlands Mini-Grant Program.

R.W. Moriarty Science Seminar: Building Curies, a Uranium Fingerprint Library for Nuclear Forensics
2026-09-14 12:00 - 13:00 | At the Museum, 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213-4007, United States
Talk: Building Curies, a Uranium Fingerprint Library for Nuclear Forensics
Speaker: Dr. Tyler Spano,
When: Monday, September 14, 2026, 12:00–1:00 p.m.
Where: Art Theater and online via Zoom
Tickets: Free. Museum admission not required.
Nuclear forensics is exactly what it sounds like: think CSI: Crime Scene Investigation for radioactive materials. Nuclear forensics researchers seek to determine the origin and history (provenance) of nuclear materials found outside of regulatory control. Speaker Dr. Tyler Spano’s research involves looking for unique “fingerprints” in uranium materials that can give clues into what the sample is, where it may have come from, and what processes it has been through. CURIES (the Compendium of Uranium Raman and Infrared Experimental Spectra) serves as a “fingerprint” library. Using expert analysis in combination with machine learning, CURIES can be used to identify known and unknown nuclear materials.
Registration is required to attend R.W. Moriarty Science Seminars. Register here 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: The Power of Curiosity with Emily Graslie
2026-10-15 18:00 - 19:00 | At the Museum, 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213-4007, United States
Talk: R.W. Moriarty Science Seminar: The Power of Curiosity with Emily Graslie
Speaker: Emily Graslie
When: Thursday, October 15, 2026, 6:00–7:00 p.m.
Where: Art Theater and online via Zoom
Tickets: Free. Museum admission not required.
Following her curiosity has taken Emily Graslie everywhere from deep into the bat caves of Kenya to exploring the wonder within our own backyards on her educational channel, “https://www.youtube.com/user/thebrainscoopThe Brain Scoop.” Join us to learn about her journey as a science communicator on YouTube and how that experience led her to become a trailblazer as the first woman to host a science program for PBS in Prehistoric Road Trip. Plus, learn why fostering inquisitive minds across America is now more critical than ever before.
Registration is required to attend R.W. Moriarty Science Seminars. Register here 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.
