Welcome to brand new year of new and exciting programs and events at the Museum! This January, we have an amazing lineup of temporary exhibitions, giant screen Infinity Theater movies, Gates Planetarium shows and in-person and virtual programming for the community to enjoy.
Temporary Exhibitions
A frog in the temporary exhibition "Animals of the Rainforest,“ which features live animal care demonstrations and displays. (Photo/ Little Ray’s Exhibitions and FARE - Foundation for Animal Rescue and Education)
Animals of the Rainforest
See it before it closes on Jan. 19!
Step into the lush, vibrant world of the rainforest in this engaging exhibition. Meet live animals, including a sloth, reptiles, amphibians, tortoises, and more, while exploring their unique ecosystems. Visitors can also enjoy live animal care demonstrations and climbable replicas of rainforest creatures and trees, perfect for photos! Free with general admission.
Learn more: 7 Living Rainforest Animals You Can Meet
Discovering Teen Rex
Get up close with history in the making! Witness paleontologists in the lab uncovering an extremely rare adolescent T. rex fossil — one of only a handful ever found worldwide. This exhibition, free with general admission, is best when paired with the documentary "T Rex 3D," which is now showing on our giant screen Infinity Theater.
Read more: Exciting Updates from the Teen Rex Prep Lab
Infinity Theater Shows
“Animal Kingdom 3D” takes viewers on a wild adventure to celebrate what makes our natural world so spectacular. (Photo/ K2 Studios)
The giant screen Infinity Theater is open with new upgrades to its lobby entrance, sound system and laser projector to enhance the giant screen experience! Showtimes & Tickets Here
Animal Kingdom 3D
Now Showing
“Animal Kingdom 3D” takes viewers on a wild adventure to celebrate what makes our natural world so spectacular. Through brilliant nature footage, the film introduces a wide cast of characters — cute penguins, wise elephants and quirky dung beetles — from the mightiest families of the animal kingdom. Travel across frozen snowy forests, under the scorching African sun and into the darkest depths of the ocean to find out why animals are the way they are. A fun-packed and educational journey, this is an immersive giant screen experience you do not want to miss! Get tickets, here.
T.REX 3D
Now Showing
Experience the ultimate G.O.A.T. — Greatest of All Tyrants — as it roars to life on the giant screen. For over a century, the T. rex has reigned as the undisputed king of the dinosaurs, captivating audiences worldwide. With state-of-the-art CGI and cutting-edge paleontological insights, this film offers an unprecedented journey into the world of the T. rex and its fellow Cretaceous carnivores. Plus, don’t miss the chance to see the film’s real-world T. rex fossil now on display in our temporary experience “Discovering Teen Rex.” Get tickets, here.
Blue Whales 3D
Now Showing
Take part in a breathtaking journey with “Blue Whales: Return of the Giants 3D.” In this giant screen film narrated by English actor Andy Serkis, you will explore the world of the magnificent blue whale, a species rebounding from the brink of extinction. Following two scientific expeditions — one to find a missing population of blue whales off the exotic Seychelles Islands, the other to chronicle whale families in Mexico’s stunning Gulf of California — this is an inspirational story that transforms our understanding of the largest animal ever to have lived. Get tickets, here.
Upcoming In-Person Events
Dive into hands-on learning and unforgettable experiences with in-person events at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. (Photo/ Mio Sison III)
Women and Power: The Pañamarca Discovery – An Evening with Dr. Michele Koons
Jan. 22 | 7:00 p.m.
Get your tickets now for an in-depth look at “one of 2024's most important archaeological discoveries.” Dr. Michele Koons, the Museum’s Director of Anthropology, will explore the groundbreaking work behind this find, highlighting the powerful women depicted in painted images adorning the architecture at the Moche archaeological site of Pañamarca, Peru. Get your tickets today!
60 Minutes in Space
Jan. 29 | 7 PM
No reservations required. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Explore breaking space news with space scientists and hear the latest updates on missions exploring the solar system, rocket launches, cutting edge astronomy, and more. This evening's presentation is by Curator of Space Sciences Dr. Ka Chun Yu. Please use the West Entrance of the Museum. Get your tickets today!
Upcoming Virtual Events
Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone from above. (Photo/ Chris Leipelt)
Scientists in Action: Looking for Life in the Universe
Jan. 23 | 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Created for grades 4-12, but all are welcome.
We all love a good extraterrestrial story, whether they are friend or foe, darling or dangerous, humanoid or humongous... but what do we actually know about the potential
for alien life and what do astrobiologists look for? Join space science curator Dr. Ka Chun Yu as we virtually visit both our home planet and the far reaches of our galaxy to explore what life could be like in other parts of our universe. Spoiler alert: they likely won’t have shiny spacesuits or laser guns. Student questions will help guide this virtual field trip that is guaranteed to be outta’ this world. Register today!
Gates Planetarium Shows
The Gates Planetarium at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. (Photo/Denver Museum of Nature & Science)
Check here for showtimes and schedule updates.
Shows now available:
- Dynamic Earth
- Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity
- One World One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure
- Cosmic Journey
- Destination Solar System
The Institute for Science & Policy
“United by Fire” is a new podcast series that investigates the two biggest wildfires in Colorado’s history and explore hard truths about our landscapes and ourselves. (Photo/ Institute for Science & Policy)
- Laws of Notion Podcast Season 4: United by Fire
Now available!
Wildfire is here to stay, but on whose terms will it burn? Join us for “United by Fire,” a new podcast series where we investigate the two biggest wildfires in Colorado’s history and explore hard truths about our landscapes and ourselves. Created by the Institute of Science & Policy, “United by Fire” takes you inside that harrowing 2020 fire season through the voices of those who witnessed it firsthand. Hear from firefighters and residents who found themselves in the path of the flames, as well as ecologists, land managers, community planners and entrepreneurs who are working to build a more wildfire-resilient future. Listen and subscribe to season four of the award-winning podcast Laws of Notion wherever you get your podcasts or visit lawsofnotion.org.
SCFD Free Days and Nights
Satisfy your science curiosity during our SCFD Free Days and Free Nights. See enormous fossils of dinosaurs that roamed the Earth millions of years ago or learn about the human body’s capabilities in “Expedition Health.” The entire Museum is open for free, except for the temporary exhibitions, planetarium and Infinity Theater which require an additional charge. Learn more about our free days, here.
- Sunday, Jan. 12, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Sneak Peak
Angkor: The Lost Empire of Cambodia
Opens on Feb. 21
Temporary exhibition "Angkor: The Lost Empire of Cambodia” unveils the story of a civilization that built one of the world’s most astonishing architectural marvels, only to then vanish into the Southeast Asia jungle. Explore over 120 intricate carvings, sacred sculptures and ancient relics and discover how modern technology provides new insights into this vibrant, living temple.
Don’t miss “Angkor: The Lost Empire of Cambodia 2D” showing on the giant screen Infinity Theater!