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Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
Elephant specimen in the rotunda of the museum

NMNH After Hours

Programs for Adults

The National Museum of Natural History offers events for adults to connect with leading scientists, filmmakers, authors, artists, and each other. Experience access to our collections and exhibits through lectures, conversations, films, and more, both at the museum and online.

Featured Events

Lights Out: The Effects of Light Pollution on Bird Health

Lights Out: The Effects of Light Pollution on Bird Health

Online; Internet connection required

Wednesday, April 12, 2023, 12:30 – 1:30pm EDT

 Tools, Hippos, and Early Humans at the Dawn of Technology

Tools, Hippos, and Early Humans at the Dawn of Technology

Online; Internet connection required

Thursday, April 13, 2023, 11:30am – 12:30pm EDT

 Bookmarked: Jeff VanderMeer’s "Annihilation"

Bookmarked: Jeff VanderMeer’s "Annihilation"

Baird Auditorium & Q?rius (Ground Floor)

Thursday, April 13, 2023, 6 – 8:30pm EDT

Current Event Series

Composite of four images: a dinosaur skeleton mounted for display; a collection of papers, drawings, and scientific instruments; the Hope Diamond; and a table of plant specimens
Credit: Smithsonian Institution

Bookmarked

Join us for lively discussions featuring a wide array of books that explore the natural world.

We’re partnering with Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library to bring titles to life through in-person events with experts and authors that make connections between the District of Columbia Public Library’s catalog and NMNH’s collections and exhibits.

A white handprint on a stone wall. The handprint has red pigment or paint around it.
Credit: Smithsonian Institution

HOT (Human Origins Today) Topics

Our virtual "HOT Topic" programs discuss cutting-edge scientific discoveries and topics of broader interest related to NMNH’s David H. Koch Hall of Human Origins. These hour-long programs feature a presentation by an expert followed by an audience Q&A session moderated by Smithsonian scientist and educator Briana Pobiner.

Scanning electron microscope view of small, light blue dots on a pink cell culture.
Credit: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Shared Planet, Shared Health

Our virtual "Shared Planet, Shared Health" programs spotlight leading research on the interconnection between humans, nonhuman animals, plants, and their shared environment. 

These programs feature a presentation by an expert followed by an audience Q&A session moderated by Ashley Peery, educator for the Outbreak: Epidemics in a Connected World exhibition at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History.

Other Event Series

This signature series features cutting-edge thought leaders in conversation with paleontologist and Sant Director of the National Museum of Natural History, Dr. Kirk Johnson.

This series features the content, curators, and conversations inspiring new and developing exhibitions at the National Museum of Natural History.

The COVID-19 pandemic magnified social, economic, and environmental issues that were once out of focus. Among the communities disproportionately affected by the pandemic, Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities faced severe challenges that continue to leave a lasting impact today. 

At this critical moment, Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History and Smithsonian’s Asian Pacific American Center teamed up for a virtual three-part series to reckon with and reflect on these challenges and highlight the intricate relationship between humans and nature, and with each other, to enact community wellbeing, environmental justice, and social change.

This film series presents a curated selection of natural history-related films, followed by discussions with filmmakers and related experts.

Learn, unwind, and engage with Smithsonian experts who take you into their world of curiosity and whose perspectives are bound to help you think differently about the seen — and the unseen — as they share stories of scientific discoveries and innovations.

Complete Event Calendar: See all upcoming events.

Video Archives

Since March 2020, we have produced dozens of After Hours Programs for Adults in video webinar format. Visit the museum's video webinar archives to find videos of our past programs.