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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

After-Hours Sip & Create with Artist Dwight Hwang

After-Hours Sip & Create with Artist Dwight Hwang

National Museum of Natural History (10th Street & Constitution Ave, NW)

Thursday, June 8, 2023, 6:30 – 8:30pm EDT

 A Seat at the Table: Heritage Rooted in the Earth

A Seat at the Table: Heritage Rooted in the Earth

Heritage Hall, National Museum of African American History and Culture

Saturday, June 17, 2023, 6:45 – 9:15pm EDT

 Late Night at the Museum: Exhibit Opening + Solstice Saturday

Late Night at the Museum: Exhibit Opening + Solstice Saturday

National Museum of Natural History (10th Street & Constitution Ave, NW)

Saturday, June 24, 2023, 6:30pm – 12am 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.

Complete Event Calendar: See all upcoming events.

In Case You Missed It

Videos of Past Events

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.