Sea Monsters: Wonders of Nature and Imagination

Embark on a daring voyage into the depths of human imagination at the Harvard Museum of Natural History’s new exhibition, Sea Monsters: Wonders of Nature and Imagination. Featuring ancient mariners' maps, literature, works of art, and natural history specimens, this exhibit explores the allure of serpents, krakens, and other monsters of the deep. Peer into the minds of scholars from centuries past, and study sea creatures whose real lives are often more astonishing than the fantastical beings we might have imagined. Dive into the ocean of human consciousness, where dreams and fears entwine with reality, offering profound insights into our world and ourselves. Join us in unraveling the mysteries of the deep sea and the human psyche, where sea monsters—both real and imagined—beckon us to explore the unknown.

Harvard Museum of Natural History

Castaway: The Afterlife of Plastic

In this exhibition, the art collective TRES invites us to share their 2016 journey to document, collect, and photograph debris along the beaches of Australia. Evoking archaeology, marine biology, and cartography, their images summon us to more deeply engage with the natural vistas and objects they have encountered, and to examine and interpret them with fresh perspectives. TRES transports us with photographs of glowing orbs that resemble celestial spheres more than the bottle caps they once were. Making their way as garbage to Australia from as far away as China, these objects have been scarred by Bryozoa, tiny micro-organisms which can be seen in the display case in this exhibition. Now, plastic items such as these lay scattered about the otherwise pristine-appearing landscapes. The rhythmic flow of images challenges us to make sense of the terrain. With hand-drawn maps and charts, TRES attempts to bring order to a perplexing world, where plastic objects resemble organic ones, and “natural” landscapes bear unmistakable traces of human-made pollution.

Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology

¡Celebremos Puerto Rico!

Celebrate Puerto Rico’s rich culture and natural wonders at the Harvard Museums of Science &amp; Culture! Join us for a fun-filled day with hands-on art making and storytelling led by Puerto Rican artist and director Pedro Adorno Irizarry and his celebrated arts collective, Agua, Sol y Sereno—known for their vibrant masks, street theater, and community-inspired performances. Learn about coquí frogs, colorful birds, and glowing bioluminescent bays. Try out cool augmented reality tools to explore ancient Taíno artifacts, and enjoy tasty Puerto Rican food (available for purchase). Bring the whole family—there’s something for everyone to enjoy! <a href="https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=9CL6b2hFBUGtQy461HJpV81eJ3UtrbBKqYG7USYYj-dUQTM3Wjk5MUM1SFEzQUFLS0tYSjlYQ0Y4NS4u">Advance registration recommended.</a> Free admission. Free event parking at the 52 Oxford Street Garage starting at 12:00 pm. Presented by the Harvard Museum of Natural History, Peabody Museum of Archaeology &amp; Ethnology, and the Harvard Museums of Science &amp; Culture in collaboration with ArtsThursdays, Office for the Arts at Harvard, Ágora Cultural Architects, and Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción.

Harvard Museum of Natural History + Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology

Day of the Dead Workshop: Making a Nicho

Instructor: Brioch Ochoa, Multidisciplinary Artist Join visual artist Brioch for a two-hour, hands-on workshop exploring the rich traditions of Mexico’s Day of the Dead through art-making. Participants will create a nicho—a small, decorated shadow box honoring a departed loved one—using a vibrant mix of materials such as ribbons, acrylic paints, and patterned papers. With inspiration from sample pieces and the freedom to follow your own vision, you’ll create a nicho that’s both personal and meaningful. Whether you're commemorating someone special or simply curious about a new artistic practice, this workshop invites heartfelt reflection, experimentation, and creative exploration. All materials will be provided—just bring your imagination. Fees: $30 members / $35 nonmembers per person. Includes museum admission and materials. Participants are encouraged to come early or stay late to explore the museum. <a href="https://reservations.hmsc.harvard.edu/Info.aspx?EventID=28">Advance registration is required.</a> The recommended age is 18+.&nbsp; Presented by the Peabody Museum of Archaeology &amp; Ethnology and the Harvard Museums of Science &amp; Culture.

Peabody Museum of Archeology & Ethnology, 11 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge

Free Admission on Indigenous Peoples’ Day  

Join us for Indigenous Peoples’ Day at the Harvard Museums of Science &amp; Culture. The Peabody Museum of Archaeology &amp; Ethnology and the Harvard Museum of Natural History are offering free admission all day. Activities Peabody Museum Tours by Harvard Students 11:00 am–12:00 pm and 2:00–3:00 pm Participate in free Peabody Museum tours led by Harvard students that connect visitors with cultural items in the museum’s care and provide examples of how the museum engages with Indigenous communities today. Gallery Talk: Spotlight on Indigenous Women Artists 1:00–1:30 pm Join Stephanie Mach (Diné), Peabody Museum Curator of North American Collections, for a short gallery talk celebrating Indigenous women as makers, matriarchs, and caretakers of communities and cultural traditions. Gallery Talk: Spotlight on Stickball 3:30–4:00 pm Join Audrey Jacob (Choctaw) and James Walkingstick (Cherokee) as they highlight the Indigenous game of stickball. Once outlawed and threatened, stickball has persisted and is still played today, even by students and staff across Harvard. Audrey is a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma’s Stickball Team, the Tvshka Homma Ohoyo, and serves as NAGPRA Coordinator at the Peabody Museum. James is an apprentice stick maker and stickball player, serving as Academic Engagement Coordinator at the Peabody. In recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, admission is free courtesy of an anonymous gift. This event is presented by the Harvard Museums of Science &amp; Culture in partnership with the Peabody Museum of Archaeology &amp; Ethnology, the <a href="https://hunap.harvard.edu/">Harvard University Native American Program</a>, <a href="https://indigenousgov.hks.harvard.edu/">Harvard Kennedy School Project on Indigenous Governance and Development</a>, and the <a href="https://library.harvard.edu/libraries/fine-arts">Harvard Fine Arts Library</a>.

Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology, 11 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge and Harvard Museum of Natural History, 26 Oxford Street, Cambridge

Mavericks: Three Visionary Pharaohs of Egypt

Speaker: Lawrence M. Berman is John F. Cogan, Jr. and Mary L. Cornille Chair, Art of Ancient Egypt, Nubia, and the Near East, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Hatshepsut, Amenhotep III, and Akhenaten each ruled Egypt for long periods, leaving a lasting impact on its art, politics, and religion. Though all were powerful leaders, each tells a distinct story. In this lecture, Lawrence M. Berman explores the reigns and legacies of these three remarkable Eighteenth Dynasty pharaohs, considering questions such as: What made them successful—or controversial? How were they viewed in their own time, and how have archaeologists and the public interpreted them since? The talk also examines broader themes—from the power of images and identity to iconoclasm and the writing of history—inviting reflection on who gets to shape history, and why it still matters today. Advance registration recommended for <a href="https://harvard.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_fUTEE3LIS-qXKZL76zNb7g">online</a> and <a href="https://forms.office.com/r/SpwPcSVin1">in-person</a> attendance. Free admission. Free event parking at<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/52+Oxford+St,+Cambridge,+MA+02138/@42.3801643,-71.1153065,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x89e37740b4804b09:0x1ca7c4a4324b1694!8m2!3d42.3801643!4d-71.1153065!16s%2Fg%2F11c2133ff1"> the 52 Oxford Street Garage</a> starting at 4:00 pm. Presented by the Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East and the Harvard Museums of Science and Culture. Head of Amenhotep III. New Kingdom, Dynasty 18, reign of Amenhotep III, 1390–1352 BCE. Quartzite. Museum purchase with funds donated by Miss Anna D. Slocum, 09.288. Photograph © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Geological Lecture Hall

ArtsThursdays at the Harvard Museums of Science & Culture

Free In-Person Event Join us for a free night at two of the Harvard Museums of Science &amp; Culture. Come with a date, come with friends, or make new friends while strolling through the galleries. All ages are welcome.<ul><li>Learn about <a href="https://www.aguasolysereno.org/">Agua, Sol y Sereno</a>–a Puerto Rican art collective in residency at the museums, and enjoy a sneak peek of a public performance to be presented at the September 27 <a href="https://hmsc.harvard.edu/calendar_event/celebremos-puerto-rico/">¡Celebremos Puerto Rico!</a> festival.</li><li>Visit the Harvard Museum of Natural History, and marvel at the internationally acclaimed Glass Flowers, and the sparkling Earth &amp; Planetary Sciences gallery.</li><li>Visit the Peabody Museum and check out <a href="https://peabody.harvard.edu/castaway-afterlife-plastic">Castaway: The Afterlife of Plastic</a>, an exhibition that blends photography and collected beach debris to prompt reflection on humanity’s deep entanglement with plastic.</li><li>Enjoy a variety of beverages for sale (valid government ID required to consume</li><li>Get started with your holiday shopping at the unique <a href="https://www.instagram.com/shop_hmnh/reels/">Shop at HMNH</a>.</li><li>Enter a free raffle to win museum gifts and a household membership.</li></ul>Let us know you are coming! RSVPs are encouraged, but walk-in visitors are always welcome. Free event parking at the <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/52+Oxford+St,+Cambridge,+MA+02138/@42.3801643,-71.1153065,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x89e37740b4804b09:0x1ca7c4a4324b1694!8m2!3d42.3801643!4d-71.1153065!16s%2Fg%2F11c2133ff1">52 Oxford Street Garage</a>, 4:30–9:30 pm. ArtsThursdays is a university-wide initiative supported by Harvard University Committee on the Arts (HUCA).

Virtual Egypt: 3D Teaching with Museum Collections

Advance registration recommended for <a href="https://harvard.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_JC5Ia7vaT46ac5i9fdVdZA">online</a> and <a href="https://forms.office.com/r/zSZEiciYBr">in-person</a> attendance Geological Lecture Hall, 24 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA Speaker: Rita Lucarelli, Associate Professor of Egyptology, Department of Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures; Faculty Curator of Egyptology, Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology, University of California, Berkeley University museums hold rich yet often underutilized resources for teaching about ancient Egypt. With the growing availability of 3D and virtual reality technologies—such as photogrammetry, 3D scanning, and immersive modeling—educators now have powerful tools to enhance object-based learning beyond the traditional classroom. In this lecture, Rita Lucarelli will explore innovative strategies for incorporating 3D and VR technologies into teaching with university collections, using case studies from the Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology at the University of California, Berkeley. She will demonstrate how digital replicas, immersive applications, and collaborative projects can deepen student engagement with Egyptian material culture, from archaeological context to artifact function and curatorial interpretation. The presentation also considers the benefits and challenges of integrating these technologies into Egyptology and Art History curricula. Free admission. Free event parking at<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/52+Oxford+St,+Cambridge,+MA+02138/@42.3801643,-71.1153065,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x89e37740b4804b09:0x1ca7c4a4324b1694!8m2!3d42.3801643!4d-71.1153065!16s%2Fg%2F11c2133ff1"> the 52 Oxford Street Garage</a> starting at 4:00 pm. Presented by the Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East and the Harvard Museums of Science and Culture.

Shamanism: The Timeless Religion

Speaker: Manvir Singh, Assistant Professor of Anthropology, University of California, Davis What is shamanism and why has it endured across cultures and centuries? In this talk, anthropologist Manvir Singh will explore the origins and future of the world’s oldest spiritual tradition. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork in Indonesia, as well as trips to locations as varied as Colombia, India, and Burning Man, Singh explains what makes shamanism so psychologically resonant and why it will always re-emerge, including in industrialized, Western societies. This talk offers a fascinating look at spirituality, belief, and the mind, drawn from Singh’s new book Shamanism: The Timeless Religion (Knopf, 2025). Books will be available for purchase and signing following the program.

Geological Lecture Hall 

Double Take Exhibit Exploration

There are thousands of objects on display across all four museums that make up the Harvard Museums of Science &amp; Culture. It’s easy to miss things even if they’re right in front of you. This playful, self-paced Exhibit Exploration reveals some of our favorite details, stories, and specimens, all hidden in plain sight! Uncover the secret clue hidden within to win a prize. Explore the galleries with your friends or family. Perhaps you’ll find something else that causes you to do a double take! Pro tip: join us any Sunday–Friday 11:00 am–4:00 pm to access all four museums! Pick up Double Take Exhibit Exploration at museum front desks. Regular museum admission rates apply. Presented by the Peabody Museum of Archaeology &amp; Ethnology, Harvard Museum of Natural History, Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East, the Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments, and the Harvard Museums of Science &amp; Culture.

Measuring Difference

Today, measurement is everywhere. We understand everything around us in inches, degrees, gallons, decibels, and more. But measurements are human inventions. It is through measures that we learn to see difference, to compare the world. In the Americas, colonial powers introduced new measurements to describe and exploit the “New World.” Existing ways of understanding and explaining the world and our relationship to others were displaced, cementing European measures as norms and tools of authority. Using examples from across the Americas, this exhibit illustrates what—and who—was measured, and how. See museum website for gallery closures.

Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments

Family Activities at the Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East

Join Harvard Museums of Science &amp; Culture volunteers for a live story reading and hands-on, family-friendly activities at the Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East. Recommended for ages 5–12. Admission to the museum is free. Sponsored by the Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East and the Harvard Museums of Science &amp; Culture.

The Spoon that Shaped an Artist’s Journey

A broken spoon. A burning kiln. A world reborn. In this intimate lecture, jewelry master Wallace Chan reflects on his childhood poverty, the symbolism of porcelain, and the years of trial that led to his invention of the Wallace Chan Porcelain—five times stronger than steel. More than a story of innovation, this is a meditation on silence, failure, memory, and the mysterious alchemy that turns fragility into strength. A reception will follow in the galleries of the Harvard Museum of Natural History, where the brooch Metamorphosis, created by Chan, is on display. <a href="https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=9CL6b2hFBUGtQy461HJpVzuBFVIk0WtBt3InCF_n4ulUQkpDU0s0WEhWRElJTlBBU0tFRUtJN1NXVC4u">Advance registration is required.</a> Free event parking at the 52 Oxford Street Garage, starting at 5pm. Presented by the Harvard Museum of Natural History, in collaboration with the Harvard Mineralogical &amp; Geological Museum.

¡Ser Súper Is Super! The Power of Bilingualism!

In-Person Presentation Being bilingual is like having a superpower! It boosts your brain, opens doors, and connects you to people and cultures from around the world. Join bilingual museum educator, Javier Marin, for a fun-filled storybook reading in both English and Spanish that celebrates the power of being bilingual! After the reading, stick around for a hands-on craft workshop where kids and caregivers can get creative, practice their Spanish and build community together. Come join the fun, make friends, and see how powerful being bilingual can be! Recommended for ages 3—8. <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfzdgokaR6R5_RF4FIvauA4eRy_tIhp48PeF3yUACgldxOiIA/viewform">This program is free with required registration. Capacity is limited.</a> Presentación en persona ¡Ser bilingüe es como tener un superpoder! Estimula tu cerebro, te abre puertas y te conecta con personas y culturas de todo el mundo. Acompaña a Javier Marín, educador bilingüe del Museo, en una divertida lectura de cuentos en inglés y español que celebra el poder de ser bilingüe. Después de la lectura, quédate para un taller de manualidades donde los niños y las familias pueden ser creativos, practicar su español y construir una comunidad juntos. Únete a la diversión, haz amigos y comprueba lo poderoso que puede ser ser bilingüe. Recomendado para edades de 3 a 8 años <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfWsjUeMMaCKrAJu0ahzNjNrixg5LF9JPlh4MwXXnjsE8kIRA/viewform">Este programa es gratis con inscripción obligatoria. Capacidad limitada.</a>

Harvard Museum of Natural History, Classroom B (Third Floor)

S22: conversations

Wondering what to do in Boston? Places to eat? Free activities? Good for a group? Date night spot? Girls night out? The best things to do? Ask Joyraft!

Best places to go in Boston? Things to do? Places to eat?

Questions & answers about things to do in Boston

Recs 💬

Community recs 💬

S4: top picks

The most fun, cool and unique things to do in Boston. Can’t miss events, shows and experiences. Concerts, restaurants, bars, free things in Boston and beyond.

The most fun and cool events happening around Boston

Hot and new things to do in Boston

Hot & new

Hot & new 🔥

S11: happening this weekend

What to do in Boston this weekend? From festivals, concerts, performances, free events, screenings and more, Joyraft has the best things to do in Boston.

25+ things to do in Boston/Cambridge/Somerville this weekend

Things to do in Boston this weekend

This wknd

This weekend for you

S21: roundups

Our top picks: outdoor dining, free events, spring festivals, best bars, upcoming concerts, museum parties - the latest in and around Boston.  Slug: joyraft-top-picks-best-things-to-do-boston-ma

Top picks of the best things to do in and around Boston

Joyraft picks: Boston’s best things to do

Roundups ⭐️

Curated by Joyraft ⭐️

S28: calendar experiences

This week in Boston

This week in Boston 📆

This week 📆

S20: c+d experiences

Discover new, unique events and experiences happening in and around Boston. Perfect for date night, good for a group or with a friend. Be the first to know.

The newest events happening in and around Boston

The newest events on Joyraft

Just added

Just added to Joyraft

S16: editor picks

The most unique and can’t miss things coming up in Boston / Cambridge / Somerville and beyond. Festivals, food, drinks, fairs, concerts, art and free activities.

Unique and Can’t Miss Things to Do in Boston

Can’t-miss things to do in Boston 🚨

Can't-miss things to do 🚨

S2 (A): top experiences

The most popular things to do on Joyraft. Concerts, restaurants, bars, events, parties, openings, kid friendly, date ideas, free things in Boston and beyond.

Top 20 things to do in Boston

Top 20: Joyraft’s most popular

Top 20

Top 20 on Joyraft

S3 (A): trending experiences

Discover can’t miss events and things to do in Boston. The most fun, unique and cool events coming to the Boston area this spring and summer.

The hottest events happening in Boston

Trending events on Joyraft

Trending 📈

S17: interest based

Your guide to everything free in and around Boston. From events, to fairs, to festivals, to outdoors. Joyraft has all the free events happening near you.

100+ free things to do in Boston and beyond

Free things to do in Boston

Free things to do

S19: interest based

Kid-friendly events in Boston

S18: interest based

Where to eat and drink in Boston? Joyraft has Boston’s newest bars, restaurants and specials. Drinks and pre fixe dinner menus. Cambridge & Somerville too.

hmsc

Experiences

Sea Monsters: Wonders of Nature and Imagination

Castaway: The Afterlife of Plastic

ArtsThursdays at the Harvard Museums of Science & Culture

¡Celebremos Puerto Rico!

Day of the Dead Workshop: Making a Nicho

Free Admission on Indigenous Peoples’ Day

Mavericks: Three Visionary Pharaohs of Egypt

Virtual Egypt: 3D Teaching with Museum Collections

Shamanism: The Timeless Religion

Double Take Exhibit Exploration

Measuring Difference

Family Activities at the Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East

The Spoon that Shaped an Artist’s Journey

Family Activities at the Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East

¡Ser Súper Is Super! The Power of Bilingualism!