This is a past event.
Celebrate Halloween with costumes, trick or treating, smashingly fun science and more!
Two weeks of family-friendly science experiences will let you get into the Halloween spirit. Explore specially decorated exhibits, examine the science of Halloween with pumpkin drops and slime, try your hand at eyeball dissection and more. You can even go trick-or-treating on Halloween weekend!
Learn more about our Boo Fest festivities below.
Tickets and schedule
Boo Fest activities are included in Museum Entry, except where noted. Boo Fest runs from October 15 through 31, with Friday, October 29 reserved exclusively for MSI members. The Museum is closed on Mondays.
Boo Fest Activities
Haunted ToyMaker
Something has gone wrong in our popular ToyMaker 3000 exhibition. Tour the factory and discover the skeleton crew that is now haunting the assembly line! Recommended for ages 8 and up.
Dissect an Eye at MSI
Dissect a cow eyeball in this insightful 20-minute experience. Additional ticket purchase required. Recommended for ages 8 and up. Those under 16 must be accompanied by a Lab-ticketed chaperone (18 or older).
Live Science Experiences
- Pumpkin Drop: Watch pumpkins drop from MSI’s balcony for a messy demonstration about energy.
- Frankenslime: Watch us bring this creepy chemistry concoction to life!
Halloween Motion Ride Simulators
Our Motion Ride simulators are getting into the spirit with two Halloween rollercoaster-like experiences. Additional ticket purchase required. See details on rider requirements.
- Haunted Mine takes you through a mine in the old West. This experience is virtual and does not take place in the Coal Mine.
- Superstition features ghost, goblins, vampires and monsters with horror TV host Elvira as your guide.
Museum Park Café
Harvest time has arrived! Take a break in this decorated outdoor area and enjoy seasonal food for purchase as well as freshly grilled items, an espresso bar, beer and wine.
Trick or Treat
Bring a bag and search for trick-or-treating stops throughout the Museum on Halloween weekend (Saturday, October 30 and Sunday, October 31 from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.).
Wear a costume!
Get into the spirit by wearing a costume. Just remember that everyone over age 2 must wear a cloth face covering while inside the Museum. Other costume elements or makeup must not interfere with the protective function of your face covering. Please leave any costume weapons at home.
Coal Mine and U-505 On-Board Tour will remain closed during this event.
