Milwaukee Public Museum Announces Current Building will be Open for all of 2026 Ahead of Move to New Museum

MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee Public Museum (MPM) announced today it will be open throughout all of 2026—the Museum’s final full year in its current building before moving to its new home, the Nature & Culture Museum of Wisconsin. In January 2026, the Museum will kick off a year-long celebration called Greatest Hits that commemorates MPM’s iconic exhibits with exciting theme days, after-hours socials, guest lectures, activities for young learners, official merchandise and more. The Museum will also host its two major fundraising events, Food & Froth and the Annual Gala, for the final time at MPM. The last day of operation at the current location will be January 3, 2027.

“We are thrilled to be able to remain open for all of 2026 and give MPM fans near and far an entire year yet to make memories in the current building,” said MPM President & CEO Dr. Ellen Censky. “This next year promises to be the most exciting and worthwhile time to become a member, as we pack in as many unique experiences as possible for visitors during this Museum location’s final farewell.”

Greatest Hits

MPM’s Greatest Hits features a lineup of five different month-long celebrations of special events and programs highlighting MPM’s most popular and impactful exhibits—or “greatest hits.” Check out the Greatest Hits and fundraising event dates and descriptions below. More details to come at mpm.edu/greatest-hits.

Ancient Civilizations: January 10-February 14, 2026

The ancient world will come to life as we explore the rise of the earliest civilizations across the globe. Programming will celebrate the exhibit Crossroads of Civilization, which highlights ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome and Persia.

Diorama-RAMA: March 14-April 17, 2026

MPM’s world famous “Milwaukee-style” dioramas, including Muskrats created by taxidermist Carl Akeley, will be the inspiration behind several fresh, engaging programs and interactive events that put a fun twist on some of the Museum’s oldest displays.

Rainforest & Butterflies: May 7-June 6, 2026

This Greatest Hit takes visitors to the tropics to celebrate two of MPM’s groundbreaking and immersive exhibits, Rainforest and Puelicher Butterfly Vivarium, which showcase some of the planet’s most beautiful biodiversity—using recreated and real specimens.

Dino Days of Summer: July 11-August 6, 2026

Dig up discovery as we travel 65 million years into the past to the age of dinosaurs. From examining real fossils to competing in T. rex trivia, dino lovers of all ages will unearth fascinating details about these prehistoric creatures.

Streets of Old Milwaukee & European Village: October-December 2026

Two of MPM’s most beloved exhibits, Streets of Old Milwaukee and European Village, close out the year with a bang. The walkthrough streetscape dioramas set at the turn of the 20th century will be decked out for Halloween and Christmas—the perfect backdrop to celebrate both holidays in style, all season long.

Fundraising Events

Food & Froth – Cheers to the Years: February 21, 2026

Get ready to raise a glass and toast to tradition one final time at MPM! This beloved after-hours party at the Museum invites guests to wander all three exhibit floors while sampling delicious brews and bites from dozens of local breweries and restaurants. Tickets are on sale now.

“LEGACY: Honoring the People Behind the Milwaukee Public Museum” Annual Gala: May 16, 2026

Join us for one last unforgettable celebration at MPM to honor the history and legacy of this Museum! Experience an up-close look at our storied past and dine within our iconic exhibits—alongside dinosaurs, beneath the glow of the Streets of Old Milwaukee, under the rainforest canopy and more.

In 2027, MPM will move into a new, world-class building in downtown Milwaukee and change its name to the Nature & Culture Museum of Wisconsin. An official opening date for the Nature & Culture Museum of Wisconsin is still being determined. Updates on this monumental project can be found at mpm.edu/future.

About the Milwaukee Public Museum

The Milwaukee Public Museum is Wisconsin’s natural history museum, welcoming over half a million visitors annually. Located in downtown Milwaukee, the Museum was chartered in 1882, opened to the public in 1884, and currently houses more than 4 million objects in its collections. MPM has three floors of exhibits that encompass life-size dioramas, walk-through villages, world cultures, dinosaurs, a rainforest, and a live butterfly garden, as well as the Daniel M. Soref Dome Theater and Planetarium. MPM is operated by Milwaukee Public Museum, Inc., a private, non-profit company, and its facilities and collections are held in trust and supported by Milwaukee County for the benefit of the public.

About the Nature & Culture Museum of Wisconsin

The Milwaukee Public Museum, Wisconsin’s natural history museum, is relocating from its current location on Wells Street in downtown Milwaukee to a newly constructed building, set to open in early 2027. At that time, the museum will also change its name from Milwaukee Public Museum to the Nature & Culture Museum of Wisconsin. The Nature & Culture Museum of Wisconsin will be owned and operated by a private nonprofit, with collections items that are held in trust and supported by Milwaukee County for the benefit of the public.

The Nature & Culture Museum of Wisconsin reflects its role as a statewide institution and identifies it as a museum that explores the relationship between humans and their natural environment throughout time. The nearly 145-year-old institution will carry on its mission to inspire curiosity, excite minds, and increase desire to preserve and protect our world’s natural and cultural diversity through exhibitions, educational programs, collections, and research.

Heavily influenced by the ecological histories of Milwaukee and Wisconsin, the new museum’s design will be reminiscent of the geological formations in Mill Bluff State Park, emblematic of the region’s diverse landscapes formed by the movements of water through time. The building spans approximately 200,000 square feet, including five stories. An additional 50,000-square-foot collections storage building is located offsite.

To learn more about the Nature & Culture Museum of Wisconsin, visit mpm.edu/future.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.