HOUSTON, TX — Get ready to blast off into an August of epic proportions at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. This month, we’re serving up some out-of-this-world adventures and down-to-earth good times. Whether you’re learning some legendary lunar secrets at Moonlight Madness, powering up your fitness journey with our Mind Over Matter: BLA Performance session, feeling the rhythm at Mixers & Elixirs: Latin Night, unleashing your inner master builder at Block Party, Too, or trekking through the vibrant culture of Costa Rica with World Trekkers, we’ve got your passport to an unforgettable summer. Head on over and ignite your sense of wonder this August.
Check out our website for our full schedule of events and exhibitions.
- Event: Moonlight Madness
George Observatory | Friday, August 1 | 9:00 – 11:00 p.m.
Join us as we examine a familiar friend in the sky – the moon! Identify mountains, lunar maria, craters within craters, and possibly even the elusive X formation. Learn where the Apollo missions landed and take pictures with your own cell phone of what you see.
This two-hour event starts with a lecture presentation on the moon’s formations. You’ll get to feel a piece of lunar rock before we head upstairs to our 36” Gueymard Telescope to take a look at these wonderful objects through the telescope.
Capacity: 16 participants, 16 years and up only. Snacks, water and coffee are included.
Advance ticket purchase is required via our online box office, as tickets will not be available for purchase onsite. A paper or electronic receipt is needed for entry. In the event of overcast skies, tours and talks by our experts are still available. Brazos Bend State Park’s entry fee is included.
HMNS Hermann Park | Thursday, August 7 | 6:30 p.m.
Join BLA Performance for a dynamic 60-minute bodyweight workout at the Houston Museum of Natural Science! Designed for all fitness levels, this interactive session focuses on strength, endurance, and mobility with circuits targeting the lower body, upper body, core, and cardio.
Expect a high-energy, fun-filled experience with modifications for beginners and challenges for advanced participants. Each session includes a warm-up, full-body workout, and cooldown to ensure a well-rounded fitness experience. Come break a sweat and push your limits in a one-of-a-kind setting.
Location: Wiess Energy Hall
*Location subject to change
*Class is 18+
*Workout mats not provided
HMNS Hermann Park | Friday, August 15 | 7:00 – 11:00 p.m.
Experience the vibrant pulse and excitement of Latin Night at HMNS! Immerse yourself in an unforgettable evening filled with the lively sounds of bachata, merengue, reggaeton, and other infectious rhythms, all brought to life by the talented DJ Victor and the dynamic Quimbara Houston Band. Indulge your taste buds with a variety of Latin-inspired culinary delights available at our food tents, and elevate your night with themed cocktails that will spice up your festivities. As the night unfolds, catch a screening of the classic film Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights (2004) in the Giant Screen Theatre, or let your imagination soar with the stunning visuals at the Burke Baker Planetarium.
*Food & Beverage not included. This event is for adults 21 or older.
- Exhibition: Block Party, Too
HMNS at Sugar Land | Opens Friday, August 15
Encourage your child’s engineering and creative skills in Block Party, Too, a family-friendly hands-on STEAM exhibit that promotes cooperation and problem-solving. Back by popular demand, Block Party, Too features super-sized blue blocks, building and stacking games, colorful interlocking bricks and more! With a separate soft-play area for toddlers, kids (and adults!) can explore our construction zones with twists, turns and all kinds of building fun. Construct a tower, design a bridge, or build a space station, knock it down and start all over—your imagination is the only limit.
- Event: World Trekkers: Costa Rica
HMNS Hermann Park | Friday, August 22 | 6:30 p.m.
Pack your sense of adventure—World Trekkers is heading to Costa Rica, and you’re invited to experience the journey right here at HMNS!
Immerse yourself in the rich culture and natural beauty of Costa Rica. Engage with some of the creatures you might expect to encounter in the country’s lush rainforests at our animal display station, unleash your creativity at the craft table, and collect stamps on your exclusive themed postcard as you visit each cultural station.
Don’t miss the festive rhythms of traditional Costa Rican music and dance in Glassell Hall, and enjoy a small taste of authentic Costa Rican cuisine to complete your journey.
Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or discovering Costa Rica for the first time, this cultural celebration is fun for all ages.
*Parking for this event is free
For questions, please contact Sami Mesarwi at smesarwi@hmns.org or (281) 684-0430.
About Houston Museum of Natural Science
The Houston Museum of Natural Science—one of the nation’s most heavily attended museums—is a centerpiece of the Houston Museum District. With four floors of permanent exhibit halls, and the Wortham Giant Screen Theatre, Cockrell Butterfly Center, Burke Baker Planetarium and George Observatory and as host to world-class and ever-changing touring exhibitions, the Museum has something to delight every age group. With such diverse and extraordinary offerings, a trip to the Houston Museum of Natural Science, located at 5555 Hermann Park Drive in the heart of the Museum District, is always an adventure.
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