HOUSTON, TX — Cooler weather and spooky season arrive this October with a month of spine-tingling thrills and tasteful spills at the Houston Museum of NaturalScience (HMNS). Adults can treat their taste buds at Bourbon Night – A Tasting Event, exploring the tasty science behind every sip, and curious minds can get their historical fix with an Egypt, Hidden Secrets from Abusir lecture, uncovering Pharaoh Sahure’s shadowy burial chamber secrets. The Halloween spirit takes over with not one, but two spook-tacular events: families can brave Tricks, Treats & T-Rex – Magical Maze Festival, jam-packed with carnival games and a fun costume contest, while grown-ups can dance the night away in their spooky best at Spirits & Skeletons, a dazzling adult mixer with live music, drinks, and haunting entertainment. Lastly, guests are invited to sip, socialize, and explore at the Senior Social, a morning event where you can enjoy a fresh cup of coffee and a lively, specially-guided tour through our electrifying Wiess Energy Hall. This October is overflowing with festive fun and intriguing discoveries for everyone.
Check out our website for our full schedule of events and exhibitions.
- Event: Senior Social
HMNS Hermann Park | Wednesday, October 8 | 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Start your day with a jolt at our next Senior Social! Whether from a fresh cup of coffee or an electrifying tour, you’ll be sure to have an energizing start to your morning!
Enjoy a spread of breakfast favorites and great company, and then discover the fascinating world of energy and innovation during a docent-led tour of the Wiess Energy Hall. Doors open at 8:30 AM, with tours starting at 9:00 AM. The final tour timeslot is at 10:00 AM.
Please note: Space is limited for each tour time. Event is 50+
HMNS at Sugar Land | Friday, October 10 | 6:00 p.m.
Everything you ever wanted to know about America’s Native Spirit! Why does almost all of this uniquely American spirit come from Kentucky? What goes into distilling and aging bourbon, and how is it different from other whiskeys? Is the historical record advertised by the distillers factual or are these stories embellished?
Discover the science behind bourbon and explore a range of flavors as you taste different varieties, paired with delicious light bites. Kentucky native, Randy Bruner, will walk you through the history, methods and myths related to bourbon. Randy developed his interest in bourbon at an almost legal age, and has continued to follow trends in the world of bourbon ever since. He has visited every distillery in Kentucky, and makes an annual pilgrimage every year to seek out new products and craft distilleries.
Please note – This event is for adults 21 or older.
HMNS at Sugar Land | Saturday, October 18 | 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Tricks, Treats & T-Rex is back at HMNS at Sugar Land! The Magical Maze Festival on Saturday, October 18 features early Halloween fun. Every young pirate and princess will enjoy the festival fun, including carnival games, trick or treating, character photo-ops, face painting, and more.
Get creative and wear your best costume for the Grand Costume Contest, with prizes to be won! It’s a spooky Saturday you won’t forget!
HMNS Hermann Park | Saturday, October 18 | 3:00 p.m.
For more than a decade, Dr. Mohamed Ishmail has delved into the sands of the Abusir Pyramids, unraveling the silent whispers of Egypt’s elusive Fifth Dynasty. Now, in a once-in-a-lifetime lecture, he will unveil—for the first time—the hidden secrets concealed within the shadowy depths of Pharaoh Sahure’s burial chamber. What lies beneath may forever change what we thought we knew about ancient Egypt’s royal legacy.
Dr. Mohamed Ismail was appointed as the Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities in March 2024. He has held distinguished roles within the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, including serving as the Director of Foreign Mission Affairs. His academic specialization lies in the Old Kingdom period, where his expertise has greatly contributed to our understanding of this historic era. His oversight of the development and site management project at the Pyramids on the Giza Plateau demonstrates his dedication to preserving and promoting Egypt’s renowned archaeological heritage.
Eligible for CPE credit.
Distinguished Lectures are supported by Apache Corporation.
- Event: Spirits & Skeletons
HMNS Hermann Park | Friday, October 31 | 9:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m. (General Admission)
Creep among the undead as DJ SkaDean spins haunting beats in Alfred C. Glassell, Jr. Hall, or moonwalk your way to the Morian Hall of Paleontology, where DJ Q’s anything-but-prehistoric mix will have you dancing with the skeletons all night long. Over in Wiess Energy Hall, feel the shock of a high-voltage performance by Joilux, or drift into an otherworldly vibe with karaoke and visuals in the Burke Baker Planetarium. And if you dare, venture into the Wortham Giant Screen Theatre for a screening of the horror classic 28 Days Later (2002).
Sip on themed cocktails from our cash bars, and sink your fangs into frighteningly delicious bites from our food vendors—no limbs required! (Cash or card accepted.)
Costumes encouraged. Courage required.
The Best Costume will be crowned at 10:00 pm, and Best Group Costume at 11:00 pm. A mysterious judge will be roaming the halls, handpicking the most terrifyingly creative looks… so dress to distress.
Spirits & Skeletons – VIP Experience
8:00 pm – 1:00 am
Upgrade to VIP!
Take your event experience to the next level with exclusive VIP perks:
- Early Entry to the event (8:00 pm)
- Entry to 3 VIP areas featuring private cash bars and lounging areas
- Interactive activities hosted by our HMNS Education Department (8:00 pm – 10:00 pm)
- Food Voucher good for one meal at any of the food tents near the Sundial (dessert vendors excluded)
- 2 Complimentary Drink Tickets
- Spirits & Skeletons Collectors Cup
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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Photo courtesy HMNS | Photographer Mike Rathke