Museum Events
April 2024
Spring Native Plant Sale 2024
April 20th - April 28th
Member Preview Sale: April 18 | 4-6pm
Public Sale: April 20-21, 27-28 | 9am-4:30pm
Choose from an incredible array of beautiful and unusual native plants for a variety of garden sites and styles, from wet ponds to dry rock gardens. Many of these are excellent plants for attracting butterflies, hummingbirds and other wildlife to your yard. The Virginia Living Museum’s horticulture staff holds this annual sale as a fund-raiser, but the real goal is to introduce the gardening public to the incredible variety of native plants that will do well in the landscape, and to educate gardeners about those which are better left in the wild. Native plants are good choices for area gardeners because such plants tolerate the area’s weather and serve as food and shelter for area wildlife, while also providing a good show in the garden.
Looking for something specific or just want to browse before you arrive? View and download the plant list!
2024 Spring Native Plant Guide
Celebrate Earth Day!
April 20th
Get ready to embark on a journey of discovery and celebration as we honor our planet and explore ways to create a brighter, greener future together! The Virginia Living Museum invites you to an immersive Earth Day event filled with live animal encounters, interactive activities, and enlightening conversations with experts and vendors. Discover innovative green practices and sustainability initiatives, Learn about our upcoming conservation projects and discover ways to get involved.
Included with Museum admission.
FrogWatch April 2024
April 21st - April 28th
Minimum age: 11 years old. Children ages 11-14 must have an adult present. Event is free but registration is required.
All sessions will be from 2pm-4pm.
Part 1 | April 21 Training Signup |
Part 2 | April 28 Training Signup |
Birding Safari 2024
April 27th
Experience the exciting world of birds during this safari designed for brand-new to beginner birders. Learn the basics of birding from how to identify common birds to birding etiquette before heading into the field to try out your new skills on a guided bird walk. Prior birding experience is not required.
- Guests under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a paying adult. The minimum age for participants is 12 years old. This experience involves walking outdoors on uneven, unpaved ground. Close-toed shoes must be worn. This safari will start at the Virginia Living Museum before going to the field site. Guests will have the option to take provided transportation from the VLM to the field site and back, if they would like. We cannot offer pick-up or drop-off and guests must meet us at the Museum for the first part of the experience. Please contact deanna.orr@thevlm.org with questions.
- Things to pack and wear: Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, bug spray, close-toed shoes (no flip flops, no sandals, no Crocs), snack, water bottle, layers of clothing appropriate for the weather, binoculars (if you already own them and would like to bring them; not required)
May 2024
Adult Prom: Starry, Starry Night
May 3rd
Recreate the magic of prom at this adult only (21+) event, and join us for an evening under the stars. The Virginia Living Museum’s first Adult Prom: Starry, Starry Night will include music, dancing, games, sky-readings, planetarium shows, food and adult beverages. Show up in your finest prom attire – sequins, ruffles, and throwback looks encouraged!
Cost: $18 Non-members, $15 members, includes one drink ticket – Prices will increase to $20 for non-members and $17 for members day of the event. Cash Bar $4 per drink ticket.
May 11: Stargazing Night
May 11th
Cost: Members $5, non-members $8 per show.
A live guided tour of the current evening sky with a staff astronomer.
Recommended for all ages.
Time: 7:00pm
Calling all Swifties! Come see your favorite artist in a new laser light! We’ve coupled some of Taylor’s greatest hits to awesome laser animations – don’t miss it! Recommended ages 6 and up
Show Playlist
- Our Song
- You Belong with Me
- Enchanted
- I Knew You Were Trouble
- Blank Space
- Style
- Wildest Dreams
- Look What You Made Me Do
- Cruel Summer
- August
- Willow
- Anti-Hero
- Shake It Off
Time: 8:30pm
A mind-blowing mix of music and equally dazzling laser effects come together to make a truly awesome laser experience. Jam to bands like Oasis, Future Sounds of London, Emerson Lake & Palmer and so much more. Ancient towers hide the symbols that will transport you to new experiences of sight and sounds. Should you survive the journey through the four space-time pillars, a portal will be opened into a previously unseen and unheard dimension! Laseropolis is an eclectic mix of musical themes surveying pop, rock, alternative and oldies.
Show Playlist
- Karn Evil 9 by Emerson, Lake and Palmer
- Head Over Feet by Alanis Morrisette
- Rock Lobster by The B52s
- Firestarter by Prodigy
- Under the Milky Way by The Church
- Papua New Guinea by Future Sounds of London
- Spiderwebs by No Doubt
- Foreplay by Boston
- Champagne Supernova by Oasis
- End of the World (As We Know It) by REM
- Torn by Creed
- Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana
- One of These Days by Pink Floyd
Time: 10pm
Recommended: ages 15 and above
The Wall is best considered as a continual story rather than a collection of individual songs. It tells the tale of a rock star named Pink and his downward spiral into madness. To the listener, and indeed many critics, The Wall is a gripping and spellbinding musical journey – beautiful, haunting, powerful and thought provoking. It is a timeless classic, and one of Pink Floyd’s best, becoming the group’s second best seller behind Dark Side of the Moon.
Now coupled with spectacular and mesmerizing laser art, Pink Floyd’s classic 1979 epic about personal struggle takes on a unique look, weaving its story in one of the most popular laser shows ever produced! Visitors will become lost and spellbound as their senses join this timeless journey.
Some of these songs contain lyrics some parents may find objectionable.
Please be aware that volume levels during our Pink Floyd program will be high and the imagery can be intense.
Show Playlist
- In the Flesh
- The Thin Ice
- Another Brick in the Wall (Part I)
- The Happiest Days of Our Lives
- Another Brick in the Wall (Part II)
- Mother
- Goodbye Blue Sky
- Empty Spaces
- Young Lust
- Another Brick in the Wall (Part III)
- Hey You
- Comfortably Numb
- Stop
- The Trial
Warning: Please be advised that laser shows contain bright, sometimes flashing lights and loud music. This experience is not recommended for guests who are highly sensitive to light and noise.
Mother's Day at the Museum
May 12th
Join us for a special Mother’s Day celebration honoring the incredible moms of the animal kingdom and beyond! Treat your mom to a day filled with live animal shows, fascinating science demonstrations, and engaging keeper talks focused on the wonders of motherhood.
Included with Museum admission.
Virginia Tells the History of Life on Earth: From Ancient Seas to Hairy Elephants
May 16th
Earth has hosted complex life for 600 million years, evident in Virginia’s diverse fossil record. Ranging from ancient reefs in the Appalachian Mountains to dinosaur-era rocks in valleys and coastal fossils spanning 60 million years, Virginia offers a unique glimpse into Earth’s extensive prehistory. The state’s fossil record includes evidence from the Ice Ages and giant fossil mammals, like the Hart-Fiscella Mastodon at the Virginia Living Museum. This presentation uses specific fossils to showcase the vast timeline and diversity of life’s history.
Dr. Adam Pritchard received a B.A. in Biology from McDaniel College (Westminster, MD) and a Ph.D. in Anatomical Sciences from Stony Brook University (Stony Brook, NY).
Endangered Species Day
May 18th
Discover, learn, and act for the future of our planet! Dive deep into the fascinating world of endangered species and explore how you can make a difference in their conservation. Join us for a day packed with fun-filled activities—including keeper talks, science shows, ambassador animal meet-and-greets, scavenger hunt, and more!—all designed to ignite curiosity and passion for wildlife conservation.
Included with Museum admission.
Military Family Weekend
May 18th - May 19th
The Virginia Living Museum salutes military families with 50% off admission (must present an active military ID). That’s not all—enjoy exclusive discounts including $20 off memberships and 10% discount in the Wild Things Museum Store. It’s our way of saying thank you for your service and sacrifice.
June 2024
Celebrate World Ocean Day & Clean the Bay Day
June 8th
Join the Virginia Living Museum to celebrate World Ocean Day and Clean the Bay Day! Make a splash by taking a pledge to prevent waterway litter, learning about our native aquatic wildlife, and participating in hands-on activities about the importance of protecting our oceans and the Chesapeake Bay.
Included with Museum admission.
June 8: Stargazing Night
June 8th
Cost: Members $5, non-members $8 per show.
A live guided tour of the current evening sky with a staff astronomer.
Recommended for all ages.
Time: 7:00 pm
Recommended: ages 6 and above
Celebrate our great nation and her heroes with this dazzling mix of music of and inspired by America. Enjoy hits from Lee Greenwood, Kansas, The Beatles, Gloria Estefan and many others! Enjoy laser fireworks in the cool of the Abbitt Planetarium!
Show Playlist
- Summon the Heroes by John Williams
- Beautiful Day by U2
- Music by Madonna
- Beatles Medley by The Beatles
- Reach by Gloria Estefan
- Santorini by Yanni
- Rock Lobster by The B52s
- Birds Fly by Icicle Works
- Carry On Wayward Son by Kansas
- Patriotic Medley including Aaron Copeland & Lee Greenwood
Time: 8:30pm
Show Playlist
- Sweet Emotion
- Livin’ on the Edge
- Jaded
- Janie’s Got a Gun
- Walk this Way
- Dude (Looks Like a Lady)
- Dream On
- Angel’s Eye
- Train Kept a-Rollin’
- Love in an Elevator
- Back in the Saddle
- What Kind of Love are You On
Time: 10pm
Recommended: ages 15 and above
From the very beginning of lasers, this album has represented the ultimate in laser show experiences. And it’s still true today. Join us for the seminal laser show experience with one of the most incredible albums of all time. Considered by many critics to be the album that brought the commercial breakthrough to Pink Floyd, Dark Side of the Moon offers a mixture of psychedelic, rock and jazz sounds. Its sonic backdrops and atmospheric soundscapes combined with a unique assortment of sound effects yield an emotional resonance. When accompanied by a diverse and unusual display of laser art, the overall feel is a dramatic and haunting atmosphere.
Some of these songs contain lyrics some parents may find objectionable. Please be aware that volume levels during our Pink Floyd program will be high and the imagery can be intense.
Show Playlist
- Speak to Me
- Breathe
- On the Run
- Time
- The Great Gig in the Sky
- Money
- Us and Them
- Any Colour You Like
- Brain Damage
- Eclipse
Warning: Please be advised that laser shows contain bright, sometimes flashing lights and loud music. This experience is not recommended for guests who are highly sensitive to light and noise.
The Great Dismal Swamp: A refuge for people, Underground Railroad site for freedom seekers and Spiritual energy for reflection, healing and hope for future generations
June 20th
The Moses Grandy slave narrative entitled “The Life of Moses Grandy; Late a Slave in the United States of America” was published in 1843 by the British & Foreign Anti-Slavery Society in London, England. I uncovered this document during my family genealogy research in 2001. It is an honor for me to be a descendant of the Grandy family from Camden, North Carolina and it is also the birthplace of my ancestor Moses Grandy. The presentation will take you on the journey through the Moses Grandy slave narrative that leads into the historical significance for people at the Great Dismal Swamp, which opened the doors of strategic partnership between the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge and the historic Barotse Kingdom in Western Province, Zambia.
Eric earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Technical Management from the University of Maryland, University College and holds Associate in Arts Degree from Catonsville Community College and Associate in Applied Science Degree from the Community College of the Air Force.
Dino Pajama Jam 2024
June 21st
Cost: $12.00 per member, $15.00 per non-member, children ages 2 & under are free.
Come join the Virginia Living Museum for some dino-tastic family fun! This two-hour event will be just right for everyone looking to get out of the house for an evening and party with a Live DJ on our dance floor, enjoy light snacks, and participate in arts & crafts activities.
Juneteenth Celebration
June 23rd
Join us as we explore the natural resources of Virginia’s waterways and their role in freedom with interactive exhibits and activities. From a resource guide to team-building challenges, we commemorate Juneteenth with the theme “Living the Dream: Together We Make the Dream Work.” Don’t miss out on this day of learning, collaboration, and celebration.
Included with Museum admission.
Turtle Census 2024
July 20th - July 27th
Every year in June and July we set out live-capture, baited hoop nets in Deer Park Lake to catch and survey as many turtles as possible. VLM Staff and volunteers gather all of the turtles that are collected in these nets and spend the morning identifying the species and sex of the turtles, cleaning the shell to remove any stuck-on algae, and using a special marking system to determine whether each turtle is new for the year or a recapture from previous years.
In 2024 the dates are:
Please wear weather appropriate attire, this event will take place outside. Gloves will be provided. Please bring your own water bottle.
You will be handling wild turtles during this event. By purchasing tickets, you are assuming all risks.
Photos will be taken at this event and may be used for promotional material.
July 2024
July 13: Stargazing Night
July 13th
Cost: Members $5, non-members $8 per show.
A live guided tour of the current evening sky with a staff astronomer.
Recommended for all ages.
Time: 7pm
Recommended: ages 6 and above
- Beat It – Michael Jackson
- Purple Haze – Jimi Hendrix
- Neon Knights – Black Sabbath
- Jailhouse Rock – Elvis Presley
- Ring of Fire – Johnny Cash
- Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen
- Imagine – John Lennon
- Space Oddity – David Bowie
- I Wanna Dance with Somebody – Whitney Houston
- Break on Through – Jim Morrison
- Let’s Go Crazy – Prince
Time: 8:30pm
Recommended: ages 15 and above
Show Playlist
-
We Will Rock You/We Are the Champions
-
Bicycle Race
-
Don’t Stop Me Now
-
Another One Bites the Dust
-
I Want to Break Free
-
Under Pressure
-
Killer Queen
-
Bohemian Rhapsody
-
Radio Gaga
-
Princes of the Universe
-
The Show Must Go On
Time: 10pm
Recommended: ages 15 and above
The Wall is best considered as a continual story rather than a collection of individual songs. It tells the tale of a rock star named Pink and his downward spiral into madness. To the listener, and indeed many critics, The Wall is a gripping and spellbinding musical journey – beautiful, haunting, powerful and thought provoking. It is a timeless classic, and one of Pink Floyd’s best, becoming the group’s second best seller behind Dark Side of the Moon.
Now coupled with spectacular and mesmerizing laser art, Pink Floyd’s classic 1979 epic about personal struggle takes on a unique look, weaving its story in one of the most popular laser shows ever produced! Visitors will become lost and spellbound as their senses join this timeless journey.
Please note that we do not recommend this program for children under the age of 15.
Some of these songs contain lyrics some parents may find objectionable.
Please be aware that volume levels during our Pink Floyd program will be high and the imagery can be intense.
Show Playlist
- In the Flesh
- The Thin Ice
- Another Brick in the Wall (Part I)
- The Happiest Days of Our Lives
- Another Brick in the Wall (Part II)
- Mother
- Goodbye Blue Sky
- Empty Spaces
- Young Lust
- Another Brick in the Wall (Part III)
- Hey You
- Comfortably Numb
- Stop
- The Trial
Warning: Please be advised that laser shows contain bright, sometimes flashing lights and loud music. This experience is not recommended for guests who are highly sensitive to light and noise.
August 2024
August 10: Stargazing Night
August 10th
Cost: Members $5, non-members $8 per show.
A live guided tour of the current evening sky with a staff astronomer.
Recommended for all ages.
Recommended: ages 6 and above
Hear some of today’s hottest pop artists combined with awesome laser effects! This combination of electronic pop music and visual thrills will have you shaking in your seat. A great show for the entire family.
This program is family-friendly: Inappropriate song lyrics have been eliminated or blanked.
Show Playlist
- Applause by Lady Gaga
- Turn Down for What by Lil Jon & DJ Snake
- Pompeii by Bastille
- Red Lights by Tiesto
- Royals by Lorde
- #SELFIE by The Chainsmokers
- This is How We Do by Katy Perry
- Happy by Pharrell Williams
- Tongue Tied by Grouplove
- Get Lucky by Daft Punk
- Neon Lights by Demi Lovato
- Ten Feet Tall by Afrojack & Wrabel
Recommended: ages 15 and above
Almost a full hour of amazing rock with Led Zeppelin. See incredible laser images custom-created for awesome songs like Kashmir, No Quarter, Over the Hills and Far Away and many more. Led Zeppelin is proclaimed by many critics to be the progenitors of heavy metal and hard rock, and their individualistic style reset the standards for many musical genres in the 1960s and ‘70s. Indeed, they have been hailed as one of the most successful, innovative and influential bands, alongside Pink Floyd, U2 and the Beatles. Now you can relive the magical sounds of Led Zeppelin while enjoying a visual treat of custom laser imagery.
Many of these songs contain lyrics some parents may find objectionable.
Please be aware that volume levels during our Laser Zeppelin program will be high and the imagery can be intense.
Show Playlist
- Song Remains the Same
- Over the Hills and Far Away
- Good Times, Bad Times
- Immigrant Song
- No Quarter
- Black Dog
- Livin’ Lovin’ Maid
- Kashmir
- Stairway to Heaven
- Whole Lotta Love
- Rock ‘n’ Roll
Time: 10pm
Recommended: ages 15 and above
From the very beginning of lasers, this album has represented the ultimate in laser show experiences. And it’s still true today. Join us for the seminal laser show experience with one of the most incredible albums of all time. Considered by many critics to be the album that brought the commercial breakthrough to Pink Floyd, Dark Side of the Moon offers a mixture of psychedelic, rock and jazz sounds. Its sonic backdrops and atmospheric soundscapes combined with a unique assortment of sound effects yield an emotional resonance. When accompanied by a diverse and unusual display of laser art, the overall feel is a dramatic and haunting atmosphere.
Some of these songs contain lyrics some parents may find objectionable. Please be aware that volume levels during our Pink Floyd program will be high and the imagery can be intense.
Show Playlist
- Speak to Me
- Breathe
- On the Run
- Time
- The Great Gig in the Sky
- Money
- Us and Them
- Any Colour You Like
- Brain Damage
- Eclipse
Warning: Please be advised that laser shows contain bright, sometimes flashing lights and loud music. This experience is not recommended for guests who are highly sensitive to light and noise.
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