Museum Events

Amazing Pollinators

June 18 – September 18, 2022

Pollinators are everywhere! They play a vital part in our world’s ecosystem, and are an incredibly varied group.

Amazing Pollinators is a visually-stunning, game-based, role-play adventure immersing audiences in the colorful and diverse world of pollinator/plant relationships.

Developed in collaboration with the Florida Museum of Natural History and the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, the exhibit weaves fascinating stories with urgent messages about pollinators, the critical work they do, and their importance to people and planet.

More exhibit info

Butterfly Haven 2022

July 30 – September 25

Butterflies are back!

When you come to the Virginia Living Museum, you can walk through our butterfly house where you will see a variety of Virginia native butterfly species feeding and laying eggs on plants. PLUS: a chrysalis chamber that lets you see caterpillars actively metamorphosing into adult butterflies!

Included in daily admission or membership.

Super Science Live

Time: 11:30am & 2:30pm, Friday-Sunday (May 30 – September 5)

Duration: 15 minutes

These daily science demonstrations will help guests learn about pollinators and the role they play in the ecosystem. The program discussions include:

• Wind tubes and discussion of air flow
• Elephant toothpaste and discussion of exothermic chemical reactions
• Air-zooka and discussion of air pressure
• Diet Coke and Mentos and discussion of pollinator energy consumption

Vermiculture Workshop

Pricing: $75 non-members, $65 for members

Meet at front desk, does not include museum admission

In this workshop, you’ll create your own vermiculture – or worm – composting bin. These bins are low effort, produce no odor, and take up little space in your home or garage, but can have a big impact on your environmental efforts! Join us as we lead you through creating a vermiculture bin and give you tips for maintaining it before you head home. One registration includes all materials for one bin.

Maximum 10 families

Recommended for families or adults; individuals under 18 must have an adult with them.

Sign Up Now

Stargazing August 2022

Stargazing

The Virginia Living Museum offers free stargazing beginning at sunset on the second Saturday of every month. Stargazing is weather dependent. Several telescopes are set up on the grounds and staff astronomers are available to help visitors identify objects in the night sky.

Due to the close proximity, guests are required to wear masks while operating the telescope.

NOTE: The evening also includes a planetarium program and several laser shows. Shows are $5 for VLM members, $8 for non-members.

Laser Nights

Looking for some Saturday night fun? Start with a planetarium program. Then experience a sensory extravaganza as laser shows provide music to both the eyes and ears every second Saturday of the month. The museum has an incredible laser system that splashes brilliant high-color LED laser light all across the entire surface of the dome. It’s the most amazing light show you’ve ever seen! Plus, there’s music to suit every taste. Different bands are featured every month.

Cost: Members $5, non-members $8 per show.

Museum Mixer August 2022

Dance the night away surrounded by the natural scenes where country music was born. Tour galleries and learn about the unique plants and animals of the Appalachian Mountains, Piedmont Region, Coastal Plains, and Chesapeake Bay. Learn two-step and line dances from an outgoing professional dance instructor.

Cash Bar ~ Light Snacks

Museum Mixer Tickets

Pirates & Mermaids Pajama Jam August 2022

Jump into your favorite pair of pajamas or dress as a pirate or mermaid and enjoy an after hours PJ Party! Enjoy the museum after hours with a Live DJ, dance floor, refreshments, crafts & activities! You may even walk the plank!  Aaaarrrgggghhh!

Cost: $17 per non-member. $15 per member. Ages 2 & under free.

Purchase Pajama Jam Tickets Now

Fall Native Plant Sale 2022

Member preview: September 15 | 4pm-6pm

Public Sale:  September 17-18, 24-25 | 9am-4:30pm

It’s Autumn again, so you know what that means – break out your gloves, rakes and shovels; it’s the Fall Native Plant Sale!

The Virginia Living Museum popular Native Plant Sale offers 134 beautiful and unusual native perennials, vines, shrubs and trees. Celebrating 35 years of native plant sales, the Museum connects people to nature through educational experiences that promote conservation. The annual fall sale will take place onsite in the Virginia Living Museum Conservation Garden this September.

For more information, click here.

Family Camp-in

Friday, September 16-17, 2022

7pm-9am

Bring the family for an unforgettable night at the Virginia Living Museum! We’ll see a planetarium show, get an exclusive animal encounter, and experience what the museum has to offer after-hours. Then, set up your sleeping bag and sleep next to your favorite exhibits. Get free admission to the museum on Saturday.

Non-members: $40 per child (ages 6-17), $30 per adult.

Members: $35 per child (age 6-17), $25 per adult.

Children must be at least 6 years old to participate.

Register now

Fall Native Plant Sale 2022

Member preview: September 15 | 4pm-6pm

Public Sale:  September 17-18, 24-25 | 9am-4:30pm

It’s Autumn again, so you know what that means – break out your gloves, rakes and shovels; it’s the Fall Native Plant Sale!

The Virginia Living Museum popular Native Plant Sale offers 134 beautiful and unusual native perennials, vines, shrubs and trees. Celebrating 35 years of native plant sales, the Museum connects people to nature through educational experiences that promote conservation. The annual fall sale will take place onsite in the Virginia Living Museum Conservation Garden this September.

For more information, click here.

International Coastal Cleanup 2022

Litter from our community can make its way into the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean – but you can help make a difference! Join the Virginia Living Museum for International Coastal Cleanup Day as we remove litter from our grounds and Deer Park to prevent it from becoming marine debris. 

The Wild Side Café is not open at this time, but families are welcome to pack snacks. Small snacks and drinks are available in the Wild Things Museum Store. 

The event is recommended for ages 11+ due to the areas we will be collecting litter and the length of the event. Participants 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult. We cannot accommodate strollers at this event due to the off-path areas we will be cleaning.

Sturdy, close-toed shoes are required (Crocs, sandals, and water shoes are not allowed). We recommend that participants wear long pants, a hat, sunglasses, and bring sunscreen, bug spray, and a reusable water bottle. We will provide gloves and trash bags.

This event is free for the public, but registration is required due to limited supplies.

Sign up here

For more information about the program, click here.

Fall Native Plant Sale 2022

Member preview: September 15 | 4pm-6pm

Public Sale:  September 17-18, 24-25 | 9am-4:30pm

It’s Autumn again, so you know what that means – break out your gloves, rakes and shovels; it’s the Fall Native Plant Sale!

The Virginia Living Museum popular Native Plant Sale offers 134 beautiful and unusual native perennials, vines, shrubs and trees. Celebrating 35 years of native plant sales, the Museum connects people to nature through educational experiences that promote conservation. The annual fall sale will take place onsite in the Virginia Living Museum Conservation Garden this September.

For more information, click here.