Tips for Museum by Moonlight

On Aug. 26, we're championing decades of hands-on experiences, larger-than-life learning, and joyful discoveries, biggest single night fundraiser of the year—Museum by Moonlight presented by AMERICAN FUNDS® From Capital Group! We're all set for a an elegant Roaring ’20s-themed night of glitz and glamour that supports the museum's nearlly 100-year legacy.

All proceeds from Museum by Moonlight benefit The Children's Museum Fund, which ensures that all children and families, regardless of income, can experience the museum.

Here's the scoop, cats and kittens, for how to have a real swell time during Museum by Moonlight:

Buy your tickets now

What? You haven’t bought tickets yet?

Live jazz? Amazing experiences? Swing dance lessons? Fabulous food and drinks? The opportunity to help us continue to impact upcoming generations of explorers and dreamers?

This will be a night to remember. Don’t wait. Get your tickets now.

Your Support Matters

Parking and tickets

Parking’s a breeze at The Children’s Museum! You can park in our free parking garage located at 300 North Illinois Street. The garage closes at 1 a.m. and reopens at 6 a.m. You can keep your car in the garage until 10 a.m. Sunday morning.

If you've already purchased tickets, you should have received an email with information about your tickets. Please have your tickets and photo ID ready and enter through the Welcome Center doors on Level 1 (this is different from years past).

VIP ticket holders can enter through the Riley Children's Health Sports Legends Experience® at 6:30 p.m.

The doors open at 7 p.m. You don't want to miss the start of the biggest shindig in town!

Dress to impress

The name of the game is 1920s glitz and glam, so dust off your finest flapper dresses, spiffy suits, and feathered headbands.

The more razzle-dazzle, the better!

Food

We've got a food spread that'll tickle your taste buds throughout the museum to keep your energy high for all the jitterbugging and tomfoolery you can muster. You'll see the full restaurant lineup here.

Let’s talk bar etiquette...

Photo IDs will be checked, so don't forget yours!

All drinks—including giggle water (we're not calling it "alcohol" in this post because...you know...Prohibition Era...) are included with your ticket. There are bars on every floor of the museum and also in the outdoor Riley Children's Health Sports Legends Experiance®. No need to wait in any long lines.

Can you keep a secret? There may even be a speakeasy on Level 4. But don't tell anyone. Again...Prohibition Era...

Silently cut a rug with our dinos

Live DJs will be in the house, providing an epic experience in our Silent Disco. You can show off your dance moves as you cut a rug in this fan-favorite experience, located in Dinosphere®.

Swing dancing, aerial artists, and live jazz—oh my!

Here's what's on tap for our biggest fundraiser of the year:

Get in the groove with live jazz throughout the museum
Be amazed by erial acts from Suspended Animation Aerials
Keep your shoes looking dapper with a shoe shine provided by Cento Shoes
Learn to swing dance in Take Me There: Greece®
Spark your inner artist with live art entertainment
Discover the Science of Alcohol (oops...we said "alcohol"—don't tell the coppers)
Laugh your heart out when ComedySportz Indy’s teams battle in a hilarious game of improvisation and quick wit
Capture memorable moments with the 360° photo booth
Be captivated by live entertainment roaming throughout the building

Keep it copacetic in the Playscape® Oasis

All of the noise and hullabaloo got you feeling in need of a moment? Need a break from the chaos? While Playscape® on Level 3 is usually a space that's reserved for kids 5 and under, we've converted the exhibit into a calming space just for you! Kick up your heels, relax, and take in the calming ambiance and soft sounds of our Playscape® Oasis lounge.

Be on the lookout for these additional experiences

Join the fun with these additional giving opportunities:

Silent auction
We have some spectacular experiences up for bid.

Treasure Hunt
Adventure awaits you in National Geographic Treasure of the Earth treasure hunt! What prizes will you uncover?

We’re ready for Roaring ’20s Museum by Moonlight! Are you?

There you have it, folks—a quick rundown of all things Museum by Moonlight. Remember, this gig is rain or shine, so pack an umbrella along with your sense of adventure. This night promises to be the cat's meow!

Presented by AMERICAN FUNDS® From