From bizarrely beautiful birds to glistening giant gems, an array of amaze-your-brain adventures await this holiday season at the Perot Museum, plus Late Nights, Discovery Camps, daily Thanksgiving and winter break activities, extended hours and more.
Football-sized gems, show-stopping birds who strut their stuff, dry ice, liquid nitrogen, acorn dissecting, dancing corn and “blubber” gloves are among the Perot Museum of Nature and Science’s festive lineup of holiday happenings.
At the pinnacle is the groundbreaking Birds of Paradise exhibition, where the adventures and stories behind the first survey of all 39 birds-of-paradise are documented and brilliantly displayed. Also adding sparkle to the season are 29 magnificent gems, never before seen together, in Giant Gems of the Smithsonian.
Other holiday happenings include extreme 3D films, a “winter wonderland” sleepover, free cocoa with any dessert purchase in the Café (Dec. 1-31), Discovery Camps, special activities and family programming, plus extended hours during the Thanksgiving and winter breaks (at select times).
“Whether you’re looking for a family adventure or a way to entertain your out-of-town guests, the Perot Museum will once again pull out all the stops for the holidays. Our goal is to ensure that each visit, whether first or 50th, is memorable and unique,” said Dan Kohl, Perot Museum’s interim chief executive officer. “The holidays are a perfect time to be amazed and inspired by the world around us.”
See all the holiday highlights at the Perot Museum
BIRDS OF PARADISE
Now through Jan. 8, 2017
It is a story of nature’s most fascinating feathered flirts – the extravagant birds that have inspired a recent social media craze. A science exhibition, art show and natural history display in one, Birds of Paradise, co-produced by National Geographic and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology takes you on an expedition to a New Guinea rainforest to witness the spectacular plumage and dazzling dance moves of the family of birds known as birds-of-paradise. Through beautiful National Geographic photography, follow the adventures of two determined researchers who made 18 trips to New Guinea over eight years to complete the first survey of all 39 known species of birds-of-paradise. Birds of Paradise, a National Geographic exhibition presented locally by Highland Capital Management, requires a surcharge for members and non-members.
GIANT GEMS OF THE SMITHSONIAN
Now through Jan. 8, 2017
Never before seen together, nearly 30 magnificent, Texas-sized gems from the Smithsonian’s world-renowned National Gem Collection are on display in the Lyda Hill Gems and Minerals Hall on Level 3. The mineral masterpieces, many weighing 1,000-plus carats, include an “American Golden” topaz that tips the scales at almost 23,000 carats (more than 10 pounds), a blue topaz “football” of nearly 7,000 carats, a kunzite Tiffany necklace, a Mogul emerald diamond necklace and more. This temporary installation marks the first time such a large collection of Smithsonian gems, some of which have never been displayed in any museum, are on exhibit outside the famed Washington museum complex. Giant Gems of the Smithsonian is free with Museum general admission.
Thanksgiving and Winter Break Activities
Credit: Jason Janik, Perot Museum of Nature and Science
The kids are out of school, and parents can keep young minds alert during the Thanksgiving and winter holidays. At select times during both Thanksgiving break Nov. 19-27 (except for Nov. 24) and winter break Dec. 24–Jan. 8 (except for Dec. 25), guests of all ages can enjoy daily brain-boosting experiences, from bookworm readings and science trivia to activities and demos such as acorn dissecting, pine cone science, blubber gloves, dancing corn, holiday table “magic” and more.
Plus, little ones ages 5 and under can enjoy themed crafts such as turkey headbands and “polar opposites” animal art daily until 3 p.m. Activities are free with general admission. Visit perotmuseum.org/holiday for daily schedules. Note: The Museum will be closed Thanksgiving (Nov. 24) and Christmas (Dec. 25). Please check below for additional holiday hours.
From Nov. 21-23, pre-K through 4th graders can indulge in three days of flight-inspired fall Discovery Camp. From birds and planes to rockets, kids can build their own flying machines, explore space and learn about the rare and unique birds-of-paradise. Then from Dec. 27-30, winter Discovery Camp will take pre-K through 4th graders into the “cool science” worlds of robotics, chemistry and the marine biology of Arctic creatures. Visit perotmuseum.org/camps for registration and additional details.
Family Fun Events
There are plenty of reasons for a repeat visit this holiday season! Folks looking to visit after dark will enjoy First Thursday Late Nights on Dec. 1 (themed Space) and Jan. 5(themed Robotics) when the Museum stays open until 9 p.m. with inventive and edgy experiences.
On Dec. 10, the family-fun Discovery Days: Birds will feature feathered-fun activities on every floor from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. After 2016 is put to rest, kids and their adult chaperones can snore and explore during the Museum’s “winter wonderland” sleepover on Jan. 7, complete with exciting animals, science experiments, a screening of the holiday film Elf, a Fire & Ice demo, a dance party plus a winter wonderland-themed photo to take home. Discovery Days and Late Nights are free to members and included with general admission for non-members. The Winter Wonderland Sleepover is $50 per youth and $40 per adult chaperone.
Perot Museum Memberships Make Great Gifts: Wondering what to buy that special someone who has everything? From individual memberships to entire households, the Perot Museum offers a variety of options that fit all sizes. Benefits include free general Museum admission for the membership year, extended hours, and discounts to ticketed exhibitions, lectures, programs, special events, parking and purchases in the Museum Shop and Café. Plus, Perot Museum members receive 15% off the purchase of gift memberships!
Family-level memberships start as low as $119. For details, call 214-756-5751 or go to perotmuseum.org/membership.
Hours: General hours of operation for the Perot Museum are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon-5 p.m.Sunday. On the first Thursday of each month, the Museum will remain open until 9 p.m. for First Thursday Late Night.
Holiday and other special hours: The Perot Museum will close Nov. 24 (Thanksgiving) and Dec. 25 (Christmas). The Museum will offer extended hours until 7 p.m. Nov. 25-26 and Dec. 26–Jan. 1, except for Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve) when the Museum will close at 3 p.m. and Dec. 31 (New Year’s Eve) when the Museum will close at 5 p.m.
TICKETS. Museum general admission is $19 for adults (18-64), $12 for youth (2-17) and $13 for seniors (65+). Museum general admission is free for members. Admission to the theater is $6 for a short film (20-25 minutes) and $8 for a long film (40 minutes). For members, admission to the theater is $5 (short film) and $6 (long film). Films and general admission for children under 2 are free. For groups of 10 or more, call for special rates at 214-428-5555 ext. 8. All prices are subject to change.
Birds of Paradise requires a surcharge for a total admission cost of $27 for adults (18-64), $19 for youth (2-17), $20 for seniors (65+), and free for children under 2. Member tickets are $6 for adults (18-64) and $5 for youth (2-17) and seniors (65+).
