Calendar of Events

Enjoy delicious fare from any of Local Food Group’s seven restaurants in Reno, Sparks, Carson City and Gardnerville on Thursday, May 22, 2025 and support The Discovery at the same time. On this special day, Local Food Group is donating a portion of the proceeds from all food and drink sales to The Discovery in support of the museum’s mission to inspire by being the place to experience science. Click the logos below to learn more about Local Food Group’s collection…

Celebrate Gerard’s 2nd birthday with us here at The Discovery! We’re marking the two-year anniversary of the installation of the museum’s Allosaurus cast with a weekend filled with dinosaur activities for all ages. Invent a Dino Using recycled materials and some templates cut from cardboard our visitors will be asked to create a new imaginary type of dinosaur, considering where it would live and what advantages it would have based on whatever they added. ex. “what advantages does having a…

A Violin Serenade is an enchanting, family-friendly musical experience. Leading the show are internationally renowned Juliette Leong and profoundly talented Ethan Mao—both award-winning violinists and members of the Reno Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. In this captivating event, audiences of all ages will enjoy an interactive and dynamic program that blends classical favorites with modern pop tunes, creating the perfect introduction to the violin’s versatility. Between pieces, the musicians will invite children to participate in a show-and-tell session and give them a…

A Violin Serenade is an enchanting, family-friendly musical experience. Leading the show are internationally renowned Juliette Leong and profoundly talented Ethan Mao—both award-winning violinists and members of the Reno Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. In this captivating event, audiences of all ages will enjoy an interactive and dynamic program that blends classical favorites with modern pop tunes, creating the perfect introduction to the violin’s versatility. Between pieces, the musicians will invite children to participate in a show-and-tell session and give them a…

In honor of Harry Potter’s birthday, you’re invited to Wizardly Weekend here at The Discovery! Through a variety of hands-on activities, you can explore aspects of the book and film series… create your own wand, design your house badge, craft a wizard’s hat, and much more! Both Wizards and Muggles are encouraged to attend!

In honor of Harry Potter’s birthday, you’re invited to Wizardly Weekend here at The Discovery! Through a variety of hands-on activities, you can explore aspects of the book and film series… create your own wand, design your house badge, craft a wizard’s hat, and much more! Both Wizards and Muggles are encouraged to attend!

Visit The Shop  to create your own mini Nevada, full of natural wildlife and flora. Using cardboard, clay, and other materials, visitors design their own ecologically accurate diorama Please note: The Shop offers access to real tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents/caregivers are encouraged to help young tinkerers use the tools and materials safely in this space.

Calling all builders and creators! Whether you’re a seasoned builder or just discovering the joy of building, this is the event for you! Join us for a museum-wide weekend of building activities and challenges for all ages and skill levels. It all happens Saturday and Sunday, August 6–10th. LEGO® Build Stations · 10:00am – 5:00pm Dive into the world of creativity when you visit various build stations located throughout the museum’s atrium. Challenge yourself to build cityscapes, fantasy worlds, vehicles… the…

Calling all builders and creators! Whether you’re a seasoned builder or just discovering the joy of building, this is the event for you! Join us for a museum-wide weekend of building activities and challenges for all ages and skill levels. It all happens Saturday and Sunday, August 6–10th. LEGO® Build Stations · 10:00am – 5:00pm Dive into the world of creativity when you visit various build stations located throughout the museum’s atrium. Challenge yourself to build cityscapes, fantasy worlds, vehicles… the…

Unleash your inner hero as you eat, drink, and discover bold bites, creative sips, and epic experiences from 40+ local businesses using their powers for good — while you and your super squad support The Discovery with a $25 suggested donation. Come hungry, come curious, and come dressed to impress–capes, costumes, and comic book flair encouraged. This event is FREE, but who throws a party without giving back? A suggested MINIMUM donation of $25 PER PERSON will be collected at…

By popular demand, The Discovery proudly presents the ultimate mix tape of crowd-favorite hands-on activities from 12 years of the Social Science event series. Join us to solve a crime, be buried alive, dine at the bug buffet, sketch a live nude model, create a Frankenstuff, craft a wizarding wand, witness the bed of nails, and so much more! Labs, lectures and experiences at this Social Science will include: Bug Buffet Tantalize your tastebuds when you sample delicacies from the…

The Discovery’s World Space Week celebration culminates with an engaging after dark special event that includes even more opportunities for curious folks of every age to explore space and study the night sky. In addition to the activities listed below, attendees will have the opportunity to explore the entire museum!

Get ready for a hauntingly good time at The Discovery’s 14th annual Halloween Trick or Treat. Visit the museum in costume and trick-or-treat from gallery to gallery. There’ll be spooky decorations and delicious treats for all the friendly or scary ghosts, ghouls and goblins who dare to attend. A note about costumes: For the safety of all visitors, costumes with weapons of any kind are not allowed. Purchase Tickets Avoid the line, buy your tickets online! Advance tickets are suggested,…

The Discovery will be closed to the public on Thursday, November 6 and Friday, November 7, 2025 to prepare for Chemistry of the Cocktail, the museum’s annual fundraising event. The museum will reopen at 10:00am and resume normal operating hours on Saturday, November 8, 2025.

The Discovery will be closed to the public on Thursday, November 6 and Friday, November 7, 2025 to prepare for Chemistry of the Cocktail, the museum’s annual fundraising event. The museum will reopen at 10:00am and resume normal operating hours on Saturday, November 8, 2025.

13th Annual Giving & Glamping Fundraising Event Pack up and head out to The Discovery for giving and glamping at Chemistry of the Cocktail, the museum’s 13th annual fundraising event. Get cozy beneath a starry sky with alpine inspired cocktails, enjoy unique camping themed fare created by the experts at Blend, and take part in hands-on activities designed to bring the outdoors in—all while providing much-needed financial support for The Discovery, no tent or bug spray required! Tickets & Tables…

Tour the stars in The Discovery’s portable planetarium! Join a member of the museum’s education team for guided shows featuring solar exploration, a journey to Mars, and an a look at how scientists use infrared light. Shows are first come, first served. Showtimes: 10:30am, 11:15am, 11:45am, 1:00pm, 1:45pm, 2:15pm, 3:00pm, 3:30pm, 4:00pm (en Español). Tickets: Capacity is limited to 35 people per show. First come, first served.

Tour the stars in The Discovery’s portable planetarium! Join a member of the museum’s education team for guided shows featuring solar exploration, a journey to Mars, and an a look at how scientists use infrared light. Shows are first come, first served. Showtimes: 9:30am, 10:30am, 11:00am, 11:30am, 3:00pm, 3:30pm, 4:00pm, 4:30pm, 5:00pm, 5:45pm, 6:15pm (en Español), 7:00pm, 7:30pm. Tickets: Capacity is limited to 35 people per show. First come, first served.

Tour the stars in The Discovery’s portable planetarium! Join a member of the museum’s education team for guided shows featuring solar exploration, a journey to Mars, and an a look at how scientists use infrared light. Shows are first come, first served. Showtimes: 10:30am, 11:00am, 11:30am, 3:00pm, 3:30pm, 4:00pm, 4:30pm. Tickets: Capacity is limited to 35 people per show. First come, first served.

Tour the stars in The Discovery’s portable planetarium! Join a member of the museum’s education team for guided shows featuring solar exploration, a journey to Mars, and an a look at how scientists use infrared light. Shows are first come, first served. Showtimes: 1:30pm, 1:45pm, 2:15pm, 2:45pm, 3:15pm, 4:00pm, 4:30pm. Tickets: Capacity is limited to 35 people per show. First come, first served.

America Recycles Day is a nationally recognized day that’s all about recycling! It’s a time to learn, get inspired, and take action. From plastic bottles and aluminum cans to paper and electronics – recycling helps keep tons of materials out of landfills, saves natural resources, and reduces pollution. And who wouldn’t want to be part of that? Whether at home, school, or work, we can all pitch in to recycle more and waste less. Join us to learn about the…

Save BIG in the Museum Store during The Discovery’s holiday sale happening Friday, November 28 through Sunday, December 7! You’ll find a huge selection of the smartest toys, gadgets, games, apparel, puzzles, science kits, and a whole lot more! 25% off everything in the Museum Store* Discount available to museum members and nonmembers. Valid on Museum Store merchandise only. May not be combined with standard Discovery member discount or any other coupon or offer. *Excludes LEGO® products, sale, and clearance…

Save BIG in the Museum Store during The Discovery’s holiday sale happening Friday, November 28 through Sunday, December 7! You’ll find a huge selection of the smartest toys, gadgets, games, apparel, puzzles, science kits, and a whole lot more! 25% off everything in the Museum Store* Discount available to museum members and nonmembers. Valid on Museum Store merchandise only. May not be combined with standard Discovery member discount or any other coupon or offer. *Excludes LEGO® products, sale, and clearance…

Save BIG in the Museum Store during The Discovery’s holiday sale happening Friday, November 28 through Sunday, December 7! You’ll find a huge selection of the smartest toys, gadgets, games, apparel, puzzles, science kits, and a whole lot more! 25% off everything in the Museum Store* Discount available to museum members and nonmembers. Valid on Museum Store merchandise only. May not be combined with standard Discovery member discount or any other coupon or offer. *Excludes LEGO® products, sale, and clearance…