Planned closures
The Museum of Natural History will be closed for building upgrades on July 27 to 28, August 4 to 5, and September 8 to 11, 2026. Thank you for your understanding.
Four children looking at Earth projected on Science on a Sphere.
Gus the gopher tortoise, walking

Museum of Natural History - Daily Programs

Drop-in
What's happening at the Museum today? Uncover fossil mysteries, meet amazing Nova Scotia wildlife, and take a stroll with Gus the gopher tortoise! Plus more daily fun! Check our schedule

Location

Museum of Natural History, Halifax

Date

Always on

Pricing

Regular admission rates apply

Please Note: Programs are subject to change.

Monday

  • 10:00 AM – Snack Time With... Nova Scotia Wildlife
  • Learn what animals eat and how it connects them to their surroundings. Join us as we feed and care for a variety of native animals.
  • 11:00 AM – Tour of the Solar System
  • Join us for a space adventure using Science on a Sphere and the latest information from NASA about our Earth, our Moon, our Sun, and all the planets in our solar system.
  • 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM – Learn in the Lab (Drop-in)
  • Visit the Nature Lab and get to know some of the critters that call the Lab home, and chat with a Naturalist.
  • 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM – Insect Defenses (Drop-in)
  • How do insects defend themselves? From stings to camouflage, and smell to spikes, insects have a variety of defenses to keep them safe.
  • 2:00 PM – Prehistoric Planet
  • Join a Naturalist to witness the Earth’s changing surface over the last 215 million years using Science on a Sphere.
  • 3:00 PM – Gus Walk
  • At 104, Gus, the oldest known gopher tortoise, has been at the Museum for over 80 years. Why not join Gus for a snack and a stroll?

Tuesday

  • 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM – Close Encounters of the Tidal Kind (Drop-in)
  • Join us to explore what lives beneath the waves at the Museum of Natural History’s Rocky Cove Coastal Aquarium.
  • 10:00 AM – Snack Time With... Nova Scotia Wildlife
  • Learn what animals eat and how it connects them to their surroundings. Join us as we feed and care for a variety of native animals.
  • 11:00 AM – Tour of the Solar System
  • Join us for a space adventure using Science on a Sphere and the latest information from NASA about our Earth, our Moon, our Sun, and all the planets in our solar system.
  • 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM – Learn in the Lab (Drop-in)
  • Visit the Nature Lab and get to know some of the critters that call the Lab home, and chat with a Naturalist.
  • 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM – Sea Defenders (Drop-in)
  • Are you stronger than a rock crab? What about a lobster? Learn about how ocean animals defend themselves and test your strength!
  • 2:00 PM – Prehistoric Planet
  • Join a Naturalist to witness the Earth’s changing surface over the last 215 million years using Science on a Sphere.
  • 3:00 PM – Gus Walk
  • At 104, Gus, the oldest known gopher tortoise, has been at the Museum for over 80 years. Why not join Gus for a snack and a stroll?

Wednesday

  • 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM & 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM – Close Encounters of the Tidal Kind (Drop-in)
  • Join us to explore what lives beneath the waves at the Museum of Natural History’s Rocky Cove Coastal Aquarium.
  • 10:00 AM – Snack Time With... Nova Scotia Wildlife
  • Learn what animals eat and how it connects them to their surroundings. Join us as we feed and care for a variety of native animals.
  • 11:00 AM – Tour of the Solar System
  • Join us for a space adventure using Science on a Sphere and the latest information from NASA about our Earth, our Moon, our Sun, and all the planets in our solar system.
  • 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM – Learn in the Lab (Drop-in)
  • Visit the Nature Lab and get to know some of the critters that call the Lab home, and chat with a Naturalist.
  • 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM – Shells Galore (Drop-in)
  • It is time to talk about turtle shells! What are they made of? Can a turtle come out of their shell? Learn more with us!
  • 2:00 PM – Prehistoric Planet
  • Join a Naturalist to witness the Earth’s changing surface over the last 215 million years using Science on a Sphere.
  • 3:00 PM – Gus Walk
  • At 104, Gus, the oldest known gopher tortoise, has been at the Museum for over 80 years. Why not join Gus for a snack and a stroll?

Thursday

  • 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM & 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM – Close Encounters of the Tidal Kind (Drop-in)
  • It can happen to you. You can have a close encounter with some very unusual creatures. Join us to explore what lives beneath the waves at the Museum of Natural History’s Rocky Cove Coastal Aquarium.
  • 10:00 AM – Snack Time With... Nova Scotia Wildlife
  • Learn what animals eat and how it connects them to their surroundings. Join us as we feed and care for a variety of native animals.
  • 11:00 AM – Tour of the Solar System
  • Join us for a space adventure using Science on a Sphere and the latest information from NASA about our Earth, our Moon, our Sun, and all the planets in our solar system.
  • 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM – Learn in the Lab (Drop-in)
  • Visit the Nature Lab and get to know some of the critters that call the Lab home, and chat with a Naturalist.
  • 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM – Sea Defenders (Drop-in)
  • Are you stronger than a rock crab? What about a lobster? Learn about how ocean animals defend themselves and test your strength!
  • 2:00 PM – Prehistoric Planet
  • Join a Naturalist to witness the Earth’s changing surface over the last 215 million years using Science on a Sphere. See the location of major fossil sites, and how far some dinosaurs roamed.
  • 3:00 PM – Gus Walk
  • At 104, Gus, the oldest known gopher tortoise, has been at the Museum for over 80 years. Why not join Gus for a snack and a stroll?

Friday

  • 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM – Plates, Horns and Spikes (Drop-in)
  • From plated backs to powerful horns, dinosaurs were well-equipped to defend themselves. Explore how dinosaurs protected themselves and how these features compare to modern-day tools and armour.
  • 10:00 AM – Snack Time With... Nova Scotia Wildlife
  • Learn what animals eat and how it connects them to their surroundings. Join us as we feed and care for a variety of native animals.
  • 11:00 AM – Tour of the Solar System
  • Join us for a space adventure using Science on a Sphere and the latest information from NASA about our Earth, our Moon, our Sun, and all the planets in our solar system.
  • 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM – Learn in the Lab (Drop-in)
  • Visit the Nature Lab and get to know some of the critters that call the Lab home, and chat with a Naturalist.
  • 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM – Insect Defenses (Drop-in)
  • How do insects defend themselves? From stings to camouflage, and smell to spikes, insects have a variety of defenses to keep them safe.
  • 2:00 PM – Prehistoric Planet
  • Join a Naturalist to witness the Earth’s changing surface over the last 215 million years using Science on a Sphere. See the location of major fossil sites, and how far some dinosaurs roamed.
  • 3:00 PM – Gus Walk
  • At 104, Gus, the oldest known gopher tortoise, has been at the Museum for over 80 years. Why not join Gus for a snack and a stroll?

Saturday

  • 10:00 AM – Snack Time With... Nova Scotia Wildlife
  • Learn what animals eat and how it connects them to their surroundings. Join us as we feed and care for a variety of native animals.
  • 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Insect Defenses (Drop-in)
  • How do insects defend themselves? From stings to camouflage, and smell to spikes, insects have a variety of defenses to keep them safe.
  • 11:00 AM – Tour of the Solar System
  • Join us for a space adventure using Science on a Sphere and the latest information from NASA about our Earth, our Moon, our Sun, and all the planets in our solar system.
  • 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM – Learn in the Lab (Drop-in)
  • Visit the Nature Lab and get to know some of the critters that call the Lab home, and chat with a Naturalist.
  • 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM – Shells Galore (Drop-in)
  • It is time to talk about turtle shells! What are they made of? Can a turtle come out of their shell? Learn more with us!
  • 2:00 PM – Prehistoric Planet
  • Join a Naturalist to witness the Earth’s changing surface over the last 215 million years using Science on a Sphere. See the location of major fossil sites, and how far some dinosaurs roamed.
  • 3:00 PM – Gus Walk
  • At 104, Gus, the oldest known gopher tortoise, has been at the Museum for over 80 years. Why not join Gus for a snack and a stroll?

Sensory Friendly Sunday

Sensory Note: Lights and sounds are lowered wherever possible for a more sensory-friendly experience for visitors. No programming announcements will be made.

  • 10:00 AM – Snack Time With... Nova Scotia Wildlife
  • You'll find some of Nova Scotia's rich biodiversity living at the Museum. Join us as we feed and care for a variety of native animals.
  • 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Shells Galore (Drop-in)
  • It is time to talk about turtle shells! What are they made of? Can a turtle come out of their shell? Learn more with us!
  • 11:00 AM – Tour of the Solar System
  • Join us for a space adventure using Science on a Sphere and the latest information from NASA about our Earth, our Moon, our Sun, and all the planets in our solar system.
  • 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM – Learn in the Lab (Drop-in)
  • Visit the Nature Lab and get to know some of the critters that call the Lab home, and chat with a Naturalist.
  • 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM – Insect Defenses (Drop-in)
  • How do insects defend themselves? From stings to camouflage, and smell to spikes, insects have a variety of defenses to keep them safe.
  • 2:00 PM – Prehistoric Planet
  • Join a Naturalist to witness the Earth’s changing surface over the last 215 million years using Science on a Sphere. See the location of major fossil sites, and how far some dinosaurs roamed.
  • 3:00 PM – Gus Walk
  • At 104, Gus, the oldest known gopher tortoise, has been at the Museum for over 80 years. Join Gus for a snack and a stroll.