Free In-Person Special Event
Summer Solstice Celebration 2026: Night at the Harvard Museums of Science & Culture
Sunday, June 21, 5:00–9:00 pm
Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology, 11 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA
Join the Harvard Museums of Science & Culture on the longest day of the year—free of charge—to explore the galleries and new exhibitions at the Harvard Museum of Natural History, the Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology, the Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments, and the Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East.
Celebrate the beginning of summer, Pride Month, and Father’s Day with live music, performances, street chalking, and our signature flower crown-making activity. Food, beverages, and ice cream will be available for purchase from food trucks. Don’t miss out on this popular event for all ages!
Sponsored by the Harvard Museums of Science & Culture, in collaboration with Revels, Harvard Summer School, and Harvard University Graduate Commons Program.
The Harvard Museums of Science & Culture are an 8-minute walk through historic Harvard Yard from the Harvard Square MBTA Red Line station.
Free event parking is available with registration. RSVP here by June 19 to receive parking registration instructions. Please note that Divinity Avenue will be closed to traffic during the event.
In case of rain, the museums will remain open, and a select number of activities will be available. Please check the website for details.
Explore the Galleries
- Experience the world-famous Glass Flowers.
- Explore Rubies, an intimate collection of stunning minerals, gemstones, and jewelry on display in the Earth & Planetary Sciences Gallery.
- Come face-to-face with the ocean’s most famous, misunderstood megafauna in Swimming with Sharks: A Deep Dive into Shark Biology and Behavior.
- Learn how scientific instruments have influenced the development of astronomy, navigation, physics, biology, medicine, electricity, and communication in Time, Life & Matter.
- Admire one of George Washington’s sashes on view at the Peabody Museum to mark the 250th Anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence.
- Explore key moments in 20th-century Iranian history in the exhibit From Iran: A Visual Testimony on view at the Peabody Museum.
- Discover four millennia of enduring wonder in Egypt Eternal: 4,000 Years of Fascination at Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East.
- Learn how the movement of goods and ideas around the ancient Mediterranean transformed the lives and livelihoods of people at all levels of society in Mediterranean Marketplaces: Connecting the Ancient World.
- Enjoy Art of Intimidation: Journey to Ancient Assyria, an augmented-reality Snapchat lens that brings large casts of sculpted panels from the famed royal palaces of ancient Nineveh and Nimrud to life.
Enjoy Outdoor Activities
- Make your own summer crown with fresh flowers and greens to wear during the event. 5:00–7:00 pm or until supplies last.
- Enjoy science demos, multiple performances, and a summer-themed dance party.
- Try out street chalking and contribute to our Pride-inspired designs.
- Purchase food, beverages, and ice cream from event food trucks and vendors.
- Enter the free Solstice giveaway for a chance to win museum memberships and special gifts from the museum shop.
- Museum memberships will be 15% off only during the Solstice event. Stop by the Information Booth on Divinity Avenue to learn more about this opportunity.
ACTIVITIES
Location: 11 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge
Activities are appropriate for all ages.
Flower Crowns
5:00–7:00 pm
Design a summer crown with seasonal flowers, garden greens, and ribbons (while supplies last). Watch for a pop-up performance by Duncan Dance at around 5:15!
Community Chalking
5:00–8:00 pm
Participate in a Pride-themed chalking project led by Cambridge-based artist Ponnapa Gift Prakkamakul. All ages are welcome to chalk along Divinity Avenue.
Solstice Raffle
5:00–8:30 pm
Stop by the HMSC Information Booth to enter a free giveaway of museum memberships and gifts.
Tattoos
5:00–8:30 pm
Free tattoos with solstice, Pride, and floral themes will be available at the HMSC Information Booth.
Shopping
5:00–9:00 pm
Stop by the museum shop at the Harvard Museum of Natural History and take home a memento from your visit.
Special Activities at the Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments
Location: Putnam Gallery, Science Center, 1 Oxford Street
Putnam Gallery Tours
5:30, 6:30, and 7:30 pm
Explore scientific instruments used for teaching and research at Harvard from colonial times through today, guided by Joshua Gorman, executive director of the Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments. Tours are 20 minutes long and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Solar System Models
5:00–9:00 pm
Try out mechanical LEGO models of the Earth’s orbit around the Sun and compare them to historical models on display in the Putnam Gallery of the Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments.
PERFORMANCES
Time: 5:00–8:45 pm
Location: 7 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge
5:15 pm Science Demos
Be wowed by live science experiments presented by the Harvard Natural Sciences Lecture Demonstrations team.
5:50 pm Revels Procession of the Sun
Join a procession of puppets, dancers, and musicians along Divinity Avenue, presented by Cambridge-based theater and musical group Revels, and featuring the artistry of the Puppeteers’ Cooperative.
6:00 pm Good Trouble Brass Band
A New Orleans-style street band based in Somerville and Cambridge, MA, the Good Trouble Brass Band fights for social justice causes and spreads joy through music.
6:10 pm Audience Singalong with David Coffin
Participate in a summer solstice singalong led by singer and instrumentalist David Coffin. A member of the Revels team, Coffin has been part of more than 70 different Revels productions, celebrating the seasons through the traditions of many cultures.
6:20 pm Timeless Rhythm Chinese Dance Troupe
Enjoy a performance by amateur dancers united by their deep love for the beauty, spirit, and cultural richness of Chinese dance. For Timeless Rhythm Dance Troupe, age is never a limitation—passion, dedication, and the joy of movement are what truly matter!
6:40 pm Ceilidh Band
Musicians Tom Pixton and Sammy Wetstein join forces with dancer and choreographer Jen Schoonover to lead a ceilidh (pronounced kay-lee)—a traditional Scottish or Irish social gathering that features Gaelic folk music, singing, storytelling, and energetic group dancing.
7:30 pm A Glowing Dance Party
Dance to summer and Pride-themed tunes spun by DJ Dayglow, from Providence, Rhode Island.
8:20 pm
Solstice Countdown
Celebrate the official start of the summer season—count down the final minutes of the longest day of the year!
REFRESHMENTS
Time: 5:00 pm until sunset
Location: 11 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge
Ben & Jerry’s (Ice cream)
Bon Me (Pan-Asian delights)
Del’s Lemonade (Refreshing beverages)
Tenoch (Mexican treats)
The Chicken & Rice Guys (Middle Eastern Halal street food)
Papi’s Stuffed Sopapillas (Santa Fe Style sopapilla pockets)