24-Hour Open House

Kathleen Compton Sherrerd & Laporte Family Creativity Labs
Visit the Museum’s newest art-making spaces anytime during the open house! Stop by the Creativity Labs to explore a work of art, play with different materials, and exercise your imagination. Come for fifteen minutes or two hours—whatever your schedule allows. All ages are welcome; no tickets or reservations are needed.

Museum Galleries
Immerse yourself in thoughtful art experiences with self-guided gallery activities, including writing, puzzles, and close looking. All galleries will be open during the event—there’s a world of art to explore! 

Grand Hall 
Do Halloween the Museum way! Enjoy temporary tattoo and bejeweling stations, art making, danceable tunes spun by John “Jay” F. Weaver Jr. and Dale Williams—WPRB Princeton Radio alumni DJs—and more in the spectacular (and spooktacular!) Grand Hall. And don’t miss the all-ages costume contest at 7 p.m.

European Viewing Gallery
Enjoy live pianists from the Princeton Piano Ensemble playing Halloween-inspired favorites and contemporary tunes.

Canceled due to high winds.

Tuttle Lecture Hall
Director Tim Burton’s classic story follows the misadventures of Jack Skellington, Halloweentown’s beloved Pumpkin King.

Check in at the Information Desk 
Take a guided tour of our bold new building and discover our globe-spanning collections. First come, first served.

Grand Hall
Compete in an imaginative costume contest* with an outfit inspired by a selection of artworks from our collections. With categories for adults and kids, it’s your chance to flaunt your costuming skills—and your finest strut. (Or just come by to watch!) 

Registration to enter the Collections Costume Contest is now closed. We hope to see you in the audience at the live judging on October 31 at 7pm in the Museum’s Grand Hall!

Contest Judges:

• James Steward, Nancy A. Nasher–David J. Haemisegger, Class of 1976, Director, Princeton University Art Museum
• Caroline Harris, Diane W. and James E. Burke Senior Associate Director for Education, Princeton University Art Museum
• Christina Ramos, Costume Director, McCarter Theatre

*All costumes must be safe and inclusive. This means no weapons (including fake weapons or objects that pose a risk to people or artworks), no costumes that perpetuate discrimination or violence, and no full-face masks or full-face makeup.

Mosaic Restaurant
Slink into our Halloween Spookeasy and chill with some live jazz, seasonal mocktails, and mellow ambiance.  

Tuttle Lecture Hall
Haunted History Productions presents a bewitching 30-minute performance of the classic story for all ages.

Grand Hall
Pump up the volume and dance to a mix by the hottest DJ in town: you! 

Malkin Amphiteater
Gaze at the night sky with the Amateur Astronomers Association of Princeton. Professor Emeritus Robert Vanderbei brings his background in astrophysics, engineering, math, and more to guide this eye-opening exploration of the universe. 

Creative night owls can finally sketch all night in this self-directed gallery activity. Stop by the Information Desk and choose between white paper and graphite pencil or black paper and white pencil—whatever your inner muse demands.

Tuttle Lecture Hall
Students from the University’s French theater workshop, L’Avant-Scène, present a dramatic reading (in French!) of Britannicus by the seventeenth-century French playwright Jean Racine. Directed by Florent Masse, professor in the Department of French and Italian.

Kathleen Compton Sherrerd & Laporte Family Creativity Labs
Visit the Museum’s newest art-making spaces any time during the open house! Stop by the Creativity Labs to explore a work of art, play with different materials, and exercise your imagination. Come for fifteen minutes or two hours—whatever your schedule allows. All ages are welcome; no tickets or reservations are needed.

Museum Galleries
Immerse yourself in thoughtful art experiences with self-guided gallery activities, including writing, puzzles, and close looking. All galleries will be open during the event—there’s a world of art to explore! 

Tuttle Lecture Hall
Set in 1930s Europe, Wes Anderson’s film chronicles the adventures of concierge Gustave and his protégé junior lobby boy Zero.

Grand Hall
Join a live host from TriviaHub to test your general knowledge—including a special Princeton University Art Museum round. Bring your usual trivia team or create a new one! Prizes will be awarded for first, second, and third place. 

Malkin Amphitheater
A gentle, meditative outdoor yoga class led by instructor Debbi Gitterman. Space is limited. First come, first served. Mats will be provided. 

Tuttle Lecture Hall
Remy dreams of becoming a great chef, despite being a rat in a rodent-phobic profession. He moves to Paris to follow his dream with the help of a restaurant’s hapless garbage boy Linguini.
 

Tuttle Lecture Hall
Despite his family’s ban on music, young Miguel dreams of becoming an accomplished musician. On the evening of Día de los Muertos, Miguel finds himself in the colorful Land of the Dead where he discovers his family’s true history.

Grand Hall
Breathe in sound and silence—and hear music like never before in this special presentation of Princeton University Concerts’s acclaimed program. Guided by Matthew Weiner, associate dean in the Office of Religious Life, with music by the University’s Richardson Chamber Players. Beginners welcome. 

Musicians:

• Faculty: Sunghae Anna Lim, violin; Jessica Thompson, viola; Clancy Newman, cello
• Students: Tienne Yu ’26, violin; Jason Seo ’27, viola; Maurice Neuman ’28, cello

Malkin Amphitheater
A gentle, meditative outdoor yoga class led by instructor Debbi Gitterman. Space is limited. First come, first served. Mats will be provided. 

North Terrace
Embrace the principle of wuwei, or “not-doing,” with an outdoor class led by Chen-style Tai Chi instructor Mackenzie Hawkins of Princeton Tai Chi Club. Beginners welcome.

Check in at the Information Desk
Take a guided tour of our bold new building and discover our globe-spanning collections. First come, first served.

Stacey & Robert Goergen Jr. Viewing Room (South Viewing Room)
All ages are welcome to enjoy live readings from beloved children’s books.

Tuttle Lecture Hall
Experience the joy of a live performance by Westrick Music Academy’s world-renowned Princeton Girlchoir Ensemble and Princeton Boychoir Young Men’s Ensemble.

Grand Hall
This powerhouse duo performs The Art of a Song: A Broadway Cabaret, celebrating art and the creative process. In partnership with McCarter Theatre Center. 

Due to seating capacity, advanced registration for this event is required.

Please register here.

Tuttle Lecture Hall
Jhumpa Lahiri, the Pulitzer Prize–winning author of The Namesake (2003) and Interpreter of Maladies (1999), reads from her selected works. 

Due to seating capacity, advanced registration for this event is required.

Please register here.

Conservation Studios
Check out the Museum’s ultimate behind-the-scenes space—our brand-new conservation studios. Chief Conservator Bart Devolder and Elena Torok, associate objects conservator, will show you where the magic of conservation happens.

Grand Hall
Get up close and personal with raconteurs from The Moth, the celebrated storytelling show, as they share personal tales in this one-act, salon-style event, offered in partnership with McCarter Theatre Center. 

Due to seating capacity, advanced registration for this event is required.

Please register here.

BEVERAGES
Canned Soda $2.75 
Canned Water $2.75 
Flavored Sparkling Water $2.75 
Freshly Brewed Coffee  $4.75 
Specialty Hot Tea $4.75 
House-Made Hot Chocolate $6.50 
     Whipped Cream, Chocolate Shavings 
Tropicana Orange Juice $3.25 

GRAB-AND-GO SANDWICHES 
Roasted Turkey Sandwich $9.70 
     Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, French Roll   
Classic Italian $9.70 
     Ham, Salami, Pepperoni, Provolone Cheese, Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, French Roll 
Roasted Vegetable Sandwich (V) $9.70 
     Pumpkin Hummus, Baby Spinach, Pumpernickel Roll 

PREMIUM SNACKS 
Fresh-Popped Popcorn $3.75 
Soft Pretzel Nuggets with Cheese Sauce $5.50 
Cheese & Cured Meat Snack Box $14 

PACKAGED SNACKS 
Miss Vickie’s Potato Chips $2.05 
     Sea Salt, BBQ, Jalapeño 

CANDY, GRANOLA, AND PROTEIN BARS 
Twix, Snickers, M&M’S, or Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups $3.25 
Nature Valley Granola Bar $3.05 
Quest Protein Bar $4   

DESSERTS 
Sea Salt Chocolate Chunk Cookie $3 
Black Cocoa Brownie $3 
Caramel Apple Pie–Filled Sugar Cookie $5   

BREAKFAST ITEMS 
Available 6 a.m.–12 p.m. on Saturday, November 1 
Egg and Cheese Sandwich $6 
Pork Roll, Egg, and Cheese Sandwich $7 
Bagel with Cream Cheese or Butter and Jelly $2.70 
House-Made Muffin $3.50 
     Blueberry Crumb, Apple Cinnamon, or Pumpkin

$19.95 + Sales Tax 
Includes choice of main, one side, and one 12-oz. non-alcoholic canned beverage 

MAIN SELECTION 
Greek Chicken Gyro
     Warm Pita Bread, Lettuce, Tomato, Marinated Red Onion, Tzatziki Sauce 
     *Gluten-free pita available upon request   

Griddled Bratwurst Sandwich 
     Shaved Pickled Red Cabbage, Stoneground Mustard, Brioche Roll 
     *Plant-based bratwurst available upon request 
     *Gluten-free roll available upon request 

Roman Style Pizza (2 slices) 
     Margherita or Soppressata, Hot Honey, Arugula 

Smoked Gouda Steakhouse Meatball Hero 
     Crispy Onions, Black Pepper Brandy Sauce, Wilted Spinach, French Bread 

 SIDES 
Chickpea Greek Salad (VG) 
     Feta Cheese, Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Kalamata Olives, Red Onion, Lemon-Oregano Dressing 

Roasted Yukon Gold Potato Salad 
     Caramelized Vidalia Onions, Celery Leaves, Roasted Garlic Dressing 

Baby Greens Salad (V) 
     Cucumber, Pickled Red Onion, Roasted Marinated Grape Tomatoes, Balsamic Vinaigrette 

House-Made Kettle-Fried Seasoned Potato Chips (V)

Directions to the Museum and general parking info can be found here. 

During our 24-Hour Open House, the Museum will offer free shuttle service to and from the Stadium Drive Garage for the duration of the event; see below for details!

During our 24-Hour Open House, the Museum will offer free shuttle service to and from Stadium Drive Garage for the duration of the event.

Parking at Stadium Drive Garage and taking the shuttle: 
Parking at Stadium Drive Garage is free. 
 
TigerTransit buses will depart every 15 minutes from the bus stop outside the garage, with departure times listed on the digital screen at the bus stop. All buses stopping at the garage will take you to the event location. 
 
Exit the bus at the second stop, McCosh Walk, on Washington Road, and follow the walkway to the Museum. 
 
To return to Stadium Drive Garage, return to Washington Road via McCosh Walk and wait at the McCosh Walk Southbound stop (on the opposite side of the street from where you were dropped off) and take Routes 4 or 5. If you are not sure which bus is arriving, look for the route number on the front or side of the bus, or ask the driver. Exit the bus at the second stop.

If you are planning to use Lyft, Uber, or a taxi service, please note that these vehicles are not permitted past the University guard booth on Elm Drive. Plan to request your ride to/from either Nassau Street near Elm Drive or Rivers Way, or Washington Road near McCosh Walk. 

Questions about your visit? Find answers on our FAQ page.