The Museum will close at 1:00 pm on Dec. 24 and be closed on Dec. 25 for Christmas. The Museum Shop will be closed both days.

11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Imagination Studio
Winter Solstice sun wheel craft.



11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Imagination Studio
Build a snowflake science craft.

Learn about the sky as it would have been when George Washington crossed the Delaware! 1776 Sky Talk is offered before all except the 3:00 pm show.
12:00 pm Messengers of Time and Space
1:00 pm The Great Solar System Adventure
2:00 pm Spark: The Universe in Us
3:00 pm Dinosaurs of Antarctica

11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Imagination Studio
Make a constellation lantern.

12:00 pm Messengers of Time and Space
1:00 pm The Great Solar System Adventure
2:00 pm Spark: The Universe in Us
3:00 pm Dinosaurs of Antarctica

11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Imagination Studio
Snowy Owl craft.

10:00 am
In the American Civil War, flags guided troops into battle and served as symbolic emblems of dedication, pride and patriotism. Join flag historian Dr. David Martin and Curator of Cultural History Nicholas Ciotola for the history of five new flags to be unveiled in the New Jersey State Museum exhibition, The Civil War Flag Collection of New Jersey. Event is free and open to the public

12:00 pm Messengers of Time and Space
1:00 pm The Great Solar System Adventure
2:00 pm Spark: The Universe in Us
3:00 pm Dinosaurs of Antarctica

3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Free afterschool art program for teens (14+)
Learn how to make your own sketchbook to take home using hand bookmaking techniques.

12:00 pm Big Astronomy
1:00 pm Earth, Moon & Sun
2:00 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
3:00 pm One Sky Project (NEW!)

12:00 pm Big Astronomy
1:00 pm Earth, Moon & Sun
2:00 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
3:00 pm One Sky Project (NEW!)


12:00 pm Big Astronomy
1:00 pm Earth, Moon & Sun
2:00 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
3:00 pm One Sky Project (NEW!)

12:00 pm Big Astronomy
1:00 pm Earth, Moon & Sun
2:00 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
3:00 pm One Sky Project (NEW!)

12:00 pm Big Astronomy
1:00 pm Earth, Moon & Sun
2:00 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
3:00 pm One Sky Project (NEW!)

12:00 pm We Are Guardians!
1:00 pm One World, One Sky
2:00 pm One Sky Project
3:00 pm Áróra

3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Free afterschool art program for teens (14+)
Celebrating Black artists in our collection, we’ll explore the work of Jacob Lawrence and Horace Pippin with painting of everyday life.

12:00 pm We Are Guardians!
1:00 pm One World, One Sky
2:00 pm One Sky Project
3:00 pm Áróra

3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Free afterschool art program for teens (14+)
Celebrating Black artists in our collection, we’ll explore the work of Jacob Lawrence and Horace Pippin with painting of everyday life.

12:00 pm We Are Guardians!
1:00 pm One World, One Sky
2:00 pm One Sky Project
3:00 pm Áróra


12:00 pm We Are Guardians!
1:00 pm One World, One Sky
2:00 pm One Sky Project
3:00 pm Áróra
3rd Saturday of every month, 10:00 am
Join us in Discovery Den every 3rd Saturday of the month to hear a story and make a craft to take home. Story Time is designed for children ages 2-8 and their caregivers. Families are encouraged to explore the galleries on their own after the program. Pick up a Small Explorers gallery cards throughout the Museum.
Dec. 20, reading “Over and Under the Snow” by Kate Messner, illustrator Christopher Silas Neal
Jan. 17, reading “What Can a Citizen Do?” by Dave Eggers and Shawn Harris
Feb. 21, reading “Jake Makes a World” by Sharifa Rhodes-Pitts, illustrated by Christopher Myers
Imagination Studio
11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Beginning Friday, 12/19, the Museum will offer free drop-in activities from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm on select days during the winter break.
Activity schedule: 12/19 - Holiday card making 12/23 - Winter Solstice sun wheel craft 12/26 - Build a snowflake science craft 12/27 - Make a constellation lantern 12/30 - Snowy owl craft
December 30, 10:00 am
In the American Civil War, flags guided troops into battle and served as symbolic emblems of dedication, pride and patriotism. Join flag historian Dr. David Martin and Curator of Cultural History Nicholas Ciotola for the history of five new flags to be unveiled in the New Jersey State Museum exhibition, The Civil War Flag Collection of New Jersey. Event is free and open to the public.
Small Explorers Learning Together is the Museum’s program for families with children ages 1-5. Hundreds of families have experienced the magic of exploring the Museum in these sessions and now you can too! Two classes are offered each month, the 2nd Saturday or the following Thursday, at 9:30 am and are limited to 20 children per class. Classes meets in our Discovery Den play space and begins with an interactive story time. Families move together to playfully explore a gallery and end in our classroom space with thematic activity stations including a craft to take home. Classes are designed to maximize caregiver-child interaction and connect with a community of families to share in exploration. Each class is 45 minutes long and meet October to June.
Cost: Classes are $20 per child, each additional sibling receives a 20% discount. Caregivers attend free. New Jersey State Museum Foundation members receive 10% off. Tickets for each session are sold on Humanitix, links will shared on the Museum’s Events Calendar.
If you are not on our mailing list but would like to learn more please register with this link. If you have additional questions contact Devra.Hock-Reid@sos.nj.gov.
The New Jersey State Museum is a wonderful setting for your special event with changing exhibits that can provide a unique backdrop for any occasion. The Museum is ideally located in the State Capital Complex in Trenton, and offers a one-of-a-kind venue with incredible architecture and beautiful views of the Delaware River. For rates and availability, please view our rental information or email Rentals.NJSM@sos.nj.gov.
Available Rental spaces:

This exceptional space is an ideal setting for buffet receptions, intimate sit-down dinners, business seminars and more. Available evenings and weekends only.

The 384-seat Auditorium is available for a wide variety of lectures, conferences, movie premieres, theater performances and more.