Summer Wednesdays just got better.

Museum Activities + Music on the Rock =
Wonderful Wednesdays
Something new at Burpee this summer!
Every Wednesday is extra special!
…each Wednesday features a special theme, one-day-only activities in the museum, live animal demonstrations and interactions, family animal hour classes. We are taking Music on the Rock evening activities and coupling them with exciting daytime activities in the museum.
Thanks to sponsorship from the Board of Trustees, all special activities are included in the general admission prices.
The whole series is 100% FREE for members.
As the day turns to late afternoon, food and drink is available on the terrace of Burpee from local bars and restaurants.
Museum special activities start at 10am
The day is packed with extra science demonstration stations, live animals to interact with, and even a special series of Animal Hour Family Classes.
Live music begins at 5:30pm. Tickets are free on the lawn. Attend as a VIP and have a reserved seat up front for $15 each.
Families can purchase food or buy a meal while watching free live music. As the sun sets, Burpee presents “Music on the Rock” for our 2nd year, now paired with our Wonderful Wednesday programming.
This summer, families can enjoy a full day on the Rock River!


Weekly Themes at Burpee

Survival: Animal Kingdom (June 12)
Get food…but don’t be food. How does the animal kingdom do it? From weapons to armor, animals protect themselves for survival! You will come face to face with creatures that have awesome survival features in special interactions throughout the museum. Don’t miss our Animal Hour class and learn more about these connections! Pre-registration is recommended […]

The Animal Kingdom (June 19)
Diversity. We have mammals, fish, reptiles and so much more. What makes each unique? Our beautiful Earth is full of amazing animals. Get up close and personal with animals from all corners of the kingdom. Don’t miss our Animal Hour class and learn more about these connections! Pre-registration is recommended to secure your place. […]

Fossil Frenzy (June 26)
Dinosaurs Rock. We will take a Time Machine into the past and look at fossils…dinosaurs and so much more! What did animals look like millions of years ago, and how can we compare them to animals that live today? Don’t miss our Animal Hour class and learn more about these connections! Pre-registration is recommended to […]

Famous Flyers (July 10)
Look Up! Who can fly? From birds to bats to fruit flies to pterosaurs…flight is amazingly different! Lets examine who is flying, who is gliding, and who jumps! What do we know about how creatures take flight? Come face to face with flying creatures. Don’t miss our Animal Hour class and learn more about these […]

Scales and Tails (July 17)
Who wears scales? Today many creatures use scales to help them survive. What about our prehistoric friends? Meet some of the museums live reptiles and examine their beautiful ability to survive! Don’t miss our Animal Hour class and learn more about these connections! Pre-registration is recommended to secure your place. Family Class Times: 10:30am-11:30am […]

The Web Of Life (July 24)
Everything is connected. Move one thing…watch how the ecosystem moves. This wonderful Wednesday will look at the intricate and delicate web of life. You will come face to face with creatures that are critical to the web of life throughout the museum. Don’t miss our Animal Hour class and learn more about these connections! Pre-registration […]

Mammal Mania (July 31)
Furry Friends What makes a mammal work? We will learn about these amazing animals by touching real mammal skins and studying mammal skulls. We’ll go on a mammal hunt and see how many you can find! Don’t miss our Animal Hour class and learn more about these connections! Pre-registration is recommended to secure your place. […]

What’s Buggin’ You? (August 7)
Insects are AMAZING! Sure…some people call them creepy crawlies, and even get scared to see them….but insects are such an important part of our world! They were here long before we were…but what did the early insects look like? From pollination to predation, where would we be without them? We’ll meet some of the museums […]
