Programs
Check below to see special programs and a calendar of upcoming events at the Palmer Museum.December 2025
Art After Hours: Engineering Creativity
Thursday, December 4
Free, drop-in, 5 to 8 p.m.
Event Space, Galleries, Object Study Room
Discover how art and engineering collide through creative, hands-on activities led by students, staff, and faculty in the College of Engineering! Test out a scavenger hunt, experiment with kinetic art, and participate in an interdisciplinary gallery conversation at 6 p.m. with the faculty curators who organized the Teaching Gallery exhibition Structures, Systems, and Society: Work at the Interface of Art and Engineering. Light refreshments will be provided.
Gallery Talk: Structures, Systems, and Society
Thursday, December 4
6 p.m.
Barbara and Lee Maimon Teaching Gallery
Enjoy an interdisciplinary gallery conversation during Art After Hours with faculty and staff collaborators on the art and engineering Teaching Gallery exhibition.
Drop-in Tour: Art, Exploration and the Stories We Collect
Sunday, December 7
2 p.m.
Start in the Dr. Keiko Miwa Ross Lobby
Drop in and discover the Palmer’s world-class collections and exhibitions with a friendly and knowledgeable museum guide.
CommuniTREE Ornament Workshop
Sunday, December 7
2 to 5 p.m.
Join the Arboretum and Palmer Museum for a relaxed, free, creative drop-in program to create handmade ornaments for our CommuniTREE—a 13-foot community-decorated tree that will be on display in the Palmer lobby until Winter Break. We’ll provide a buffet of craft supplies, some glowing examples, and plenty of festive spirit. Participants are welcome to create an ornament to contribute to the CommuniTREE and make an ornament to take home as a keepsake as well. This is for participants of all-ages! Everyone in the community is invited.
Quiet Hours
Reduced noise and lighting; no toursWednesday, December 10
3 to 5 p.m.
Join us in the galleries during designated Quiet Hours for a more relaxed and comfortable visit. During these times, we reduce noise and lighting levels and have no tours scheduled. While all visitors are welcome, these sessions are especially appropriate for individuals with sensory sensitivities, neurodivergent visitors, disabled visitors, and anyone who prefers a calmer museum experience.
Quiet Hours
Reduced noise and lighting; no toursSunday, December 21
Noon to 2 p.m.
Join us in the galleries during designated Quiet Hours for a more relaxed and comfortable visit. During these times, we reduce noise and lighting levels and have no tours scheduled. While all visitors are welcome, these sessions are especially appropriate for individuals with sensory sensitivities, neurodivergent visitors, disabled visitors, and anyone who prefers a calmer museum experience.
CLOSED: Winter Break
Wednesday, December 24, 2025 through Friday, January 2, 2026
The Palmer Museum is closed for Winter Break. The museum will be open regular hours on Saturday, January 3, and Sunday, January 4.
Self-Guided Tour Brochures
Interested in exploring the galleries but feel a little intimidated by art? We’ve got you!
We’ve got you! Printed, self-guided tours and ARTify (art-music) playlists are available at the Visitor Services desk. Drop in, pick one up, and enjoy a personal art experience.
2025 Summer Workshops
Summer workshops at the Palmer Museum offer opportunities to learn deeply about art through hands-on creative processes and in-depth guided exploration.
This summer, a variety of single-session workshops are inspired by the special exhibition Washi Transformed and offer exploration of the material of paper. All workshops require advance registration and a fee of $35 ($30 for Penn State students and museum members and volunteers). More information, along with registration links, is at the Workshops page below and sorted by date.
See here for full descriptions and to register.
