Event Calendar

Closed Christmas Day

Date: Wednesday, December 25, 2019 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: Cosmosphere

We will be closed Wednesday, December 25 for Christmas. We will be open normal business hours tomorrow.
 

OPEN 9 AM–3 PM CHRISTMAS EVE

Date: Tuesday, December 24, 2019 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: Cosmosphere

We will be open from 9 am–3 pm on Christmas Eve, Tuesday, December 24. We will be closed on Christmas Day. 

Please note: There will no feature film showing on Christmas Eve. 

Space Out Saturday: NORAD and Tracking Santa

Date: Saturday, December 21, 2019 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Cosmosphere Lobby

THIS MONTH'S SUBJECT: NORAD and Tracking Santa. How fast does Santa's sleigh have to fly to deliver presents to everyone? Young Explorers will put Jolly O'Saint Nick on an SR-71 or a Bell X-1 plane and see how he flies! 

Family day at the Cosmosphere with free programming for kids – from little tikes to grade school. Join us every third Saturday for our FREE kid-friendly, fun and educational Space Out Saturday! Plus: Don't miss our guided tours at 12:00 pm, 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm.* (*Hall of Space admission required. Reno County residents are FREE.)

INNOVATOR'S WORKSHOP (LOBBY)
10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Open to all, recommended for ages 5-10
Unique, fun, and educational experiences! Explore science, technology, engineering, and math with exciting hands-on demonstrations and activities.

STORYTIME (LOBBY)
11:00 am
Open to all, recommended for ages 5 years or younger
Excitement ensues with this fun and educational storytime!

SPACE TREK* (LOBBY)
1:00 pm
Open to all, recommended for ages 5-10
Adventures await! Take a special tour designed to inspire and engage our future astronauts and engineers. (*Hall of Space admission required. Reno County residents are FREE.)

SPACE OUT SATURDAYS ARE OFFERED EVERY 3RD SATURDAY AT THE COSMOSPHERE, AND ARE FREE TO THE PUBLIC.

CLOSED THANKSGIVING DAY

Date: Thursday, November 28, 2019 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: Cosmosphere

We will be closed Thursday, November 28 for Thanksgiving. We will be open normal business hours on Friday.

Space Out Saturday: Laika: the First Dog in Orbit

Date: Saturday, November 16, 2019 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Cosmosphere Lobby

THIS MONTH'S SUBJECT: Laika: the First Dog in Orbit. Young Explorers will create their own rocket and send animals into space!

Family day at the Cosmosphere with free programming for kids – from little tikes to grade school. Join us every third Saturday for our FREE kid-friendly, fun and educational Space Out Saturday! Plus: Don't miss our guided tours at 12:00 pm, 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm.* (*Hall of Space admission required. Reno County residents are FREE.)

INNOVATOR'S WORKSHOP (LOBBY)
10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Open to all, recommended for ages 5-10
Unique, fun, and educational experiences! Explore science, technology, engineering, and math with exciting hands-on demonstrations and activities.

STORYTIME (LOBBY)
11:00 am
Open to all, recommended for ages 5 years or younger
Excitement ensues with this fun and educational storytime!

SPACE TREK* (LOBBY)
1:00 pm
Open to all, recommended for ages 5-10
Adventures await! Take a special tour designed to inspire and engage our future astronauts and engineers. (*Hall of Space admission required. Reno County residents are FREE.)

SPACE OUT SATURDAYS ARE OFFERED EVERY 3RD SATURDAY AT THE COSMOSPHERE, AND ARE FREE TO THE PUBLIC.

Veteran’s Day Salute

Date: Monday, November 11, 2019 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: Cosmosphere

The Cosmosphere proudly supports the men and women of the armed forces.

On Monday, November 11, Veterans are invited as our guest for their choice of a documentary in our Carey Digital Dome Theater or a trip through the Hall of Space Museum.

2019 Everything Under the Stars

Date: Saturday, October 26, 2019 6:00 PM – 11:59 PM
Location: Cosmosphere

SAVE THE DATE!

Saturday, October 26, 2019

The much anticipated Everything Under the Stars event is back and promises to be out of this world!

Exciting venues, live music, fantastic food and beverages, plus a live and silent auction which won't disappoint!
 

Space Out Saturday: Halloween in Space!

Date: Saturday, October 19, 2019 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Cosmosphere Lobby

THIS MONTH'S SUBJECT: Halloween in Space! Celebrate Halloween on the International Space Station and create spiders out of styrofoam cups!

Family day at the Cosmosphere with free programming for kids – from little tikes to grade school. Join us every third Saturday for our FREE kid-friendly, fun and educational Space Out Saturday! Plus: Don't miss our guided tours at 12:00 pm, 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm.* (*Hall of Space admission required. Reno County residents are FREE.)

INNOVATOR'S WORKSHOP (LOBBY)
10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Open to all, recommended for ages 5-10
Unique, fun, and educational experiences! Explore science, technology, engineering, and math with exciting hands-on demonstrations and activities.

STORYTIME (LOBBY)
11:00 am
Open to all, recommended for ages 5 years or younger
Excitement ensues with this fun and educational storytime!

SPACE TREK* (LOBBY)
1:00 pm
Open to all, recommended for ages 5-10
Adventures await! Take a special tour designed to inspire and engage our future astronauts and engineers. (*Hall of Space admission required. Reno County residents are FREE.)

SPACE OUT SATURDAYS ARE OFFERED EVERY 3RD SATURDAY AT THE COSMOSPHERE, AND ARE FREE TO THE PUBLIC.

Early Closing of the Lobby at 5 pm

Date: Friday, October 18, 2019
Location: Cosmosphere Lobby

The Cosmosphere's main entrance, naviGATOR simulator and lobby will be closing early to the General Public on Friday, October 18 at 5:00 pm for a private event. The Carey Digital Dome Theater shows afer 5:00 pm will play as scheduled. The Hall of Space Museum and Gift Store are open normal hours until 7:00 pm.

Please use the alternate entrance to the North of the main entrance, by the Richard E. Smith Science Center.

Space Out Saturday: What Are Planets Made of?

Date: Saturday, September 21, 2019 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Cosmosphere Lobby

THIS MONTH'S SUBJECT: What are planets made of? Young Explorers will learn what materials make up our planets and make their own world and lifeforms with play-doh.

Family day at the Cosmosphere with free programming for kids – from little tikes to grade school. Join us every third Saturday for our FREE kid-friendly, fun and educational Space Out Saturday! Plus: Don't miss our guided tours at 12:00 pm, 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm.* (*Hall of Space admission required. Reno County residents are FREE.)

INNOVATOR'S WORKSHOP (LOBBY)
10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Open to all, recommended for ages 5-10
Unique, fun, and educational experiences! Explore science, technology, engineering, and math with exciting hands-on demonstrations and activities.

STORYTIME (LOBBY)
11:00 am
Open to all, recommended for ages 5 years or younger
Excitement ensues with this fun and educational storytime!

SPACE TREK* (LOBBY)
1:00 pm
Open to all, recommended for ages 5-10
Adventures await! Take a special tour designed to inspire and engage our future astronauts and engineers. (*Hall of Space admission required. Reno County residents are FREE.)

SPACE OUT SATURDAYS ARE OFFERED EVERY 3RD SATURDAY AT THE COSMOSPHERE, AND ARE FREE TO THE PUBLIC.

The 50th Anniversary of the First Displayed Lunar Rock

Date: Thursday, September 19, 2019
Location: Cosmosphere

Offered every Third Thursday from 9:00 - 10:00 am, this enriching continuing education program for life-long learners features entertaining, insightful presentations by Cosmosphere staff and visiting professionals who are experts in a variety of topics related to science and space. Free to the public, coffee and pastries are provided. Watch cosmo.org for topics.

Enjoy this free, special presentation "The 50th Anniversary of the First Displayed Lunar Rock,"with special guest, Karen Lechtenberg, Geologist for Encan, Denver, CO and Cosmosphere Camps camper and counselor alumna

*Coffee at the Cosmo topics and speakers are subject to change.

Early Closing of the Lobby at 5 pm

Date: Wednesday, September 11, 2019
Location: Cosmosphere Lobby

The Cosmosphere's main entrance, naviGATOR simulator and lobby will be closing early to the General Public on Wednesday, September 11 at 5:00 pm for a private event. The Carey Digital Dome Theater shows afer 5:00 pm will play as scheduled. The Hall of Space Museum and Gift Store are open normal business hours.

Please use the alternate entrance to the North of the main entrance, by the Richard E. Smith Science Center.

Space Out Saturday: National Aviation Day

Date: Saturday, August 17, 2019 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Cosmosphere Lobby

THIS MONTH'S SUBJECT: National Aviation Day! Young Explorers experience the forces of flight by constructing their own foam paper airplane!

Family day at the Cosmosphere with free programming for kids – from little tikes to grade school. Join us every third Saturday for our FREE kid-friendly, fun and educational Space Out Saturday! Plus: Don't miss our guided tours at 12:00 pm, 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm.* (*Hall of Space admission required. Reno County residents are FREE.)

INNOVATOR'S WORKSHOP (LOBBY)
10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Open to all, recommended for ages 5-10
Unique, fun, and educational experiences! Explore science, technology, engineering, and math with exciting hands-on demonstrations and activities.

STORYTIME (LOBBY)
11:00 am
Open to all, recommended for ages 5 years or younger
Excitement ensues with this fun and educational storytime!

SPACE TREK* (LOBBY)
1:00 pm
Open to all, recommended for ages 5-10
Adventures await! Take a special tour designed to inspire and engage our future astronauts and engineers. (*Hall of Space admission required. Reno County residents are FREE.)

SPACE OUT SATURDAYS ARE OFFERED EVERY 3RD SATURDAY AT THE COSMOSPHERE, AND ARE FREE TO THE PUBLIC.

Landing on the Lawn: 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF APOLLO 11 FREE COMMUNITY CELEBRATION

Date: Saturday, July 20, 2019 6:00 PM – 11:30 PM
Location: Hutchinson Community College Lawn on Plum Street between 12th Ave and 13th Ave

Help us celebrate the 50th anniversary of Man’s first stepson the Moon with this FREE public, family-focused event!

Free and open to the public, this family-focused community event will feature hands-on, Moon and space-themed activities from various community organizations (see list below) and live science demonstrations from Cosmosphere Space Science Educators.

After dark, a showing of the 1969 CBS footage of the Moon landing will be shown, followed by a Smithsonian Channel documentary, titled “The Day We Walked On The Moon”.  This documentary, exclusively available for screening to Smithsonian-affiliated museums, tells the mission’s story through interviews with key figures in Mission Control, contemporary astronauts and the families of Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong.

To wrap up the event, Cosmosphere Space Science Educators will host a Moon and planet observing, using a giant 16” diameter telescope. Held in conjunction with Hutchinson Community College and Hutch Rec. 

Schedule of Activities 

6:00 pm      Event Kickoff with Musical Performance by Hutch Municipal Band
6:35 pm      “Meet Mr. Moon” Puppet Show
6:50 pm      Story Time with Hutch Public Library
7:10 pm      Astronaut Training Presentation
8:00 pm      Opera Kansas Performance
8:30 pm      Free popcorn for outdoor movies from HCC Alumni & Friends
9:00 pm      Showing of 1969 CBS Moon landing footage on outdoor screen
10:00 pm    Smithsonian Channel Documentary Showing: “Day We Walked on the Moon” on outdoor screen
10:00 pm     Moon, Star & Planet Viewing
11:30 pm      Event Ends

• Live science demonstrations
• Hands-on, Moon and space-themed activities
• Musical performances
• Children’s storytime
• Inflatables
• Puppet Show
• Giant lawn Games
• Corvette Show
• Food and adult beverage vendors
• Moon and planet observing
• CBS footage of the 1969 Moon landing, plus a special Smithsonian Channel screening of “The Day We Walked on the Moon”
• And more! 

Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and bug spray, and don't forget to wear your favorite attire from 1969!

View the Landing on the Lawn flyer here. Map of lawn coming soon!

To see all the fun Apollo 11 50th Anniversary activities we have going on at the Cosmosphere, click here.

In partnership with the Kansas Space Grant Consortium.

*In the case of inclement weather, the event will take placeat the Cosmosphere

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

Hutchinson Community College

Hutch Rec

COSMOSPHERE CORPORATE PARTNERS

Airshare

The Clayworks at Disability Supports, Clay Artwork Activity

Dillons Food Stores

KU School of Engineering

Midway Motors, Inflatable Sponsor

PARTICIPATING COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS

Cosmosphere, Oreo Moon Phase Activity and Solar System Bracelets, Moon and Planet Observing

Central Kansas Corvette Assn., Vintage Corvettes on display

Experimental Aircraft Club, Model rocketry display

Hutchinson Art Center, Sidewalk Chalk Activities

City of Hutchinson, Touch a Truck

Hutchinson Municipal Band, Patriotic Musical Performance

Hutchinson Public Library, Moon-themed Yard Games

Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System

Hutchinson Zoo, Learn about nocturnal Ferrets

Kansas Department of Transportation: Division of Aviation

KPTS PBS Channel 8, Pictures with Ready, Jet, Go!

Opera Kansas, Moon-themed presentation

Reno County Museum, Spacesuit arm reach activity and coloring sheets

Stage 9, Face Painting

YMCA of Hutchinson and Reno County, Giant Twister game

FOOD AND ADULT BEVERAGE VENDORS

Comfort and Joy

Our Lady of Guadalupe

Reflection Mobile Bar

SnoKo Shaved Ice

The Traveling Bowl

Guided Docent Tours Through Hall of Space Museum*

Date: Saturday, July 20, 2019
Location: Hall of Space Museum

Docent Guided tours of Hall of Space Museum* will be offered on the hour, every hour, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. On the even hours (Noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.) visitors will be given regular guided tours. During the odd hour (11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.), tours will be Apollo 11 and Apollo-era focused.

*Hall of Space admission required. Reno County residents are FREE.

Smithsonian Channel Documentary Screening: “The Day We Walked on the Moon”

Date: Saturday, July 20, 2019
Location: Justice Planetarium

Seating for this free documentary screening is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

At 12:00 p.m. and 2 p.m., in the Justice Planetarium, the public is invited to attend a free screening of a new Smithsonian Channel documentary, titled “The Day We Walked On The Moon”. This documentary, exclusively available for screening to Smithsonian-affiliated museums, tells the mission’s story through interviews with key figures in Mission Control, contemporary astronauts and the families of Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong.

Apollo 50th Anniversary Celebration

Date: Wednesday, May 01, 2019
Location: Cosmosphere

CHECK OUT ALL THE FUN APOLLO 11-RELATED ACTIVITIESGOING ON THROUGHOUT THE COSMOSPHERE:

APOLLO 11 SCAVENGER HUNTPick up the Apollo 11 artifact list at the Box Office, and see how many artifacts you can find throughout the Cosmosphere, or download here.

APOLLO 11 CELEBRATION WALLFind activity sheets for children and adults at the Information Desk. Fill out your sheet and drop it at the Box Office for display on our Apollo 11 Celebration Wall.

APOLLO 11 SELFIE STATIONTake a selfie “on the Moon” with our lifesize photo opportunity in the Grand Lobby. 

“WE CHOOSE TO GO TO THE MOON” EXHIBITThis celebration of the Moon exhibit is on display in our museum rotunda area, near the Cosmosphere Cafe. 

APOLLO REDUX TRAVELING EXHIBITExperience this new, interactive traveling exhibit with an authentic Apollo-era Mission Control back room console in the Our Universe Gallery. Designed and built by the Cosmosphere, this exhibit was funded by the NASA TEAM II Grant. Find out more about this traveling exhibit here. 

APOLLO 11: FIRST STEPS EDITION DOCUMENTARYIn observance of the 50th anniversary of NASA’s celebrated Apollo 11 mission, APOLLO 11: First Steps Edition is a thrilling cinematic experience that showcases the real-life moments of humankind’s first steps on the Moon. Check out the trailer here. Go here for tickets. 

APOLLO 11 SOUVENIRSDrop by the Cosmosphere’s Gift Store for Apollo 11 gifts, or shop online!

APOLLO 11 ANNIVERSARY WEEK: JULY 15-20

Events are subject to change. Check back here for updates.

MONDAY, JULY 15
6:00-8:45 PM
JUSTICE PLANETARIUM
$5.00 +tax
PRESENTATION AND BOOKSIGNING BY AUTHOR, RICK HOUSTON, ALONG WITH A SPECIAL SCREENING OF "MISSION CONTROL: THE UNSUNG HEROES OF APOLLO"
Meet co-author of the book, "Go, Flight! The Unsung Heroes of Mission Control," Rick Houston. Along with his writing duties, Rick has also served as an associate protducer and consultant to the documentary film "Mission Control: The Unsung Heroes of Apollo" and as a technical advisor and extra in the hit movie "First Man" about legendary Apollo 11 moonwalker Neil Armstrong. 

Purchase a copy of Houston’s book: “Go Flight, The Unsung Heroes of Apollo” in the Cosmosphere Gift Store or online and receive a coupon for FREE popcorn and soda to enjoy during the event. 

Seating is limited! Tickets to this event are $5 plus tax and can be purchased beginning July 1, by calling the Cosmosphere Box Office at 620.665.9312. 

TUESDAY, JULY 16
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM / GRAND LOBBY
FREE TO THE PUBLIC
U.S. SPACE AND ROCKET CENTER – GLOBAL LAUNCH WORLD RECORD ATTEMPT
Help the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL, attempt a world-record for most rockets launched in a day! Visitors can help set the record by making and launching paper stomp rockets in the Cosmosphere lobby. Don’t forget to sign the tally sheet so we can keep track! Find out more at their website. 

TUESDAY, JULY 16
6:30 PM / DISCOVERY CLASSROOM
FREE TO THE PUBLIC
YOU ARE THERE...MAN ON THE MOON PRESENTATION
On July 20, 1969, 600 million people huddled around remote-less television sets across the world to catch a glimpse of “Mankind’s Greatest Adventure”—landing humans on the Moon! Transport yourself to that historic moment with this presentation. It will feature authentic video clips from the CBS news coverage with Walter Cronkite and Wally Schirra, grainy black and white images transmitted from the Moon’s surface and animated simulations of the Apollo 11 mission. Presented by Paul Lytle, a Building Systems Engineer at Wichita State University, a lifelong space and history enthusiast, and longtime Cosmosphere volunteer and member.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 17
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
HUTCH REC'S COFFEE AND CONVERSATION: WE CHOOSE TO GO TO THE MOON
PLEASE NOTE LOCATION: HUTCH REC SENIOR CENTER AT ELMDALE PARK, 
400 E. Ave. E, Hutchinson, KS 67501 
For adults ages 60 and older. Cost is $4.00 for non-members of Hutch Rec Senior Center. Enjoy this special presentation, We Choose to Go to the Moon, by Cosmosphere curator, Shannon Whetzel. Lunch is served at noon after the presentation.

THURSDAY, JULY 18
9:00 - 10:00 AM / DISCOVERY CLASSROOM
FREE TO THE PUBLIC
COFFEE AT THE COSMO: WE CHOOSE TO GO TO THE MOON 
Enjoy this free presentation, We Choose to Go to the Moon: Why Did We Go to the Moon and What Did We Learn From It? by Cosmosphere Curator, Shannon Whetzel. View it LIVE on the Cosmosphere’s Facebook page! Coffee and pastries provided. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION REQUEST: Wear your favorite attire from 1969!

THURSDAY, JULY 18
10:30 - 11:00 AM / GRAND LOBBY
FREE TO THE PUBLIC
OPERA KANSAS 
Enjoy a special performance of Moon-themed popular songs from Opera Kansas in our Grand Lobby. See their website here. 

SATURDAY, JULY 20
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM / GRAND LOBBY
FREE TO THE PUBLIC*
SPACE OUT SATURDAY: 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF APOLLO 11
Young explorers will learn more about the history of the Apollo 11 mission and astronaut training. Then they’ll construct a space suit from common household items and share their own “first words” from the Moon. 

Join us every third Saturday for our FREE kid-friendly (from little tikes to grade school), fun and educational Space Out Saturday! 

*Hall of Space admission required. Reno County residents are FREE.

SATURDAY, JULY 20
ON THE HOUR EVERY HOUR FROM 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
GUIDED DOCENT TOURS THROUGH HALL OF SPACE MUSEUM*
12:00, 2:00 and 4:00 pm will be regular guided tours. 11:00 am, 1:00 and 3:00 pm tours will be Apollo 11 and Apollo-era focused. 

*Hall of Space admission required. Reno County residents are FREE.

SATURDAY, JULY 20
12:00 pm and 2:00 pm
FREE TO THE PUBLIC
JUSTICE PLANETARIUM
Viewing of the Smithsonian Channel's The Day We Walked on the Moon Documentary
The public is invited to attend a free screening of the new Smithsonian Channel documentary, “The Day We Walked On The Moon.” This documentary, exclusively available for screening to Smithsonian-affiliated museums, tells the mission’s story through interviews with key figures in Mission Control, contemporary astronauts and the families of Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong.

Seating for this free documentary screening is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

SATURDAY, JULY 20
6:00 -11:30 PM / HUTCHINSON COMMUNITY COLLEGE LAWN
FREE TO THE PUBLIC
LANDING ON THE LAWN
Free and open to the public, family-focused community event will be held on the Hutchinson Community College lawn. Featuring hands-on, Moon and space-themed activities from various community organizations and live science demonstrations from Cosmosphere Space Science Educators. After dark, a showing of the 1969 CBS footage of the Moon landing will be shown, followed by a screening of the new Smithsonian Channel documentary, The Day We Walked on the Moon. To wrap up the event, Cosmosphere Science Educators will host a Moon and planet observing, using a giant 16” diameter telescope. Held in conjunction with Hutchinson Community College and Hutch Rec. 

Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and bug spray, and don't forget to wear your favorite attire from 1969! Check out more here.