Summer in the Arctic 2026
Children's Programming
Join us Wednesdays from 1:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. this summer for a story time followed by a related craft/activity! Each week will focus on an Arctic theme.
June 10 – Brrr-illiant Bears!: All about polar bears
June 17 - Fantastic Floras: Flowers and plants in the Arctic
June 24 - Cold, Cool, & Gross!: How to track and identify animals through the things they leave behind
July 1 - Look to the Skies!: Aurora Borealis and Birds
July 8 - All about Arctic Animal Diets: Find out the differences between predators, prey, and scavengers and what they eat.
July 15 - Game Day: Traditional Inuit games in the Arctic
July 22 - All About Boats: Water vessels of and in the Arctic
July 29 - The Coolest Digs!: Archaeology in the Arctic
*All children MUST be accompanied by an adult.
Drop-In Tours
Join us on Tuesdays at 3:00 p.m. or Thursdays at 11:00 a.m. for a guided tour of our 3rd floor galleries.
Each week will feature both a general tour of our newest exhibits Mamaqtuq! It is Delicious!: Traditional Foods of the North and Tip of the Iceberg: A Selection of Recent Acquisitions and a specific themed portion.
June 23 & 25 - Birds in the Arctic: Learn about sea birds and owls
June 30 & July 2 - Food at Celebrations: How food is a central component of Inuit community gatherings
July 7 & 9 - Boats & Ships!: Learn about Kayaks, Umiaqs, Steamships and Sailboats
July 14 & 16 - Artistic Processes: How works on paper are created by Inuit artists
July 21 & 23 - Shamanism: Learn the basics of Inuit shamanism and animism
July 28 & 30 - Pollution and the Environment: Discover the effects of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and microplastics on Arctic ecosystems
August 4 & 6 - All About Fish!: How Inuit interact daily with fish
August 11 & 13 - Bowdoin in the Arctic Today: How Bowdoin College is interacting with the Arctic now
Special Events
Henson’s Legacy: Celebrating Juneteenth at the Arctic Museum
Saturday, June 13
11:00AM-1:00PM
Join the Arctic Museum for an early Juneteenth event celebrating the accomplishments of Matthew Henson, a Black Arctic explorer. At 11:30am and 12:00pm, Curator Genny LeMoine will give short talks on Henson, followed by question-answer sessions. Before or after the presentation, take the opportunity to explore the museum. A docent in the galleries can answer questions and offer fresh perspectives on Henson and the expeditions that led to the discovery of the North Pole.
A Summer Solstice Celebration!
Tuesday, June 23
10:30AM-12:30PM
The Summer Solstice is celebrated each year by people all over the world! At the Arctic Circle this is the day when the sun does not set and for the rest of the northern hemisphere, it is the longest day of the year. This year, the summer solstice falls on Sunday, June 21st. Please join the museum the following Tuesday to celebrate the start of summer and learn more about this amazing astronomical event!
Exploring Independence: Robert E. Peary’s 1892 Expedition to Independence Fjord
Wednesday, July 1
4:00PM-6:00PM
Join us for an evening event focused on Robert E. Peary’s achievements on behalf of the United States of America and how he and his team overcame the challenges of the far North. At 4:30pm, join Curator Genny LeMoine for a 15-minute talk followed by a Q+A about Peary’s first major expedition when, on July 4th, 1892, he mapped and named Independence Fjord in northern Greenland. Before and after the talk, take some time to visit the galleries, explore the Arctic touch box, and make your own take-home Arctic craft! Light refreshments will be available in the lobby following the talk.
A Night at the Museum!: Stuffy Summer Sleepover
Drop Off: Tuesday, August 25, 12:00PM-4:30PM
Pick Up: Wednesday, August 26, 12:00PM-4:30PM
The Arctic Museum is excited to host a night at the museum for your child’s favorite toy! Parents, bring your kid to the Arctic Museum lobby between noon and 4:30pm on Tuesday, August 25, to drop off one toy of their choosing. At the drop off, each child will make a special name tag for their toy before leaving it with the staff for a fun overnight adventure! Return the next day, Wednesday, August 26, between noon and 4:30pm to pick up each child’s toy. At pick up, discover the adventures the toys had during their sleepover at the museum – with lots of pictures to document their night!