2014 Summer Solstice Celebration
Date and Time
Night at the Harvard Museums of Science & Culture
Activities at: The Plaza, 1 Oxford Street, Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments, Harvard Museum of Natural History, Harvard Semitic Museum, and Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology.
Kick off summer with the Harvard Museums of Science & Culture's annual Summer Solstice celebration! Enjoy a fun evening of telescope viewings, music, food, and hands-on activities for all ages at The Plaza, 1 Oxford Street, next to Memorial Hall, with free nighttime admission to the Harvard Semitic Museum, Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments, Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology, and Harvard Museum of Natural History. You won't want to miss this special summer night!
Free event parking in the 52 Oxford Street Garage.
Download the event poster.
Performance Schedule
5:00 pm Opening Ceremony with La Piñata
Join us as we welcome the summer season with a special ceremony rooted in Mexican indigenous traditions presented by La Piñata--The Latin American Family Cultural Network.
6:00 pm Cambridge Symphony Chamber Players
Join an eclectic mix of music performed by the Highland Brass Ensemble of the Cambridge Symphony Orchestra.
7:00 pm Off the Ground Circus Arts
Keep your eyes open for stilt walkers, jugglers, and acrobats!
7:30 pm Marcus Santos and Bloco AfroBrazil
Dance to upbeat Brazilian grooves combining Samba and Axé with Funk, Rock, Jazz, and Hip Hop.
Activities at The Plaza - 5:00 pm 'til sunset
Design your very own flower crown with seasonal flowers and garden greens.
Get decorated with a temporary solar tattoo.
Explore the diversity of insects that visit summer picnics, and consider the ecological benefits of these fascinating creatures.
Use rocks to make musical instruments, like lithophones, and try them out for yourself.
Create your own festive sunset shaker to celebrate the beginning of summer.
Observe the sun and other celestial bodies with the Amateur Telescope Makers of Boston.
Learn the astronomical meaning of the summer solstice from a team of astronomers and educators from Harvard University.
Pick up a copy of our Summer Solstice Museum Highlights gallery exploration and spend the evening at the Harvard Museums of Science & Culture. Admission is free until 9:00 pm.
Summer Solstice 2014 is free and open to the public. In case of rain, the event will move inside The Plaza tent.
The Plaza (1 Oxford Street, next to Memorial Hall) is a 6-minute walk through Harvard Yard from the Harvard Square Red Line T stop.