Dino Days

  • A life-size animatronic Tyrannosaurus rex in the Academy's Dino Days exhibit
  • A life-size animatronic Edmontonia in the Academy's Dino Days exhibit
  • A life-size animatronic Parasaurolophus with nest and eggs in the Academy's Dino Days exhibit
  • A life-size animatronic Torosaurus in the Academy's Dino Days exhibit
  • Life-size animatronic Troodons at the Academy's Dino Days exhibit
An eye-popping array of moving, roaring, exquisitely detailed life-size dinosaurs invaded the Academy from March 22-May 27, 2019.

Dino Days closed on May 27, 2019. 

An immersive festival with its footprint all over the Academy, Dino Days invites you to travel back in time to the Late Cretaceous period and come face-to-face with the largest reptiles that ever stalked the Earth.

  • Walk among life-size animatronic dinosaurs that move and roar.
  • Brush up on your paleontology in two fossil excavation pits.
  • Join a dino dance-off or create your own dino-inspired crafts.

Start your prehistoric trek at the updated T. rex display in the lobby, follow the footprints to the newly dino-fied East Garden, then head up to the Naturalist Center to learn how fossils help scientists tell the stories of the prehistoric past.

A realistic Tyrannosaurus rex costume worn by an Academy staff person, accompanied by a handler

Meet Cretaceous creatures

As you explore the East Garden, encounter five incredible dinosaur species: two Tyrannosaurus rexes (including one tame enough for photo ops), an armored Edmontonia, a colorfully crested Parasaurolophus with her young, a double-horned Torosaurus, and a pack of highly intelligent Troodons.

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Apatosaurus tibia on display at Dino Days

Touch ancient history

Discover a diverse collection of prehistoric specimens on display throughout the museum, like the Apatosaurus tibia pictured above—and perhaps add some choice new words to your vocabulary (coprolite = fossilized dinosaur poop).

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An alligator snapping turtle in the Swamp exhibit

See living fossils

The lifelike dinosaurs in the East Garden have some real life counterparts in Steinhart Aquarium. The Swamp's albino alligator, gars, and snapping turtles and the Amazon Flooded Forest's arapaima are often referred to as "living fossils" due to their remarkable similarity to their ancient ancestors in both appearance and biology.

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A boy paints at a family craft activity at the museum

Learn through play

Everybody walk the dinosaur—and draw, dance, and roar like one, too! Browse the section below for Dino Days' full lineup of interactive public programs, and click each program for more details.  

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Dino Days Programs

Sink your teeth into an exciting assortment of activities, events, and pop-up programs taking place all over the museum. Click a program for details and schedule.
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a director and paleontologist character in front of a pterosaur backdrop
The True Pterosaur!

Show off your best pterosaur dance moves and help create a music video about these prehistoric flying reptiles.

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19th century paleontologist Mary Anning holding fossil shells

An actor portraying 19th-century paleontologist Mary Anning poses with a fossil specimen.

Discover Fossils With Paleontologists of the Past

Paleontologists from the 19th century appear in costume to tell stories from the early days of dinosaur hunting.

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Pterosaur puppet flying through the sky.
Storytelling Through Time

Storytime with a prehistoric twist, featuring mysterious animals from 200 million years ago.

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Dinosaur crafts including masks and hand puppets

Create a cute dinosaur mask or fierce finger puppet during the Dino Days festival.

Build a Dino Craft with Danielle Zorn Arts!

Get crafty with local artist Danielle Zorn and make a dinosaur mask, crest, or finger puppet to take home.

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Museum staff holding dinosaur puppets
Children's Puppet Theater: How a Fossil is Made

Learn how fossils are formed in this interactive puppet show for all ages.

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A T-rex costume worn by museum staff
Dino Costumed Character

Meet a friendly T. rex for photo ops and fun dinosaur facts from a knowledgeable handler.

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Child in Dinosaur face paint
Dino Days Face Painting

Get a prehistoric makeover by pros from Pacific Face Painters on March 23-24, March 29–31, and April 1, 6, & 7.

Related Exhibits & Events

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Claude, the Academy's American alligator with albinism, in the swamp exhibit
Swamp Talk

Meet Claude, our alligator with albinism, and learn why his Southeastern habitat is so unique. Daily, 1:30 pm.

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A visitor inspecting the Naturalist Center cabinets filled with specimens, books, and more.
Naturalist Center

Welcome to the Academy's hub for exploration, with books, games, specimens, and more. Open daily; hours vary.

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Simulation of incoming asteroid
Incoming!

Witness the explosive origins of Earth in this hard-hitting planetarium show narrated by George Takei.

Generously supported by:
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