Make the most of a summer in St. Louis at the Saint Louis Science Center

Pack your summer with discovery from the traveling exhibition “The Blue Whale Story” and OMNIMAX® films to SciFest, McDonnell Planetarium shows, and adults-only Science Center Up Late events.

by SLM Partner Studio April 28, 2026 at 2:11 PM April 28, 2026

Visitors can explore our planet’s history and the creatures that once roamed its surface.

The best discoveries happen when you stop and ask why. This summer, events at the Saint Louis Science Center help families do exactly that.

From the traveling exhibition The Blue Whale Story to immersive documentary experiences, the Science Center works to keep minds expanding, even during summer. With opportunities for younger kids, families, and adult-only events, curious minds will find something that piques their interests—all while having fun.

See the list of events below to discover more about how this iconic institution is keeping St. Louis curious this summer.

The Blue Whale Story

When: May 23, 2026–January 10, 2027
Where: Saint Louis Science Center, 5050 Oakland
Cost: $8 for members; $16 for adults (ages 13-59); $12 for children (ages 5-12); $14 those ages 60 or older and military personnel; and $10 per person for groups of 10 or larger

Opening May 23, 2026, The Blue Whale Story tells the story of the world’s largest creature. Inspired by the unfortunate loss of nine endangered North Atlantic blue whales to ice entrapment in 2014, this traveling exhibition is meant to teach visitors about environmental conservation and why protecting blue whales is so crucial to our oceans. Visitors will be greeted by massive replicas of a blue whale skeleton, hearts, and other organs, with photo opportunities and interactive games along the exhibit’s path. Tickets are now on sale at the exhibition website.

James S. McDonnell Planetarium

When: Summer
Where: Forest Park
Cost: Opportunities for both free and paid shows

The beloved McDonnell Planetarium is getting an update. Visitors can expect a new “hybrid” planetarium that replaces the old star ball with one that improves visuals and allows for more in-person presentation, along with a better guest experience and audio quality. Typical shows will cover topics from space exploration to geospatial technology, with details to be added soon on the planetarium event calendar.

Experience the re-imagination of the movie-going experience at the OMNIMAX® Theater featuring IMAX® with Laser.

Science Shows at the OMNIMAX Theater

When: Thursdays through Mondays from April to June
Where: Saint Louis Science Center, 5050 Oakland
Cost: Free for members (based on membership level); $11.50 non-member adults; $9.50 children/seniors; $9.50 military

The OMNIMAX Theater, one of the few IMAX® Dome with Laser theaters in the world, screens documentaries on biological, technological, earth, and space sciences. This April, visitors can attend the following shows:

Wild Asia: Explore the diverse ecosystems of Asia, learning about how wildlife adapts to some of the most extreme landscapes of the area.
Serengeti: Discover how the animals of the Serengeti in Africa learn to live amongst each other, including navigating the yearly wildebeest migration.
Deep Sky: A NASA space telescope presents novel cosmic landscapes, exoplanets, and stars, attempting to answer questions about our origins on Earth.

On June 19, the OMNIMAX will open Secrets of the Sea. From adorable pygmy seahorses and opalescent squid to manta rays, tiger sharks, a coconut octopus, and much more, Secrets of the Sea takes viewers face to face with an astonishing array of marine critters, showing the fascinating ways they interact with each other and their environment.

SciFest is a series of free, all-day, weekend expos designed to connect families and visitors of all ages with experts and professionals in science, engineering, technology and math.

SciFest: The Great Outdoors & SciFest: Play and Creativity

When: May 30 & August 8
Where: Saint Louis Science Center, 5050 Oakland
Cost: Free

SciFest is a day-long event from 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., complete with interactive activities and talks by experts and professionals in the worlds of science, technology, engineering and math. Visitors can learn and be inspired by new scientific concepts, meeting storied scientists and like-minded science lovers along the way.

The next event in the series, SciFest: The Great Outdoors (May 30), covers the science of anything outdoors, from space to wild animals. Then, the following event is SciFest: Play and Creativity (August 8), which dives into the inner workings of sports, making art, and how to use STEM to express creativity.

The UpLate event series at the Saint Louis Science Center invites adults to explore, connect, and experience science in a whole new way.

Science Center Up Late: Experience Sound

When: July 25
Where: Saint Louis Science Center, 5050 Oakland
Cost: $15 for members; $20 for non-members. Ages 21 and up.

Science Center Up Late is a series of events geared toward adults. Ages 21 and up can take an in-depth look at basic concepts. The Science Center Up Late: Experience Sound, for instance, explores music and sound in a scientific light, from speaker technology experiences to talks on the scientific methods behind receiving sound. Event admission includes themed activities and engagement with local STEM experts, while alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks and food are also available for purchase.

The Energy Stage features fun, interactive live shows that highlight different areas of STEM each day.

Explore GROW, a 5,000-square-foot pavilion and outdoor space where visitors can discover how food goes from farm to table and learn the science and technology behind modern agriculture.

Makerspace is an interactive space where children can create and learn skills using a variety of tools and materials.

Science Center Galleries: Energy Stage, GROW, & Makerspace

When: Various dates throughout summer
Where: Saint Louis Science Center, 5050 Oakland
Cost: Free

The galleries throughout the Science Center frequently host workshops, interactive shows, and presentations. The lower level holds the Energy Stage, where visitors can watch science “come alive” through presentations from fire to electricity.

On the first floor is GROW, an outdoor space to learn about the “farm-to-table” path of our food and the role of the Midwest in America’s agriculture industry. Upcoming workshops cover such topics as composting and creating soy milk.

Finally, the Makerspace on the second floor hosts tinkering and engineering demonstrations. Attendees can take home materials and finished products from workshops.

STEM Explorers Camp at the Saint Louis Science Center brings science, technology, engineering, and math to life for curious kids ages 5–9 through fun, hands-on experiences they won’t forget.

Summer STEM Explorers Camp

When: June 1–July 24; weekly sessions Mon–Fri
Where: Saint Louis Science Center, 5050 Oakland
Cost: $292 per week for members; $365 per week for non-members. Aftercare available for an additional $75 per week.

Families with younger children may be interested in the Summer STEM Explorers Camp, offering full weeks of hands-on science discovery for ages 5–9. Each themed session immerses campers in a different corner of the science world, from paleontology to engineering. This summer’s open sessions include: