Summer Solstice Celebration at Cranbrook Art Museum & Cranbrook Institute of Science

Overview

The Summer Solstice is upon us—a perfect day to celebrate the beauty of nature with science and art on the longest day of the year! ☀️

Cranbrook Art Museum and the Cranbrook Institute of Science invite you to our second annual Summer Solstice Celebration on Saturday, June 21, from 11:00am to 3:00pm, for a festive day filled with hands-on activities, creative exploration, and nature-inspired fun for all ages!

The best part? One ticket (per person) gives you access to both the Institute of Science and the Art Museum–double the fun, double the adventure! Two incredible experiences for one great price.

Here’s what’s heating up at this solstice celebration at Cranbrook Art Museum:

💃 May Pole Dance: Celebrate the upcoming summer season with a traditional folk dance on the Cranbrook Art Museum lawn.

🎶 Sun-inspired Sounds: Enjoy music on the Cranbrook Art Museum’s peristyle, including a presentation of The Dolphins, a dynamic Juilliard string quartet dedicated to excellence, adventure, and accessibility by the Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival.

🌤️ Fun in the Sun: Join in on yard games, participate in special art-making activities, and enjoy some delicious food and festive treats provided by our friends at Cranbrook Art Museum.
🫧 Bright Bubble Wands: Join us outside to create a world of bubbles with handmade bubble wands! Using beads and other playful materials, this will be a fun activity all visitors can enjoy.
🎵 Sun Sounding Tambourines: Practice rhythm by crafting tambourines decorated with ribbons and yarn. We’re using the sun as inspiration to make colorful artworks that double as instruments.
And the summer celebration doesn’t stop there! Catch some rays and seasonal themed activities at the Cranbrook Institute of Science, including:

📸 Strike a Pose with Steggy: Grab a FREE professional family photo with everyone’s favorite dinosaur, Steggy the Stegosaurus! Catch this amazing experience from 11:00am to 2:00pm—say cheese! 🦖

🧬 Pokémon exploreLAB Experience: For almost 30 years, Pokémon have dominated pop culture, but what many people might not know is that the franchise is heavily rooted in natural science. Step into the prehistoric world of Pokémon and meet their real-life counterparts! Discover how real paleontology inspired their designs in this fun, fossil-filled exploreLAB adventure for all ages. Three showtimes will be available throughout the day. Available for an additional fee.

🎨 Summer Crafts Station: Get crafty with sunshine vibes! Make your own colorful paper flowers and build a sundial to take home.

🔍 Solstice Scavenger Hunt: Explore the Institute inside and out with a scavenger hunt that mixes nature, art, and science into one unforgettable quest. Discover hidden gems, solve clues, and let the summer adventures begin!

🌿 Outdoor Campus Walks: Enjoy a guided walk around Cranbrook’s beautiful campus to uncover blooming plants, curious critters, stunning sculptures, and scenic views of Kingswood Lake. Each walk is a mini expedition—so wear comfy shoes and get ready for a mix of gravel paths, grassy trails, and dirt walkways. Walks depart at 11:15am, 12:30pm, and 1:45pm.

🐉 Pokémon GO Adventure: Whether you’re wandering our sprawling 319-acre campus or joining us to celebrate the solstice (or both!), it’s always a great time to play Pokémon GO. With exciting new game updates, the Cranbrook Campus is your ideal playground to catch rare Pokémon, challenge gyms, spin the Institute’s PokéStops, and discover every corner of the grounds!

🌟 Planetarium Shows: Immerse yourself in the stars with awe-inspiring shows at the Acheson Planetarium—a cool retreat on a hot summer day. Available for an additional fee.

📚 Outside Storytime: Kick back and cool off under the big oak tree for some summer-themed tales! Let your imagination soar as we share stories at 11:30am, 12:15pm, 1:00pm, 1:45pm, and 2:30pm.

🔭 Cranbrook Observatory: Peek into the cosmos and soak up the stars this summer with up-close views through our giant telescope.

☀️ Mini Science Sessions: Travel through time and around the world as we explore how ancient cultures—from Central Mexico to Cambodia—built temples, tombs, and sky-aligned structures to celebrate the Summer Solstice. See select artifacts up close, then roll up your sleeves for a hands-on cut-and-fold activity where kids can create their own solstice-inspired mini masterpiece! Structures of Summer will be offered just twice during the event.

This summer celebration is the perfect way for all ages and families to welcome the season together!

Tickets purchased in advance are $12 for general admission and $10 for members, with on-site tickets available for $15.

Celebrate the magic of midsummer with us! Save some cash, grab your tickets today.