EVENT CALENDAR
HALLOWEEN
SAT, OCT 25TH
10AM-2PM
Bring the whole family for spooky science fun, hands-on activities, and tasty food. Costumes are encouraged, and you won’t want to miss the chance to discover the “spookier side” of our collections while making memories together.
Enjoy a lineup of festive activities for all ages:
Costume Contest with prizes for creativity and fun
Trick-or-Treating for rocks throughout the museum
Pumpkin Painting to take home your own Halloween masterpiece
Face Painting to transform into something spooky or sparkly
Spooky Minerals on display from the museum’s collection
Geode Cracking to reveal the hidden surprises inside stones
Delicious food and drinks available for purchase from SlackTide Fish & Chowder Food Truck
DIAMONDS & DIORITE: A MINECRAFT™ DAY
SAT, NOV 15TH
10AM-2PM
Step into the world of Minecraft™—and beyond! At this interactive event, kids and families can experience geology in real life through hands-on fun with rocks and minerals straight from the game’s universe.
- See and Touch: Explore real specimens that match the ores and blocks you know from Minecraft™—handle, compare, and discover what they’re made of.
- Learn: Dive into an exhibit that connects the game’s virtual landscapes to real-world geology.
- Play: Hunt for clues in a scavenger hunt, crack open geodes, and build your own creations.
- Shop: Find Minecraft™-inspired gifts and souvenirs to continue the adventure at home.
SIP & STONE
SAT, NOV 22ND
6PM-9PM
Raise a glass in celebration of Oregon’s vibrant wine country while immersed in the sparkling beauty of the Museum. This special fundraising evening brings together flavors of the vineyard, the science of the soil, and the brilliance of the Earth’s treasures.
- Local Wineries: Taste wines from some of Oregon’s finest producers, including Eagle’s Nest Reserve Vineyard & Winery and Lemelson Vineyards, with additional wineries to be announced. Guests will receive a punch card to enjoy tastings responsibly at each winery station.
- Food Pairings: Savor delicious charcuterie options designed to complement the evening’s wines.
- Featured Talks with Scott Burns: Renowned geologist Scott Burns will give two engaging talks at 6:30 PM and 8:00 PM, exploring the fascinating connections between geology, soils, and wine.
All proceeds from the evening directly support the Rice Museum’s educational programs, collections, exhibits and more. Help us inspire curiosity about Earth Sciences for generations to come!
Tickets: $100 per person (21 and over)
SAVE THE DATE:
Sat, Dec 6, 2025 – Nifty Fifties Holiday at the Museum
2026:
Sun, Jan 18th – Intern Celebration and Geosciences Career Day
Sat, Jan 24th – Mystery Mineral Day
Sat, Mar 7th – A Day at the Beach
Sun, Mar 22nd – Garage Sale
Sat, Apr 4th – The Great Thunderegg Hunt
Sat, May 9th – The Gold Rush (Tentative)
Sat, May 16th – Volcano Day
Sun, Jun 21st – Space Day
Sun, Jul 12th – Mystery Mineral Day
Sat, Aug 22nd – Summer Bash
Sat, Sep 19th – Garage Sale
Sat, Sep 26th – Worldwide Day of Play (Tentative)
Sat, Oct 31st – Halloween Rock or Treat
Sun, Nov 15th – Diamonds & Diorite: A Minecraft Day
Sat, Nov 21st – Sip & Stone (Tentative)
Sat, Dec 5th – Nifty Fifties Holiday Celebration