The Springfield Museums present its biggest, most ‘spectacular’ summer ever! Art lovers, history buffs, dinophiles, Dr. Seuss fans, and everyone in between will find something that delights during Summer Spectacular from July 9 through August 17.

“Summer is such a fun time of year at the Springfield Museums! We’re excited to welcome families for days filled with hands-on art and science activities, outdoor performances, and all kinds of museum adventures,” exclaims Director of Education Larissa Murray.

The Museums are open seven days a week, offering a variety of ways for visitors to play, explore, and create. In addition to daily hands-on activities designed for families to enjoy together, there will be weekly highlights and special guests, all presented free with museum admission.

On Wednesdays, local artist Amy Reyor showcases her unique talent for chalk art and invites visitors to make their mark alongside her incredible 3D drawings, while Professor Knows A. Lot offers face colorful painting. Fridays are for dancing with a performance by Toe Jam Puppet Band and giant bubbles with Mr. Vinny. Visitor-favorite The Cat in the Hat makes appearances on Wednesdays and Saturdays, offering high fives and hugs.

“Over the six weeks of this program, we will be exploring the topics of ocean life, dinosaurs, and Frida Kahlo through fun and engaging hands-on games, crafts, and activities,” states Family Engagement Coordinator Abby Garner. “We also encourage visitors to explore the selection of activities provided by the fantastic teams of our drop-in spaces—Spark!Lab, Cat’s Corner, and the Art Discovery Center!”

Activities vary daily, checking the calendar on SpringfieldMuseums.org is recommended. Visitors can also pick up a printed schedule in the Welcome Center for the most up-to-date information.

Summer Spectacular activities enhance the Springfield Museums’ already impressive slate of special exhibitions on view this season. The profoundly moving and intimate Frida Kahlo, Her Photos reveals 241 images belonging to the iconic artist’s personal collection, which were locked up in a bathroom at the her residence for more than 50 years. Visitors can get to know the woman behind the art: her origins and roots, her friendships and romantic relationships, her constant fight with her fragile health, her political tendencies, and the strong role that photography played in her life and work. It is complemented by a delightful installation called Explore Frida’s World, an interactive space inspired by her home La Casa Azul (now the Frida Kahlo Museum) and her continuing impact on popular culture today.

Cool fact: Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum: The Exhibit is open for exploration and brings to life the acclaimed PBS KIDS® TV series, which follows kid adventurers Xavier Riddle, his little sister Yadina, and best friend Brad as they tackle everyday problems by doing something extraordinary: traveling back in time to learn from real-life inspirational figures when they were kids. Visitors can examine x-rays and conduct an experiment with lab equipment in Marie Curie’s chemist lab and enter a Secret Garden with botanist George Washington Carver to sketch beautiful plant life and plant your own seeds.

Rounding out the offerings, Tiny Titans: Dinosaur Eggs and Babies presents a rare and exciting look at the life of dinosaurs. This remarkable exhibition offers an astounding array of authentic dinosaur eggs and nests collected from all over the globe. A captivating experience for all ages, Tiny Titans invites visitors to touch real dinosaur bones and reconstructed nests, dig for eggs, experience hands-on exploration stations, and view animated video presentations featuring well-known dinosaur experts. Dinosaur enthusiasts can cap off their visit in the Seymour Planetarium for a full-dome presentation of Did an Asteroid Really Kill the Dinosaurs?, screening daily at 2 pm (additional fee).

“What’s especially exciting about the Quadrangle is that you can experience five world class museums and the Dr. Seuss Sculpture Garden all in one place,” said Kay Simpson, President & CEO. “This year the colorful exhibition Habitat from the Smithsonian is a new and playful addition to our grounds and is another reason why we are a must-see summer attraction!”

Summer Spectacular is sponsored by Baystate Health, Berkshire Bank, Country Bank, Florence Bank, Eversource, Health New England, M&T Bank, and Charles H. Hall Foundation, N.A., Bank of America, Trustee.

Frida Kahlo, Her Photos is organized by Frida Kahlo Museum – Casa Azul/Diego Rivera Museum; and Bank of Mexico, Fiduciary in the Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo Museum Trust. The exhibition’s worldwide tour is managed by TE Exhibitions; sponsored locally by Excel Dryer, Raymond James of Springfield MA, and the Sachdev Family; and presented in collaboration with the Mi Museo Committee.

Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum: The Exhibit is a nationally traveling exhibit created by The Magic House, St. Louis Children’s Museum in collaboration with 9 Story Media Group, Inc. New England Public Media is the local sponsor.

Tiny Titans was developed by Charlie and Florence Magovern of The Stone Company, Boulder, Colorado in association with the Harvard Museum of Natural History; promoted by Silver Plume Exhibition; and is sponsored locally by PeoplesBank.

MassMutual is the season sponsor of the Springfield Museums.