Listen to talks presented by some of the most respected thinkers on various subjects and current Met fellows who are upcoming voices of authority in their fields. Celebrated artists, curators, and connoisseurs speak about timely issues connected to The Met's exhibitions and permanent collections. This series of lectures, discussions, talks, symposia, films, and forums will leave you richer in mind, and add greater depth to your visit to the museum.
Your guide to the events happening at The Met
From exhibition openings, concerts, and performances, to lectures, talks, and workshops, you name it and The Met probably hosts it. If you’ve decided when you’ll visit the museum, make sure to check out these events below and participate in one of them on the day of your visit.
Events that take place at The Metropolitan Museum of Art
MetSpeaks
MetCreates
The Met is for everyone! These interactive sessions at The Met truly embody this with a range of programs from Hello, Met! to Storytime at The Met where you and your children can participate together. Let your kids learn about art-making practices, interact with artists, and make their own artwork inspired by The Met collection.
MetStudies
If there is art around, there is learning to be done. The Met transforms into your very own classroom through its learning communities that host career labs, short courses, and much more. Whether you’re a teen looking to delve into art or a post-grad student who wants to make a career out of art and culture, there is something for you here.
MetTours
Let artists and experts take you through the galleries of The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters in engaging tours and storytelling sessions. Connect with the art more intimately with curators, conservators, educators, and artists guiding you through The Met’s collections
MetLiveArts
Let these performances complement your artistic journey through the halls of The Met. Watch mesmerizing dance recitals and listen to some of the most celebrated voices of our times in these performances commissioned by The Met’s Department of Live Arts. Previous commissions include programs by Patti Smith, Sting, Bill T. Jones, and Lee Mingwei.
Weekend Member Mornings
Every weekend, The Met hosts something special for its members before public hours. Members can access select exhibitions curated just for you making your Met experience magical.
Events at The Met museum in 2024
1. Asian American and Pacific Islander Arts and Culture
Storytime at The Met
Date: Every Tuesdays and Thursdays from May 2, 2024 – May 30, 2024
Time: 10:15am – 10:45am and 11:15am – 11:45am
Fee: This activity isfree, and museum admission is not required.
Venue: The Met Fifth Avenue
Storytime at The Met is an excellent way for children to engage with art. These picture-book readings are for children aged 18 months to 6 years old accompanied by their families. Here, the kids will be able to connect what they read about with objects in The Met collection. The theme for these story sessions changes every month.
2. Power and Place in Global Contemporary Art, 1970–89
Research Out Loud
Date: May 10, 2024
Time: 10am – 12pm
Fee: This activity isfree.
Venue: The Met Fifth Avenue
This series of talks is presented by current Met fellows. These leading minds will inspire you with their research in art history, visual culture, education, and cultural heritage. The presentations are held in person and can also be watched on Zoom.
3. Hello, Met! (Ages 2–4)
Activity class
Date: Every Thursday from April 4, 2024 – June 6, 2024 (no class April 25 and May 30)
Time: 11am – 12pm
Fee: Members need to pay $570, and non-members are charged $675.
Venue: The Met Fifth Avenue
These activity classes at The Met show children the wonderful world of art at the museum through stories, songs, and art activities. Each class is limited to 10 children between the ages of 2 and 4 years, and one adult must accompany each child. You will need to register in advance for this is a popular activity.
4. Painting Lab (Ages 5–8)
Activity class
Date: Every Thursday from April 4, 2024 – June 6, 2024 (no class April 25 and May 30)
Time: 3:30pm – 5:30pm
Fee: Members must pay $290, and non-members are charged $340.
Venue: The Met Fifth Avenue
If you have children between the ages of 5 and 8 years, drop them off at this fun painting class. Your kids will mix their own paints and learn a variety of techniques used in works of art in The Met collection. The classes are limited to groups of 21 children who have to register in advance.
5. May in the Gardens
Met Expert Talks
Date: Every Friday from May 3, 2024 - May 31, 2024
Time: 3pm - 3:30pm
Fee: This event is complimentary with Museum admission.
Venue: The Met Cloisters
Museum experts walk you through the yearly blooming of The Met Cloisters gardens and introduce you to special topics related to the natural world. Don’t forget to ask questions and pick the minds of some of the most seasoned curators, conservators, scientists, and scholars that will host this session.
6. World Mythology at The Met (Ages 5–8)
Friday Stories and Glories
Date: Every Friday from April 5, 2024 – June 14, 2024 (no class April 26, May 24, and May 31)
Time: 5pm – 7pm
Fee: Members must pay $275, and non-members are charged $330.
Venue: The Met Fifth Avenue
Let your children uncover the world of art through stories, mythology, and folklore from around the globe. Drop them off at this interactive in-gallery program just for kids. Each class is limited to 21 children, so early registration is recommended.
You can find The Met’s complete events calendar here.
Frequently asked questions about The Met's events
Your admission tickets to the museum will be enough to attend some events like the Met Expert Talks. But several events require you to register for them separately along with an event fee.
You can purchase tickets for the paid museum events through the museum’s events page.
The Met events require you to purchase admission tickets whether you visit the museum’s galleries or not. It is best to club your museum visit with the event you want to attend.
The Met curates age-specific events for teens and children. These activities are held for specific age groups that are banded together, such as the Painting Lab for kids aged 5 to 8 years old and the Pause for Pegasus classes for those ages between 9 and 12 years old.
The Met hosts multisensory workshops called ‘Discoveries’ for children and adults with a range of developmental and learning disabilities and those on the autism spectrum.
The ‘Seeing Through Drawing’ workshops at The Met for visitors who are blind or partially sighted uses experimentation with materials and verbal description as an innovative way to learn drawing techniques.
Derby Hall, the main venue where talks and lectures are held, is wheelchair accessible. There are wheelchair spaces available in the front row. The studio space at The Met located on the ground floor, The Box, is also wheelchair accessible.
Some artist talks and exhibition walk-throughs hosted by artists let you interact personally with the artists while they give you an intimate experience of their art.
